CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

"How do we get Krauss and Yulia in the same space and prove what they're doing?" asked Nine.

"You're not going to like this," said AJ.

"You're pushing buttons today, son," said Ace.

"Look, we need someone on that island. I can do the photoshop of Craig and Thurston on the property in Quebec City to draw Krauss up there. That'll move him there. Then, I think we need to figure out a way onto the island."

"How do we do that?" asked Ian.

"Technology," said Ace. He looked at his son, nodding. "We can use the drones to interfere in their electricity, computers, televisions, all of it. There's only one way off that island, and it's by boat. You can see the spot on the other side of the river where her large boat docks."

"Okay, but how do you get on there? You can't sneak on the boat," said Ghost.

"No, I'll be there, at the marina, in a tech truck. Put some junk on the side about what I fix, etcetera. If they're looking for someone to repair her issues quickly, it'll be me. I'll be handy."

"It can't just be you, Ace. Bring Hiro with you or Code."

"Code," he said flatly. His son stared at him, almost hurt. "I can't risk your life, AJ. I can't. Code has been doing this a lot longer than you."

"I get it, Dad. It's fine," he smirked.

"Once Code and I are coaxed onto the island, we'll have free reign to plant cameras, listening devices, everything. We'll fix the issues we created, then hope we get what we need and can get off. Most likely, they will have us travel to and from the island on their boat. When we dock, we'll disable her boat so that she's stuck on the island. I'll figure out a way to get Yulia on the yacht and on the mainland."

"But what about Krauss?" asked Nine.

"That's going to be on you. You need to get to him, hold him hostage, and send her photos or a video or something demanding her presence at his mansion. With her boat disabled, she'll need to get to him on land, and she won't be able to get off. She'll be in the house with him, and you guys can handle it."

Ian, Ghost, Nine, and Gaspar stared at one another, looking at the other seniors in the room.

"You had this plan in your head the whole time?" asked Ian.

"No," said Ace, shaking his head. "It's just the way my head works when it's time to work. I think we have to be very careful with this one. We have no way of knowing if they are partnered with other people."

"Craig and Thurston said that they were bribing senators, CEOs, and other bigwigs. Do we know who they are? We might be able to use them as well. I mean, we've shut down the camera feeds."

"Yes, but we didn't shut down the site. It's still up, repeating videos taken earlier. Every time we've tried to get it down, it has a safety on it that reloads it. We're working on what to do next," said Code.

"Fry it," said Hayes.

"Fry it?" frowned Gaspar.

"We burn the system. It will shut down other things using the same network, but it will bring it all down, and I think you'll be okay with that," he smiled.

"Explain, Hayes," said Ghost.

"Yes, sir. The web system that's running the site isn't a mainstream system. It's not one that you would have heard of because it's something you would only know as part of the black web." They all nodded for him to continue. "If I shut it down, I'll be shutting down black market shops, clothing, jewelry, music, everything. I'm going to make a lot of people angry."

"Sounds exactly like what we do," smirked Gaspar. "I vote for you to proceed, Hayes."

"I second," laughed Nine. "We are going to piss off some people. This is going to be fun."

"Find us someone who was being bribed by Krauss," said Ian. "It's time to attack."

"I've got two potential people that can help us," said Michael. A former senator and former president of the country, Michael was a long-time friend of the men at Belle Fleur. Although out of politics, he maintained contacts and friends.

"We can use all the help you have," said Gaspar.

"Ted Driver, head of the SEC," he frowned.

"Are you shitting me?" growled Nine. "The head of the SEC is being blackmailed? And he didn't report it?"

"Listen, he was wrong for not reporting it, but he's willing to do anything to help us. His daughter got married two years ago. A huge affair with twelve bridesmaids. The daughter and all of the attendees were filmed. Then Krauss got ahold of his finances and found his Achilles. A high-priced call girl in D.C. who he visited twice a week for almost seven years."

"Jesus, when will these guys learn," groaned Ian.

"He learned just too late. His wife divorced him quietly, but he was still stuck paying Krauss with insider information. He knows that he'll lose his job, but he's willing to step forward on this."

"Alright, and the other person?" asked Gaspar.

"Dr. Joan Morgan. She's head of research and development at the National Institute of Health. She gives a final thumbs-up on drugs for certain conditions. Dr. Morgan was also filmed in a dressing room but was then blackmailed because of her external relationships with other women. She's married to a man, and they have no children."

"Why be afraid of that?" frowned Ghost. "I mean, who gives a fuck. Get a divorce and be you. Why do people do this?"

"I wish I could answer that," said Michael. "I survived a divorce and still became president. Either way, they're both willing to talk to you and help if they can." Nine nodded at the others, then looked at Michael.

"Set it up, brother. Angel and Jean will speak to them. They're much nicer than we are."