Burned: Black Cipher Files #3 (Black Cipher Files series) (32 page)

We worked on the data in a comfortable silence. Zeke was able to use an online website for translating statistical data into binary code of ones and zeroes. The memory coding for the experiment was set into binary code with one representing an active state and zero representing an inactive state.

Using a mathematical treatment called matrix inversion to compare patterns from one brain to another was the object of the original study. For our purposes, we were going to compare Zeke’s results against Zeke’s results. Once we did that, we would be able to assess the baseline where he set up the laptop and then verbally gave away information, and compare it to the second set of data, when we tried to get him to reveal secrets, both at the computer which he would have done if he’d given Susan Chen his program and verbally, and he had refused.

I stared at the graphs from the two sets of data. One thing was glaringly obvious. The end of the second set of data was vastly different from the first which meant that he hadn’t followed the same pattern.

In all of the standard tasks that Zeke had performed, the base coding through to the end of the task, the binary results were the same, even the one where he told Barb what he’d hacked at seventeen.

But the two instances where he’d refused to answer, giving away the key and revealing my name, had produced vastly different results. Which meant that he’d refused to give up his encryption program. The binary code was different.

We turned to each other. A sense of glee zinged through me. “According my analysis of this,” I couldn’t even finish I was so excited.

“I didn’t give Susan Chen the program.”

I threw my arms around his shoulders, and rubbed my cheek against his stubble. He wrapped his arms around me. The sense of coming home burst within me like a water balloon popping. Relief swelled.

My euphoria faded, and Zeke stiffened in my embrace as we both realized something crucial at the same time.

“If I didn’t give her the program, then who did?”

Thirty-Six

Zeke’s pleasure faded almost immediately as flaws in their data and results became clear. It really didn’t
prove
that he hadn’t given up classified information. It also didn’t disprove his theory. There were holes no matter how he looked at it.

His head spun with discouraging thoughts and absolute despair. “I’ll never know what really happened.”

Sunshine jumped up. His normally calm, laid back girl was agitated and waving her hands around. “There is a way.”

“Look, Sunshine. This was a great idea. Really thinking outside the box. But we didn’t necessarily move forward.”

She paced back and forth staring at the cream Berber carpeting as if it could help them out of this mess. “We need to ask Susan Chen. Tell her these results and demand her corroboration or denial once and for all.”

That might be the only option left.

The connections fired in his brain. If they could intercept Chen before her meeting with Krychef, Zeke could ask her what really happened. How did she get his program? Make it personal. When they’d interrogated her before, they hadn’t told her anything about the consequences of her having that program.

Hadn’t this been what he’d wanted since the moment they had captured her the first time? To have her tell him, tell the NSA, definitively that he either had or hadn’t given her and Liam his encryption program?

Except, he’d promised Jamie that he’d stay far away from the Chen/Krychef meet. Maybe he could ask Jamie to ask Susan. But when he dialed Lucas’s phone with his new burner, there was no answer. He clicked End without leaving a message.

“We know when and where she’s going to be.”

But he’d given his word.

As if she read his mind, she said, “I know you promised. But this is your
life
.”

She was right.

They did know where Susan Chen was going to be.

Zeke logged on and went to the chat room where Oliver had sent the details of his meeting with Susan Chen.

Clear as day, once you figured out the code, Oliver stated that he would give Chen her daughter if she handed over her research.

But some of the details had changed. He’d switched the meeting place. Zeke needed to let Jamie know. But if he talked to her, she might figure out that Zeke had something planned. So he texted Lucas on his new burner phone, identifying himself in code, and letting Jamie and Lucas know the new details of the meet. But Zeke tweaked the time, telling Jamie and Lucas that the meeting would take place ten minutes after the correct start time.

Zeke glanced at the clock on the wall. They had a few hours to get some shuteye. If they were going to intercept Chen before she met with Krychef, they had to get there early, find a defensible, well-hidden position and wait until she arrived.

He couldn’t help but verbalize his concern. “This is probably a bad idea.” On so many levels.

“Go on the premise that you didn’t give them your program.” Sunshine urged. “That someone else, much higher up, did.”

Zeke realized that was true of every single piece in this puzzle. Someone higher up gave Susan Chen the encryption program. Someone higher up had to let Oliver Krychef sneak back in to the country. Someone higher up had orchestrated the experimentation on the espionage agents. Someone higher up had to know that John Stanley married Stella. Someone higher up had engineered the original kill order.

But who?

That’s what they needed Stanley for. So after they cornered Susan Chen, they had to go after John Stanley.

But Chen first. They were going to need a disguise. Because Jamie and Lucas’s objective was to capture both Chen and Krychef. And he had no idea if they planned to bring along reinforcements.

Zeke definitely didn’t want to make it a trifecta by giving them the opportunity to capture him too.

He might have to bolt out of there fast, but luckily both Chen and Krychef were higher value targets. At least, he hoped they were.

After all, Susan Chen escaped from the federal prison, and Oliver Krychef had managed to sneak back into the States even though he should have been on the DHS No Fly List.

Except, Zeke was wanted for treason. Shit. He might have to bolt.

Four hours later they were on their way to San Francisco. They planned to record Susan Chen confirming or denying that Zeke had given them his encryption program. Proof, again not admissible in court, but that was okay. The confession just needed to be enough to get Armbruster to back down on the charge of treason and Zeke’s arrest.

They still had over two hours until Susan Chen was supposed to meet her ex and trade her research for her daughter.

The more odd twist, the girl was Krychef’s daughter too.

“What kind of sick fuck uses his own kid?” Zeke wondered as they slowed down for construction on the road.

Sunshine shrugged. “Parents, grandparents, they all make choices that are a mystery to me.” Her voice was tinged with sadness.

Impulsively he reached for hand and squeezed. “You okay?” The contact soothed him, an unexpected mirror, since he was trying to soothe her.

“Yeah,” she said softly.

“You thinking about your mother?”

“We were so close.”

“Why don’t you check in with her?”

“After we deal with this.”

He figured she didn’t want anyone or anything to track her movements or find a way to draw her mother out.

“If you change your mind, you can use my phone.”

Sunshine scooted as close as she could and brushed a kiss across his cheek. “You’re so sweet.”

Zeke winced.

“What’s wrong?”

“Uh, no guy wants to be called sweet. It ranks right up there with
nice
.”

“I have news for you.” She tapped his shoulder. “Some girls want sweet. And nice.”

Not in his experience. He thought about Jamie with Lucas, who was a badass. And Staci Grant with Jordan, who personified badass. He laughed sardonically. “Next you’ll be telling me they like geeks too.”

“This girl does.”

That shut him up. Because he thought her brain was sexy. So why couldn’t she think his was sexy too? And why had he never figured that out?

Zeke glanced at Sunshine. When they’d been at Target, she’d picked up different clothes than what she normally wore as well. So she was dressed in hiking boots, khaki shorts, a gray Henley that cupped her bound breasts, the first time he’d seen her in a bra, and her hair was piled on top of her head in a fun bun rather than in her signature braid.

But he thought the look suited her smarts.

Zeke navigated the congested streets of San Francisco, as he headed toward the Bay and the San Francisco Zoo, Krychef’s new meeting point.

They had two options. They could park at the zoo or on the street. Zoo parking would have easy access to the car if they needed a fast getaway but the street would be less obtrusive if they needed to be stealth rather than fast.

“Parking lot.” Sunshine chose. “Getting away needs to be our number one priority.”

After parking nose out, and as close to the exit as possible, Zeke and Sunshine made their way into the zoo and headed for the reptile room.

Cinnamon and sugar dusted chalupas and roasted hot dogs competed with the briny sea breeze to scent the air.

Sunshine shuddered as they held hands and pretended a leisurely interest in the various animals while they made their way to Komodo Alley. Even on a weekday, the zoo was jam packed with kids and parents running amok along the cement pathways that surrounded the animal pens.

Sunshine was quiet. “Poor thing.”

“Who?”

“The little girl.” Sunshine shuddered. “She’s agoraphobic right?”

“Yeah.”

“Then this,” she gestured to the weekday crowds of adults and kids of every color, shape, and size laughing and pointing at the howler monkeys, “is likely going to freak her out.”

“Good point.” Zeke rubbed his thumb over her palm, thought about forcing someone with a severe fear of being outside into this environment. It would be nearly impossible to keep her calm. “I bet he’ll drug her.”

Sunshine casually swung her head from side to side. “So how do you hide a drugged kid?”

Zeke noted the family at the Chimpanzee exhibit. Two bigger boys hung on the railing, elbows cocked and chests pressed against the rail, as they peered over the edge, while their mother rocked a stroller with a little girl passed out in the seat. “Stroller. Kid will just look like she’s asleep.”

Sunshine nodded. “Okay, so that gives us a line on him.”

Sunshine stared at the two older boys for another second, then tugged his hand to continue walking toward the reptile exhibit.

“What was that look?”

“What look?” Her face was blank.

“When you were looking at those two kids.”

“Oh, that.” Sunshine shrugged. “I never really thought about kids. About having them I mean.”

She laughed but it wasn’t happy, more filled with uncertainty.

“Until yesterday I never thought I’d get to have sex. Kids weren’t even a blip on my radar. The possibility was about as likely as getting hit by lightning.”

Talking about kids should have made him sweat but he was in pretty much the same boat. He’d never really thought about kids. He didn’t even know anyone who had kids.

“And….?”

She glanced around at the chaos of children everywhere, running, screaming. “Probably take a while to get used to the idea. And yet, Susan Chen was so concerned about her daughter she did crazy things.”

He snorted.

“She must love her daughter an awful lot.” Sunshine reflected somberly.

“Yeah.” Zeke agreed. She’d broken out of federal prison just to get her daughter and make her the antidote. “And?”

“It does make me want to call my mama and thank her.”

“So do it.”

But she shook her head. “No contact is better. Safer.” She stayed silent.

“We got rid of the phone he was using to track you.” Zeke reminded her.

“I know but I’m used to thinking of my stepfather as all knowing. I can’t shake the idea that if I use a phone again he’ll find me. Find her.”

“We’re close to taking care of this, and then we’ll tackle Stanley.” Zeke said, “Let’s get to the reptile exhibit and get this over with.”

Sunshine agreed.

Once they reached Komodo Alley, they entered the darkened building. “He chose well.” Zeke noted the employee exit on the other side, very discreetly marked.

Fortunately there were benches in the corners. After studying the room, he decided the bench closest to the employee exit was their best point of egress. “Any problems, we can slip out this exit.”

Sunshine nodded and sat on the bench gingerly. “What are you going to do if your friend sees you?”

Zeke tugged her down onto the bench and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. As natural as breathing, Sunshine nuzzled against his neck and pressed a tender kiss to his jaw.

“Run fast?”

She pulled back from him to see if he was serious. “What if she tries to bring you in?”

“She’ll give me an out.” He infused confidence in his voice. “But if for some reason she doesn’t, get to the car, and go back to Barb’s house.”

“I couldn’t leave you.” Sunshine’s hair was piled on top of her head in a floppy bun, soft tendrils curled against her cheek only emphasized her fragile femininity.

“Promise me.”

Her eyes were mysterious pools of gray, deep like the night sky, in the darkened interior. “No.”

“You do not need the shit storm coming down on me if I can’t get my name cleared.” He couldn’t even stand to think about her caught up in his mess. “Find your mom and Blue if that happens.”

“We should probably lay out a plan of attack.” Sunshine fiddled with the new burner phone, trying to find the record button. It wasn’t a bells and whistles smart phone but it had a decent recording function.

Zeke didn’t like the fact that she’d blown him off but he let her distract him for now. They could come back to the issue again. Or he’d just shove her out the door.

“Best guess, Susan will get here first.” Zeke whispered into her ear, a shiver raced down her spine, “Jamie and Lucas will likely be here early too but since I pushed out the meet time a little I’m hoping I’ll have a chance with Susan Chen before the others arrive.”