The Territory of Lies

by Ana Stone

  He leaned over to pick it up, thinking to himself that it was beyond strange that whoever the people were he had tangled with would retrieve his gun for him.

  Now what? he asked himself as he started the car. He could not decide if he should go to Steve and tell him what had happened or go to headquarters.

  An uneasy feeling took hold of him and he turned the car off and got out. He wanted to make sure Sydney was okay before he did anything. .

  The receptionist looked up as he walked in. "May I help you?"

  "I'd like to speak with Doctor Forrest."

  "I'm sorry, the doctor is not in," the woman said with a flirtatious smile. "Would you like to make an appointment?"

  "No, thanks. This is personal."

  She raised her eyebrows. "Oh! Well, in that case, would you like to leave a message. She should be back in an hour or so."

  "No, thanks anyway," he said and turned to leave then stopped. "Did she say where she was going?"

  "To lunch with an old friend, I think."

  "Okay, thanks." Blake replied then left the office and returned to his car.

  

  Sydney spotted GW as he started up the steps of the Lincoln Memorial where she sat waiting. He looked much the same he had the first day she had met him. The only difference was that his frame was now lean rather than scarecrow skinny.

  She’d been surprised to reach him when she called. Getting in touch with GW was like trying to spot Elvis. She knew where he lived, but he was rarely there. And she had no idea where he worked. That was the one thing he wouldn’t tell her. She didn’t know why he wanted to keep it a secret but she respected his privacy and so didn’t question him.

  She stood up as he reached the step below her and leaned over to give him a hug. "It's good to see you. Where've you been hiding? I've tried to call you a couple of times but you're never in."

  "Well, you know how it is. So, what's going on with all these encrypted files you've been uploading, Syd?"

  She frowned and sat. He sat down beside her and she looked out at the reflecting pool at the reflection of the monument mirrored on its surface. She trusted GW more than anyone else in the world but she couldn’t divulge what the Senator had said in her office even to him.

  When she turned to him, she saw the curiosity in his dark face was tinted with concern. "I think I stumbled onto something that's−well, it has to do with someone or some group doing something unlawful."

  "So why not go to the police?"

  "I can't. And I can't tell you more than that, GW. I wish I could, but this information came from a patient's session and you know as well as I that I can't talk about it."

  "Then why encrypt the files? Is this patient giving you trouble?"

  "No, actually it's the government. An FBI agent - Wells, was his name, showed up at my office and took all my files."

  "Then it would seem that the problem's already been taken out of your hands."

  She bit her bottom lip for a second with a slight frown on her face. "Well, he didn't exactly get this particular patient's files. I erased all the information on the office computer and destroyed all printed records."

  GW shook his head at her. "Syd, you aren't that stupid. You know that erasing the files doesn't mean diddly. The data can still be recovered."

  "Not if I had the system set to do a low level format."

  GW laughed, "Syd, my sly friend, I do love the way that mind of yours operates."

  "I learned at the feet of the master," she said with a smile and a slight bow of her head.

  GW's smile faded. "So what do you want from me?"

  "I just wanted to make sure the data's safe and to remind you that it must stay encrypted."

  "You cut me to the quick." GW put his hand over his heart and made a mock expression of pain. "Would I ever mess with your files?"

  Sydney gave him a look tinged with skepticism, "I know your curiosity old friend and I know how much you love a challenge. But this time I really need you to contain your natural inquisitive nature."

  "I'll leave them just the way they are right now. But let me ask you something. What exactly are you going to do with the information you have? If the FBI is on this patient's case then it's a sure bet they have some reason to be. Are you sure it wouldn't be better just to give them what they want?"

  "No, I don't think so. And besides, at this point I don't have any proof that what I know is true. And that's what I have to find out."

  "So now we get to the real reason you called. You want me to break into some computer somewhere, right?"

  "Get that look of excitement out of your eyes. I don't want you to break into anything … yet. But I would appreciate a little tutorial in how to do a couple of things."

  GW smiled. "Ah, grasshopper, what can an old monk teach?"

  Sydney laughed at him. "GW, if I could drain your brain I could run the entire world from my iPad."

  "True," he agreed with a chuckle. "So tell me what you need to know."

  It took a few minutes for her to explain what she needed and even longer for him to explain how to do it but at last she had what she came for.

  "I really appreciate this," she said as she took his hand. "I mean it, GW. You're the only —"

  Both of them looked up as a portly woman in a floral print blouse and white polyester pants passed by them, speaking loud enough to be heard by everyone within earshot about how the country was going to the dogs and the younger generation had lost all it morals. Everywhere you looked you saw white people with black people and it just was not natural.

  Sydney's eyes narrowed at the woman's words. She slid over close to GW and put her arms around him. "Oh, honey," she crooned loudly. "I can't wait to get you home."

  The woman's eyes grew round as silver dollars and she gave Sydney and GW a look of utter contempt then stomped on up the stairs. Sydney laughed and released GW.

  "Hey, does this mean you don't want to take me home?" he asked teasingly.

  Sydney gave his shoulder a playful push. "I couldn't handle it. Besides," she added, her face lit in a happy smile. "I have a man in my life."

  "So tell Uncle GW everything."

  Her smile grew wider as she thought about Blake. Being with him last night had confirmed her feelings. She was in love with him and she felt like she wanted to shout it from the top of the world to let everyone know.

  "He's wonderful, GW - smart, funny and gentle. He's everything I want and I can't believe I found him."

  "So this is the one, huh, Syd?"

  "Yes," she replied dreamily, looking back over the reflecting pool below them. For a moment she indulged herself in fantasy, thinking about her and Blake together. Then reality intruded and her expression changed to one of anxiety.

  "GW, what if I'm protecting someone who's responsible for that bombing?"

  He jerked his head around to look at her. "Is that what you think?"

  "It's what I'm afraid of," she admitted. "And it's eating me up. All those innocent people . God, what if in a round about way I'm protecting one of the people responsible? Is my career worth more than all those people's lives who have been lost or destroyed?"

  He took her hand in his. "I can’t answer that. But I can tell you that if you want me to I'll help you get to the truth."

  "How?"

  GW raised his eyebrows and gave her a half-smile. "Well, to begin with, give me permission to decrypt the files and I'll see what I can come up with."

  "I can't do that!" she insisted.

  "Okay, whatever you say," he said as he stood. "Listen, I've gotta go. You know where I'll be if you need me."

  She stood and hugged him. "I always seem to run to you with my problems. Maybe you should've been a therapist. You always seem to be counseling me and in case I haven't told you lately, I do appreciate it. You're my best friend, GW. I don't know what I'd do without you."

  "Well, let's just hope you never have to find out," he said and gave her a hug then released her. "Now, get o
ut of here and go find that honey man you're so worked up about. I'll talk to you soon."

  She smiled and watched him walk away. She had no doubt that from the questions she had asked, GW knew exactly what she planned to do. What surprised her was that he had not voiced any objections to her plan. But then GW was always surprising her.

  

  Blake let himself in his apartment and went straight to the bathroom. After showering and putting on clean clothes he went into the kitchen to get something to drink. Just as he was opening a soft drink the doorbell rang.

  "So, what's the problem, dude?" Weasel asked as he walked in.

  "Want something to drink?" Blake asked as he closed the door.

  "No, thanks."

  "Okay, come on." Blake said and led the way to the spare bedroom where the computer was. He had put the paper with the address and the message on the desk beside the computer.

  Blake picked up the piece of paper and handed it to him. "Are you sure you didn't leave this message for me?"

  "Time to cruise. Double click on this." Weasel read the first note. "Nope, not me, dude. You tried the address?"

  "It was passworded and I couldn't get in."

  "So, what's this next thing - a riddle?" Weasel read the note aloud. "What does a billionaire, mortgages, campaigns, ammonia nitrate and diesel fuel have in common with the military? Strange combo. What's the answer?"

  "You tell me," Blake replied. "Have a seat," he gestured to the chair in front of the computer as he pulled another chair over.

  Weasel shrugged and put the paper down on the desk as he took the seat Blake offered. "Well, where do you want to start−figuring out this riddle or finding out the password to that address?"

  "The address."

  Weasel nodded and went to work. He keyed in the address then leaned back and studied the screen for a moment as the password request was displayed.

  "What?" Blake asked when Weasel did not move or speak for several seconds.

  "Just thinking."

  Blake looked from him to the screen then back at him. "About what?"

  "The password."

  "Can you figure it out?"

  Weasel scratched his chin. "It'll take me a few minutes. Why don't we work on the puzzle while I do this."

  "You can do both at the same time?"

  "Just look at me like a multi-processing unit," Weasel said with a smile as his fingers started flying over the keyboard. "Now what was that first clue - a billionaire?"

  "Yeah," Blake answered absently as he watched Weasel's fingers dance on the keys and the screen flash as it switched from one display to another. "So?"

  "So, how many billionaires do you think there are in this country?"

  "I don't know."

  "Then maybe we should find out."

  Blake picked up a note pad from the desk, and jotted down a note. "Okay, item number one. Number of billionaires."

  "And now mortgages," Weasel said, never taking his eyes off the screen as he talked. "Have any ideas?"

  "Well, uh." Blake asked, tapping his pen against the desk as he thought. "I guess there are different kinds right? "

  "Yep. Got any caffeine, man? I need a jolt."

  "Sure, I'll put a pot on."

  Blake left the room to go to the kitchen. He started the coffee then looked around in the cabinet for some sugar. There was a bag of sugar in the back of the cabinet beside a box of artificial sweetened his ex-wife had brought with her when she came up last year to drop Michael off.

  While he waited on the coffee to brew he returned to GW.

  "Next we have campaigns." Making a notation beside the word he looked up at Weasel as he lay the pad on the desk.

  Weasel looked down at the pad, seeing what Blake had written.

  BillionaireAdrian Zayne and how many more

  Mortgages

  CampaignsSenator Ned Tyler

  Ammonia nitrate

  Diesel Fuel

  MilitaryDIA?

  "You want to elaborate on that?" Weasel asked as he turned his attention back to the computer.

  "Okay." Blake collected his thoughts. "First of all, I was just handed a new assignment - totally outside my area. Steve asked me to help him out on something he's working on. They're interested in Senator Ned Tyler. Seems like Tyler might have been taking illegal campaign contributions from some guys involved in hedge funds. And I followed Tyler to an estate in Maryland owned by Adrian Zayne."

  "So?"

  "So?" Blake gave him a surprised look. "There's bound to be a connection."

  "But it means nothing," Weasel pointed out. "It's not new - you and I both known the bureau's already nailed the connection between Tyler and the hedge fund. And this Zayne guy if he has connections here, then he’s one of many. Besides, how does that tie in with the rest of the clues?"

  "Ammonia nitrate, diesel fuel and the military," Blake mumbled. "What do they have in common?"

  "Well, ammonia nitrate and diesel fuel make bombs and the military uses bombs."

  "Bombs!" Blake jumped up from his seat. "Christ all mighty, that's it! Ammonia nitrate and diesel fuel!"

  Weasel turned from the computer to look at him. "Maybe you should have a look at this, dude."

  Blake stepped over and leaned down to look at the screen. "What's all that?"

  "Things that have come in the last few week," Weasel replied. "From various locations. Someone collected them and put them here."

  Blake looked at the list of files displayed. The names did not make any sense to him. "Display one of the files."

  Weasel highlighted one of the selections and double-clicked on it. Blake's mouth fell open. "The Terrorist's Handbook? People download stuff like this??"

  "Looks like it. You got card or flash drive?"

  Blake pointed to a desk drawer. Weasel rambled around and found a flash drive. He downloaded all of the files onto it as Blake stared thoughtfully at the screen.

  "So," Weasel exited the screen and logged off.. "You have any ideas?"

  "Afraid so." Blake took his seat. "Weasel, what if this riddle is from someone who knows something about the bombing in Ohio? Suppose these people - Zayne and Tyler - are somehow involved?"

  "If you follow that line then you have to consider the last item," Weasel pointed out. "The military."

  Blake started at the idea. "No way. There's no way the military's involved in this thing. Could they?"

  Weasel shrugged and waved the flash-drive in his hand. "And how do extremist groups play into the equation?"

  "I wish I knew." Blake rubbed his forehead then jerked his head up to look at Weasel again. "Who's leaving these clues? And why me? And−damn! That guy at the river this morning!

  "What guy?"

  Blake quickly filled Weasel in on what had happened while he was on stake-out and finished with, "so what if this is all connected? Where do we go from here?"

  "You're the investigator." Weasel turned off the computer and stood. "And my brain can't operate without fuel. Didn't you say something about food earlier?"

  "Damn!" Blake looked at his watch. "Yes, I did but I need to call Syd and−"

  "Syd?" Weasel's eyebrows rose.

  "Yeah, Syd," Blake gave him a funny look then smiled. "As in Sydney - the most beautiful woman you've ever seen."

  "Hey, man, I think maybe three's a crowd. Why don't you go see your lady and I'll catch you later."

  "No," Blake refused and picked up the phone to call Sydney.

  "Hello?" She answered on the second ring.

  "Hey, it's me. Listen, I'm sorry I'm late. I got kind of tied up at work and −"

  "It's okay," she interrupted his explanation. "I understand. But you’re still planning on coming aren't you?"

  "Yes, but I have a friend from the bureau here and I wanted to check with you and see if it was okay if I invited him for dinner. I kind of promised to feed him."

  "Sure, that's fine."

  "Great, we'll see you in about half an hour."

&n
bsp; "Okay, I'll be waiting."

  Blake hung up the phone and turned to Weasel. "We're set. You ready?"

  Weasel shrugged with a smile. "As I'll get."

  

  Sydney ran to the door and threw it open, thinking to herself that she needed to give Blake the extra key so that he could let himself in. She opened her mouth to greet him but stopped short as she looked up at Adrian.

  "Adrian! What are you doing here?"

  He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek then walked passed her to enter the apartment. "I tried to call you numerous times and your secretary simply refused to put my call through." He said and turned to her. "Why is that, my darling?"

  Sydney closed the door and faced him. "I was extremely busy and I asked her to hold all calls."

  "Even mine?" He tried to take her in his arms.

  "Everyone." She evaded his grasp and backed up into the living room. "So, what did you want?"

  "What an odd question." He advanced on her. "Surely you do not have to ask."

  Sydney backed up into the sofa and he took hold of her arms, pulling her to him. "I have not been able to think of anything but you, my love," he whispered into her ear as his hands moved to caress her. "I longed to feel you pressed against me, hear you cry my name."

  A feeling of contempt and loathing rose inside her, making her want to shove him away. But she could not afford to let him know that she was on to him. She tried to be gentle as she pushed back from him and smiled. "I've been thinking about you, too, and I'd love to show you how I feel but right now I'm expecting company and I really need to get ready."

  "Company?"

  "Yes, and they should be here any minute."

  "Just who is this company?"

  "A couple of friends." She tried not to sound stiff and nervous. "I wish I had known you would be free and- I wouldn't have made plans. Maybe we can get together another night soon."

  Adrian looked at her for a few moments then jerked her up against him. "Are you trying to put me off, darling?"

  "Put you off?" She looked up into his eyes and wondered how anyone so perfectly beautiful could be so perfectly rotten and evil inside. "No, of course not. You know better than that."