Infiltrator

have been no mechanical problems at all. As far as the investigators could determine, the plane was in perfect operating condition.'

Colvin tapped his fingers on the desk. 'So,' he asked, 'what do you think that means.'

'It means'—Serena held up one finger—'pilot error'—she held up a second

—'murder-suicide'—she held up a third—'or assassination.'

The CEO turned away with a pained expression. 'Mary had no reason to commit suicide; she loved her life. And those were her best friends,' Colvin went on.

'And Mary was a good pilot.'

'That would seem to leave assassination,' Serena said calmly.

'No, it doesn't!' Colvin snapped. 'It could have been wind shear or some other weird localized phenomenon.'

There's been an inquiry regarding the Sacramento facility, her third Terminator sent. It hooked her into the ongoing inquiry, and as she followed the unauthorized investigation she also followed the Terminator's trace on the line.

Meanwhile she kept her features trained to the mask of an interested listener for

Colvin's benefit.

'I just don't see Tricker doing something like that,' Colvin said. He held out his hand in a reasoning gesture. 'I mean, it makes no sense.'

'It makes no sense to the average, reasonable human being,' Serena said. 'But I'm not altogether certain that Tricker belongs in that category.'

Cayman Islands, the Terminator said. Account of Jackson Skye, investment counselor. Such people launder money for individuals and corporations.

Serena ordered it to trace Skye's name, to see if he had previously had contact with Connor or von Rossbach. Her tap on the estancia's phone had indicated that von Rossbach had disappeared at the same time as the Connors.

The phone calls had definitely become more interesting since he'd left home—

that Marieta was quite a gossip.

Jackson Skye has been investigated by the Sector; he is currently in their pay as an informer, the Terminator reported.

Serena nodded soothingly at Colvin. Check the Sector's database; see if von Rossbach is the agent that brought him in.

There was a brief pause. Affirmative, the Terminator reported.

See if the Sector has bugged his office. If so, tap in and patch it to me.

Serena shifted in her chair again. 'Please don't think that I want Mary Warren to have been murdered,' she insisted. 'I just… have always found it so strange that

an experienced pilot on a frequently traveled flight path should go down in what were supposed to be ideal weather conditions. And now that the investigation of the wreckage has found no sign of mechanical failure, despite all that yelling about the engines…' She waved her hands helplessly. 'Well, I just think we'd better be more cautious than ever. That's all.'

Colvin smiled ruefully.

'Well, that is your job,' he said.

'Here,' he continued. 'Before I let you go I should show you this.' He separated a sheet of paper from those in his out basket and handed it across the desk. 'It's from Ronald Labane. Have you heard of him?'

Serena took the paper and began to read. 'No,' she said absently. She looked up.

'Should I have?'

Colvin shrugged. 'He's kind of a New Agey, environmentalist type. His book is still on the bestseller lists after I don't know how many months. Go ahead,' he said with a sweep of his hand, 'read his letter.'

'This came in the mail?' Serena asked.

'E-mail,' Colvin said. 'I got it this morning.'

The letter was brief, and to the point. Labane told them that he'd heard about their totally automated factory concept and listed his objections to it. He pointed out that it would, if successful, put huge numbers of people out of work. He pointed out that such people would be very angry and warned that he would do

his utmost to organize them. It ended with a plea to Cyberdyne to reconsider their actions.

Serena looked up, her face grim. I don't need this right now, she thought.

'How, I wonder, did he hear of this,' she said evenly, 'when this is the first I've heard of it?'

Colvin cleared his throat and looked away. 'We didn't tell you this, but the military absolutely loved the idea. We've been moving ahead on it and we've just broken ground for a munitions factory in Texas.'

'So the leak could be anybody.' She handed the paper back, her face stern. 'In a way, I'm relieved. With so many other people in the loop, it need not represent a leak at the highest levels of Cyberdyne.' In other words, this didn't happen on my watch. Of course, everything to do with Cyberdyne was on her watch, technically.

'I suppose not,' he agreed. 'But it should be looked into.'

'Yes,' Serena said, with a slow nod. 'It should.' You humans have to be 'looked into' constantly, don't you? she thought with a flick of exasperation. 'This Labane character should be looked into as well,' she said aloud. 'That was a threat he made against this company, and with Cyberdyne's history, that shouldn't be taken lightly. I advise you to mention this to Tricker.'

Colvin shrugged, looking puzzled. 'It's not like I can call him up, you know.'

'Mmm,' she said noncommittally. 'He needs to know about this. He'd be the one

to question the types who are involved in this project.' She swiveled her chair slightly. 'I'm sure you'll hear from him soon. It's his job to show up when he's needed. Or not wanted,' she added wickedly. 'I'll look into who might have known about those plans at Cyberdyne. You'll provide me with a list of people you and Mr. Warren discussed it with?' Since I don't know anything about that because you certainly didn't discuss it with me!

'Of course,' the CEO replied.

'Do you want me to investigate the contractors?' she asked. 'Or shall we leave that to Tricker?'

Colvin thought. 'It might be a good idea for you to do some preliminary checking into the company's background,' he said. 'I'm reluctant to step on Tricker's toes. But it's probably a good idea for us to know more about them anyway. And then, if he doesn't want to investigate, we'll have a head start.'

Serena smiled and nodded. This poor little human was terrified of the government liaison. I wonder what Tricker has on him, she thought. Perhaps she should do something to make him as terrified of her.

'I'll be very discreet, whatever I do,' Serena assured him with a smile.

There wasn't much to say after that, so they concluded their meeting quickly.

Serena left annoyed, because she'd been unaware that this project had even moved forward.

The brutally honest self-evaluation that had been drilled into her from birth acknowledged that she should have been aware of what they were doing. She'd

grown careless and had neglected to keep an eye on the president and CEO.

Allowing yourself to have contempt for your enemy is a betrayal of common sense, she quoted to herself. It was one of John Connor's sayings. Still, since she was the one who had given the schematics and plans to them, as well as being their head of security, they should have kept her informed.

As Serena walked back to her office, Third succeeded in connecting her to the video spy devices the Sector had installed. She watched the activity in Jackson Skye's home-based office superimposed over Cyberdyne's surroundings, waiting impatiently for the sound to come through.

The Connors and their ally had been interrupted by another man— Skye, no doubt, who seemed to be arguing with them. For this she was grateful since it allowed her time to get back to her office, where she could give this situation a bit more of her attention.

When she saw the Sector agent's face a small chill ran up her gut, and she almost missed a stride.