Thanks to Mr. Henry, Agent Appleton was closer to The Collective than ever before. The clues found in the encrypted blob had led him to a vehicle owned by a local man named Rocco “Rocky” Surelli.

“Hello, Mr. Surelli. May I have a word?”

Rocky turned around to see a tall man in a suit holding an FBI badge.

“I have nothing to say,” Rocky said.

Agent Appleton produced a piece of paper and handed it to Rocky.

“Let’s do it the hard way, then. This is a warrant that gives me legal authority to search your vehicle, phone, and anything else in your possession.”

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Two Milford Police Department cruisers appeared right on cue, blocking Rocky’s car in.

“Surrender your phone, please.”

Rocky handed his phone to Agent Appleton. It was locked.

“Unlock it, please.”

“No. I know my rights.”

“‘Hard way,’ indeed,” Agent Appleton said. He waved the warrant in front of Rocky. “Okay, let’s talk about this downtown. This piece of paper also gives me the right to arrest your ass.”

Rocky fought as two Milford police officers took him into custody.

Unlike his phone, Mr. Surelli’s car was unlocked. During a search of the vehicle, Agent Appleton found and seized a laptop. Since it normally took days, if not weeks, to get a laptop analyzed by the FBI, Agent Appleton decided to enlist Mr. Henry’s help again.