Page 95 of Acting on Instinct
“I didn’t believe it was an accident,” Fatima said. “I tried to stop whatever would come next.” She lifted her hands, then let them drop. “I failed. It was stupid, so naively stupid.”
“They tortured you, but they didn’t leave any marks,” White said. “There’s a reason.”
“I’m part of a calculus because of my family. That doesn’t mean that what they did to me was—” Fatima sucked in a breath and fixed her gaze on the wall again.
“Fatima, breathe,” Ty said. “You’re safe now.” He set the water beside her, and she drank it down.
Once Fatima got hold of herself, White asked, “Nadir left for Qatar?”
Fatima nodded. “And I was held prisoner by his men.”
“Not anymore. We have you and will keep you safe,” White said. “But Nadir is flying to Qatar now that he thinks that he has control of both you and Kira, and he’s safe to act?”
“We have Kira,” Ty said, putting a steadying hand on Fatima’s shoulder. “She’s safe. Nadir doesn’t know that.”
“Potentially, that’s correct.” Fatima’s eyes slipped over to the wall clock. “He’ll land soon.”
“How do we stop the program?” T-Rex asked. Fatima turned to look at him. “I have been trying to figure this out. I believe that some of the advanced AI systems could be programmed to search for and destroy the code. It’s the only possibility I’ve come up with.”
“But then wouldn’t that train AI how to write such a code?” White asked.
“I landed on that problem, too,” Fatima said flatly. “But that is true of today’s systems anyway.”
“Not good,” T-Rex muttered as Fatima lifted the water to ask for more.
Ty obliged.
When Fatima set the empty glass down, White said, “Fatima, tell me this: who knows about this program?”
Fatima fell silent. Finally, she said, “Do you mean how many people know how to put it into play?”
“Yes,” White said, leaning into the camera.
“One person that I know of. I mean, there were the Zorics who developed it, and Medved’ got it started. But that family is gone, and they were very secretive and tribal. They wouldn’t share that level of technology with anyone outside the family. Then there was William, of course, but Ty told me that he died after he reached the hospital. And now there’s only Nadir who wishes to hold the world hostage.”
“Nadir,” White said. She blinked. “I have to make a phone call. Fatima, it’s in your best interest that you leave with theteam and come to America under our protection until the dust settles.”
“Yes, thank you.”
“Gentlemen, you heard her. Up and at ’em. Kira and I need a ride home.”
***
Ty was the first one off when the plane doors opened.
He raced forward, wrapped Kira in his arms, lifted her off the ground, and breathed deeply.
“Oh my God, Ty, I love you.”
After a long moment, he set her down and turned to see where her focus had landed.
“Thank you for saving my aunt. You’re here.” She patted his chest. “And look at Rory. You're limping, my poor baby.”
“War beast,” Ty growled.
“My sweet lovey boy. My best boy. I am so glad you get to go be with Trip Wire and get belly scritches and naps for the rest of your days. No more missions.”
“We’ll be with him,” Ty said. “Iniquus signed my contracts.”
