Carter, she said softly, her earlier smuggness entirely gone. Should I be worried? Just keep everyone in this room, he replied. I'll be back as soon as I can. Outside in the hallway, Jonathan found agent Ramirez waiting for him, accompanied by two FBI agents in tactical gear.
EOD team is 10 minutes out. She reported building services found a package near the main electrical controls. They say it has wires visible. "Show me," Jonathan said. They moved swiftly through the eerily quiet hallways, descending a service stairwell to the school's basement.
Two more agents were already there, keeping a safe distance from a backpack propped against the wall near the electrical panel. "No one's touched it," Jonathan asked. "Negative." Building services supervisor spotted it during his security sweep. Called it in immediately.
Jonathan approached cautiously, studying the backpack without touching it. The partially unzipped top revealed what looked like circuit boards and wiring. "This isn't a bomb," he said after a moment. "It's a surveillance package, high-end military grade. Someone's been monitoring this building systems from the inside."
Ramirez frowned. "Why would foreign operatives be interested in a private school?" "That's what we need to find out," Jonathan replied. He turned to one of the agents. Get me the school's personnel files.
Everyone who has access to this area, and I want security footage from the past week, "Sir," the agent replied, "the school's security system has been compromised. We don't know if the footage is intact. Then get me the backup tapes. A place like this will have physical backups." As the agents hurried to comply, Jonathan's phone buzzed with another message.
This one sent a chill down his spine. Facial recognition match on school maintenance staff known for an operative. Last seen near east wing 5 minutes ago. Jonathan showed the message to Ramirez, whose expression darkened. The East Wing?
That's where the server room is located. And where they keep student and family information, Jonathan added grimly. This isn't random. They're after something specific. Or someone, Ramirez suggested.
The implication hung in the air between them. Jonathan's position at the Pentagon gave him access to some of the nation's most sensitive security information. A foreign intelligence operation targeting his son's school on the very day of his visit couldn't be coincidence. We need to lock down the server room, Jonathan decided. And I want all maintenance staff accounted for immediately.
As they headed toward the east wing, Principal Hayes intercepted them. His earlier composure now completely gone. Mr. Carter, parents are getting agitated. They're demanding answers.
Some are threatening to leave with their children despite the lockdown. Tell them that doing so could put everyone at risk, Jonathan replied firmly. This is a matter of national security. Now, Mr. Hayes, the principal's eyes widened.