Firewall (The Firewall Spies Book 1)

by Andrew Watts

  Colt raised his glass in farewell. Pace rejoined him, bourbon glass in hand. His words were a bit slurred. “Hey, just so you know . . . I’m not trying to be a jerk about all of this or anything, but it’s hard to voice an opinion on ethics without sounding like you are bashing the company.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean, there are different loyalty factions inside Pax AI. Maybe inside the whole tech world. Definitely among us AI types. People like Nader think people like us are special. I hate using this term, but sort of like a master race. That when AI blows up, we deserve to be the winners. We deserve to be the aristocracy that rules over everyone else.”

  Pace spoke with conviction, like he thought this description of the future was an obvious possibility.

  He went on. “Others say we should share utopia equally with everyone. A progressive outlook, if you will. But even the more open and progressive employees recognize there is serious danger in sharing too much of their AI code too soon.” His eyebrows rose to emphasize his point.

  “What about you? Where do you stand?” Colt asked.

  “I think there’s real truth to the warning. If this AGI thing blows up and it goes sideways, that’s it. Game over, man.”

  “Like robots taking over the world?” Colt smiled. “Isn’t that just science fiction?”

  Pace’s face darkened. “You have any idea how many of us tech executives have fortified oh-shit bunkers up in the California wilderness? You’d be shocked. I mean . . . let’s be honest, people like me can afford it. But still . . . it takes a lot of extra time and effort to buy that shit.”

  Colt looked at Pace with renewed interest. His personality was very different than Colt would have thought. Much more introspective.

  “You were Kozlov’s boss, right?”

  Pace took another sip of bourbon. “I was.”

  “How is your team handling the Trinity stuff? Are they worried about their own personal safety?”

  “Well, half of my team is living in a hotel with security guards walking the hallways.” He snorted, then took another drink of liquor. He looked toward Jeff Kim, surrounded by fawning executives and high-rolling VCs. “Sometimes I don’t know what the hell we’re doing. You gotta be careful who you say that around, of course.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Pace nodded to the far portion of the lawn. “See that guy?”

  Standing there alone, holding a glass of ice water, was Sean Miller, the head of security. He was scanning the crowd, seemingly uninterested in small talk.

  “Yes, I met him earlier.”

  “Careful what you say around him.”

  “You don’t feel like you can speak freely around your head of security?” Colt asked.

  “I mean, the guy is like the thought police. Part of his job is to make sure we don’t leak trade secrets to competitors. See all those VCs Jeff is schmoozing with? Any one of them would love to take a big wet bite out of this company. Jeff knows it too. That’s why he invites them here. He’s smart. Keep your enemies closer, you know?” Pace sighed and took another sip of his drink.

  “I’m not sure I follow. What’s this got to do with Miller? Why don’t you feel comfortable speaking freely around him?”

  Pace tilted his head toward Colt. He was getting drunk. “Because, man. He’s the thought police. If he thinks you aren’t loyal to the company, he puts you on his list. And you don’t want to be on his list.” Pace’s eyes shot over to Colt. “Some people say Kozlov was on that list . . .”

  Colt kept his eyes on his glass, not wanting to alarm Pace. Keep him talking. His reply was casual, almost uninterested. “Really? Huh.”

  Pace continued. “Miller monitors everything going on at Pax AI. I mean everything. I helped design one of the algorithms he uses to scan our email. Hell, he even reads transcripts of our lead team meetings, which are supposed to be only for a handful of us C-suite types.”

  “Isn’t that just part of his job?”

  “Of course. Sure.” Pace seemed to catch himself and held up his hands. “Look, it’s not that I don’t like him. It’s just . . . well, he wouldn’t have been my first hire. Just a little bit of a questionable background is all.”

  “How so?”

  Pace leaned in, lowering his voice. “Well, Jeff once told me that Miller worked for federal law enforcement for years. They aren’t exactly known for their moral compass.”

  Colt kept his face friendly, fighting off his annoyance and amusement at the comment. “But a lot of people in Miller’s security role have that type of background, don’t they? Doesn’t that make him better at his job?”

  Colt could see Miller looking in their direction. So was Nader, for that matter.

  Pace was oblivious. He took another sip of his drink, his words getting a bit more slurred. “I guess. But I heard he worked for a cyber security firm that supposedly did some shady business with the Chinese government.”

  “Really?”

  “It’s what I heard.”

  Colt made a mental note to have Rinaldi look into it.

  One of the servers walked by and Pace accidentally bumped into him, spilling liquor on his shirt. “Ah, shit.”

  “Oh, sir, I’m so sorry. Please let me clean that up for you.”

  “It’s all right. I’ll get it.” He excused himself and departed.

  Colt scanned the crowd. He was about to head over toward Nader when he spotted Ava standing on the second-floor balcony.

  She was looking down at him, a Mona Lisa smile on her lips. Ava wore a form-fitting white dress and light makeup that accentuated her eyes.

  Colt raised his glass in greeting. She raised hers back, then turned and left his view. She appeared a moment later, walking out onto the lawn, her movements graceful. The wealthy businessmen and women clinking glasses and chatting parted like the Red Sea, and soon Ava was standing next to Jeff Kim.

  He squeezed her shoulder, another gesture of affection. Not the normal employer-employee relationship. Colt found himself both curious and slightly jealous, unable to take his eyes off her. Soon she was laughing and smiling and drinking from a flute of champagne as the group continued speaking around her. Ava whispered something into Kim’s ear, their bodies an inch too close to be anything other than what it was.

  Colt averted his eyes, annoyed with himself for not seeing this sooner. He wondered if Wilcox and Rinaldi had missed it. Or maybe they knew, and didn’t tell Colt?

  A jazz band set up on the far portion of the lawn. They began playing low bass guitar, saxophone, and piano. Colt grabbed another drink, letting the music soothe him as he took in the setting. He realized these were the future kings and queens of the world. Their parties had the best food, the best alcohol. Their clothes and cars and homes were exotic and expensive. Their work was something only they could really understand, but it would eventually control the rest of the world. In the distance, past Jeff Kim’s futuristic meditation room, the sun had set in spectacular fashion, a fiery red and orange cloud layer high above them illuminating the California mountains.

  Nader spotted Colt standing alone and called him to join his group. Colt walked over. He recognized the woman next to Nader as an actress. A star on a popular TV series. Before long, Colt learned she was dating one of the Pax AI executives, a man at least ten years her senior. A few other minor celebrities were also in attendance. Kings and queens.

  Colt felt a tap on his shoulder and looked to see one of the security guards. “Excuse me, sir, but Mr. Kim asked if you would join him?”

  Colt excused himself from Nader’s circle and headed over to Kim, his eyes on Ava as he approached. Kim made introductions. Two CEOs of tech companies Colt recognized and a philanthropist. A few venture capitalists.

  “Ava, I believe you already know Colt.”

  Ava offered her hand. “Yes, we’re old friends. It’s good to see you again.”

  Colt shook her hand, forcing a smile. “You too.” Her eyes pierced his own.


  Colt remained silent while the group chatted together about the state of the tech industry. They voiced concern about new federal regulations that might be imposed, and bemoaned growing competition.

  “It’s just getting awful. Stealing your competitor’s idea used to be so much more chivalrous!” said one of the CEOs. Most were laughing, although Jeff Kim didn’t crack a smile. He remained mostly silent, taking everything in.

  Ava stood at his side, charming everyone in their circle. Her comments were humorous at moments, insightful at others. She spoke of business, government, and technology, and seemed to have mastered all subjects.

  The music paused and the guitarist spoke into the microphone. “And now, ladies and gentlemen, we have a special guest who will be delivering a surprise birthday performance.”

  Heads turned to see Ava walking to the performance stage in her tight white dress. The pianist stood and Ava took his seat. She adjusted the microphone and spoke in a low tone without looking up. “Happy birthday, Jeff.”

  When Ava began playing, a familiar hush fell over the crowd. Colt found himself transported to the first time they met, when she had played piano and sung in a hotel courtyard on the shores of Tel Aviv.

  But she didn’t sing this time. Just piano. Still, her music was slow and beautiful. Judging by the crowd’s reaction, it was the first time she’d played for them.

  “Oh my God,” Colt heard one of the Pax AI employees say.

  “She’s amazing,” another agreed.

  As she played, Ava looked up at Kim. She gave him a captivating, radiant smile.

  Then she said, “And I have one more song to play, if that’s okay.”

  The crowd cheered approval.

  When Colt heard the first notes of “Rhapsody in Blue,” he almost broke out into laughter. She glanced in Colt’s direction, if only for a moment, to make sure he got the joke.

  Gershwin. She had remembered.

  It was a tough song to play well, and Ava displayed her incredible talent as it reached its peak, becoming lost in the music. When she finished, she stood and took a bow as the crowd erupted in applause. Some whistled. Others raised their glasses. She didn’t look at Colt as she walked back toward Kim, leaning up and kissing him on the cheek when she reached him. Colt felt a pang of longing as he watched her, thinking about what might have been.

  “Are they together?” Colt asked Nader, now standing next to him.

  “Ava and Jeff?” He shrugged. “I don’t think so. Not officially anyway. We all kind of look the other way on that one. Everyone knows not to ask questions.”

  “Anyone have a problem with it? HR-wise, I mean?”

  Nader arched an eyebrow. “No one’s going to challenge the king in his court.” Colt could hear a trace of annoyance in his tone. Nader was ambitious, and envious of Jeff Kim. Colt had met many men like Nader. Lifelong climbers. Executives with a singular focus on career ascension, seeing their peers and subordinates as footsteps and handgrips for the journey. Colt didn’t trust men like Nader, but he knew enough never to show it.

  “Look at this guy,” Nader said.

  Pace was making his way onto the stage, his drink sloshing from his glass.

  Nader shook his head. “Here we go.” He tapped one of the Pax AI employees on the shoulder and said, “Can you help me get him off the stage?”

  The other man snickered, and they headed over to rein in Pace’s drunken show.

  When they left, Colt felt a tap on his shoulder. “Did you like my song?”

  Colt turned to see Ava standing behind him, alone under an olive tree. Its branches were lit with strings of tiny golden lights.

  She held out her champagne flute and they clinked glasses. She watched him as she sipped.

  “Your music is just as wonderful as I remember. And yes, I liked your Gershwin.”

  She smiled. “I was hoping you would remember.”

  “I will never forget. No singing this time, though?”

  For a brief moment, Ava’s face flashed a distant despair. “Not in a long time. But hopefully this was still enjoyable.”

  Colt said, “You were great. Did your employer appreciate it?”

  Ava tilted her head, apparently detecting something in his delivery. She appraised him before responding, “You need not worry.”

  “I know you well enough not to worry. You can take care of yourself,” Colt said.

  She stared at him a moment, her eyes twinkling. “I missed you.”

  “Me too.”

  “I’m no one’s property, you know,” Ava said.

  “I know.”

  She sipped her champagne.

  Colt said, “Want to go somewhere we can be alone? Catch up?”

  Ava’s mouth opened, and she gave a little laugh. Her chin jutted upward. “That sounds dangerous. When?”

  “Now.”

  “You’re being serious?”

  He didn’t blink.

  “You are being serious.” She finished her drink and placed it down on the tall table nearby. “All right. Let’s go.”

  They turned and began walking toward the house. Party attendees stole glances at her as they walked. Colt felt both nervous and enthralled.

  This was sheer madness. A ludicrous fantasy. Despite what he felt, he knew he wasn’t really getting a second chance. He wasn’t rekindling a cherished relationship. He was doing what Wilcox wanted him to do. He was recruiting an agent.

  As they walked, Colt looked up to see Jeff Kim on the balcony above them, speaking intently with a serious-looking woman.

  Ava followed Colt’s gaze. “That’s Sheryl Hawkinson. You know her?”

  “I’ve heard the name,” Colt said, mentally cataloguing the sighting for his report. “How is she involved with Jeff?”

  “They’ve had a few private meetings recently. To be honest, I don’t know what was discussed. Jeff’s like that sometimes. Nader thinks she wants to be cut in to the next equity round. You know anything about that?”

  “I’m in appraisals. Different part of the house.”

  “Ah, I see. Well, Sheryl can be vicious. So be careful if you ever interact with her.”

  “I’ll remember that.”

  Colt saw Kim and Sheryl looking down in his direction. Ava waved and they both smiled, and then their walk took them under the balcony and out of sight.

  “Let me run to the bathroom. I’ll meet you out front,” Ava said, then strode off. She turned to look back, smiling when she caught him watching her. Her dark eyes were still full of passion and playfulness, just the way he remembered.

  An awful ringing sound caused him to snap his head toward the stage. Luke Pace had apparently escaped from Nader’s compatriots and was now wrestling the microphone away from one of the performers. Colt could see Kim and Sheryl, now back down on the lawn, the former looking annoyed at Pace’s drunken display.

  Pace said, “Excuse me. Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen. I’d like to propose a toast.” He raised his glass. “To the man who’s made such a difference in all our lives. Who has helped us to conquer the algorithms again and again . . .”

  The crowd was laughing and playing along. Many faces looked at Jeff Kim.

  But Colt saw something different in Pace’s expression. Something in his tone. Pain.

  Pace continued, “. . . A lot of people don’t realize what sacrifice this job demands. Your family, your time . . . the money doesn’t matter so much if it takes those things . . .”

  The laughter was dying down now as other people began to see what Colt saw. Pace’s face, while red from inebriation, was solemn.

  “. . . And it can even take your life. So, let’s all raise our glasses to our fallen brother-in-arms. To Kozlov! The sacrificial lamb!” Pace raised his drink above his head and then downed it.

  The lawn was dead quiet now. Colt saw a mix of reactions. Some followed the toast, raising their glasses. Others frowned. Kim whispered something to the nearest security guard, who strode up to Pace.

 
; “I’m all right . . . all right . . . I’m going . . .” Pace turned over the microphone and fought off the security guard’s arm as he headed through the crowd toward the exit. A few seconds later the music picked up and so did the crowd noise.

  “Quite a display,” came a woman’s voice.

  Colt turned to see Sheryl Hawkinson standing next to him. She appraised him, saying, “You’re the one from the investment bank? I’m Sheryl Hawkinson.”

  “Colt McShane,” he said, and they shook hands.

  “A world of opportunity out here,” Sheryl said. “If you pick the right investments.”

  “AI is a great investment.”

  Sheryl said, “It’s going to transform the world. If it doesn’t destroy it first.”

  “Well let’s hope that doesn’t happen.”

  Sheryl scoffed. “Hope is not a strategy.” She walked away without saying goodbye.

  Colt felt a hand on his shoulder.

  “Are you ready?” He turned to see Ava again.

  “Yes, let’s go.”

  “You okay? What were you talking to Sheryl about?”

  “Nothing. Just an introduction. She’s a little different.”

  “I warned you.”

  They walked out the front entrance of the home onto a circular gravel drive. Ava spoke to the valet and a black SUV drove up. As she got in, Colt saw Pace swaying near the front steps, alone.

  “Ava, please give me one moment.”

  She nodded and Colt walked over to Pace.

  “Hey, you all right? What was that in there?” Colt asked him.

  Pace turned to Colt, trying to focus on his face. “Hey. You know I know something they don’t want you to find out. You need to be careful.” He swayed as he spoke.

  Colt narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean?”

  Pace shook his head. “It didn’t happen like they say it did. He was killed.”

  “Who? Kozlov?”

  Pace nodded.

  “I know. I’m sorry. It’s tragic. The FBI is investigating—”