Probe

by Douglas E Roff

  “Yes, but I need to change locations.”

  “Why?”

  “The girls are here. And I don’t think I’m going to like what you’re going to say. I’ll call you in ten.”

  ***

  Adam jumped in the shower in the other bedroom, threw on his baggies and a T, then rode the elevator down and exited onto the street. He dialed his father back.

  “So, what’s the matter? Trouble of some sort I’m guessing?”

  “No. In fact, quite the opposite. Do you know who she is? I mean do you know who she really is?”

  “Alana McCarthy? Attractive redhead. Sweet girl? Am I missing something?”

  “Your new friend is ‘AMC’. And she’s a top, top asset of the NSA. And by top, I mean her identity is top secret, as is her father’s. He’s ‘EMC’. As a practical matter, it’s a violation of federal law to even know who they are. I bet there’s a story here but we’re not discussing it now. Not on the phone.”

  “OK. But why would we be discussing her at all?” The alarms were going off in Adam’s head. If his Dad was interested in Alana McCarthy, this could not be good.

  “When are you leaving Hawaii, son?”

  “Why?”

  “I need a big favor from you. And Misti. I understand that you’ve become quite close to Alana. Is that true?”

  “How would you know that, Dad?” Adam was suddenly feeling like he did when he was twelve years old, and always angry at his Dad for all his secrecy and dissembling.

  “Listen to me son and please try to understand what I’m asking. What I’m going to tell you is what is best for everyone. Especially Alana.”

  “OK.” Adam didn’t like the sound of that already. “‘Best for everyone?’ In whose opinion?”

  “Her father, the NSA and I think we can all help each other. We have a proposal to make to her. We would like you to present it to her.”

  “Shit, Dad.”

  “Shit, son. It’s not what you think. I know everything. Everything. I’m currently with Alana’s dad in San Diego right now. Now listen up. I’m only going to say this once.”

  “I’m guessing once will likely be once too many. I sure hope you know what you’re doing.”

  Chapter 15

  By noon the girls were up; they had ordered and eaten a late breakfast and were making plans for the day. Alana had asked Misti if she and Adam could take her to a jiu-jitsu studio one day for a demonstration of their skill and to see what it looked like for real and close-up. The only martial arts she had ever seen had been on TV or in the movies. She assumed that had been scripted and was probably fake.

  Misti was delighted that her new friend took an interest in their martial skills and told Alana she would ask Adam when he returned. Then, if he agreed, she would need to find a studio nearby that would permit walk-ins to work out. She told Alana that most large studios would welcome out-of-town guests to spar with the locals.

  They would need to find a place to buy a keikogi, the Japanese martial arts uniform, most often shortened to gi in English. Misti said it would be impolite to go to a studio improperly attired but she was reasonably sure they could get something. Alana remembered that both Adam and Misti had a black belt in a martial discipline but couldn’t recall the details. Misti happily gave Alana a short course in Brazilian jiu-jitsu plus details on their extended training muay thai and krav maga.

  Several more hours passed, and Adam had still not returned. Misti didn’t habitually worry about Adam whenever he returned late but he had left no note which was unlike him. Misti always knew where Adam was. He insisted on it.

  Alana had read the worry in Misti’s eyes but said nothing while Misti kept busy arranging and rearranging her wardrobe. Something was wrong; even Alana knew that. The whole week had been a whirlwind and events had not gone as any of the three had thought on the Saturday before they departed.

  They hadn’t expected to meet, but once they did, their worlds collided, and things had gotten stranger and stranger by the day. Now this.

  The door suddenly burst open and Adam walked in. His face was ashen and his mood sullen. He said little but went right into the bedroom and headed directly for the shower. Misti had seen this behavior before and explained to Alana that only one human being on the planet could do this to Adam: his father. She knew better than to invade his space when he was taking an “angry shower”. She told Alana he would be out momentarily and then she would make him talk.

  Why was he even talking to his father anyway? Something was amiss. She hoped it wasn’t serious, but she couldn’t imagine her husband looking this dreadful for any other reason.

  The girls didn’t have to wait long. Adam reappeared in the living room and sat down on the couch opposite them. He said nothing but knew he was about to be grilled. He sat, head down and waited for Misti to begin.

  “What’s up bub, why so glum?”

  No response.

  “Looks like you just lost your best friend. That’s me, so it can’t be that. It can’t be that bad.”

  While Adam was in no mood for levity, he wasn’t mad at the girls. His conversation with his father had gone south quickly and he didn’t want to explain this proposal to Misti and Alana right now.

  “I spoke to my Dad. Something has come up and we need to talk, the three of us. It concerns us all, but especially you, Alana.”

  “Me? What concerns me?” Alana was alarmed and feeling anxious all of a sudden. What could have happened?

  Misti was immediately alarmed and wanted the details of what had happened. Why was Adam talking to Edward?

  “Maybe you should start from the beginning and tell us everything. Then we can face whatever this is together.”

  Adam said nothing.

  “Adam. Talk to us. What is this all about?”

  “OK, first let me say there is nothing wrong. Nothing. Everything is A-OK. But that isn’t the problem.”

  Misti said, “Then what is? That face, the shower, the mood. That only comes from fighting with your father. So, what was the fight about and what does this have to do with Alana.”

  “This isn’t my fault. Just want that to be clear on that too,” Adam said defensively.

  Misti said, “OK, it isn’t your fault. We get that, and we love you very much. Now what was the fight about?”

  “You know I wanted a big surprise for you tomorrow night for dinner, right?”

  “Of course,” said Alana. “And we are excited about it too. We know you’ve been up to something, so we naturally thought it was something sweet.”

  “Well, my surprise was going to be that we could all go to London together, so we didn’t have to be apart. I thought you’d both be excited about that and I could score some big points. A big surprise.”

  Adam spread his arms wide, indicating ‘big’.

  Misti said, “Yeah, we know. I kinda already figured that out. And Alana knows too.”

  “But how …?”

  “You were yelling at that guy in DC the other morning and you mentioned Howard Kroman. Well, I’m sure you think I don’t know who that is, but I do. Edward told me. Part of my job.”

  “So?”

  “So, then you go out on the balcony to make a call, which you would never do unless you were calling Mom or your Dad. I hoped it was Mom. But evidently it was your Dad. I assume you asked him to expedite Alana’s background check, which should’ve been instantaneous, given she already works for the Feds. That’s where my story ends. Something must’ve happened once your father followed up for you. Is that what happened?”

  “Yes,” he said quietly. “I suck at keeping secrets apparently.”

  Alana said, “You don’t suck and you’re still the sweetest guy I know. But I’m still confused, didn’t I pass the background check?”

  “Absolutely you did. With flying fucking colors.”

  “What’s the problem then? said Misti. “We’re off to London. Yay!”

&n
bsp; “Yeah, yay!” Adam said flatly

  “Not the reaction I was expecting,” said Misti. “Or hoping for.”

  The light was coming on finally for Alana. “They flagged my file, didn’t they? The NSA fucking flagged my file and when the inquiry came in, something else popped up. Is that it?”

  “Bingo,” said Adam. “And there’s a shitload more.”

  The girls looked at him; they still had no clue what else it could be. They gave him the ‘so?’ look.

  “So, it turns out that you are codenamed ‘AMC’ at the NSA and your identity and everything about you is beyond top secret. Apparently, it’s a federal crime to reveal your real identity or your fathers for that matter. He’s codenamed ‘EMC’”

  “Right. I never thought of that.” Alana was now beginning to see all the implications. She had no idea there would be any.

  “Don’t know why you would. Apparently, you aren’t just a computer security consultant, you are the NSA’s most prized asset in the realm. You are world famous in the underground hacker world and the rumors of what you’ve done and what you’ve worked on, from solving high profile crimes to snooping on heads of state, are legendary.”

  Alana said, “Might be some exaggeration involved there. Not sure I can take all the credit. Dad helped too.”

  “Oh no. No, no you’re definitely wrong there too. You, Alana, are simply being too modest. I have now been informed that, if anything, the underground community has it all wrong. Way wrong. They are so wrong that they have missed over 90% of the other stuff you have accomplished. In fact, the NSA started their own rumors giving credit to non-existent hackers as well as some of their own in-house people just to take the heat off of you. For your own protection. Does the name Morris Bachman mean anything to you? James Ferehey? Or maybe Satia Crow?”

  “Yes. They’re colleagues. But I’ve never met them. Why?”

  “You have met them. They’re you. Ditto ten or so other of your ‘colleagues, real or imagined.”

  Alana was now realizing what a mess this was. “I guess I never cared about credit. They never told me why they did that. Just that it was for security. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make a fuss. I didn’t think…”

  Adam said, “Sweetie, this isn’t your fault. None of it. I’m not mad. Nobody is mad. And there is a happy ending after all. I think.”

  “There is?” Both girls chimed in. “What?” asked Alana.

  “Hang on. Alana, did you know there was a bounty on your head? Thirty million dollars. For your identity or you head, either one.”

  “I guess. Doesn’t ever come up much. Not in polite conversation, anyway. Or any conversation, for that matter.”

  “Well, that seems to be a hot topic right now with your Dad. And my Dad. And my Mom. And let’s not forget the NSA. Or the CIA or the FBI. Everyone is discussing the thirty gazillion dollars.

  “It seems the Chinese are pretty pissed off at you and the Iranians aren’t very happy either. And some other crazy fucks have a bee up their collective asses about you, as do a few of our syndicate friends. I don’t think Italy should be our next vacation.”

  “Are we near the end here, Adam? You sound upset but not with us. Right?”

  “Right. I’m getting there, Misti. If I didn’t tell you everything, remember…”

  “Point taken,” she said.

  Alana was looking puzzled. She thought there was good news in here somewhere.

  “This is the part you’re not going to like before we get to the part that I hope you will.”

  “OK,” said Misti. “Spit it out.”

  “Alana, the FBI has been following you for the NSA since you left San Diego. They have traced your every move and reported back to your agency team. Including your father. They have photographed you, me and Misti and reported your whereabouts and every incident that has taken place since the plane and after you arrived here.”

  “I see,” said Alana.’

  “They what?” said Misti.

  “Moving right along. Nobody is mad, and truthfully, your Dad is the happiest of the bunch. He knows you’re safe and you’re in good hands. Apparently, he has some questions about the arrangements here, but he was also quick to point out that it really isn’t any of his business. He says if you’re happy, he’s ecstatic. But…”

  “But…what?” asked Misti.

  “Mom and Dad would like to know what’s going on.”

  “You talked to them?”

  “What do you think?”

  “Without me?”

  “What do you think?

  Misti’s voice was suddenly unfriendly and irritable. She asked, “What did you say, Adam?”

  “I told them to stay out of our business. This doesn’t concern them.”

  “You said that?”

  “Yes.”

  “To Edward and your mother?”

  “Yes.”

  “What did they say?”

  “Nothing. Except they were very upset. With both of us. But mostly me. Something about my tone.”

  Misti said nothing.

  “I told them too bad, we were travelling to London with Alana, who was now an important part of our lives and that they could either adjust or fuck off.”

  Misti looked at her husband. “You said that?”

  “My exact words. It wasn’t a very happy conversation. At least not for them.”

  “Why not let me talk to them? You didn’t have to do that alone.” Misti was suddenly both conciliatory and relieved. That conversation, she thought, must have been very unhappy. Especially for Adam.

  “Because it isn’t your job. You didn’t have anything to do with anything. Either did Alana. And it’s my job to step up and be the man. Not yours. Besides, I have a lot more experience with them being pissed off at me. You’re the good girl, remember? The peacemaker. That’s your job. I’m the jerk. You two just don’t have the right, you know, technique. Or attitude. Something like that.”

  “I love you so much.” Misti was crying. “Give me a hug.”

  “Group hug in a minute. Let me finish.”

  “Adam?”

  “Yes, Alana.”

  “I just want you to know that Misti said yes.”

  “That’s nice. To what?”

  “She said I could practice with you, if you were OK with that. We can start any time.”

  “See, the day is looking better and better already.”

  “Sorry. I interrupted.”

  “The deal is this. There will be FBI in the lobby from now on. And there will be FBI outside our door, 24/7. Fred from the hotel is out as our driver and Fred the FBI agent is in. We can go anywhere we want on the Islands, but the FBI must fly us. They will supposedly not poke around our privacy, but it looks a little late for that.

  “Sunday when we leave, we fly together on a private jet, most probably courtesy of the FBI. We go directly to San Diego where we will have dinner with your father, Alana, and my father. Then we all go to London as one big happy family.”

  Misti asked, “Is that it?”

  “A little more. When we get to London we stay at some place, not sure where, but somewhere big and nice, like here. Just us. No family or any friends. It appears the Brits do not have a bounty on your head, Alana, and have agreed to protect you and your Dad 24/7. My Dad assures me that the Brits are a lot better at being inconspicuous, so we should just act normal.”

  “Your idea, sweetie?”

  “Yes, it was. I can’t read your mind, Misti but I certainly can guess what you’d want to do.”

  “Did I tell you I love you?”

  “You did. Group hug in a minute. Last, but not least, for everyone’s peace of mind, national security, and just good solid common sense, my father, Edward, has offered both you, Alana, and your father jobs with our project, at massively obscene amounts of cash. Your Dad gets a place of his own in Barrows Bay, to be built near our place; you, Alana, can come live with
us or with your Dad, or on your own. Up to you. The FBI will detail some warm bodies to Barrows Bay and CSIS will likewise send a contingent. There will be fucking guns everywhere and new electronic surveillance surrounding the Institute.”

  “Did you do all that? asked Alana.”

  “Well, I was gone a long time, so I was either lost, or yes, I was busy with all this shit. It was not a good time, but I tried to do what I thought would make my girls happy. I hope I did OK.”

  Misti screamed with delight and jumped up onto Adam as he rose for his group hug. He had hoped just to stay out of trouble, but he had earned a lot more than that. Alana was crying and then so was Misti. The girls hugged and kissed with tears of joy and relief.

  Misti looked at Adam, and said, “I am so proud of you mister. Not only are you the man, you are my man. I just want to… oooooh. Well I think you know what I want to do. You are so getting laid tonight, and a quickie right now if you want.”

  Alana came up to Adam and gently surround him with her arms. “I can’t believe you did all this for me. Why?”

  “Because I know how much Misti cares for you, and I feel the same way too. We have something to figure out, the three of us, and we can’t do it alone. I want to be with you and I hope you want to be with us. You are family now, and, in our fucked-up family, that means everything.”

  Adam continued, “You’ll never have to be alone again, and you can finally bury the past. As much as you can, anyway. We have a million things to do now and we need to get you up to speed on our little project, assuming you and your dad want to join up. But that starts next week. We have the entire Hawaiian Islands at our disposal and we can do anything or nothing. Up to us.”

  “Misti is right, Adam,” Alana said. “You are so going to get laid tonight. And every night for a lot of nights.”

  Misti looked disconsolate. “I’ve been dumped already? For him?”

  Alana flung her arms around Misti and gave her a deep, passionate kiss. “Never. It’ll always be my Misti with a side of Adam. You’re my main course. You know that. Or should.”

  Alana pulled away, then said to Adam, “Now mister, I think I need a lesson and I think Misti wants to help get me trained up a bit. This way, please. We’ll use Misti’s office until I get one of my own.”