from outside sources monitoring where you’ve been and what you’ve looked at, unlike when you use Google Chrome or another internet browser, which keeps a record even if you clear your browsing history. Nothing is really gone.”
“Except if you use this N-cog browser. It’s undetectable?” Jody asked.
“Right. And because it’s an open network, anyone can download and use it for free. Voilà, everything you do on the internet is now hidden and untraceable.”
“The US government created it,” Wheezer said.
“With some IT experts about a decade or so ago,” Evan added. “Originally it was meant for military and government so they could protect their investigations, communications and intel. Whistle-blowers use it to protect themselves, and people in Communist countries can get real news without repercussions. It has the potential to be amazing. Even for the average person who might not want to see a Facebook ad pop up with what they just looked at on Amazon thirty seconds before. This browser won’t allow any traffic analysis.”
“But criminals got wind of it and corrupted it.”
Bad people using good things for evil gain, Jody thought. Timeless. “I guess you’re creating an undercover sting with false usernames to take down these particular gun dealers on the Arsenal?”
Evan smiled, and something like admiration in his eyes unnerved her. “Yes. We’re trying to get them and take down the Arsenal website along with its creator. He goes by @Lawman1. Ironic, isn’t it? He’s a pompous jerk. Taunts law enforcement openly on his online forum. But he’s not invincible. He’ll make a mistake. And I’ll find him.”
Of course he would. It would help him climb the career ladder in the Secret Service.
“I did a little background on you, Agent Novak.” Wheezer had that look. He was man-crushing. “They call you the Wasp underground.”
“Why?” Jody asked.
“Wasps eat spiders. Fly right into their web and snatch them,” Wheezer said. He was like a puppy over Evan.
Evan shifted, as if uncomfortable with the praise. That was new. “I may have had a hand in taking down some nasties.”
“Enough that there’s buzz on dark web online forums discussing you and fearing you,” Wheezer added. “Cool.”
Okay, all this going gaga over Evan needed to be stopped. “So back to this site and task force,” Jody redirected.
“Right.” Evan leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “You can buy anything on the dark web from guns to fake identities. Drugs. Even people. It’s a sick place to be. The Arsenal has an array of gun dealers. One particular gun dealer has caught the eye of the ATF because their biggest line of guns are ghost guns.”
Wilder groaned. “Those jokers can’t be traced. No serial number.”
“Cop killer guns,” Beckett said. “A favorite among gangbangers.”
Evan licked his lips and nodded. “These particular gun dealers that supply the ghost guns use fake identities purchased from other dark websites to help them traffic the weapons across borders and throughout the US. I’d like to get them, too. If we can bust these gun sellers, we might be able to get the criminals making fake identities and the site creator. Which means we could take down the whole Arsenal website and a lot of other really bad guys.”
“Can’t you track the payments?” Jody asked.
“No.” Evan balled his fist. “They’re almost all using digital currency. Bitcoin. It doesn’t show names of account holders, only a long list of letters and numbers in a public forum called a blockchain.”
Jody was going cross-eyed. Evan must have noticed. “Every time a transaction is made using digital currency it shows up but not with a name of an account holder. The list grows and grows with every transaction and that long list is called a blockchain. It’s made up of letters and numbers unique to the account. But never any names, and the accounts can’t be linked to a physical address.”
“Basically what you’re saying is that these dark websites, the users and the money they’re exchanging are untraceable.” Jody pinched the bridge of her nose.
“In a nutshell. But someone is bound to make a mistake somewhere and we’ll be waiting. In the meantime, we’re working undercover to buy a major shipment of ghost guns. These guys are some of the few who do physical trades with actual cash.”
“And it’ll get guns off the street and out of criminals’ hands.” Jody tried to make sense of all this darkness. It was overwhelming. “How many are on the task force?” Time to narrow down who might have betrayed Evan.
“Eight. We’re all based out of Georgia.” Evan poured another cup of coffee and added a splash of cream.
Would any of them know about her past with Evan? Jody couldn’t stand not knowing who had hacked her phone. She had a personal stake in this now. “I think since whoever did it wanted everyone to believe it was directed at Senator Townes, we should pretend it was. Not let anyone know that we figured out it was aimed at Evan. That way we have the upper hand while investigating.”
“She’s right,” Wilder agreed. “The senator isn’t in danger, though he doesn’t know it, and while I’m not a fan of concealing that, to find whoever this wolf in sheep’s clothing is, and to protect you while doing it, it’s necessary.”
“I don’t agree,” Cosette interjected. “That’s a lot of fear and anxiety for a man whose son was injured in a car accident three days ago.”
“And yet he’s on the campaign trail,” Wilder fired back.
“It may be his way of coping with tragedy, Wilder. We all deal differently.” Her tone implied she was coming at him personally.
Wilder shot her a daggered look.
Evan rubbed the back of his neck. “Should we go ahead and hit the next city? He has two more rallies in the next two days, if he’s willing to go. After today, he may cancel everything.”
“He won’t,” Cosette added. “Not if he’s dealing with his son’s tragedy by escaping. And there’s also a matter of pride. He’s a Vietnam vet and a huge Second Amendment supporter. Guns won’t keep him away. I strongly suggest you disclose the truth to him, though. I understand not wanting your colleagues aware at this point since you aren’t sure who may be involved. But the senator and his staff should be in the loop.”
“If we tell the senator and he leaks it, even by accident, then we lose our advantage,” Wilder said. “For the sake of everyone’s safety, this is the best plan. We have to think like soldiers here, not with feelings.” He held Cosette’s fiery gaze. “Someone who took an oath to protect people is harming them. I think the senator, being a vet, will understand one hundred percent when all is said and done. Our mission is to protect...and that’s exactly what we’re going to do.” Wilder’s words, tone and body language left zero room for arguing.
Jody agreed. She’d been thrown away as a bad egg when she’d been innocent, and someone on the inside now was getting away with corruption and attempted murder.
Evan stroked his chin. “Then we’ll forge
