than a cop. A lot more.”
“I’ve got a few science degrees and I served in the military. Is that what you’re getting at?”
“Precisely. You’ve got a scientist’s brain, and you’ve got behind-the-lines military experience. I need a man just like you.”
“Those skills might be useful in war, but I’m no longer in the military. And I’m behind the ball with regard to what I studied at MIT. What do you want from me-exactly?”
“Before I tell you, let me explain what I do.”
“Senator Summers said you’re a businessman.”
“Actually, that’s only one of the hats I wear. I only use my business interests as a means to an end.”
“An end to what?”
“I’ll share all that later. For now, all you need to know is that I am a…facilitator, a consultant, to our government and other interested parties.”
“Interested parties?”
Kane leaned his hands on the desktop and pushed back in his chair. “My main objective is not important. Not for the mission at hand.”
Gerrit felt uneasy about Kane’s vagueness. “Does this mission have anything to do with ECHELON’s major facilities only a few miles away at RAF Menwith Hill?”
Kane started to smirk, but then seemed to catch himself. “Ah yes. Everyone’s heard of ECHELON, that so- called ultra secret network whereby our five allied governments spy on the world by listening in and monitoring all electronic communications worldwide. That ECHELON?”
Gerrit nodded.
“We are so far beyond that, my boy. I received permission to share certain classified information with you.” He stood, gesturing to Gerrit. “Come with me. Let’s mosey downstairs.”
Frustrated, Gerrit stood, watching Kane head toward the door. He felt this man would never get to the point. They walked out into the hallway and down the far end of the corridor, stopping in front of what looked like a service elevator. Gerrit realized this lift-like everything about this place-was more than it appeared.
Kane peered into an iris scan and then placed his index finger on a print scanner. Once cleared, the door opened and he received authorization to navigate the elevator. Upon reaching a deep subterranean level, the door rolled open and Gerrit saw another whole floor-absent any windows-spreading out before him, much like a police squad room. Offices bordered an open bull pen that contained a number of workstations, each cubicle walled by three panels about five feet high. The offices must have been for those supervising the workforce, those minions stationed in cubicles under the watchful eyes of their bosses.
“This is where our real work takes place,” Kane said. “That stuff upstairs-just window dressing.”
Gerrit followed Kane along one wall of cubicles until they reached a corner office with Kane’s name stenciled on an opaque glass-paned door. Kane thrust open the door and beckoned him inside. “Okay, now we can talk. There is nothing-at least in today’s technology-that can intercept our conversation here.” He approached the far side of a desk.
Gerrit sat across from Kane, the older man easing into the chair before speaking. “I need a man who can blend into the scientific community, into a specific field of which you are quite familiar.”
“Nanotechnology,” Gerrit said. “I’ve been out of that field for more than a decade-a lifetime in my field of study.”
“You’ve been gone, but you can still speak the language. I need a man who can talk the talk while sifting through the unimportant and extract the important.”
“Extract the important? What do you mean?”
Kane leaned forward, cupping his hands together under his chin. “I need you to get your hands on specific research material, pull out the important information, and then sabotage their efforts.”
“Who are we talking about?”
A rap on the door interrupted them. Kane leaned over, whispering, “We’ll talk about this later.” Then, in a louder voice, he said, “Come on in, George.”
A ruddy-faced man nearing seventy entered, followed by a younger and slimmer gentleman. “George Lawton, kind of you to join us.”
The older man extended a hand to Kane, glancing at Gerrit with interest. “Brought the other chap with me that we spoke about.” George turned to the man next to him. “Henry, say hello to a friend of mine from across the pond. Richard Kane and-”
“Gerrit O’Rourke,” Kane said, without looking at Gerrit. He seemed to be studying the new man Lawton brought with him. “Gerrit, I’d like to introduce Henry-”
“Clarke,” the young man said. “ Doctor Henry Clarke, actually.” Clarke shook Gerrit’s hand as the two men eyed each other. “Looks like you’re working for me, Dr. O’Rourke. You take orders well?” The man chuckled, but his eyes held no humor.
Gerrit rose, slightly confused. “Glad to meet you, Doctor.” He turned to Kane for clarification. “I think Mr. Kane was just starting to explain my role in all this.”
A sly smile emerged on Lawton’s face. “Keeping everyone in the dark as usual, eh, Richard?”
Kane motioned for the others to have a seat, before looking at Gerrit. “I never got a chance to tell you. Y’all will be traveling to Vienna with Henry here in about a week. Sort of a security detail.”
“Security? For whom?”
Henry pompously waved a hand. “Afraid it’s for me, old chap. They think some terrorist may have it in for me.” The younger man crossed his legs and folded his hands, sitting back in the chair as if he were a king holding court.
Gerrit glanced at Kane. “I’m not sure what-”
“I’ll go over the details later, Gerrit. I told them about you. And they thought you were an excellent choice for the job.”
The others nodded. Gerrit settled back onto his chair. Did they also know he was in this country under an assumed name? Since Kane introduced him by his real name, he assumed they knew nothing of his alias.
More secrets. And it had been a long time since he heard Doctor attached to his name. A long time.
Kane edged forward. “Dr. Clarke is the foremost authority in quantum computer technology and cyber- security issues.”
“You flatter me, Mr. Kane. I am one of a hundred scientists puttering around in the dark in this particular field.”
The man’s thinly disguised arrogance-cloaked in false modesty-rankled Gerrit. There were only a handful of scientists in Clarke’s field that could do what this man does. On the other hand, Gerrit could see why this man might be a high-value target for the enemy-if his own side didn’t shoot him first.
Kane continued. “Henry, you’re the one they chose to sit on a prestigious international panel for cyber- security technologies. And Dr. O’Rourke will fit very nicely in your entourage to Vienna.”
Clarke pompously patted Gerrit’s arm. “I’d be honored to have Dr. O’Rourke aboard. My secretary will send you my travel schedule to look over. She’ll make whatever reservations you require.”
Lawton sat quietly, watching the others interact until he gave Kane a nod. “My office will run interference.”
“Your office?” Gerrit asked. “Which office might that be?”
“Let’s just say Her Majesty’s security office is interested in Dr. Clarke’s well-being. Wouldn’t do to have him popped off on my watch, good fellow.”
MI6.
Gerrit looked over at Kane, whose face seemed masked at the moment. “No, that would not be good, Mr. Lawton. Let me know what you need from me.”
“My friend, Mr. Kane, will give you the details. I won’t be seeing you in Vienna, but I will be…available if matters turn sour. I guess we’d better be off, shall we, Dr. Clarke?”
The scientist shrugged, stood, and was about to leave when Lawton tapped him on the shoulder. “Why don’t you go on ahead, Henry. There’s one small matter I need to discuss with Mr. Kane and Dr. O’Rourke.”
Clarke looked back curiously and then left the room. Lawton closed the door behind him. “What an arse that man is. Sorry to stick him with you, Dr. O’Rourke. But we needed that clown to give you cover.”
