Alan knew Jake was right but he couldn’t see any clear direction.
He knew he was feeling sorry for himself but couldn’t seem to snap out of it until suddenly, Lieutenant Walker’s words came back to him. “You’ve been in worse spots before and come through. Just stick with it and I’m sure you’ll come up with something.” Walker’s faith in Alan had always been a source of strength for him and he focused hard on those words now to recharge his batteries. Jake watched him intently as he stood in entranced silence for a moment until his eyes opened to display a steely resolve.
“We need to get into Rothstein’s computer.” he said
firmly.
Jake clenched his jaw then smiled broadly,
“Now you’re talking detective.”
Chapter 1
5
Jake and Alan had spent the rest of the day developing a viable plan to access Blue Sky’s well secured headquarters outside Columbus. Equilibrium’s help had been enlisted to provide a way to access the data from Rothstein’s computer system because it was not on line within Blue Sky’s mainframe and therefore not accessible from outside the laboratory. The hacker had promised that a courier would deliver a small package containing a very sophisticated device to Jake’s hangar at Teterboro airport in the morning. If they managed to get past the facility’s tight security, all they needed to do was plug the device into a USB port on Rothstein’s terminal and Equilibrium would then be able to access the data remotely.
Not long after contact
ing Equilibrium, they received a secure email with full blueprints of the building, details of its security systems and the guard roster from the human resources department. There was even a technical drawing and outline of the badge that all security staff had to carry. Alan showed Jake the route he had taken to the lab on the blueprints and Jake noted each security device he had passed on the technical drawings. Jake looked up each device’s capabilities in the security data and noted the circumvention methods required. Deep in thought, he then asked Alan, “Do the security guards wear uniforms?”
“
Just a navy blue blazer and business pants. The badge seems to be the only distinguishing feature, aside from their conspicuous size and suspicious glances.”
“OK, I’m going to have to enlist some outside help.
I need one of those badges and I know just the guy to make an exact replica. I’m going to drop the fingers off to my friend, meet my counterfeiter, and buy a navy blazer.
Alan suddenly started chuckling.
“Something funny?”
“
It just sounds so absurd – did you hear what you just said? Drop off the fingers, see my counterfeiter…it all just seems so surreal.”
“I suppose it would sound pretty odd to an outsider but
I think we’re beyond that. For one thing, you’re the prime suspect in three killings that I committed.”
Still chuckling, Alan
said, “I’m fully aware of our precarious situation. I guess I’m getting used to it though - now I can see humor in the absurdity instead of just an endless dark tunnel.”
Jake gave Alan a
concerned look. “I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing. I just hope you’re not losing it.”
“
Strangely enough, I’m actually quite fine - just glad we’re moving forward now.”
“
Alright well, try to get some sleep – I’ll need to do the same when I get back. Tik will fix you something to eat and set the sofa-bed up for you.”
“I will soon but first I’ve got to make a phone call to organize a distraction for us at Blue Sky.”
“See you bright and early for the flight to Bolton Field.”
Jake strode off toward the bedroom and Alan walked back to the gym in
the comfortable new track suit that Tik had bought for him. He sat down on the bench at the weight training station, took a deep breath and dialed Marissa Wilson’s number.
The next morning, w
aking from another strange and vivid dream, it took Alan a moment to reorient as Tik’s grinning face hovered over him from behind the sofa-bed. This was his second night in an unfamiliar bed, in an unfamiliar place and he was groggy from his fitful, dream filled sleep.
“Mr. Jake want me wake you up.
Blekfast leddy now. I make stlong coffee for Mr. Alan wake up.”
Despite his morning fog,
Alan couldn’t help smiling through gluey eyes at Tik’s amusing accent. Jake had explained to him that while the Lao language did have a written equivalent of the ‘R’ consonant, it was only used to spell words from other languages such as Thai. The closest consonant sound to an ‘R’ that Tik could manage was an ‘L’ which caused the mispronunciation of many English words that Alan found rather endearing.
“What funny?” Tik enquired playfully
.
“Nothing Tik.
It’s just nice to wake up to your smiling face and the smell of your wonderful cooking.”
Tik gave Alan a wise grin
. “Mr. Alan think on feet even when he sit on ass.”
They both laughed as Alan realized she was onto him and knew full well
that native English speakers found her pronunciation somewhat off-putting. Alan pointed a finger at her and shook his head. “You’re very clever.”
“
Yes, Tik velly clever. Make spy for CIA in Lao you know.”
Alan laughed even louder.
“Yes, I know - sneaky girl.”
“Yes
, sneaky - Tik velly sneaky lady. You get up now – Mr. Jake leddy soon.”
Alan roused himself and walked to the kitchen for some coffee.
Jake soon emerged from the bedroom dressed in business pants with a shirt and tie carrying a navy blazer over his shoulder.
“Well, you already had the size and intimidating looks,
now you’re suited up for the job too.”
“So it passes muster?”
“If I didn’t know you, I would definitely think you were a guard at Blue Sky. Did you get the badge?”
Jake handed Alan
a perfect copy of the badge that doubled as identification and access card for Blue Sky security staff. Once the counterfeiter had finished his task, Jake had taken the card to an electronics expert who specialized in access systems, to have it programmed according to specifications listed by the biotech company’s security department. Jake would now have access to all areas of the building except for Linus Gelling’s SSCH lab.
“How will you get into
Rothstein’s computer room?”
Jake produced a sma
ll rectangular black box with an LED panel and a multi-cable connector protruding from one end with a swipe card attached.
“This is a one-of-a-kind.
The same guy that programmed the security card designed it with Equilibrium’s help for another job a few months ago. It’s the most advanced electronic security hacking device you can get. Swipe the card once, the device extracts the code from their system and programs it into the card then swipe it again and the door opens. There are some systems it can’t access but they are only employed by government agencies in a few top secret facilities and, of course, here.”
“Impressive – and
scary.”
Jake smiled and sat down to eat.
Tik had made something she called Khao Tom Moo, a delicious Thai soup of rice, fried garlic and herb stock, chunks of ground seasoned pork, chopped spring onions and dried chillies. Alan didn’t speak until he’d scoffed down his entire bowl.
“That was delicious Tik – thank you.”
“No ploblem, Tik like cooking – Mr. Alan like eating.”
Jake finished his bowl,
turned and reached out to take Alan’s chin in his hand and turned his head side to side, examining his face carefully.
“What on earth are you doing?”
asked Alan.
“I’m checking your bone structure to
decide on the best disguise for you. You’re a wanted man in Jersey and we can’t take the chance that the taxi driver or airport security won’t recognize you like this. Grab a shower but don’t shave, I’ve got just the thing and your stubble will help. Tik has laid out your clothes on my bed.”
Alan did as he was told
and soon returned to the kitchen in some khaki drill pants, a collared shirt and pale cotton jacket. Tik had done her job well and he looked unremarkable in his guise. Jake took him to the armory, pulled out an aluminum case and opened it. The sides splayed open like a fishing tackle box to reveal rows of small bottles, a variety of brushes and powders, clumps of human hair, strips of silicone and other unidentifiable items.
“Let’s get to work.”
A little trepidatious, Alan sat in a chair and sighed, “Do your worst.”
Jake pulled several items from the kit and
worked steadily for half an hour until he was satisfied the detective’s face would not be recognized.
“That ought to do it.” he said,
placing a New York Yankees cap on Alan’s head and handing him a mirror.
Beach looked
for his reflection but instead saw a stranger. Jake had made it appear as though his brow was thicker and hairier, his cheek bones were higher, the bridge of his nose was slightly raised, there was a mid-length moustache and beard attached to his morning stubble and his whole complexion was slightly ruddy. “Wow - now that’s eerie!”
“Just avoid rubbing or scratching anything.
It’s stuck on well but not as well as the real thing. You ready to go? The plane is fuelled and waiting.”
“Lead the way.”
The pair walked past the kitchen and they said goodbye to Tik. On the way through his bedroom, Jake grabbed a carry bag that held a wad of cash, a change of clothes and some other items, and pushed the card reader device into it. They made their way through the hidden exit in the bathroom and down the spiral staircase where Jake put his palm on the door reader.
“What about Tik?
Won’t she be locked in without you here?”
“Yes, it’s her major cleaning day and she
’ll hold the fort in case we need anything while we’re gone. Don’t worry; your new friend will be fine.”
They walked out to the street and Jake hailed a taxi to take them to the airport.
The short ride was silent as Jake sat with his eyes closed going over the plan in his head. Alan thought about Holly and how he missed her but Jake had told him he couldn’t speak to her until the danger was past or their location could be discovered. Sensing Alan’s desperation, Jake dialed Walker on his encrypted phone while he explained, “I don’t want to risk the possibility that his phone is now being monitored so the discussion will be cryptic and you won’t be able to speak to them.”
“OK, as long as I know they’re safe.”
Jake waited a moment before the former Ranger Instructor answered, “Hello?”
“Good morning sir.” Jake began.
“This is Peter Siddall from Pacific Bell – how are you today?”
Walker cursed under his breath, “Damned telemarketers!” then spoke normally, “Fine thanks but please take me off your list - I’m quite happy with my existing cell phone company.”
“I understand sir but I’ll get in trouble with my boss if I don’t try. Can I just explain our latest offer please? It includes extras and we can also extend it to your family and friends.”
“Tell your boss that you did your best but we are all more than satisfied with our current plan and I’m sure we have more extras than you could ever offer.
Goodbye.”
Jake turned to Alan with a smile.
“No need to worry; things are well in hand. They’re somewhere safe and as I suspected, he’s enlisted some very potent allies. Can we move on now?”
“Thanks Jake.
Now I’ll be able to focus.”
They went through the airport security gate where the guard politely greeted Jake and
barely glanced at Alan. The disguise was flawless and he waved them through without question. As the taxi pulled up at Jake’s hangar, Jimmy’s smiling face greeted them.
“Hi Jake; you’re off early this morni
ng.”
“The early bird catches the worm Jimmy.
This is the passenger I told you about. Karl Osborn, this is Jimmy.”
Jimmy extended his hand
for Alan to shake. “Nice to meet you Mr. Osborn – you’re in safe hands with Jake. Good luck with your deal in Columbus.”
Jake had devised a cover for their early morning flight so Alan was prepared and thanked Jimmy.
“Hopefully the vendor will be ready to accept our offer today. See you soon Jimmy.”
T
he pair climbed into the King Air and buckled themselves in. Jake did his preflight checks and radioed the tower for clearance then taxied to the runway, throttled up and let the sleek craft surge forward for takeoff. Alan had never been in such a luxurious and powerful private aircraft before and watched engrossed as Jake deftly handled the big twin engine machine.
“D
on’t you have to have a copilot?” he asked through the headset.
“Not unless
it’s a commercial flight with passengers. I’ve got full commercial ratings for this aircraft so I can fly her solo. If the FAA ever changes the rules, I might have to downgrade to a single engine but fingers crossed they don’t – I really love this plane.”
“I can see why!
She’s got some serious power and the cabin is something else.”
“I had a friend’s company do the fit-out.
There are a few hidden surprises back there as well.”
“I won’t ask.”
“Then I won’t tell.”
The two chatted about Alan’s
job, the effect his decision to report his former partner’s crimes had on him, and finally about losing his wife and finding Holly. The time passed quickly and soon they were on descent into Bolton Field. Their approach was approved and the runway ready for their arrival so Jake easily brought the plane in for a smooth landing and they were soon in a taxi headed for the outskirts Columbus. The cab took them to a small car rental company where a generic sedan was waiting for them to pick up. From there, Jake drove them through the city and onto the highway to Blue Sky Biotech. Twenty minutes later, they were in the main car park and they went through the plan one last time.