Chapter 10
Thomas scanned the timestamp printed on the bottom of the transcript, his breathing hitching in his chest.
"Two hours ago... while we were sitting right here on the porch," Thomas muttered, his voice dropping into a lethal whisper.
"They know we have the flash drive, and they know the Bethesda network has been compromised."
"Which means you and Clara are still primary targets," Sarah warned urgently.
"I've already requested a full tactical security detail to secure this estate starting tonight."
Thomas shook his head slowly, pocketing the evidence envelope with absolute, unyielding resolve.
"No, Sarah. Defensive positioning won't stop an international syndicate hiding behind foreign servers," Thomas stated firmly.
"If they want to play this game on American soil, we will take the fight directly to their front door."
Clara looked at her father, her heart racing not with fear, but with a fierce, inherited courage.
"Dad, what are you planning to do?" Clara asked, stepping closer to his side.
"We are going to lay a trap," Thomas declared, a dangerous, calculating glint appearing in his eyes.
"We are going to use that Zurich micro-SD card as bait to draw out whoever is running this operation."
Sarah looked between the general and his daughter, realizing she was witnessing the activation of a master tactician.
"That is an extraordinary security risk, General," Sarah cautioned.
"If the syndicate realizes it's a sting, they won't hesitate to deploy professional operatives."
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"Let them try," Thomas replied, his voice ringing with the absolute authority of a man who had survived worse.
"No one threatens a soldier's family and walks away from it."
