CHAPTER TWENTY TWO
I have to admit that my mind did wander somewhat as John and the boffins talked for hours about quantum computers, brain chemistry and organo-electric implants.
Eventually I left them to it and made myself useful.
The building wasn't entirely devoid of good security features. It was designed in a sort of maze pattern with lots of corridors leading ever inwards to the centre. The canteen and offices were in the outer parts of the building and all the confidential stuff was central, meaning you had to negotiate several doors to access anything important. True they all had iris recognition and the central areas had keypads requiring access codes as well, but it hadn't been designed with CIA infiltration in mind. In fact the building infrastructure hadn't been updated in fifteen years.
I took out my phone and began making some notes. The doors all needed replacing with bomb-proof, multi layered steel. The exterior needed a lot of work. Even if they couldn't get to the inner core of the building, it would be a breeze currently to walk in and kidnap anyone from the canteen.
After twenty minutes I had done all I could for now so decided to go for a coffee.
I sat down in the canteen and took a bite of my donut.
I looked through my notes again and emailed them to White with the subject heading 'urgent recommendations'.
An hour later, John was still like a kid in a sweet shop, so I went outside for some fresh air.
I went over to 81 who was sitting in the people carrier.
"Go and get a coffee and stretch your legs," I said, "I'll stay here."
"Okay, thanks."
It was a bit breezy but still pleasantly warm, so I left the front door open and sat in the driver's seat. I adjusted the dashboard monitor and pulled up the list of staff vehicles. Apart from people on holiday or working elsewhere today, they were all already here. That was easy - any vehicle arriving now was noteworthy.
I was just wondering what to do with myself when White rang me.
"I've spoken to the PM They've agreed to pay for everything you recommended. It's arriving tomorrow and I want you to supervise all the installation."
"Good, that gives me something to do."
"Bored, 45?"
"A bit yes. I've done all I can today and John is still talking to the egg-heads. I'm giving the juniors a free reign, practise their observation skills. There's nothing..."
I broke off as a noise caught my attention.
"45?"
"This road doesn't lead anywhere else, all legitimate vehicles are already here, and I can hear what sounds like a sizable vehicle approaching. Hang on a second."
I switched on my throat mic.
"Anyone not doing anything very important get out to the car immediately."
I reached under the seat and took out a handgun, putting it in my trouser pocket.
Grabbing the keys from the ignition, I ran around and opened the boot.
"What's up, Jen?"
"John, ask if they're expecting any deliveries or visitors today."
I took a Kalashnikov and slung it over my shoulder, pocketing a spare magazine.
"No they're not, what's up?"
I glanced up at the turning that lead to the security gate.
"An unidentified lorry is approaching the entrance."
81 came running back out. I threw him a rifle.
"Stay behind the car door and cover me," I shouted as I ran towards the security gate.
"Do you know who that is?" I shouted to the guard.
"No," said the bemused man on the verge of retirement. "What's the problem?"
"None, hopefully."
I moved under the barrier and the lorry screeched to a halt. I could see only one person in the cab and he looked like he urgently needed the toilet.
"Get out of the vehicle," I shouted, waving the rifle in his general direction.
A shaking man in his mid twenties clambered out of the lorry. He was wearing a t-shirt so it only took two seconds to frisk him for weapons. I jumped onto the step and glanced in the cab, nothing out of the ordinary.
"I'm looking for B&Q," he stuttered, "I'm lost."
"Just a random security check, can you open the back, please?"
He walked erratically around and undid a padlock before lifting the rear shutter. The lorry was full of plastic garden furniture.
"Okay, thank you."
I walked back to the guard.
"Do you know where the B&Q is?"
"Yes, you go back..."
"I don't want to go to B&Q, tell the boy." I made my way back to the car. "False alarm."
The Memory Man: T14 Book 1 Page 22