“It happened about a hundred years ago. A munitions ship collided with a steam ship in the harbor. The explosion destroyed most of the city. It was the largest man-made explosion in the world until Hiroshima.” Tr0lz gazed at the dark harbor outside. “And now, thanks to the emails we hacked from Harry Owen’s account, we know that a nuclear submarine is arriving in—” she glanced at the clock on the computer “—less than an hour. After the submarine is docked at CFB Shearwater, we wait until the container ship has cleared the shoals by McNabs Island. Then we hack into the container ship and reset its course so that it is steered straight into the submarine.” She smiled. “The submarine won’t be able to get out of the way. I call it Halifax Explosion version 2.0.”

The code blurred in front of Matt’s eyes. A nuclear class submarine, a container ship, UF6…

Jesus Christ.

“Now get to work. We don’t have much time. Aiden was useless. I’m done with him. As soon as you’re finished, I’ll give you the information you want.”

Matt placed his fingers on the keyboard. He had a plan.

It was a dangerous plan, but if it worked, there would be no frantic scrambling to stop a container ship from ramming a nuclear submarine.

He would subtly sabotage the code.

He pulled the chair closer to the keyboard. Tr0lz carried a dining chair over and planted it behind him. She sank onto it with one leg tucked under the other.

He began working on the code sequence.

Tr0lz’s eyes tracked every move.

Chapter 54

Chapter 54

3:52 a.m.

Leah looked more dead than alive.

Kate suspected that she probably didn’t look much better than her client.

She sat by Leah’s bedside, laptop on her knees. The light was low, the footfalls of the staff muted through the glass door of Leah’s room.

“Okay, we’ve gone through all the data breach memos. And the cyber security files. There’s nothing there that you think Aiden would use for a cyber exploit?”

“Nothing for a terrorist attack.” Leah’s words were slightly mumbled.

“Can you think of anything he’s said to you about other exploits that could be related to a terrorist attack?”

Leah shook her head. “No.”

Kate studied her client. Leah had been given a pain medication a few hours before. They were getting nowhere fast.

Kate opened another sub-folder. Another interminable list of files scrolled down her screen. They blurred in front of her eyes.

Based on what Aiden had told Matt, there was something in Harry’s stolen files that triggered the plans for this attack.

But where?

She methodically opened each file. It could be any of them. They were all sensitive, all had to do with public safety. “Damn it.”

Chapter 55

Chapter 55

3:55 a.m.

Harry Owen was a cipher, the consummate politician, unreadable, seemingly unshakable.

And a liar.