Forensic Detective Robert Redford examined the bullet he’d recovered from the scene of the murder. He knew both that he was working under a time constraint, and that he could use the marks made in the bullet by the manufacturing process to identify the gun’s model. He brought the bullet under a magnifying glass to get a better look at it. He began noticing the number and positioning of the markings on the bullet and recorded his observations. Being a Forensic Scientist, he’d dealt with a fair share of murders and had learned what different markings on the bullet meant. Within a few moments, he had an answer as to the type of gun. If he played his cards right, he could get the murderer as well.

Chapter Fourteen:

Oval Office
10:30 a.m.

“You said you solved Dunlap’s code?” President Kennedy almost didn’t dare to believe it. But isn’t it already too late?

“Yes, sir. It says “I have intercepted a Soviet communication. Discoverer 14 is in danger. It will be destroyed within twenty-four hours.”"
Kennedy was not as relieved as he thought he would be; Discoverer was the American’s first spy satellite. If it were destroyed, the Soviets would surely get a leg up in the Cold War, which meant mass hysteria, the White House coming under verbal attacks from all sides, anarchy, and total chaos.

“We’re awaiting your orders, sir,” The cryptologist said.

Kennedy didn’t know what to say.

“Just remain where you are; I’ll handle this.” When Kennedy had hung up, he marched outside without so much as a word to Director Wallinsky. He went up to his secretary’s desk and asked her how quickly she could summon the President’s personal jet, Air Force One.

“I’ll have it here in five minutes,” she promised. The President nodded to show this was satisfactory and then waited while the secretary dialed the Secret Service to prepare the plane. While he waited, there were plenty of interesting events going on in other parts of the country.

Chapter Fifteen:

CIA Forensics Lab
Langley, VA
10:35 a.m.

Redford double-checked his work. Yes, he was sure he’d been correct. All the signs on the gun had pointed to an AK-47 Assault Rifle, which was manufactured in none other than Russia. He was almost certain the Soviets were to blame for Nadia’s death, and possibly for the event that was threatening the country. Something inside of him told him to call the Oval Office and report his findings, and yet there was a stronger instinct telling him to dig deeper. Somewhere, behind the veil of secrecy that he’d grown accustomed to, there lurked a skillful criminal who had made it their task to ruin the first (and possibly last) American reconnaissance mission involving a spy satellite.