The Burning Wire (Lincoln Rhyme 9)

"That's right."

"I knew he would. These people'll take advantage of you if you let them, Fred. That's the way CIs work."

"Happens," Dellray said somberly.

"Stay in touch." McDaniel disconnected, stretched. "This damn cloud zone. We're not hoovering up nearly as much as we'd like."

Hoovering?

Sellitto tapped the stack of personnel files from Algonquin. "I'll go downtown. Get people started on them. Brother, it's going to be a long night." The time was now eleven-ten.

It was, Rhyme reflected. For him too. Particularly because there wasn't much for him to do at this point but wait.

Oh, how he hated waiting.

Eyes straying to the skimpy evidence boards, he thought: We're moving too damn slow.

And here we are, trying to find a perp who attacks with the speed of light.

UNSUB PROFILE

* * *

--Male.

--40's.

--Probably white.

--Possibly glasses and cap.

--Possibly with short, blond hair.

--Dark blue overalls, similar to those worn by Algonquin workers.

--Knows electrical systems very well.

--Boot print suggests no physical condition affecting posture or gait.

--Possibly same person who stole 75 feet of similar Bennington cable and 12 split bolts. More attacks in mind? Access to Algonquin warehouse where theft occurred with key.

--Likely he is Algonquin employee or has contact with one.

--Terrorist connection? Relation to Justice For [unknown]? Terror group? Individual named Rahman involved? Coded references to monetary disbursements, personnel movements and something "big."

--Algonquin security breach in Philadelphia might be related.

--SIGINT hits: code word reference to weapons, "paper and supplies" (guns, explosives?).

--Personnel include man and woman.

--Would have studied SCADA-- Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition program. And EMP--energy management programs. Algonquin's is Enertrol. Both Unix-based.

--To create arc flash would probably have been or currently is lineman, troubleman, licensed tradesman, generator construction, master electrician, military.

Sixteen hours until Earth Day