Page 20 of Shadowed Hearts: Frost
"But why?" Cole's question mirrors my own thoughts.
A notification pings. Another message appears:
For someone who sees everything, you're missing what's right in front of you.
I bite back a curse, frustration cracking through my calculated exterior.
"They just left something else." Cole's voice cuts through the tension. "Looks like... is that an invitation?"
A red glow floods the van's interior as an alert notification takes over the primary screen. I straighten in my seat, eyes narrowing at the intrusion.
"What the hell?" Xander leans forward, his bulk making the cramped space seem even smaller.
"It's not coming through our surveillance system." Cole's voice carries rare alarm. "It's on your personal device, Frost—the one that shouldn't be accessible to anyone outside our team."
My jaw tightens as Cole pulls up the alert.
"They've breached my secure channel." My voice remains steady despite the violation this represents.
The screen displays a professionally designed digital invitation against a sleek black background:
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CYBERSEC CONFERENCE
Sacramento Convention Center
Tomorrow, 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Special Panel: Advanced Encryption Methodologies, Room 307B, 2:00 PM
Attendance Confirmed: Asher Cross
My heartbeat accelerates slightly, though nothing in my expression changes.This isn't just a breach. It's a direct challenge.
"That should be impossible with our protocols." Cole studies the invitation, his analytical mind already calculating possibilities and risks.
I lean forward as Cole zooms in on the invitation details. The encryption panel is being led by specialists from major tech companies. The timing, the location, the subject matter—all of it precisely calibrated to appeal to someone with my specific skill set.
Xander whistles low, shifting his weight to get a better view of the screen. "That's basically saying 'meet me there.' Subtle as a brick through a window."
"It's clearly a trap," Cole counters, his fingers already pulling up the conference details.
I study the conference layout visible on the invitation. Multiple exit points. Crowded venue. Public setting that limits hostile action. Calculated risk.
"Trap or not, it's intelligence we can't ignore." I reach past Cole to access a satellite view of the convention center. "If they wanted to attack, they wouldn't need this elaborate setup. They want a meeting."
"Or they want to assess you in person." Cole's voice carries unusual caution.
"Either way, Echo's making it personal." Xander stretches in the confined space, his elbow nearly connecting with my shoulder. "Sorry, man. Not built for stakeout vans."
I rotate the 3D model of the convention center on Cole's screen, marking potential surveillance positions and extraction routes. The methodical process usually centers me, but tonight something else simmers beneath my professional assessment—an unusual current of anticipation.
"We should contact Kade." Cole is already reaching for the secure line.
Within minutes, Kade's voice fills the cramped van. After a brief assessment, his decision comes through clearly.
"We'll approach this as full reconnaissance. Frost takes point inside the conference. Blade, prepare digital countermeasures. Chaos, coordinate with the rest of the team on perimeter. Full comms. Multiple exit strategies."
"Understood." My response is automatic while my mind races ahead.
