My aunt’s eyes widened.
“I have to use your computer again.”
She waved a hand. “Go ahead.”
I sat down at my aunt’s small desk and searched for Homeland Security. The organization had to be our saving grace. They’d know what to do. If I’d had my head on straight—and more sleep—I’d have called them hours ago.
The website popped up: www.dhs.gov. I searched the home page for a phone number. Not too far down in the middle was a How Do I? box. The top link read “Report Suspicious Activity.” Yes. I clicked on it and read.
Report Suspicious Activity
What You Need To Know
Prompt and detailed reporting of suspicious activities can help prevent violent crimes or terrorist attacks. If you see suspicious activity, please report it to your local police department. Local law enforcement officers can respond quickly. Once they assess the situation, they can obtain additional support.
Start Here
Citizens should always call local law enforcement. If you see something suspicious, please call local law enforcement.
I leaned back in the chair, head shaking. Three times they said call local police? I couldn’t call local police.
Back to the site’s home page. Under the How Do I? box near the bottom was a link to Report Cyber Incidents. That had to be it. I followed the link. The next page was full of information about cyber incidents but had no phone number. Near the end was another Report Cyber Incident link. I clicked it—and ended up on a form.
They wanted me to fill in a form and submit it? There was no time!
I searched the links at the top of the page. Clicked About Us. At the bottom of that page I found a phone number.
With a quick prayer, I picked up the phone and dialed.
“Computer Emergency Readiness Team, Agent Johnson.”
My heart picked up speed. “Hi. I’m . . . I need to report an incident.”
“Did you fill out the form on our website?”
“No time for that. You have to do something now. In the next eight hours. At 7:00 tonight Pacific Time the western electrical grid plus the area that includes Washington, D.C. will be hit.”
A long pause. “Would you give me your name, please?”
I cringed. “I don’t want to give it.”
“Okay. Tell me more about what you know.”
I told him, my words tripping over each other. How I’d met Morton Leringer. The flash drive. The men chasing me.
“And this is supposed to happen tonight?”
“Yes. And tomorrow it happens to the rest of the eastern grid. And the next day, Texas. The video says so.”
“You gave this video to your local sheriff’s department?”
“Yes, but—”
“Your department will be in contact with Homeland Security.”
“I thought you were Homeland Security.”
“We’re a team within the department.”
“Then give me the main number.”
“If you have seen suspicious activity, you need to report it to your local law enforcement. You’ve done that. Rest assured that law enforcement will be in contact with DHS.”
“But they won’t because the sergeant there is one of the terrorists!” My hands were shaking. Why wouldn’t he listen to me?
“Ma’am, that is a very serious charge you’re making.”
Oh, tell me it’s serious. “Look, I think I know where the key to the encrypted message is. If you’d just listen to me and get to it—”
“What sergeant in which sheriff’s department?”
“Sergeant Wade. Moss Beach substation, part of San Mateo County, California. And he’s got a deputy working with him. Harcroft.”
“All right. I’ll contact the substation. If you’ll give me your phone number I’ll get back to you.”
With a phone number they could find me here.
What if they’d traced the number already? Or captured it through ID?
I smacked the Off button. Then put down the phone. I stared at it, at the computer. What had I done?
Mom and I couldn’t stay here any longer. They could come for me anytime. But if I woke her up now, she’d be too tired. She’d fight me hard. Likely go into one of her meltdowns.
I pushed to my feet. If I could sneak out now, maybe Aunt Margie would let me leave Mom here. She wasn’t the one the police were looking for anyway.
My gaze swung back to the computer. What if I could find a main number for Homeland Security? Not their cyber branch.
I sat down again and searched the DHS home page. At the top was a “Contact Us” link. Should have gone there the first time. I followed the link, and after a couple clicks, found the number for the Operator.
Here we go again. I dialed the number.