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Trouble in the Highlands
Standing before the Raven’s computers, Tess fought the panic raging throughout her body—heart pounding, nerves spasming, and palms sweating. Everything else dropped away, and the past week’s events culminated in this pivotal moment. Finally, she would learn the truth, or, at least, she hoped so. She exchanged a worried gaze with Mark, who was biting his lip and jiggling one knee. “What did you find, Raven?”
Mark moved closer and placed a hand on her back.
The Raven took a deep breath and pressed his palms onto his knees. “Most hackers instigate digital crime, instead of wreaking physical violence, but I’m sorry to say, you two were quite unlucky.”
Given her current run of bad luck, she struggled to imagine things getting much worse. Watching the Raven, she snapped her reflexes to attention and braced herself to absorb the bad news. Behind him, the fireplace crackled with sparks and burning logs. She grabbed Mark’s hand with an iron grip. “Who is it, and what do they want?”
“Malinavy Molat—Crimson Hammer in English.”
“But Kyle already knew Crimson Hammer was behind this.” Tess furrowed her brow and concentrated.
“Right, but the reason why is important. After Belarus declared its independence in 1990, the country became a democracy but in name only. Corruption runs rampant, human rights abuses persist, and no free press exists. Alexander Lukashenko held multiple presidential terms, but many questioned whether he’s the legitimate winner.” He paused to inhale before continuing.
“Uncertainty breeds opportunity for the underworld, and Crimson Hammer is an emerging terror group with two branches. One which hacks banks for its initial funding, and a second branch, which performs terror for hire, aiming to score money to grow their ranks and gain power.”
“What’s their ultimate objective?” Something terrible, obviously. The quagmire in which she found herself already appeared bottomless.
“Hard to say. Crimson Hammer’s hackers infiltrate banks. The first, most critical step is to set up systemic micro-withdrawals, and then to leverage shell companies often based in London. After they pay off their minions and build surplus cash, they can lead terror strikes around the globe.” The Raven shifted in his chair. “I suspect they eliminated Kyle because he knew too much. Hiding their organization became more important than stealing his code. At least, for awhile.”
Crimson Hammer killed Kyle so they could kill even more people. Sickened by the endless cycle of carnage, she clutched her stomach as if she had been stabbed. “What changed?”
“Based on Kyle’s files, he predicted Crimson Hammer planned to hack European banks to fund their activities. Terrorism as a service. Disgusting butchers.” Scowling, the Raven spat the last words.
Mark leaned a shoulder against the wall next to the Raven. “Most terror groups unite around a political or religious agenda. What does this group want—to rejoin Russia?” He lifted his scarred hand in the air. “I’ve lived through separatist violence.”
The Raven stared at Mark’s purple scars and shook his head. “Sadly, the medical teams caught in the crossfire often suffer for their kindness.” His gaze clouded over. “Kyle ran out of time before solving it, but Crimson Hammer aimed to hire out their services under the table, to countries and leaders with one thing in common—their dislike of the US.”
A moment with Riku at Cedarcliff echoed in Tess’s memory. He warned politics mattered more now, and not every attack could be fought with code. The potential threats hit her like a deluge, and she grew cold, although the fireplace rustled with sparks and the sound of burning logs breaking apart. “Russia, North Korea, China, Iran…the list is long.”
“Way too long.” Mark rubbed the back of his neck.
The Raven interlaced his fingers together and leaned his elbows on his chair. “Anonymity fuels small terror cells because it gives them power. Flying under the radar, they avoid association with any government or entity, and no one takes responsibility. Cracking plan for them, but a shame they’ve targeted the Yanks in their crosshairs. Sorry, Tess.”
Disturbing scenarios surfaced in Tess’s thoughts, and she calculated the impacts. “Belarus is next to Russia, so it’s a convenient sell.”
“Impossible to say, lass, but I agree.” He tented his fingers over his keyboard.
“They’re keen to hack banks, but what’s next, and how do we stop it? And who tipped off Riku about the looming attack in Eastern Europe?” She pondered what other intel Riku might have possessed but how he acquired it mystified her.
“Yamashita knew exactly what was going on.” The Raven’s scowl deepened, and he puckered his lips.
Since the attack, she’d lost several reliable constants in her life, but her respect for Riku remained ingrained. The Raven’s disapproval was unmistakable, and defensively, she shifted her hands to her hips. “Are you implying Riku acted in opposition to the US?”
“Not at all. Yamashita kept many secrets, but selling out the Yanks wasn’t one of them. I can’t say more.” The Raven pressed his fingertips against his temple.
“At Cedarcliff, Riku spoke of a new threat and wanted to strategize with David and me after the summit.” Tess prodded, hoping to draw more information from him.
“I don’t doubt it.” The Raven folded his hands and placed them on his lap before swiveling back to his computer.
Apparently, no further information was forthcoming. Tess wondered how many secrets died with Riku and what other allegiances he had held.
Pacing back and forth along the living room window, Mark stopped. “Raven, you’re telling us we endured this hell for a terror cell wanting to harm the US?”
“And wouldn’t Crimson Hammer target US banks next?” Hour by hour, all the anchors she trusted were vanishing. Truth and lies dissolved together like salt in the ocean.
Pivoting in his leather desk chair, the Raven shrugged. “No US bank uses Kingsley Tech’s encryption yet, so I doubt it. Instead, think beyond banks, like power grid control or isolated, random terror attacks.”
