Page 24 of Once Vanished
Riley exchanged a glance with Bill.“ShadowCipher?”
“A hacker—one of the best.Almost a legend in certain dark web circles.I’ve been tracking their work for years, but no one’s ever been able to identify them.Their code is...well, it’s practically art.Distinctive and incredibly sophisticated.”
“And you think this ShadowCipher is working with Leo?”Bill asked.
“The evidence points that way,” Sam replied.“The security breach at your home has all the hallmarks of their work.And it would explain how Leo has been able to access so much sensitive information.”
Riley sat up straighter.“Sam, I think Leo has accessed our psychiatric records—mine and Bill’s.Is that something this ShadowCipher could do?”
“Without breaking a sweat,” Sam confirmed.“Medical records, FBI personnel files, therapy notes—none of it would be beyond their capabilities.ShadowCipher specializes in extracting information from secure government and healthcare databases.”
Bill’s expression darkened.“That explains a lot.”
“I’ve got a team working on tracking ShadowCipher now,” Sam continued.“But I have to be honest with you, Riley—this person is incredibly elusive.Law enforcement has been trying to identify them for years without success.”
“Do whatever you can,” Riley urged.“If we can find ShadowCipher, we might find Leo.And Jilly.”
“I will,” Sam promised.“But don’t pin all your hopes on me.This hacker is...well, they’re a ghost.They leave almost no trace.”
After thanking Sam and ending the call, Riley sat in thought for a moment, then turned to Bill.
“I know someone who might be able to help us track down ShadowCipher,” she said.
Bill’s eyes widened slightly in recognition.“Van Roff.”
Riley felt a twinge of hope at the sound of the name.Van was technical analyst in the Seattle FBI field office—and a valuable ally matters like this.
Riley nodded.“If anyone can find this hacker, it’s Van.”
Bill didn’t look entirely convinced.“Van Roff operates in some pretty gray areas, himself, Riley.And he’s all the way out in Seattle.”
“He doesn’t need to be here physically,” Riley said.“And right now, I don’t care about gray areas.I care about finding Jilly.”
Without waiting for further debate, Riley found Van’s number, dialed, and put the phone on speaker again.It rang several times before a gruff voice answered.
“Paige.I heard about what happened.Your kid.That’s rough.”
“That’s why I’m calling,” Riley said.“I need your help.We’re looking for a hacker called ShadowCipher.They’re working with the man who took my daughter.”
The line went silent for so long that Riley thought they might have lost the connection.
“Van?Are you still there?”
“ShadowCipher,” Van finally said, his voice uncharacteristically thoughtful.“Now that’s a name I haven’t heard in a while.”
Riley exchanged a surprised look with Bill.“You know them?”
“Not exactly ‘know,’” Van clarified.“He reached out to me once.A few years back.Professional courtesy, I guess you could call it.Wanted my opinion on some code he’d written.I complied but tried to trace his whereabouts.I couldn’t do it.”
“Can you contact him?”Bill asked.
Another pause.“Maybe.It’d be risky.ShadowCipher values his anonymity above all else.And he’s not friendly.But...for your kid?I’ll try.”
Relief washed over Riley.“Thank you, Van.This means—”
“Don’t thank me yet,” Van interrupted.“I’m not promising anything.But I’ll see what I can do.And Paige?Hang in there.Your girl’s tough, right?”
“The toughest,” Riley confirmed, her throat tight.