‘No way. You can’t give away motorbikes. I’ll keep it safe ‘til you come back.’
‘I’m never coming back, Ed. I’ve had my fill of Dubai, XPC and this whole crappy business. I know the reason they got me out of the way.’ He related his discovery of the shutdown code and the mysterious cell S470C887,999. ‘I was arrested before I could ask Sharif about it, but I mentioned it to Tom and he must have told Shen. We know he and Elodie moved fast to get Angela to do what she did, so he’s definitely the spider in the web. What we don’t know is what that cell’s for, and why he used her to shut me up so quickly.’
‘You mean, the way Scotty was shut up?’
‘Maybe. Or probably, I don’t know. Anyway, if they’re sending the package off on Wednesday, I don’t think you risk anything. It’s too late to stop it now and you should keep helping them to avoid suspicion. You did a great job for XPC and for me, and you should take some credit for it with Tom, I think he’s clean. I’m just sorry I got you mixed up in this mess, it’s not what you expected.’
‘Don’t worry, it’s been cool, especially the last few days with Marius. So, you don’t want me to try to delay it any more? Or maybe I could have a look at that cell?’
‘It’s too dangerous. From what Marius has told me, Shen and Elodie are playing for big stakes, and anything or anyone that gets in the way is just collateral damage. Let them get on with it. Once it’s over, you can decide what you want to do.’
‘What are you going to do? Maybe I can still help if I stay. You’re not just giving up, I don’t buy that.’
‘I think we have to play them along until they get the job done in Dubai. Shanghai will take a month to manufacture and send out the first batch of Mark VII processors, but they can deploy the upgrades to the existing kit out there any time they like, so we may have very little time. I’ll be in Joburg tomorrow and I can work with Marius’s team. I’ve got everything in my laptop, so we can take a closer look at that cell and try to work out what it does and why. If you’re still around, maybe you can help us if we discover what’s going down.’
‘You’re thinking of carrying out a remote attack on Shanghai at the time of the launch?’
‘Maybe. I don’t know yet. I‘ll be in touch when I get down there.’
Coetzee checked his watch. ‘It’s time to move. You want to take us, Ed, or shall we call a cab?’
‘I’ll put a few more miles on the rental. Come on.’
London, England
‘I hope you didn’t mind me inviting myself ?’ Jenny Bishop had found time in her schedule to call in on Bill Redman at Fletcher, Rice.
‘That doesn’t warrant a response. How is everything with the family?’
‘You guessed right. That’s what I want to talk to you about, you deserve it after your patience and help.’ She explained what had happened to Leo, and about Coetzee’s intervention. ‘But apparently, that’s not the whole story. They called me this morning and they’re convinced that behind it there’s a conspiracy at XPC.’
‘Hmm. How sure are you that your nephew isn’t guilty? It’s the kind of thing a young man might do when he’s a long way from home. A few drinks too many, it happens more than you might think.’
‘Of course he’s not guilty of this ridiculous charge. You don’t know him, or you wouldn’t make such a dreadful suggestion.’ She tried to supress her annoyance. ‘Can I tell you about this conspiracy?’
‘The whole thing sounds very unsavoury. I’m not surprised you didn’t want me to know about it. But I have half an hour before my next appointment, so go ahead.’
She ignored the sceptical tone of his voice, pulled out her notebook and recounted everything Coetzee had told her. ‘It seems the key to the plot is the ownership of Lee-Win Micro-Technology, it’s shrouded in mystery. That’s where I want to ask your advice.’
‘Lee-Win owns XPC, where Leo was working?’
‘That much is clear. XPC is definitely owned by Lee-Win in China, and the link man is Shen Fu Liáng, Leo’s boss and the only director of the Chinese company in Dubai.’
‘And your South African friend, Marius Coetzee, has discovered this conspiracy since he arrived in Dubai two days ago, while he was arranging the release of your nephew from prison for rape?’
‘No! I’ve already told you Leo would never do anything like that. He was imprisoned falsely because he discovered the conspiracy, and now Marius is helping him to try to prevent whatever is being planned.’
‘Jenny, in my job I’m used to looking at all the aspects of a problem to get to the truth of the matter. How well do you know this Marius Coetzee? I’m not a great believer in conspiracy theories and it all seems very far-fetched, if you don’t mind my saying so.’
She forced herself to answer calmly. ‘I can’t go into details, but Marius saved Leo’s life in 2010. That’s how well we know him, and why we trust him absolutely. And look at all the other people investigating this affair, including the US government. It’s not something Marius made up, he only became involved because my nephew was arrested and I called him for help.’
He pulled a face. ‘I’m sorry, Jenny, but I’m just a boring old banker who deals in provable facts and figures, and this kind of adventure story is beyond my powers of imagination. OK, let’s put aside the whole conspiracy thing, and tell me what advice you think I can give.’
Jenny took a deep breath. ‘Actually, it’s not so much advice, it’s more in the way of information.’ She explained the banking relationship between Lee-Win’s widow and BIP, his parent bank. ‘We believe Madame Lee-Win received several billions of dollars from the purchasers in 2012, and it probably went into her account with the BIP in Hong Kong.’
Bill was silent for a long moment. ‘You’re asking me to disclose confidential information about one of our customers? Apparently a very substantial customer, from what you’ve said.’
‘Yes, I suppose I am. My nephew is convinced he was unknowingly involved in creating what could be an imminent and massive threat to global business and government security. He was wrongly thrown into prison because he found something out, and he believes his predecessor, Scotty Fitzgerald, was killed for the same reason. He must try to prevent it and it’s my duty to try to help him. I’m sorry, Bill, but you are the only source of help I can think of.’
His face hardened and his eyes looked bleakly at her. ‘I’m sorry too, Jenny. Even if this highly improbable conspiracy theory were to be true, you’ve asked me to do something which is not only unprofessional in the extreme, it’s quite illegal, as you should very well know. If you think I would compromise my integrity for the sake of a personal relationship, no matter how close, I’m afraid you’ve misjudged me very badly, and it seems I’ve misjudged you also.’
He stood up and went to the door. ‘Fortunately, my office does not have CCTV cameras and there is therefore no record of this conversation. I need to prepare for my next appointment now, so I’ll see you out.’ Jenny silently followed him to the reception area, her cheeks burning. ‘Goodbye, Jenny,’ he said, shaking her by the hand. Then he turned and went back along the corridor to his office.
Jenny went out onto the street. The sunshine was bright, and she realised her eyes were watering. She wiped them dry, put on her sunglasses and looked for a taxi.
Dubai International Airport
‘OK, guys. This is it. Have a great flight, and text me when you get there and when I can do anything, it’s safer than calling.’ They shook hands, and Leo and Coetzee walked towards the fast-track security checkpoint.
Ed turned back when Leo called, ‘Wait up, I completely forgot.’ He counted out ten $100 bills from his wallet. ‘Can you give this to Hatim and ask him to find Oskar Novak? He was in my cell. This is his get-out-of-jail money. Tell him it’s from Razza’s boyfriend.’
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
‘Why would Leo just go off like that? After everything we’ve done for him, he didn’t even take the time to say goodbye.’
‘At least he fixed the problems before he was arrested, otherwise—’
‘Otherwise we’d have fixed them ourselves. Don’t give him too much credit, Tom. Sharif did ninety-five per cent of the work before he came. We’d have cracked the problems, with or without him, I’m sure of it.’
‘Well, it puts paid to the conspiracy theories.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Only that after Scotty, it was looking as if someone was trying to sabotage the project. There’s been a lot of speculation.’ Tom didn’t mention the US general’s call. He didn’t have to: Shen knew about it from the note he’d seen.
‘Do you know how ridiculous that sounds, Tom? The project was wrapped up before he was arrested. If it was sabotage, the timing was fairly shitty. We’re delivering the goods two weeks before the deadline. Doesn’t sound like sabotage to me.’
‘Sorry, Shen. I’ve been so worried about it I couldn’t think straight. You’re right, we’ve done the job and we’ll get the credit for it. I’ll announce the good news to the staff tomorrow. We’re delivering Mark VII, the ACRE upgrade and connectivity package on Wednesday.’
‘Why not make it even better?’
‘How do you mean?’
‘Tom, Sharif and Ed are done, finished. The project’s wrapped up. They’ve said so, and we’ve seen the proof. Leo Stewart’s not even in the equation any more. Why don’t we send the package to Shanghai tomorrow, and show them what we’re capable of?’ He watched the conflicting emotions flicker across the CEO’s face.
‘I guess it wouldn’t do us any harm to deliver the package another day ahead of time.’
‘On the contrary, it would be a massive statement of confidence in XPC. One they can’t ignore. We don’t need so-called geniuses like Leo Stewart to fulfil our commitments.’
Tom Connor took a decision. ‘You’re right, Shen. Let’s show them what we can achieve in Dubai. Show them how much they need their XPC subsidiary.’
‘And we’ll forget about Leo Stewart, he’s history.’
‘Right. Leo’s been a big disappointment. Strange business, but it’s all in the past now.’
Shen left the CEO, his usually inscrutable face creased in a broad smile. Everything was back on track, time to go home for one of Elodie’s special evenings. He’d buy some flowers on the way, that always started things off well.
London, England
Jenny was in her office, looking at flights online. She had a lot of experience in finding good prices, but on this occasion it was the availability she was interested in. After her rebuff by Bill Redman she had cried for a while, then her steely character kicked in and she thought again about what Leo and Coetzee had told her. As usual, her thinking had brought her another idea. She booked an economy seat on a British Airways flight leaving Gatwick at nine-thirty the next morning and sent an email to Encarni to advise her, and ask Juan to pick her up at Malaga airport. Then she sent another to confirm the appointment she’d just made by telephone with Patrice de Moncrieff, Leticia’s husband and the manager of BIP’s Spanish subsidiary.
Jenny cancelled all her appointments for the week, and took a cab along to the Langham Hotel. They could always find a room for her. Good job I didn’t move into Bill’s flat, she thought. That would have been a bit complicated. And I suppose they’ll be appointing a new business manager for me at the bank. She busied herself with her address book and tried to forget her consistently bad experiences with bankers.
Over Saudi Arabia, en route to Johannesburg
‘Cheers, Marius, and thanks again.’ Leo settled back in his business-class window seat and sipped the glass of champagne Coetzee had requested from the cabin attendant. He had flown in business class a number of times over the last few years, usually when his employer was paying for the ticket – true to his Scottish upbringing, he didn’t like to waste money – but the experience was still novel enough that he enjoyed being spoiled for a while. ‘A bit of a contrast to Bur Dubai,’ he said jokingly.
‘Better make the most of it. We’ve got serious work to do in Delmas. I just hope Jenny manages to find something out about Lee-Win, we need a break, something to get our teeth into.’ Coetzee lapsed into silence, thinking, Why is Dr Hugh Middleton so concerned about Leo? They’ve never even met before. Wheels within wheels.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
‘I’m going to miss Leo. It won’t be the same without him.’ Ed and Lynne were at Club 27. It was a quiet night and they were chatting in the bar.
‘Do you know where he is?’
Ed hadn’t yet shared the full story with Lynne. If she knew the real reasons behind Leo’s imprisonment and his suspicions over Scotty’s death, she’d be worried out of her mind. He replied, ‘He’s gone down to stay with some friends in Johannesburg, lucky guy. That’s all I know.’
‘And he’s definitely not coming back?’ He shook his head, and she said, ‘I don’t blame him after what happened. Are you going to stay at XPC?’
‘I’ll see how things pan out. Now that Shen’s got his way, the work on Mark VII and ACRE is over, so it depends on whether they’ve got any new projects scheduled for Sharif and me.’
‘But you don’t trust Shen anyway. After what happened to Leo, why take chances?’
‘Once everything gets sent to Shanghai on Wednesday, I don’t think there’s any risks down here. I told Leo I’d hang around for a while, in case he needs me to look at anything for him, so I’ll give it a few weeks to see what happens. The pay’s good and I’m not that keen to look for another job again so soon.’
‘So I’m not part of the equation?’ She gave him a mock vicious look.
‘Oops! I kind of took that for granted, sorry. You know I’d be less keen to stay if you weren’t here. C’mon, let’s have a dance, then I’ll take you home on Leo’s Harley.’
FORTY-ONE
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Tuesday, 13 July 2017
‘So, what’s the new timetable?’ Elodie and Shen were having a lazy breakfast. After two bottles of champagne and an exhausting session of rough sex the previous night, they’d slept late.
Shen wasn’t in a hurry, everything was under control at XPC, the crisis had passed and he’d talked Tom Connor into sending the package off tonight. Elodie had praised him to the skies when he’d bragged of that latest triumph. If nothing else, it had ensured a passionate reaction from her. He’d go in later to make sure Sharif and Ed had finalised everything, and Tom would talk to the staff that afternoon. Everyone was a hero except Leo Stewart. It couldn’t have turned out better if he’d planned it that way.
‘No change. For Mark VII, there’ll be copies of all the final test runs made by our people, so the Chinese programmers can run the firmware on Sharif’s design until they’re happy there’s no problems. They’ll pass the design to the production people, so they can start producing the new module.’
‘But that’s not our concern?’
‘Right, we don’t care if it’s ever produced and distributed. We’re interested in the upgrades to be deployed universally through our wireless hubs to the billions of processors out there already. They’ll deliver Mark VII software, running on ACRE encrypted transmission, to all those processors that have a connectivity module. He’ll never know it, but Leo Stewart designed the perfect system override delivery method.’
‘And when that software is downloaded the customers will be happy?’
‘They’ll be delighted. It can be sent out as soon as Shanghai’s finished testing, I’d say a week at most. Then a couple of days later, our underground guy will send out a minor correction, citing a smal
l debug issue.’
‘And that wakes up our cell?’
‘Right. The cell that brings us our return for five years of work.’
‘I like it.’
Delmas, Mpumalanga, South Africa
‘Leo, it’s great to see you again.’ Karen ran across the driveway and threw her arms around him as he got out of the taxi.
‘It’s great to be here. Unexpected, but really great.’
‘I can imagine,’ she said. They carried the bags to the door as Coetzee paid the driver. ‘What a time you’ve been through. Was it really awful?’
‘Educational, I’d say. But the kind of education that’s best in very small doses. Anyway, thanks to Marius, I’m here in one piece.’
‘I know, he’s sickeningly efficient, but I love him anyway.’
‘Hello Leo, glad you’re safe. Nice of you to visit.’ A tall, slender African girl walked towards him.
‘Abby, it’s good to be back.’ He kissed her on both cheeks. ‘You get more beautiful every time I see you.’
‘And you seem to get taller,’ she said, looking a little self-conscious. She turned away from him, ‘Hi Dad. Another successful safari, well done.’
‘Not yet, the real work is just about to start. That’s why Leo came down with me.’
She hid her disappointment. ‘I made some coffee, come and tell us all about it. It sounds intriguing.’
It took half an hour to bring Karen and Abby up to speed. They were both amazed and appalled at the story. Abby said, ‘Do you really think we can do anything from here? If they’re sending the package off tomorrow, it seems unlikely.’
‘I don’t know, but we have to try. We’ve probably still got a couple of days to work out exactly what’s going on.’
‘I’ll take you up to your room to clean up, then you can show us how all this fits together.’
‘OK, thanks. Meanwhile, can you find out how many pieces of kit here have got Lee-Win processors?’
The Dark Web: The stunning new thriller from the author of The Angolan Clan (African Diamonds Book 3) Page 28