Page 6 of Knight Moves

0254 GMT

Message Follows:

I stopped by your office earlier today, but you weren’t there. The Hidden Avenger will not offer us anything more until we can assure him immunity and safety for his family. Where do we stand on the request to the Justice Department?

End of Message

Candace had expected the answer. The Hidden Avenger was as cautious as he was clever. He was going to keep a low profile until he received assurances they could deliver, and he wouldn’t be tricked into exposing himself until he received what he wanted. Technically, he was holding all the leverage right now, but that depended on him remaining anonymous. She was both puzzled and intrigued by reports that the Avenger was actually one of their own, a former NSA agent named Ethan Sinclair who’d vanished fourteen years ago without a trace.

There was important information on his departure and disappearance that she was missing and needed to know. His personnel records indicated he was a superior performer with no known personnel issues. What would cause him to quit or vanish? What was he afraid of that would lead him to abandon a family that he loved dearly, by all accounts? Why was he asking for federal protection for himself and his family, as well as immunity from prosecution for any real or accidental crimes? What else was he hiding?

None of the Avenger’s requests were simple, but, at this point, he was holding all the cards. And he wouldn’t play unless the NSA could deliver on what he wanted.

Well-honed intuition told her the Avenger was running from something, orsomeone, at the NSA. She was also certain the director of research at the NSA and Sinclair’s former boss, Isaac Remington, knew a lot more than he was sharing. Was he hiding something that would enhance his chances to bring in the Avenger himself, so he could showcase his resourcefulness and became the next director? Or did he know something else—something more sinister that could implicate someone within the agency?

Remington would bear watching either way. From this moment on, she’d have to be extremely careful with whom she shared her concerns. Right now, she trusted Jim Avers implicitly and would rely on him for assistance.

We can’t move forward fully yet because the Justice Department needs to understand why he needs immunity. What potential prosecution is he attempting to avoid? It’s one thing if he wants immunity for the ShadowCrypt patch. It’s entirely another if he’s stealing credit card numbers or hacking into commercial firms. If he has engaged in the latter, the Justice Department could not provide immunity from civil suits for the damages. They can deal in federal charges only.

She sent the reply, then went to the small refrigerator in her office, removing a bottle of water and taking a drink. She was supposed to go to the gym to prepare for a duathlon—mountain biking and running—but she was leaning toward a quiet night in front of the television instead. She tried to remember if there were any shows on tonight that she liked when her phone dinged again.

Understood. Will go back to the Avenger and see if I can narrow things down a little. Don’t forget he wants to meet with the director. It’s part of his request.

Candace stared at the text. Wasn’t it strange that the Hidden Avenger would insist on a private meeting with General Norton? What could possibly be the purpose? It was not widely known within the NSA that he intended to retire soon, nor was the information public yet. In her mind, that meant the Hidden Avenger had inside connections at the NSA or was a former employee, further strengthening the case that Ethan Sinclair might indeed be the man they were looking for. But what had happened to make him go rogue?

I spoke with the director yesterday, and he’s agreed to the meeting. General Norton is intrigued by the possibility the Avenger is one of our own. We’ve also been monitoring the terrorist group the Avenger gave us information on and have confirmed heightened chatter. But without the encryption-breaking back door, we can’t follow what they are saying. Still, the FBI has identified and is tracking the individuals, anyone communicating with them, and identified associates. The reports appear to confirm the Avenger’s information.

Jim answered almost immediately.

Avenger is using code names for the next time and method of communication with us and will send instructions within two days providing the connection details. He says we’ll know the communication is from him because it will include the word “Ahab.”

Ahab? Candace frowned at the screen. What was the purpose of that unusual code name? Was it random, or was he trying to tell them something? She typed out a response.

Ahab as in the captain of the whaling ship in Moby Dick or as in King Ahab in the Bible? Check both of these out, as well as any other Ahab that leaps to mind. Look inside the agency first. Have we ever had an operation called Moby Dick or anything similar that we can tie the name Ahab to? The Avenger strikes me as someone who has a detailed purpose for everything he does. Theremustbe a hidden message there. Find it.

Candace sent the message and plopped down in her office chair. Any plans for the gym or television this evening had just gone out the window. It looked like she needed to brew a strong cup of coffee and start readingMoby Dickagain.

Chapter Five

ANGEL SINCLAIR

Mom took it better than I expected. She asked me all the same questions that Gwen did, plus a lot more. She scoured over every inch of the forms and brochure and made me look up the academy online. It had the same photos and information from the brochure and nothing more.

“I don’t understand why they want you to start right away.” Mom pushed her fingers through her hair, which was as red as Gwen’s and mine. “You’re already a month into your senior year of high school. There could be academic repercussions for pulling you out like this.”

“Mom, I love you, but we both know I won’t be missing out on anything at Excalibur. It’s too easy for me and you know it. Slash told me the curriculum at the academy is quite advanced. It’s like a first year at college. It’s just what I need to challenge me academically.”

“But you’re not even sixteen yet.”

“I will be in a couple of weeks. This isn’t about my age, Mom. I know I can do this, and Slash thinks so, too. I’m excited to check it out. Please let me give it a try. If it doesn’t work out, I’m back here in a snap. But if I don’t try, I know I’ll regret it.”

Mom looked over at Gwen for support, but to my surprise, Gwen said, “If she wants to try, let her do it. We both know she can handle it academically. Slash nominated her, so he must believe she has what it takes to do well there. Besides, Angel may be just sixteen, but she’s got more common sense than most people I know my age. She’ll also have friends there to keep her in line. Even better, she won’t be far away. We can check up on her as often as needed.”

“Hey,” I protested, but Gwen just grinned.

My mom blew out a breath and stood from the table. “I’m sorry, but I have to think about this. It’s quite unexpected.”

It was the best I was going to get for now, so I didn’t push it. Instead I rose from the table, following her toward the kitchen. “Mom, can I go to Wally’s after dinner?”

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