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In SecuraCorp's conference room, Blake pushed aside his empty coffee mug on the table and cracked his knuckles.  His business partner, Mike Jacobs sat in silence across from him.

The morning’s good news about Nathan Shaw’s death sentence had been abruptly overshadowed by a handwritten letter demanding one million dollars.

Vic Serrano, a computer forensic examiner with the FBI’s Cyber Action Team, walked into the room with a grim expression on his face. 

He tossed a file folder on the table, then rolled up the sleeves of his white dress shirt to his elbows, before he sat. “It’s confirmed.  Someone definitely hacked into the company’s files at two-thirty-two this morning.”

Blake slammed his hand down on the table.  “Jesus Christ.”

Their confidential client files had been compromised and the blackmailer was threatening to print the details in every major newspaper--a move which could destroy their business.

“Crossman and Farley are analyzing the code looking for IP addresses, email addresses, any clues that could lead us to the person or persons responsible.  It’s going to take a bit of time.”

Time they didn’t have.

Even though Blake and Mike had officially left the FBI immediately after the Nathan Shaw case, and had started a Las Vegas investigation/security firm, off the record, both agents were still 'on the books' called upon by the Bureau for sensitive covert operations. And some of those files where on the company’s main computer.

Blake stared at the blackmail letter in a clear plastic evidence bag. 

This wasn’t a joke.  It was real.  The outcome would not only destroy their business but would put a handful of undercover FBI agents in harms way.  Agents with families.  Agents he and Mike had worked with for over a decade.  Fuck.    

Blake’s stomach churned.  His chest began to ache where Nathan had shot him two years ago.

Mike leaned forward in his chair.  “What are we going to do?  We’ve got less than twenty-four hours.”

Vic piped up.  “My advice is to hang tight.  Let Crossman and Farley work their magic.  Jake Farley might look like an eighteen old kid, but he’s a genius.  The best in our unit.” 

He stood and walked to the door.  “I’ll let you know what the guys find.”

“Okay, thanks man.”  Questions plagued Blake’s mind. 

Why was this happening?  Why today?  The same day Nathan Shaw was sentenced.  A coincidence?  If it was one thing Blake had learned over the past three years, there was no such thing as a coincidence when Shaw’s name came up.  None. 

Blake’s secretary burst into room.  "Oh, my God.  You need to see this.  It’s all over the news."

He didn't have a chance in hell of stopping the cyclone of a woman.  What could be so important?  He glanced at Mike.

Mike shrugged, as if to say, 'Hey, you hired her pal'.

God damn it.  Enough was enough.  Blake rose from his chair.  His voice hardened.  "Michelle, not now.” 

Ignoring him, she raced to the far end of the conference room, grabbed the remote from the shelf, and turned on the television...