Drones could be hacked. Code could be changed.

Her legs shook.

Maybe it was time for Alex to call his people. She was in over her head. Who did she think she was to take on Nebulous 2.0 all by herself? If only she had Julian to help. Maybe he’d planned to help. The message had been in the hidden data. If only she hadn’t been an idiot.

“Alex . . . I think—”

Her cell buzzed with a 911 text from her sister. Mackenzie snatched it up.

HELP! I’m trapped in my car. Someone hacked my car!

Mackenzie bolted off the sofa. “Oh no, Alex . . .”

“What’s happened?” He rushed around to read the text as she typed her response.

Where are you? We’re coming to get you.

It’s not safe.

Well, can you get out?

No. He locked the doors. I have nothing to break the glass with.

“He?” Alex asked.

I can’t get out. I’m locked in.

Mackenzie gripped her cell too hard as she repeated her question.

Where are you?

Some forest road off the main road between my house and Hanstech.

We’ll head that way. Try to remember which forest road.

I’m scared. Help me. But please don’t call the police. He’ll know!

Mackenzie looked at Alex. “We have to help her.”

She grabbed her bag, along with her laptop, and rushed out the door, Alex following. He brandished his gun, a protective and determined expression on his face.

“I don’t know what you think a gun is going to do against a hacker working through technology,” she said as they got into his rental car.

“Protect you against a shooter in the woods. How about that?”

“Or since this is Montana, a bear.”

“Seriously, can Nebulous 2.0 control her car like this?”

“Where have you been, Alex Knight? Surely a DSS agent knows the dangers.”

“I’ve heard of a few incidents, but it’s hard to believe.”

“I have a friend who is an ethical hacker for the automobile industry. Nebulous 2.0 obviously found his way into Nora’s Lexus. Hers has the latest and greatest technology. I hope your rental car is older. Less technology will keep us safe from his interference.”

Alex accelerated, spinning out across the grass as he steered away from the cabin.

Alex Knight, you’re quickly becoming my hero.

“Just head toward her house, and we’ll backtrack and try to find her.”

“Do you know how many forest roads are along that drive?”

Think. “Maybe I can hack into her GPS system and find her, except I don’t want to trigger Nebulous 2.0 to hurt her even more.” Fear for Nora curdled in her gut. What was he up to? Would he drive her car into a ravine? “We have to hurry before it’s too late.”

“I have an idea.”

“Wait, where are you going?”

“Just a quick detour. I promise it will be worth it.”