Contest

'Yes, I did. In fact, it was the police who put me on to the Library in the first place.'

'If you don't mind me asking,' Levine said, 'which police station was this?'

'14th Precinct,' Charlton said.

'And what did they tell you?'

'They told me they picked up a small-time computer thief in the State Library last night, in relation to the murder of a security guard. I saw the fellow, too--'

'A murdered security guard?' Levine leaned forward.

'Yes.'

'A guard from the State Library?'

'Yes.'

'And the police said he was killed last night?'

'That's right. Last night,' Charlton said. 'They found the thief right next to him, covered from head to toe in the guard's blood.'

Levine looked around at his fellow agents. Then he said, 'Do they think the thief did it?'

'No. He was just a scrawny little guy. But they think he must have stumbled upon the guys who did. Then they roughed him up. Something like that.'

Levine stopped for a moment, deep in thought.

Then he asked very seriously, 'Have the police put any men inside the building? Inside the library?'

'The detective I spoke to said they have two officers down there right now,' Charlton said. 'You know, baby- sitting the building overnight, until some site team can go in tomorrow.'

'So there are police officers inside that building right now?'

'That's what they told me.'

At that, Levine turned to his men and nodded at the nearest one, who stood immediately.

'14th Precinct,' Levine said to him. He glanced back at Bob Charlton. 'Mr Charlton, can you remember the name of the detective to whom you spoke?'

'Yes. Captain Henry Dickson.'

Levine just turned to the standing agent and nodded curtly. The agent didn't reply. He just ran straight from the room.

Levine faced Charlton again. 'Mr Charlton, you have been very helpful. I thank you for your co-operation.'

'Not at all,' Charlton said, rising from his chair. 'If that's everything, gentlemen, I have a main to fix, so if you'll excuse me, I've got to go and check out that library--'

Levine stood, placed his hand on Charlton's chest, stopping him.

'I'm sorry, Mr Charlton, but I'm afraid your inquiry into the New York State Library stops here.'

'What?'

Levine spoke calmly. 'This is no longer a matter for you or your company, Mr Charlton. The National Security Agency will take care of it from here.'

'But what about the main?' Charlton objected. 'Or the electricity? I have to get it back on.'

'It can wait.'

'Bullshit, it can wait.' Charlton stepped forward angrily.

'Sit down, Mr Charlton.'

'No, I will not sit down. This is a serious problem, Mr Levine,' Charlton paused. 'I'd like to speak with your superior.'

'Sit down, Mr Charlton.' Levine said, a new authority in his voice. Immediately, two agents appeared at Charlton's sides. They didn't touch him, just stood by his shoulders.

Charlton sat, frowning.

Levine said, 'All I will tell you is this, Mr Charlton. In the last two hours, that library has become the focus of a major NSA investigation. An investigation that will not be stopped because one hundred and eighty-seven New Yorkers won't be able to watch Friends for one night.'

Charlton just sat there, silent. Levine walked over to the doorway.

'Your inquiry is concluded, Mr Charlton. You will be advised as to when you may proceed.' Levine stepped through the doorway, taking one agent with him, leaving Charlton in the office with Rudy and the other two agents.

Charlton couldn't believe it. 'What? You're keeping me here? You can't do that!'

Levine stopped in the doorway. 'Oh yes I can, Mr Charlton, and I will. Under Federal law, it is within the power of an investigating officer to detain anyone concerned in a matter of national security for the duration of that investigation. You will remain here, Mr Charlton, with your assistant, under supervision, until this investigation is substantially concluded. Thank you for your co-operation.'

Down the hall, Levine stepped into the elevator and pulled out his cellular phone.

'Marshall, here,' a crackled voice said at the other end. There was a lot of static on the line.

'Sir, it's me, Levine.'

'Yes, John, what is it? How did it go?'

'Good and bad, sir.'

'Tell me the good news first,'

Levine said, 'It's definitely the State Library.'

A pause, then, 'Yes.'

'And we got to Charlton just in time. He was just about to go there.'

'Good.'

Levine paused, nervously fingering his red walrus moustache.

Marshall's voice said, 'And the bad news?'

Levine bit his lip. 'We had to detain him.'

There was silence on the other end of the line.

'There was no choice, Mr Marshall. We had to keep him away from the library.'

The man named Marshall seemed to be thinking it over. Finally he spoke, as if to himself. 'No. No. That's okay. Charlton will be all right. Besides, if this thing comes off, any flak the Agency gets from him will be water off a duck's back. What else?'

Levine held his breath. 'There are two cops inside the building.'

'Inside?'

'Yes.'

'Oh, fuck,' Marshall's voice said. 'That is a problem.'

Levine waited in silence. The phone hissed With static. Marshall lapsed into thought again. When he spoke, his voice was soft, deliberate.

'We'll have to take them with us.'

'The cops? Can we do that?'

Marshall said, 'They're contaminated. It doesn't look like we have much choice.'

Levine said, 'What do you want me to do now?'

'Get over to the library and, for the moment, stay out of sight. The boys from Sigma will be there shortly,' Marshall said. 'I'll be landing in a couple of minutes. There's a car waiting on the runway, so I'll be there in about thirty minutes.'

'Yes, sir.'

Levine hung up.

----ooo0ooo------

James A. Marshall sat in the executive compartment of the National Security Agency's Director's Lear as it began its descent into Newark.