Page 25 of Rescuing Erin (Red Team #5)
There was so much pent up aggression in the room it was sizzling. Leo, Jax, Linc, and Dec all looked murderous as we waited for Zane and the president to come into the room.
“Anyone else think this smells like shit?” Jax asked.
“Damn right it does. Once again, we’re smack in the middle of a bunch of political fucks jockeying for position,” Leo answered.
“We all know how this works, extortion, secrets, and black ops, but what I want to know is why in the fuck the Angel program is so damn important to the NSA. This is not the first wiretap program, what makes this one different?”
“Because it’s the ultimate spy program,” Tom said as he and Zane entered the room. “All electronics were left outside of this room, correct?”
We all answered in the affirmative. Not that it would matter if we hadn’t.
The room was not only bulletproof and soundproof, but there were jammers as well.
No electronic transmissions could pass in or out.
The blackout shades had also been lowered over the thick polycarbonate, ballistic windows.
Every precaution had been taken so the outside world couldn’t intrude.
“I’ll cut right to it,” he started, and Zane dropped a stack of file folders on the table.
Each of us reached to grab one. “Angel was originally designed by an NSA programmer as data backup for intelligence gathered overseas. I signed off on the program as it was presented as a way to facilitate a communication bridge between agencies. The intelligence community would have a centralized database they could all use.”
“Let me guess, they found a way to misuse it?” Jaxon interrupted.
“That would be an understatement. It was almost immediately implemented to spy on the American people. As soon as I got word, I shut it down.”
“Spy how? The normal telecommunication marker word taps?” Leo asked.
Most people in the US knew that if you were speaking on the phone and used certain words or word phrases, the government would record and analyze your call.
“No.” The president looked like he was tired.
“Total intrusion. Angel can access your cell phone camera and mic. Same with tablets and computers. An everyday American could be innocently walking into the grocery store and could be geo-tracked and, without their knowledge, any conversations they had could be recorded, analyzed, and stored.”
“Nothing new,” Linc muttered.
“I need to explain the gravity of the NSA’s abuse of power.
Imagine the unsuspecting population, sitting in the privacy of their own homes, having a conversation, and not knowing that those popular smart devices and virtual assistants had been recording their every word.
While you think asking it to turn on your favorite music, order your laundry detergent, or tell you the latest news is convenient, being reconnoitered by a fucking speaker is probably not what people thought they were getting.
People have refrigerators that are now chipped as a listening device. ”
“Other than the obvious infringement, what does the NSA have to gain? Targeting individuals on terror watchlists, I can understand. Everyday people? What’s the play?” I asked.
“Power. There’re infinite possibilities on how to use the intel gathered.
Election fraud, warrantless surveillance, control, forecasting crimes, and illegal detainment.
And let’s not forget greed. Private corporations have their hands out as well.
Not only do they fund the program but they have their own programmers involved.
Independent contractors such as Warren are working side by side with the NSA, buying their way into a goldmine of intel. ”
“The golden age of surveillance. Even our goddamn televisions come with a warning not to talk about sensitive information because you’re being recorded,” Declan growled.
“Utter bullshit. We willingly keep tracking devices on our person: watches, cell phones, and nanny-cams in our homes, everything is exploited.”
“How did you find out?” I inquired.
“A Good Samaritan, who strongly believes in the constitution and fourth amendment, came forward. He saw what was going on and felt it was his moral duty to stop it. After I received the information, I waited a few weeks and contacted Greenwold. I made a surprise visit to an NSA black site and told him to shut the program down.”
“Yet, you didn’t dismiss Greenwold,” Zane stated.
“Not until I knew how deep this went. Who else in my administration knew? Did my National Security Advisor know? Did the vice president? Someone in a congressional oversight committee had to know where millions of dollars were going. They always fucking do. Who received the kickback for turning a blind-eye? ”
“What now?” I asked.
“Now we watch them,” Zane answered.
“And we do that how?”
“Tex.” Zane smiled, both of his dimples showing.
Nothing good ever came from Zane Lewis being giddy. It meant he had a plan, one that no doubt would end with scumbags being six feet under.
“He’s fucked. How can he help when his system was breeched?” Linc questioned.
“Tex is at the White House now. I sent Garrett and the Gold Team to PA to watch over Melody and the kids while he’s here.”
“You got Tex to the White House?” Leo whistled. “He must be pissed.”
There were very few things that would make Tex leave his wife and kids behind in Pennsylvania, not to mention his plethora of machines. He didn’t need to leave the house to implement a hostile takeover of the world. The man was that good.
“Pissed doesn’t begin to cover how angry he is.
Every single woman he’s outfitted with tracking devices were potentially put in harm’s way.
The wives of his closest friends, abuse victims on the run that he helps, paramilitary contractors are now in jeopardy, and then there’s what happened to Colin and Erin.
He’s not mad; he’s positively, certifiably insane.
I thought I had a short fuse and a bad temper, but Tex passed DEFCON about a mile back.
I was a little afraid of him when we set him up at the White House,” Zane told the room.
“I’ve given Tex everything he needs to shut this shit down.
” The president’s tone was icy, but it was his stare that had my attention.
It was cool and calculating and an impassive gaze he’d no doubt learned during his years as a UDT.
The man was not to be trifled with. “I have every confidence Tex will have the information he needs in a few days. Once his investigation is done, you’ll be given the go-ahead to move in.
Zane, I’ve never been one to tell you how to command your team or do your job but I will offer you these two words—extreme prejudice. ”
“Loud and clear,” Zane returned.
“I’m headed back to Washington now and have a scheduled meeting at Camp David in five days. I hope this can be resolved by then.” He turned to me and asked, “How’s Erin?”
“As expected. She had a nightmare last night, but had no recollection of it when she woke up. She hasn’t had any issues with her concussion and she’ll go back to the doctor tomorrow for another CT scan.”
“So you’ll be in D.C. tomorrow?”
“Correct.”
“I’d like to see you both after her appointment if you can spare the time.”
I didn’t like the ominous tone and readily agreed. I’d never witnessed him being anything but confident, but before I could place the emotion crossing his face he’d closed down.
Zane left to walk the president to the rooftop helipad, leaving the rest of us to go over the SITREP he’d provided.
“This shit is jacked,” Linc commented.
“Anyone else pick up on Tom’s demeanor?” I asked.
Something was screaming at me that the situation was about to go FUBAR. I’d learned a long time ago to trust my gut and it was telling me something was wrong.
“It was hard to miss. Think he knows something he’s not sharing?” Jax asked.
“No. I think he laid it out for us. Though, he’s not stupid. He must know there’s more at play than the NSA spying,” Leo added.
“The question is what .” I continued to scan the papers in front of me with a sinking feeling we were missing something.
“The what will present itself. It always does.” Linc was correct, I only hoped it wasn’t too late when we figured it out.
“Greenwold give you anything?” I asked.
“Not a goddamn thing that’s useful. We didn’t have as much time with him as we wanted. All he said was they’re always watching. Not sure if he meant the NSA or someone else.”
“I don’t think he meant the NSA. I think this is bigger than Tom wants to admit.”
“I think you’re right,” Linc agreed.
This was one instance I wished I was wrong. Bigger was not always better.