Chapter 23 - Ghosts in the Network
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Midnight arrived with a sudden, violent thunderous storm rolling over the hills. Rain lashed against the reinforced glass windows of the estate.
I was deep into the mainframe of Zurich Central Bank when the first security breach flared red on my monitor.
"Dad! We have a localized cyber intrusion!" I called out, my fingers flying across the keys to build a secondary firewall. "It’s not hitting the main network—it’s targeting the nursery’s smart-monitoring system!"
Marcus was at my side in a heartbeat, his sidearm already drawn. "Can they override the doors?"
"They’re trying to cycle the electronic locks on Maya’s room!" I yelled, sweat breaking out on my forehead. "It’s an internal signal! The hack isn't coming from South America, Dad—it’s coming from inside this house!"
"Lock down the sector!" Marcus ordered into his comms unit. "All teams, weapon readiness level alpha! We have a mole!"
Suddenly, the lights flickered and plunged the war room into pitch darkness. The emergency generators kicked in two seconds later, casting a crimson glow over the room.
I grabbed Maya from her crib, holding her tight against my chest as Marcus raised his weapon toward the heavy oak door of the command center.
Footsteps echoed down the hallway—hurried, deliberate, and approaching fast.
"Stay behind me, Mara," Dad whispered, his body forming an impenetrable shield in front of us.
The door handle jiggled. The heavy steel electronic lock clicked, green light flashing, as the door slowly swung open.
May you like
Standing in the doorway was Sarah, my head of domestic security—a woman who had taken a bullet for my father five years ago. But she wasn't holding a pistol. She was holding a short-range EMP jammer, and her eyes were cold and devoid of emotion.
"I'm sorry, Marcus," Sarah said, her voice eerily calm over the sound of the rain. "The Sovereign pays in gold, not loyalty."
