CASCADE - Chapter 31
BACKTRACK
March 19, 2023
BACKTRACK
Liam climbed the last hill and saw his car. Once he climbed into his car, he immediately picked up his phone and called Liz.
“Liam.”
“Liz. When I saw you at the hospital, I was worried. How are you doing?”
“I’m ok, considering my leg is in a cast and sore all over. I’m at home now.”
“Glad to hear that. We have been worried about you.”
“Where are you now?”
“I’m driving back to Charleston.”
“Why?”
“Colvin called me. We tracked the location to an area southwest of Naoma. We found a road in that direction and followed it until it ended. It wasn't easy, but we followed some tracks and found a deserted cabin they used. They rushed to get out of there and carelessly left some clues behind. I suspect something will happen in Charleston, and I think it will happen today. We need to find the connection between NMC and Charleston.”
“Ok, I’m on it. As soon as I have something, I will call you back.”
“Thanks, Liz.”
Liam speed-dialed the number for the D.C. office.
“Hello, FBI. Can I help you?”
“This is Special Agent Liam Doyle. Please connect me to Assistant Director Morgan.”
What felt like a couple of minutes, “Agent Doyle.”
“Director, we found the location of the Charleston System breach attempt.”
“Go on.”
“It originated from a cabin in the woods southwest of Naoma, West Virginia.”
Liam detailed, “We also found evidence of potential targets: a coal sludge impoundment dam and a hydroelectric dam, both southwest of Naoma.” Liam continued, “Also, Charleston.”
“The whole city of Charleston?” Morgan questioned smugly.
“I have an agent working on the Charleston reference.”
“Where are you now?”
Frustrated, Liam replied, “I’m heading back to Charleston.” He continued, “Agents Franks and Parker are actively pursuing the suspects now. We believe they are heading to the NMC Impoundment dam southwest of Naoma.”
“Who are the suspects?”
“Colvin Miller and Clay Matthews.”
Morgan angrily, “You have two names, and I am just hearing about this now?”
Liam explained, “They were both persons of interest in the blackout. Our investigation uncovered that they are no longer persons of interest but suspects in that blackout. Also, they are suspected of criminal activity targeting the NMC Coal Sludge Impoundment Dam and the NMC Hydroelectric dam, both southwest of Naoma.” Liam continued, “A third suspect was discovered today: Mason Boggs, an NMC employee at Darknight Mountain.”
Morgan inquired, “Are all three together at this time?”
“We strongly suspect two of the suspects are headed to the impoundment dam, and the third is headed to Charleston.” Liam proposed, “I am requesting we send a chopper to the impoundment dam and agents to the hydroelectric dam.”
Morgan agitated, “You want me to send agents in a helicopter to the impoundment dam and agents to the hydroelectric dam on suspicion?”
“Quite frankly, Director, we have credible evidence that something is going down today.” He lowered his voice, “The longer you and I spend on this phone, the further away we are from stopping this.”
Director Morgan inquired, “What is your Charleston concern?”
“I have an agent looking into that now. As soon as I have more information, I’ll notify you.” Then Liam hung up the phone without getting confirmation that Morgan would comply with his request.
The intensity grows. I like it.