“So we’re talking about banking systems, communications systems, hospitals, military networks, spy satellites, stock exchanges, everything?”

“Everything,” Kayne replied. “She would have the keys to the kingdom.”

Thunder nodded slowly. He finally understood why they were so desperate to find her. A machine like that could reduce the global economy to a smoking ruin in a matter of seconds. Or it could give any country, or any individual for that matter, what would amount to absolute power.

But something still didn’t make sense. “If this woman is so rich,” he asked, “why would she steal $10 billion more?”

“Because she could,” replied Kayne. “Or because she’s greedy. Or because she’s bored. Who knows? Most crimes are committed for reasons other than money. Anger, power, revenge, the thrill of doing something wrong. Maybe she just wanted to see how much she could get away with using her new toy.”

Thunder studied him for a moment. “You really don’t care about finding her, do you? You just want her machine.”

Kayne rubbed his hands together like a funeral director asking for a check. “National security is more important than the welfare of any individual, Mr. Thunder. I honestly hope that we find Geemunu alive and well. But regardless of what happens to her, we absolutely must locate her computer before someone else does. If such a device exists, it must be in the possession of the United States, or the United States may cease to exist.”