Chapter 12: Gates fully opened

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HQ, one hour til overtime

"Commander, we have something!" shouted Luca, as he came rushing in, immediately followed by Whitlock.

"So" Whitlock began as 20 Squad gathered around him, "While we tried to isolate the signals, we found something interesting about what disrupted the trace. We figured it must be a moving target. So, we did a little digging and found that it would be impossible for a regular civilian to have infiltrated the broadband of secure networks without inside help." He went on to explain how cellphones work with specific commands that control the wave signals and the actual range to which each reach. This could help narrow down the identity of the suspect (or a collaborating partner) to a network or cellular provider. Hicks wasn't all that thrilled, since that only narrowed down the list to several thousand employees and technicians.

However, for his delight, that wasn't the end of it. "Commander, hold up. I did some digging on my own." Luca continued, "Out of the three suspects that were apprehended in has a brother that works with a local Internet providing company, as a tower installation and maintenance engineer. His name is Jeremy Clapper, lives just 10 minutes from Chris, so he may have followed her and known her routine. Besides, he was a lifelong swimmer until he was hospitalized with a virus he caught while participating in a triathlon in Malibu Beach back in 2018. He suffered mayor complications and was hospitalized for over six months, two in ICU. Doctors determined a toxin from the water invaded his bloodstream, causing major issues in different organs. Had to be resuscitated twice! This guy is out for revenge!" as Luca explained numerous records, photos and even a newspaper article showed on the screen behind him.

"Something else" Whitlock said, interrupting Hicks, who had opened his mouth to speak. He immediately turned to face the IT technician, eager to hear. Whitlock hit a button in the screen and an Instagram post was reflected. It showed Jeremy with three other guys and two ladies in the beach. "Take a look at this. I found this picture of Clapper in his social media. Notice the back wall?"

The rest got an inch closer to the screen and immediately recognized the wall in the background as the one that divides the coast with the building of the first explosion. "This was taken just in front of the apartment building of the first explosion this morning. Right after this pic was posted, I found some pictures" he clicked his laptop and another two images were uploaded, of one of the ladies in a hospital bed. "One of the ladies in the first picture actually ended in the hospital. The thread read: Caught something weird in the water, had to rush her to the hospital coz of a nasty rash and intense body itch. Turns out out our waters carry more than just your common sea life. We are swimming in toxic waste! Bastards empty out venom into our beaches and we pay the price!"

"Who's post is that?" Hick said as he pointed to the post with the message.

"Goes by the screen name Wired Bear. I sent the photo to the FBI, I'm waiting on face recognition."

"But...whoever this is must be our third suspect. In yesterday's broadcast there were eight figures, and three have been reprimanded. That leaves five out there. We need to find those people in the photo as well." Hicks finished, as Street's phone vibrated in his pants. He took some steps back and took it out, to read the message.

It was Sanchez. Turned in the motion, but Rodgers wants to meet Thursday at 9am. He demanded your presence. Courthouse, Penfield Ave, 3rd floor, judge's chamber. Wear a tie!

Street swallowed hard. He wasn't sure if he was feeling  anxiety or emotion or fear or everything all at once, but whatever it was got his adrenaline going.

Be there. Thanks!

He was startled by the rush of officers going by him, moving quickly to the locker room area to change. "Street?" Hondo said as he noticed the young officer lost, "Gear up!  We have a suspect." he ordered as he himself moved quickly, "Everything good?"

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