Page 73 of Storm Warning

“I woke up in the hospital.”

Hawk shifted in his seat. “And this device, the reason they wanted Sergei?”

“Some leading-edge electromagnetic-pulse device. He called it the Tempest device.”

“An EMP device. The name Operation Blackout makes sense now. An EMP knocks out all electronics. But that’s nothing new.” Hawk sounded almost incredulous. Definitely suspicious.

“No, but...” She squeezed the bridge of her nose.Focus. Remember.“The military is always looking for cutting-edge technology. I don’t think Sergei wanted to be in weapons, but he was forced there. He explained the big race between countries. Everyone wants high-powered electromagnetic weapons for both offense and defense. It could mean the difference in gaining the upper hand and winning in a conflict.”

“Yeah, but what didSergei’sdevice bring to the table?”

“He developed an extremely portable and compact weapon with focus targeting. I mean, it could even be used from a drone.”

Hawk nodded. “In other words, in enemy hands, a critical infrastructure or military equipment could be taken out while our enemies wouldn’t be affected by that same pulse. So, the terrorist organization that wanted to use it against us could be planning for something catastrophic. Take out Air Force One or other planes. I can think of so many terrible possibilities. Maybe they planned to target a nuclear reactor. I don’t know.”

“I do.”

“What do you mean you do?”

Nausea roiled inside. “Sergei hacked into the traitorous official’s email and learned of the plans. First, I asked Sergei the same thing—I mean, about the nuclear reactor. He said with all the multiple fail-safe systems in place, an EMP couldn’t do much. Especially since those shutdown systems are analog, they wouldn’t be affected.”

“But what more? If not that, then what are they planning to target? The power grid?”

“One of our most vulnerable critical infrastructures—the water supply. They’re planning to target the water supply and distribution networks of multiple large populations, introducing a radiologic threat agent—”

“Wait. You mean, radioactive material?”

Remi had to slow her racing heartbeat. “With the Tempest device, they can specifically target and disrupt the contamination detection systems, and communications as well, so that after they contaminate the water, millions of people could be affected before anyone even knew what was happening—because, again, it’s very specifically targeted and affects nothing around the target. When someone makes the discovery, their ability to stop the flow of water—anythingat all—would be taken out long enough...” She hung her head. “Why do people come up with such horrible ways to hurt other humans?”

“I don’t know, Remi. I just don’t know.”

She stared out the window at the rain, pure, unadulterated water falling from the sky, washing the air and the earth. “I’m not a scientist and I think Sergei did a great job explaining it, but I wish he hadn’t. Why didn’t I ask him to stop? Now I know something I shouldn’t know.” Something too horrible to imagine.

“I’m done sitting here. We need to get moving.” He turned on the wipers, then exited the parking lot, steered through the side streets, then sped onto the freeway.

Fear had edged his voice, and it added to the terror already coursing through her. Rain whipped the windshield, and the wipers moved fast, the rhythm beating with that of her heart.

Hawk glanced at her and back to the road. Back and forth.

Remi. The road. Remi.

“And Cole knows this, or suspects you know it, so he wanted you dead. But ... now he wants you alive. What haven’t you told me?”

“You want to know why he suddenly needs me. What could I remember that’s so important? Someone wants the information before they kill me.” Remi knew. Now she got it.Oh, Lord in heaven, please help me!“I know where it’s hidden. The science. The documents explaining the build. And the prototype device.”

“Why did he tell you that?”

“In case he didn’t make it. In a way, he was in the wrong place at the wrong time just like I was. In that way, we’re the same. Who knew a camera could get me into so much trouble?” She shook her head. “I wonder if it’s already too late.”

“This was never supposed to be your battle, your fight.”

Remember before it’s too late.

She sucked in a breath and looked at Hawk. “Is there some sort of countdown, a timeline for when the weapon will be used?”

“Someone has to find it first.” He gave her a hard look.

And Remi might be the only living person who knew where the device was.

---