They all went out, leaving Pellegrini alone with his thoughts. It turned out that there had been a girl in the room as well, and she went out last. All this time she had been sitting somewhere behind the commissioner. He didn’t see her face, but one glance was enough to take note of the long, black hair and mind-blowing figure.
The first thing he did when he was left alone was he tried to free himself but didn’t get anywhere. Only his right arm from the shoulder down was free so that he could pick up a pen and start filling in the documents lying there.
The entire team gathered by the pool, as far as possible from the house, so that Pellegrini wouldn’t overhear them accidentally.
“Looks like he’s ours,” the professor declared with a pensive smile.
“I hope so,” Isaac agreed.
“Professor, you really are a genius!” Bikie exclaimed excitedly. “What a fabulous plan! I swear, being on the same team as you is not only an honor but a fascinating event in my life. And Isaac, you’re some kind of megastar actor! Really convincing! I believed it all! It was a pleasure just listening to you.”
“Thank you, my friend,” said Pascal, hugging Isaac. “You’re like a brother to me. A genuine one! By taking those risks, you effectively saved my life. I’ve been born again!” And he added with a smile: “So now you’re like a father to me. A godfather! Big-time scary!”
Instead of praise, Michelle rewarded Isaac for his acting with a long kiss.
“Bikie, Isaac, guys, working with you is a pleasure too,” the professor said with a smile. “The most important thing in any partnership is the buzz you get from succeeding together. You have someone to chew things over with and have a drink to celebrate.”
Chapter ten
The professor’s plan, which they have now carried out, was as simple as all ideas of a genius: after listening to Isaac when he got back from Pellegrini, he immediately sent Pascal home, supplied with a little packet of a sleeping drug. Pascal had to call the commissioner and tell him about the threat in a frightened voice. Naturally, the overconfident Pellegrini, like some super-hero, would prefer to arrest Isaac in person, without assistance from anyone else, and he would immediately go dashing to Pascal’s home. In order not to frighten Isaac off, he would probably dump his car a couple of kilometers away and run for a short distance. Which meant that he would be thirsty. Even if he wasn’t thirsty straight away, Pascal would offer him water or coffee. That was the first part of the plan, and it went like clockwork.
The commissioner fell into the trap just as Link had predicted. While he was sleeping, they brought him to the Wolanski’s villa, where they had emptied one room of everything that might give the commissioner a hint of where he was. They curtained off the window. After that, they had to get him to believe in the downloading. They had a downloading helmet, but they had nowhere to download his OE to. According to the plan, they had to win him over to their side. A man with a police badge, and one who held such an influential position, could really help the team a lot. Whether they had managed it or not should become clear in the next couple of hours.
“What do we do next?” asked Pascal. “What’s going to convince you he’s ours?”
“We gave him a contract and paper to write letters to UNICOMA and the Ministry of the Interior. When he crumples them all up and tosses them away, that would mean that he realized that it’s pointless writing to the top. That would be the right moment to sow the seed of hope!”
Half an hour later Michelle walked into the room where Pellegrini was sitting.
“Commissioner, do you need any help?”
“No, thank you,” Pellegrini replied sadly. “I’ve already finished half of it.”
“Would you like me to sit with you, so you won’t be so lonely?”
“Yes, please. Do sit for a while, of course.”
“ My name is Michelle. Michelle Blanche.”
“And I’m Luca. The fact that you tell me your full name only confirms that I’ll be downloaded.
“Don’t you worry. They’re already flying to America next week. I’m sure they’ll pull it off. They’re so clever.”
“Yes, I’d like to believe that. Although right now that probably sounds strange, coming from me.”
“It’s not strange at all. I understand everything. Now you know what it means to be a Happy, I understand you perfectly.”
“Listen, Michelle. I wouldn’t want to tell them…” Pellegrini paused. “The professor and Isaac, that is… but they need to go sooner.”
What do you mean? What for?”
“I wrote a request to the prosecutor for Isaac not to be allowed to leave the country. It will be processed on Monday, and he won’t be able to fly anywhere. And bearing in mind that I’ve disappeared, I think he’ll be arrested. They need to fly sooner.”
“Whoa! What a good thing you told us! I’ll warn them immediately. You don’t mind?’
“No, I don’t. Tell them,” said Pellegrini. Although his whole being cringed, he did not have a feeling that he became a traitor.
Michelle walked out to tell everyone the important news. Bikie immediately started checking the options for a flight to America that weekend.
“But what about me? Have you come up with anything?” Link asked.
“Not so far, professor, sorry. But there’s still time,” Isaac replied.
“What’s the problem with the professor?” Michelle asked.
“He’s wanted by Interpol. We don’t know how to fool the checks at the American border. Three months ago they installed new devices that identify everyone from their DNA. We don’t know how to get round that. Link will be spotted immediately.”
“That’s strange,” Michelle replied. “I was in America a month ago, and my DNA wasn’t checked at all.”
“Where did you fly?” Isaac asked.
“From Nice to Miami, for a photo shoot.”
“What kind of flight’s that I’ve never heard of planes flying from Nice to Miami?”
“It’s not a scheduled flight. Was a private jet.”
“Hell and damnation!” exclaimed Bikie, exchanging glances with Isaac.
“Could you tell us about that flight in more detail, please?” Isaac said.
“Sure,” Michelle readily agreed, with a pleasant feeling that she was fitting into the team: first, they sent her to the commissioner, and now she could give them useful information. “Well, I’m not a poor girl,” she said with a slightly guilty air. “Sometimes I travel on private flights. There’s a separate terminal in Nice that private jets fly from. They fly anywhere at all, I landed in Miami at the main international airport. But I didn’t cross the border where the passengers on schedule flights do, there is a separate terminal for that. Without crowds or lines. They have nice rooms there, VIP halls. And the service is very different, everyone’s very polite and considerate. They know that the person who has arrived isn’t just anyone. Then you give them your passport and a few minutes later they bring it back, already stamped by the customs and the border control. At the exit, of course, they check you against the photo in the passport, but they don’t take any DNA.”
“Enough said,” Isaac commented, giving Michelle a peck on the cheek. “Professor, it looks like the problem can be solved. I think that so far the new system is only in the major terminals, and they haven’t got around to the private flights yet. Now, where do you get these private jets?”
“There are lots of different brokerage companies. And by the way, since they fly all around the world, they’re not limited by time zones. They work right round the clock. You could call right this minute.”
“It can’t be true,” Bikie exclaimed in delight. “I’m going to fly to America on a private jet!”
“Michelle, honey, you’re just a marvel! Could you give me the phone number of one of these brokers? Now, since that commissioner’s opened up to you so much, you ‘d better go back to him, will you?.”
Michelle went back to the commissioner. He had
n’t made much progress with filling out his application.
“Thanks for the warning, the problem has been solved. They’ll fly out tomorrow or on Sunday.”
“And Link?”
“Link too. It’s a pity you’re on the other side, commissioner. But don’t worry. We’ll manage.”
“It’s hard not to worry. Isaac is a wanted man from Monday in any case. They’ll soon figure out where he flew to. I’ll be missed after a couple of days. It won’t be easy for him to avoid being noticed in New York. He’s taking a great risk. If I had a chance to cancel my request, it would simplify everything,” said the commissioner, testing the water.
“And is that possible?”
“It is until Monday.”
“But for that we have to let you go?’
“Yes. Can I trust you, Michelle?”
“That depends on what you have in mind, commissioner.”
“You’re Isaac’s girlfriend, right? Or Bikie’s? Maybe you could have a word with them?
“Be more specific, commissioner. I’m not a stupid girl.”
“I’d like to come to an agreement with them. I’ve done some thinking in here, weighed everything up. I’m willing to cooperate, to help.”
“To help us?” Michelle asked, trying to show genuine amazement.
“Yes, you. If the professor isn’t lying, if he has returned Pascal’s energy correctly, then I understand his desire to stop everything. And I understand that going to the police is too risky. I’m not trying to trick you. If there was a lie detector here, you could easily make sure of that. I’m being sincere. Could you act as an intermediary in negotiations about this?”
“You know, I believe you. Realizing what is really going on, any decent person would join our side. But why would you need an intermediary? Just talk to them directly!”
“That’s what you think?”
“I’m certain of it.”
***
Five minutes later everyone gathered once again in the room where the bound commissioner was sitting.
“Isaac, professor, I want to help you. For that, you have to let me go.”
“Why would you help us, Pellegrini?” Bikie asked. “Are we supposed to trust you immediately and let you go? What if you are lying?”
“It doesn’t look like he’s lying,” Link put in. “I can tell from his gestures and expressions.”
“I’m definitely not lying,” Pellegrini replied. “Then why would I have warned you that you are wanted?”
“In order not to become a Happy forever.”
“Of course, I don’t want to be a Happy, especially after what you’ve told me. But there are other reasons. If I don’t recall my request, you’ll have almost no chance in America.”
“But if we let you go, then you’re not risking anything.”
“You can let me go after you’ve flown out and landed. You will be on the wanted list if I’ve lied to you, but if I have not, you have a chance. You don’t lose anything.”
“You’ve seen all the others. They’re taking risks.”
“I give you my word as an officer. Who was the first person you pulled out, Isaac? Your friend Pascal. I have a lot of old colleagues among the Happies now. Do you think I don’t give a damn for them? I joined the police to fight crime. I worked in the Drug Control Department and have never sworn an oath of loyalty to UNICOMA, I did swear it to the people, to my friends and to myself.”
“You sound convincing. But I’ve learned from personal experience that you know how to say what’s needed to convince a person or put him at ease.”
“Yes, Isaac, I’m a professional. That’s true. And believe me, I’m willing to do more. Not just cancel the request, but also, help you to carry out your plan.”
“Commissioner, think about how to reduce our risks. You know your own weak spots best.”
“Very well. I’ll think about it. But you think about it too.”
“Agreed. I’d like to trust you. But it’s not easy, after all, I am putting my friends at risk.”
They all went out to the pool to consult, leaving the commissioner with Michelle. They really wanted to believe him. And after all, it wasn’t clear what to do with him if they didn’t. They couldn’t kill him, could they? And they had nowhere to download him to. If they left him tied up here, of course, he would be missed and sooner or later he would be found. His notes probably included the facts about where Isaac worked, he had asked that at the first interview. And who would stay behind to give the commissioner food and drink?
What they needed badly was some proof that the commissioner was ready to switch over to their side.
“The commissioner and I have an idea!” said Michelle, coming back to the pool.
“Both of you? Are you already in the league?” Isaac laughed.
“No. But I trust him and I’m concerned about you.”
“And I’m concerned about you, hon. I shouldn’t have dragged you into this.”
“Don’t worry about me. I’ve got good lawyers, and I haven’t done anything wrong. I didn’t kidnap the commissioner, I didn’t participate in anything. Yes, I was there. But whoever said I agreed with what you were doing? My lawyer will definitely get me off. What could I do about it? I’m just a frail, beautiful girl.” Michelle wound her arms playfully around Isaac’s neck again and kissed him.
“OK, let’s go and listen to this idea of you two.”
“My computer is in my hotel room,” Pellegrini began. “It is locked but I will give you the password. But the computer has to be brought here anyway. The key to my room is in my back pants pocket. The Marriott Hotel, Room 414.”
Isaac nodded to Bikie, who reached into the commissioner’s back pocket and pulled out a plastic key card with the word Marriott on it.
“Please bring the computer, Bikie.”
“OK, boss,” said Bikie, saluting Isaac playfully.
“Then what, commissioner?”
“Next comes the second level of protection: my iris. We’ll scan it in with the web camera to gain entry into the operational database. Then the third level is my fingerprint. That has to be scanned in too. Then we’ll enter the 24-digit password for the database, and you’ll gain access to it. That’s the highest level of security! It’s only accessible to department heads, and not to all of them, as well as the Minister of Defense and his deputies and the Minister of the Interior. Only files with individual access are a higher level. If anyone finds out that I gave away the codes, I’m done for life. There can be no reason that would justify me revealing this information. With my password, you can even look up undercover agents. You’ll be able to cancel the request about Isaac and even alter all the interview reports. I’ll show you how.
“After that, consider me your hostage until the end of my life. If anyone ever finds out that I gave you the passwords, I am history. They would have shot me for that before. But even now it’s a sure court-martial. And the sentence will be downloading for treason.”
“Very convincing. Just one question. How can we check that the 24-digit isn’t a false one and an alarm signal?”
“There’s no way. But then, you can do all of this when you are already in America. And if you fly out tomorrow, we will have enough time.”
Despite Bikie’s protests, he did not get a chance of flying a private jet. They decided that it would be too risky for everyone to travel together. So Isaac and Bikie will take a passenger flight two hours after the private jet carrying Link and Pascal will have left.
Still the passenger flight to New York’s John F. Kennedy airport would arrive earlier. They had only a brief connection in Paris, whereas Link and Pascal were going the long way via Miami. Not to mention that the most time gained would come from Isaac and Bikie taking the brand-new supersonic Concorde-100 between Paris and New York, an upgraded version of the famous old Concorde that was in service in the late 20th century. Thanks to UNICOMA, the shortcomings of the previous version have been eliminated, and three hour long t
ransatlantic flights again became a reality.
Michelle had to stay in Monaco. Someone had to make sure that Pellegrini would indeed cancel the request. She promised not to fly to America, but Isaac didn’t believe her. He suspected that she wouldn’t keep her word. He was worried about it, of course, but on the other hand, he felt glad.
“We’ll be in the US tonight, the homeland of Harley!” Bikie exclaimed, interrupting Isaac’s train of thought. “I’ve waited so long for this!”
“Me too,” Isaac said with a smile. “We’ve almost reached the goal.”
In consideration, Pellegrini offered to follow them to America, a major breakthrough. He would help avoid suspicion in the US. They had very little information about the New York storage facility; a lot of things would have to be assessed on the spot. Pellegrini promised to arrange an official visit for himself to the New York branch of the Agency within a couple of days, and that would give him an opportunity to examine the building from the inside.
“Well done Link,” Isaac thought. “What a brain!” Isaac himself had been going through an agony, trying to think of how to break away from the policeman’s pursuit, but the professor succeeded in turning him into a team-mate.
“The former enemy is now an enlightened ally,” Link announced triumphantly as he shook Pellegrini’s free hand in farewell. “And ‘former’ is the important word here. The fact that the commissioner has come over to our side is a message to the world. We are on the right road, my friends. If the system is overthrown, no one will ever want to download OE again. The Veggies look happy and satisfied, they are often rich, and so people got confused. But it’s a deception, isn’t it, Pascal? You are also a vivid example testifying that the system must be destroyed. The world will be grateful to us for what we are about to do.”
Part six
Chapter one
On the Paris-New York flight, they managed to get a couple of hours of sleep in comfort. Pascal was generous enough to buy business-class tickets for his rescuers. They didn’t run into any storms or turbulence and were able to get some rest and put their thoughts in order. Before they found themselves working together, each of them was used to being a loner in his own way, Isaac thought. During the three months together they had too much of each other and some tension was creeping in, despite the high spirits. Bikie was absorbed in his own thoughts, too. Each of them felt like resting alone.
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