Chapter 32
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The atmosphere in the Clearview conference room was thick with tension. The massive glass whiteboards were usually covered in financial flowcharts, but today, they were blank. Dealing with Damian Croft meant dealing with a man who could potentially hack any digital footprint they created.
Robert sat at the head of the long wooden table, his face deeply lined with concern. He had spent the morning tapping into his extensive network of political and legal contacts.
"Omni-Tech Solutions isn't just a private company," Robert explained, his voice grim. "They hold massive cybersecurity contracts with the state government. Croft has politicians in his pocket because he essentially protects their digital infrastructure. If we go after him legally, he will claim we are a national security threat and try to have the federal government shut us down."
"He is using his corporate power as a shield for domestic terrorism," Nathan said, pacing the length of the room. "But there is a legal angle here. If he used Omni-Tech servers to illegally surveil Chloe's sister across state lines, that is a federal cyber-stalking and wiretapping felony. It breaks his immunity."
Emily sat at the table, her hands folded calmly in front of her. "The problem isn't finding the crime. The problem is proving it. Chloe said he uses encrypted, self-deleting software. If we file a subpoena, he will wipe the servers clean before the ink is even dry on the judge's order."
Rachel walked into the room, carrying a stack of thick, physical manila folders. She dumped them on the table with a heavy thud.
"We are going old school," Rachel announced, a fierce, determined look in her eyes. "I just ordered the IT department to take Clearview's entire internal network offline. We are disconnected from the internet. All of Chloe's intake forms, her statements, and our legal strategies will be recorded on typewriters and physical paper, locked in the basement vault."
"That is brilliant, Rachel," Robert smiled, looking thoroughly impressed. "If Croft tries to hack us to see what Chloe has told us, he will find absolutely nothing."
"But we still need evidence against him," Nathan pointed out, stopping his pacing. "We need to catch him in the act of illegal surveillance. We need to bait him into using his network in a way that we can trace, independently of his own scrubbed servers."
Emily looked at the blank whiteboard, a dangerous, brilliant plan forming in her mind.
"Damian Croft thrives on total control," Emily said quietly, drawing the attention of the entire room. "Right now, he has lost his primary target. He is panicking because Chloe is missing, and he cannot find her on his grid. He will be desperate to re-establish control."
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"What are you suggesting, Emily?" Nathan asked, knowing that tone in his wife's voice.
"I am suggesting we give him exactly what he wants," Emily said. "We give him a target. We let him think he has found Chloe, and we wait for him to spring the digital trap. But this time, we will be the ones watching him."
