Chapter 16 - 18 Summary

Commander Strathmore tells Susan that Tankado must have had the pass code engraved on his ring. When he died, he gave the ring to a Canadian tourist who was on the scene at the time of his death. The Canadian described the ring as being inscribed with strange lettering that did not spell anything.

Strathmore believes that Tankado must have thought the NSA was responsible for his heart attack, through poisoning or a slow-acting cardiac arrestor. Strathmore explains that Tankado must have suspected the NSA had uncovered North Dakota's identity, because they would not have attempted to kill him otherwise. In order to ensure the NSA would never have access to Digital Fortress, Strathmore concludes that Tankado gave away his pass code as he lay dying in the street.

Strathmore goes on to explain to Susan that the officer at the...