Page 43 of Mastermind

“That could mean sitting this out in some IDR secret detention center,” I say.

“Then so be it.” Theo shrugs. “Where do we start?”

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

THREADS

“I’d like to know more about the data centers,” says Theo. “What was taken. That seems like our biggest clue yet. If we could get back in there, we might find something else.”

“We can’t. IDR has taken over that part of the investigation, along with the Koreans,” I explain.

“Well, they seemed to be on the same track we were, so I guess it makes sense.”

“Except they weren’t. They got our position from Korean intelligence. They didn’t show up at the data center to chase down a clue. They went because it’s where you were.”

“Ah. I see. And now they have access and get the credit, I assume?”

“Basically. The credit doesn’t bother me. I’d just like to know what they know as soon as they find out. While I don’t trust Kieren, the people working with her aren’t stupid. They’re bound to discover something, but I doubt they’ll be sharing it with us,” I say with a sigh.

“Why didn’t the FBI put their foot down? You or Ambassador Ailes could have made a deal.”

“We did. Sort of . . .”

Theo leans back and stares at me. “Oh. I see. I was that deal. I’m not in some IDR facility because you made a trade?”

“In a roundabout way,” I say.

“Jessica, objectively speaking, was that wise? I think you and your colleagues might make faster work of whatever is in that data center than IDR can. This could be a setback.”

I shake my head. “No. I’m making a bet, something my gut tells me.”

“And that is?”

“That having you on the outside is better than whatever I can learn from the data heist. I bet on your freedom and your mind.”

“Let me apologize in advance for disappointing you. I don’t think there’s anyone better at understanding Heywood than you. I’m afraid I’m not much more than deadweight.”

“Let’s hold off on that determination until later. Right now, we need another lead.”

“What about the EMPs?”

“The FBI lab is looking for clues. All the materials except the carbon nanotubes are off-the-shelf. The suspects they’ve arrested have prior associations with anarchist groups. They claim they were recruited online and paid to carry out the New York attack.”

“Paid how?”

“Bitcoin or some other digital currency. A hundred thousand each. Apparently, there were dry runs with small teams. Those might’ve been to see who could be trusted.”

Theo nods. “They were run like terrorist cells. Nobody had enough information to compromise the others.”

“Correct. And it seems they had no idea what the EMPs would do. They thought they were just bombs meant to disrupt traffic.”

“Interesting. So that means that somewhere there’s a bomb maker. Did we have any more sightings of demons or dementors anywhere else?” asks Theo.

“No. But I’ve asked if we could get hold of military radar recordings and satellite images. There might be something to be found there.”

“It sounds like everything to do with the Void is being covered,” says Theo. “I don’t know what help I can really provide.”

“Then let’s look outside the Void. Let’s look where nobody else is paying attention.”