Firewall (The Firewall Spies Book 1)

by Andrew Watts

  Wilcox spoke in a quiet voice. “Who killed him? Do you have any idea?”

  Kim shook his head. “No.”

  “Did you ever find out how he died?”

  “We did not. It wasn’t possible to conduct a thorough investigation, obviously.”

  Colt said, “Why Sheryl?”

  Kim said, “I had dealings with her in the past. She has powerful connections and helped me with some very important competitor problems. She has, over the years, pressed me to let her buy a small equity stake in the company. Until now I resisted, satiating her instead by awarding her brother with one of our lucrative private security contracts. But it was her connection to less traditional resources that I knew would come in handy here.”

  Wilcox said, “Her brother’s private security affiliates?”

  Kim said, “Correct. And others.”

  Colt thought he already knew the answer, but he wanted Kim to say it. “Like who?”

  Kim took a deep breath. “Foreign spies who work in the American tech sector. If you work there long enough, you start to see signs of it. But rumor has it that Sheryl maintains backchannel connections among them. This is one way she gains advantage over her rivals.”

  Wilcox said, “What did Sheryl say when you called her?”

  “We made an arrangement. A gentlemen’s agreement—do you still call it that when one party is female—that I would sell her a percentage of the company if she could make this problem go away.”

  “Did she tell you how she was going to make it go away?” Colt asked.

  “No. And I told her I didn’t want to know. I was truly shocked when I read about the sniper shot that killed Kozlov . . .”

  “But it didn’t kill him,” Colt said.

  “Yes, well. I was still surprised.”

  “And everything you told the FBI?” Wilcox said.

  “I’ll deny ever saying this, but I told them only what my lawyer told me I should say in order to protect my company.”

  Samantha said, “What about Trinity? Do you have any connection to them?”

  Kim shook his head. “No. Miller showed me reports of Trinity followers attempting to penetrate our company ranks. But these were low-level programmers and engineers who had somewhat radical social media habits, that is all. We never hired any of those types. My belief is that Trinity is more of a cult or a conspiracy theory than anything. A group of people who want to unleash a superintelligence on the world and let it become our ruler? I have trouble believing that people who believe such lunacy have formed into an ultra-secretive, ultra-powerful organization.”

  “So was Sheryl Hawkinson the one who made it look like Trinity killed Kozlov?”

  “I assume so, yes. I never had that conversation with her. Like I said, I didn’t want to know. All I know is Kozlov’s body was gone from The Facility within hours of our agreement being made.”

  “What about the attack on your headquarters the day of your AI language demonstration? The one that killed Nader and others. Was that Sheryl’s gunmen?” Wilcox asked.

  “I don’t think so,” Kim said. “It doesn’t make sense to me that she would try to harm Pax AI after she secured shares in the company.”

  Samantha said, “I would tend to agree.”

  Colt said, “Stepanova was also killed then. That one feels like the Russians were trying to take advantage of an opportunity.”

  Wilcox said, “What about Capri? This whole Trinity sale. Who organized that? Who took you to Capri, and why?”

  Kim said, “I’m not sure. I was taken from my home shortly after speaking to you gentlemen two days ago. They blindfolded me and placed earplugs in my ears. I never saw their faces.”

  Wilcox narrowed his eyes. “So what you’re saying is that Sheryl Hawkinson framed Trinity for committing the Kozlov killing, but he was actually already dead. He died at The Facility several days earlier. You don’t know who killed him.”

  “Correct.”

  “And then, Trinity begins contacting all the intelligence agencies and business competitors who are trying to get their hands on your AI programs . . . Trinity then steals these AI programs and holds a supposed Pax AI sale in Capri.”

  “I never saw evidence anyone actually stole any of my data. Except for a weather-prediction algorithm.”

  “So the Trinity sale was a ruse?” Wilcox asked.

  “Possibly.” Kim shrugged.

  Colt said, “When did they take the weather-prediction program?”

  “My head of security discovered that breach just after Kozlov’s death.”

  “Who took it?”

  “We don’t know.”

  “Could that have been the Hawkinsons as well? Maybe they weren’t satisfied with your arrangement?”

  Kim frowned. “I don’t think that is likely. The actual data theft occurred before Kozlov’s death. Kozlov’s user history was in that file. It would be very difficult to steal that information. That is more likely the work of a state-sponsored offensive cyber unit. Miller believed Kozlov was working with the Russians, and that he took the files. His involvement with such men might also explain his death.”

  Colt said, “Considering that Sheryl used Trinity as the scapegoat, don’t you think it’s possible that she organized Capri?”

  Kim didn’t look convinced. “This seems unnecessarily risky. The Kozlov job was not typical for her. She must have made every effort to cover her tracks. There won’t be any proof. She swims in very powerful circles. People like that don’t get caught. And this Capri scenario . . . this is much too precarious for someone of her stature. Chemical weapons? I don’t believe she would ever consider such a thing.”

  Wilcox said, “The SVR has been known to use nerve agents in some of its operations. Although this seems unusually sloppy for them.”

  Samantha nodded. “The Capri attack smells like SVR to me.”

  Wilcox turned to Kim. “Is there any chance Sheryl actually could be working with the Trinity organization? You did say she has questionable contacts.”

  Kim shook his head. “I am not convinced Trinity has much of an organization. I think Trinity was a convenient mirage. One of Pax AI’s largest government contracts is to study disinformation on the internet. Trinity has all the hallmarks of a conspiracy theory. It functions just like an alternate-reality game, allowing its participants to follow a trail of clues, both online and in real life. People’s brains are hardwired to make order out of chaos. We naturally see connections, when in fact there are none. It’s satisfying to solve puzzles. It is in our nature to form groups that will defeat a common enemy. In the case of Trinity, the AI superintelligence is their savior that will solve all problems. And people like me are the enemy. But in actuality, Trinity is just nonsense. There was no group of scientists and spies from the Manhattan Project whose descendants have come together to save mankind by unleashing an AI overlord onto the world. Think of how ridiculous that sounds. But . . . there are many who believe it, which creates an opportunity for people like Sheryl. She took Trinity and dressed it up as the villain, because there were believable connections to Pax AI. But it does not make sense that she continued on with this tack and extended it to Capri. She wouldn’t have anything to gain from giving away Pax AI’s information now that I promised her equity.”

  “She could have gained billions of dollars if the buyers paid those ransoms.”

  Kim scoffed. “Still nothing compared to what Pax AI can earn, frankly.”

  Colt wasn’t sure what to make of Jeff Kim anymore. Where he once saw an inspiring genius, he now saw a half-crazed man of dubious morality. But if the danger of his technology was real . . . then Colt could almost understand the decisions Kim made. Almost.

  Samantha said, “I think the SVR is most likely responsible for Capri. If that is so, perhaps the Hawkinsons made a deal with them? Playing both sides, so to speak?”

  Wilcox said, “It’s certainly possible.”

  Samantha said, “We should assume that our bad actors w
ill also move on the Mountain Research Facility, doing what they can to extract its technology and destroy whatever is left.”

  Kim said, “Even if that is remotely possible, we can’t allow it. Can’t we just contact the FBI and warn them?”

  Samantha shook her head, then pointed to Colt and Wilcox. “Each of your names are being put out by the FBI as persons of interest. My superiors have been contacted by American authorities. The FBI has asked anyone with information on your whereabouts to turn you in at once.” She smiled. “Just so you know, we won’t be doing that.”

  Colt looked at Wilcox. “Rinaldi.”

  Wilcox swore. “We have to assume he’s covered all of his bases.”

  “What does that mean?” Colt said.

  “It means we can’t just call home and report in. We have to assume he’s planted information that compromises us. We won’t be believed anymore.”

  Colt said, “Why would Rinaldi do this?”

  “I don’t know. I’ve worked with him for the past year and he’s never drawn any scrutiny. But then again, he was often the one leading most of the counterintelligence inquiries . . .”

  Colt thought of the tales he’d heard of Robert Hanssen, the FBI agent who had worked in counterintelligence and spied for the Russians for more than twenty years. There were advantages to being inside the counterintelligence division. It made it easier to hide.

  Colt said, “If you and I are unable to go through official channels, how do we stop the Russians from going into The Facility and firing up Pax AI’s computers and cleaning house?”

  Kim said, “They won’t be able to get access.”

  Ava gave him a look. “Jeff, who did you say your security team was run by?”

  Kim frowned, then looked nauseous. “The Hawkinsons wouldn’t. She’s going to get equity.”

  Ava said, “Maybe a piece of the pie isn’t enough. Or maybe she made a deal with the Russians and the SVR double-crossed her.”

  Kim said, “But whoever tries to get into The Facility . . . even if they could turn the guards away, they would be caught. It would be impossible. US military security personnel are there, for crying out loud.”

  Colt said, “I do keep wondering about that. How would they get past security without triggering a big blowback? They can’t buy off the US military guarding the perimeter. And Kim’s right. If Hawkinson security folds, that would look pretty bad for them.”

  Ava nodded. “Seems like a flaw.”

  Colt scratched his head. “I think we just need to figure out their plan. They must have one.”

  Samantha stood. “I have the pilots taking us to a small airport outside of Vancouver. We have more than eight hours of flight time left. I suggest everyone get some food and rest. I need to contact my superiors and go over our options after we land. Mr. Wilcox, I plan on recommending that we forcibly stop whoever is trying to steal Pax AI’s technology. Do you agree?”

  Wilcox said, “Even during the Cold War, the Soviets never would have tried to break into an American company in the middle of broad daylight. We need to take drastic measures. Yes, I agree.”

  45

  Ava and Samantha ate near the back of the plane. Jeff Kim sat in the middle while an Israeli guard kept an unwavering eye on him. Wilcox and Colt sat near the front, speaking softly while they ate. A satellite TV was on in front of them. Colt saw a news show and turned up the volume.

  The headline read TRINITY – TERRORISTS OR FREEDOM FIGHTERS?

  One of the nightly opinion show hosts was interviewing a US senator with bright gray hair.

  “This organization is better organized and better funded than anybody knew,” said the host. “But who is funding them? Who is funding them, Senator Hawkinson?”

  Senator Hawkinson.

  Colt wondered how much he knew about his niece’s activities.

  “That’s a very interesting question,” the senator answered. “You can bet that we’ll be looking into that during my next senate intelligence briefing.”

  The interview ended and the host continued to discuss conspiracy theories about Trinity.

  Colt turned to Wilcox. “Do you really think Rinaldi is working with Russian intelligence?”

  Wilcox was chewing his food. “I deal in probabilities. To me, it’s more probable that he is working with them, based on the information we have.”

  Colt said, “He would have to be desperate. By now, Rinaldi knows you and I weren’t killed in Capri.”

  “That’s why we’re persona non grata.”

  “But he must know that can’t last. Eventually, someone will verify enough of the facts of our story and check up on his activities.”

  “Correct. We just need to stay out of his way until then.”

  “My point is, Rinaldi is going to want to move fast. That’s what I would do. My guess is they are planning to get into The Facility right now.”

  Colt saw Ava looking at her laptop while speaking to her aunt. She looked up, catching Colt’s eye and waving him over. When he got there, Ava said, “I am still getting company-wide emails from Pax AI. This one jumped out at me. An alert from Pax AI security is telling all personnel to be prepared to evacuate the Pax AI Mountain Research Facility.”

  “Why?”

  “Read. There is a forest fire in the vicinity. Right now, they are saying they don’t know if it will be a problem, but to prepare . . .”

  They gathered everyone together in the center of the plane cabin again to discuss it.

  Colt said, “Jeff, who would evacuate if there was a forest fire at The Facility?”

  Kim shrugged. “Everyone, I suppose. That’s what the security procedure calls for.”

  “All of the guards?”

  “Well . . . yes. But the place would be locked down. And on fire . . .”

  There was a thought tugging at Colt’s mind. Fire. Quantum computer. Stability. AI. Weather prediction.

  Colt looked at Kim. “Your quantum computer’s security system requires environmental stability. This includes natural disasters, such as large-scale forest fires.”

  Kim said, “That’s right.”

  “Didn’t you say your weather-prediction algorithm could be used to predict where a fire was going to spread?”

  Kim nodded. “Yes, we think we can save thousands of lives—”

  Colt held up his hand. “Not now. Hypothetically, could someone use that same AI program to plan an arson? To set a forest fire at just the right time and location that you could control where the fire was going to spread.”

  Kim’s eyes shifted as he thought it through. “You could certainly reverse engineer the travel pattern . . . if you had enough wind and topographical data, and the forestry . . . the further out in time you get, the harder it becomes, but . . . yes. It’s possible.”

  Colt looked up at the group. “This is them. The Facility’s security systems will shut down and require evacuation for a forest fire like this. Whoever stole the weather algorithm is involved and is going to use this wildfire to leave The Facility free of security when they arrive.”

  Wilcox said, “But . . . won’t that mean they’ll have to go steal everything during a wildfire? I understand they can get pretty hot.”

  Ava nodded. “Over one thousand degrees Fahrenheit. If it’s a big one, it could melt a lot of those topside structures.”

  Kim said, “Which they’ll need to use if they’re trying to send data. And for someone to successfully steal the data, they’ll need an expert who knows our Facility network procedures, too.”

  Colt said, “We need a plan to get access to The Facility and stop them.”

  Ava said, “But if Sheryl’s men control security, and they have access to The Facility, I don’t know how we would get in. Once The Facility external doors lock, it is built like a nuclear bomb shelter. You won’t be able to access it.”

  “Could we blow it up?” Samantha asked.

  Kim looked horrified.

  Colt said, “We would need some serious m
ilitary hardware to do that.”

  Wilcox turned to Samantha. “Neither Colt nor I will be able to get the US government to move fast enough on this. Are you able to—”

  Samantha shook her head. “Ava is under suspicion as a Mossad agent. And that has caused consternation between our two governments. Unfortunately, I think the best course of action is a covert operation.”

  Wilcox nodded. “I concur.”

  Colt said, “I’ll go.”

  Samantha said, “I recommend we use a minimum number of personnel and equipment. We can support the operation. Just tell us what you need.”

  Colt rubbed his chin. “If the fire progresses enough that they clear out security, we’ll still need a way to get into The Facility.”

  Moshe said, “We could blow up the doors.”

  Colt said, “I like where your head is at, but I worry about the negative consequences. Jeff, will you still have access to those buildings?”

  Kim shook his head. “No. Security access is highly restricted and issued on a per-entry basis. It is managed from a security desk on the fourth floor of our headquarters. Even I must make an appointment through this system when I travel there.”

  Colt said, “So who do we have that can access the fourth floor?”

  “Me and Ava,” Kim said. “Unless they changed it.”

  Wilcox shook his head. “Kim is too well known. Probably Ava, too. And the police will be guarding it. It’s a crime scene. Hell, the FBI might be in there. What are you going to do, sneak them in wearing janitor outfits?”

  Colt ignored the question, saying to Kim, “If we can get access to the Pax AI fourth floor, could we then grant one of us access to The Facility?”

  “Yes. As long as it is Ava or me. And as long as they haven’t changed our security status.”

  Colt paused. “What about the weather-prediction program? Could we get access to that?”

  “If I was there, maybe.”

  “No. I need you with me. You’re going into The Facility,” Colt replied.

  “I might be able to write something you could use to manipulate the weather algo,” Kim said.