Fatal Network

by Trevor Scott

  "That's what I hear," Milt said. "I got a call from the Polizei in Koblenz just two hours ago. They found Charlie Johnson's body."

  That's pretty surprising, Jake thought. The way Herb had talked, it should have taken much longer for the body to be found. "Where'd they find it?" Jake asked.

  "About ten miles north of Koblenz. Jake? Do you know a guy named Walter Kaiser?" Milt asked.

  "Yes. Why do you ask?"

  "He's the guy who called me from Koblenz. I guess he's the investigator in charge of Charlie's murder."

  Jake thought for a moment.

  "He asked about you, Jake. Of course I didn't tell him shit, because I didn't know if he was who he said he was."

  "He's a good friend of mine, Milt. I better give him a call."

  "Wait!" Milt said. "There's more."

  After a pause. "Go ahead."

  "We have another problem with a technology leak," Milt said.

  "Great. How serious is it?"

  "Serious enough that the government already knows about it."

  "Where's the leak?" Jake asked.

  "In Italy...actually aboard the aircraft carrier Roosevelt," he said. "We have a contract for an avionics upgrade to the A-7 aircraft going on right now. The A-7 doesn't have much life left, but the Navy feels it makes a good test bed. If the new avionics system can work in that old bird, we should be able to fit it into new aircraft and sell it to the Air Force as well."

  "So, how significant is this new technology?"

  Milt hesitated for a moment. "Jake, some of the computer chips we use are the fastest in the world. We can't afford to allow this information to get out to anyone. In fact, our contract in Germany called for these chips to replace a slower version in a couple of months. That's why it was so urgent for you to solve that case."

  "Another surprise, Milt!" Jake said callously.

  "I'm sorry, Jake."

  "Why did the Navy allow the aircraft to leave the states?"

  "We had to test the system against NATO and French aircraft. We could only simulate so much."

  "Okay, okay...so what do you want me to do about it? You said the government is already involved with the investigation."

  "They haven't been keeping me informed. I don't know who's investigating what. All they said was that some of the chips and manuals were missing."

  "What do you expect, Milt? There could be three or four agencies looking into it, and not one of them speaking to the other. Why in the hell do you think I left the Agency? Nobody communicated for shit."

  "Could you look into it for a few days?"

  Jake thought about it. Toni! She had to know about the Italian problem. Anything that happened in Italy, she knew about it.

  "Milt? I'm very flexible. You've already paid me a substantial amount. I go where you want."

  "Thanks, Jake," Milt said softly. "I knew I hired the right guy. So, what have you found out?"

  "Well, I'm about ninety-nine percent sure that Bundenbach Electronics hired Gunter Schecht to recruit Johnson into taking your stuff. Bundenbach dropped most of its research and development staff recently, so they're looking for a cheaper way to get ahead. Maybe they've become a company of thieves. The question is why? They were slowly coming out with some decent developments of their own. Maybe the gains weren't coming fast enough. That's the only thing I need to know now, and I'm working on that. One more thing. Johnson may have gotten himself killed because he was selling out Gunter and Bundenbach."

  "What do you mean?"

  "Johnson may have been selling to another government and Gunter didn't like it."

  "How do you know?"

  "Recently, a couple of agents from Hungarian Intelligence have been hanging around Gunter. I'll let you know as soon as possible if this is true, because then we'll have to do some damage control and inform the U.S. government. That would pretty much blow my investigation all to hell."

  "We haven't informed the government about our Germany leak, so you should be okay for a while."

  "Hey, I better let you get back to sleep, Milt. Next time I'll try to catch you at a better time."

  "No problem! Keep up the good work, and let me know how things go in Italy. I'm not sure where the Roosevelt is now, but it's big...so I'm sure you'll find it," Milt added with a slight chuckle.

  "Thanks!" Jake said, and then he hung up.

  Shit! What ever happened to getting in, finding the culprit taking the TIS technology, and heading back to Oregon. Maybe take a break skiing in the Cascades, or even go to Switzerland for a few days on his way back. Now he was back to jumping around to different countries...swapping currencies and cars as though he were changing underwear. Now he had no choice. He'd have to call Toni.

  * * *

  CHAPTER 22

  BALATON LAKE, HUNGARY

  Waves from the dark water lapped ashore at a constant melodic pace echoing through the stately pines of the north shore. Ice built up into a pile at the edge of the lake forming a constantly changing sculpture. A heavy, wet snow blanketed the ground.

  Isaac Lebovitz paused for a moment on the wooden porch of the cabin and turned to view the glinting light that remained in the sky above the lake. I'll have a place like this on Lake Geneva, he thought. Soon!

  He entered through the heavy oak door; clamoring voices stopped, and a table of men turned to look at Isaac. Satisfied that the security lookouts had not fallen asleep or were not drunk yet, the men continued with their conversation.

  Isaac retrieved a shot glass from the mantle above a stone fireplace. The fire was burning hot providing most of the light for the main room of the large log cabin. He blew out the dust and wiped out the rest with his middle finger.

  "A little dirt won't hurt," said a stout man with gray hair and a long gray beard. He gestured for Isaac to join the group at the table. "Come. The schnapps will warm you as much as the fire."

  Isaac sat down on the hard wood chair and slammed his glass onto the great table. The gray-haired man filled it to the top with schnapps.

  With one smooth lift and twist of the wrist, Isaac devoured the contents. A hot flash streaked through his body to the furthest extremity. He slowly set the glass down in front of him.

  "Have I missed anything?" Isaac asked, silencing the room. He didn't really expect an answer. "As you all know, I enjoy myself as much as the next. But we must discuss what progress has been made."

  Isaac glanced around the table for a response from anyone. "Anatol, why don't we start with you," he said to the man with the gray beard.

  The man finished lighting his pipe, allowing plumes of smoke to rise and join a cloud that had already formed. "Thank you, Isaac, I will," Anatol said. "My people are ready to move forward as planned. We'll be ready to go into full production in less than six months."

  "Six months!" Isaac said with disbelief. "Your engineers can convert the Prague plant that quickly?"

  "Yes!"

  "Your people are impatient, Anatol. It won't be long...it won't be long," Isaac said patting him on the shoulder.

  He looked at the men once again. Come on...this was their chance to gain back the dignity and respectability that had been denied their families for over fifty years. "Who's next? Rudolf?"

  The youngest of the six men sat back in his chair and took a slow sip of schnapps. He was only a child when the great war changed his family so dramatically.

  "I've just come from Berlin," Rudolf said, pausing and finding attentive ears. "The city is still not equal. We have a united Germany, but the people are sick of the jaded promises that the communists spouted for so many years. The young people want fast cars, stereos, computers...you name it. They've seen what the West has to offer, and they can wait no more. I agree with Anatol, we should be ready to produce in six months as well."

  Isaac poured himself another schnapps and stared at it in front of him. He tapped the side of his forehead with his finger, and then grabbed the small glass with one smooth stroke and let the schnapps slowly slide
down his throat until the glass was empty. The men are so eager, he thought. Energy was vital to success. But it would take more than energy for the plan to work.

  The men talked into the night. One by one each revealed the agenda he had for their countries. The old world ties that bound each of the men were as strong as ever. Then, one by one they bowed out and found a place to sleep. In the end, Isaac remained with Anatol. The fire slowly faded until the flames were replaced by glowing red logs. Hope had been born, and the child would be stronger, healthier, and free.

  * * *

  CHAPTER 23

  BONN, GERMANY

  Gunter Schecht crossed his legs with difficulty, and stared at his boss for a moment trying to read his thoughts. He found himself in the red leather hot seat again. What in the hell does he want from me, Gunter asked himself.

  Finally, the president of Bundenbach Electronics shifted his large leather chair and returned Gunter's stare. "The Polizei found Charlie Johnson belly up in the Rhine this morning," the boss said.

  Gunter shifted in his chair trying to come up with the right answer. "But..."

  "You jumped the gun, Gunter. I needed to know who our competition was. But more importantly, I found out that Johnson didn't give us everything we needed. I won't bore you with technical terms. Let's just say Johnson failed to give us an important binding link. Without it, we'll never know what makes the chip so fast or how to mass produce it." He paused to take in a deep breath. "So, what have you come up with in the past few days?"

  Gunter felt cornered and disturbed. "Plenty," he said with a clenched jaw. "I've told you that I suspected Johnson was selling to another government or company. Now I'm sure it must be Hungary."

  "Why?"

  "Because the last couple of days I've been trailed by a couple of Hungarian Intelligence agents."

  "How do you know them?"

  "I've been in this game for a long time," Gunter said brusquely. "You get to know the players. The problem I'm having, is why they're following me."

  "Perhaps they saw you with Johnson."

  "Perhaps! I'm not really concerned if you aren't. I can handle those two."

  The Bundenbach boss leaned back in his great chair and swiveled back and forth a few times before looking directly at Gunter again. "We have another problem with Jake Adams," he said. "I've been told that Jake acquired the missing items we need." The boss smiled and lifted his eyebrows. "Have you seen Jake lately?"

  Gunter shifted in his chair uneasily. "Dropped from sight. He hasn't shown up at Bitburg or any of our other locations. I don't know...maybe he returned to America."

  The boss got up out of his high back chair and walked over to a large book shelf. He pulled out an old leather bound book, and turned to face Gunter. "Marx was wrong you know. History has proven that his Communist Manifesto was a baseless farce."

  The two men looked at each other for a minute, and then the boss let out a slight laugh as he put the book back in its slot and returned to his chair.

  "We need that data, Gunter," the boss said, becoming more serious. "You must work your contacts harder. The country is going through some growing pains. I want to be on the leading edge of technology when we get stronger. What have you promised your contacts in Berlin?"

  "Just what you told me to promise."

  "Are the leaders loyal?"

  "Loyal? Yes! Trusting? Now that's another point," Gunter said. "As you know, they have a hard time believing anything they're told. But some of them are relatives, and those believe.

  "Finding very few jobs should help our cause. And as I've told you I don't want Turks. They work hard, but there will be too much conflict at the plant. We don't need that standing in our way."

  "I'll make sure that my friends in the government make it difficult for them to find jobs," Gunter said with a smile. "They'll beg us for work."

  "Good! Get me more."

  Gunter eased back into his chair and finally let his muscles relax. He tried to digest what his boss had just told him. How did he know that Jake Adams had his missing items? He'd find out. Gunter stood up slowly, nodded good-bye, and then left the office.

  * * *

  CHAPTER 24

  AUTOBAHN 61, GERMANY

  A warm dry breeze out of the southwest had made the early morning seem more like May than January. But Jake wasn't complaining. The continuous cold, damp and clammy weather that he had experienced since coming back to Germany, and that he had often complained about when he lived there, could forever refrain from spoiling his days.

  Driving along at over two hundred and twenty kilometers per hour was much safer with dry weather as well. Heading southeast on Autobahn 61 from Bonn to Frankfurt had always seemed to bring rain, snow or fog in the past. A clear sunny day with a warm breeze was more than Jake could have expected, but he appreciated the change nonetheless.

  As he passed the Koblenz exit, he couldn't help feeling sorry for Charlie Johnson. Herb had described the murder repeatedly over the past few days, and the morbidity and inhumanity of the act seemed to intensify over time instead of becoming more detached. How could anyone commit such a horrendous crime?

  Traffic on the Autobahn consisted mostly of weekend shoppers probably heading to Mainz or Frankfurt, Jake thought. The lack of slow trucks climbing the steep hills of the Idarwald made driving that magnificent highway even more enjoyable than the weather.

  The fast speeds make it difficult to think of anything more than mere survival. His tense hands grasped the steering wheel. He frequently looked to the rear view mirror to ensure that nobody was trying to drive faster, and attempting to make him a hood ornament for their Mercedes. But then Jake would catch himself staring at nothing for a dangerous instant, distracted by thoughts of his conversation with Milt. He was hesitant to call Toni Contardo, but knew he needed her. His experiences in Italy weren't extensive. Toni had always been a welcome and willing guide. They had been a great team, Jake thought.

  Jake took the next exit, slowing the Audi down and coming to a stop in front of an Autobahn gas station. He got out and went directly to a yellow phone booth outside a small vending area. Hopefully, Toni still lived in the same place. It had been almost a year and a half since he used the number that was still ingrained in his mind for the long term.

  She's probably not home, he thought. After all, it's Saturday. The phone clicked on the other end.

  "Si, Contardo," said a man on the other end.

  Jake hesitated for a moment. English or Italian, he thought. "Pronto, sono il Signor Adagio. Vorrei parlare Sinorina Contardo, per favore," Jake said.

  In a few seconds Toni answered. "Pronto," Toni said formally.

  "Toni, can you speak freely?" Jake asked.

  "Jake!" she said serenely. "Where are you?"

  "I can't explain right now. Please listen. I need to call you secure in one hour. Can you make it to the office that quickly?"

  "I still have the Alfa Romeo," she said. "I'll be there."

  "Thanks, Toni. Ciao."

  "Ciao," she said softly and hung up.

  Jake hung up the receiver and walked back to his car slowly. It had been far too long. Now he knew he needed to see Toni for professional and personal reasons.

  He got into his car, closed the door and put on his sun glasses. It's time for a new car, he thought. Something more Italian. He cranked over the Audi and pulled out slowly through the parking lot, and then, entering the short ramp to the Autobahn, picked up speed quickly until the car was traveling well over a hundred miles per hour.

  After half an hour, he pulled into the alley behind Walter Kaiser's house and drove slowly to a parking space next to a white stucco garage.

  Jake knew that Edeltrud and little Jakob would probably be off shopping in Mainz or at the vegetable market in Wiesbaden, so he and Walt would be alone.

  After the third attempt at knocking on the large wooden back door, Walt finally came and opened it. He looked surprised, yet relieved to see him.

  "Jak
e, come in," he said.

  Knowing his way around the house, Jake went directly to a large plush chair in the den, sat down, and placed his briefcase next to the chair. Walt followed him and appeared anxious to start the conversation.

  Jake didn't give him a chance. "I've talked with Milt Swenson, my boss, and he said you called him about me," Jake said.

  Walt sat in a high back leather chair just to Jake's right. "Yes! We found Charlie Johnson. He was the guy you were hired to find?"

  "Right. In fact I know who killed him. Gunter Schecht and his buddies knocked him over the head with a tire iron or something and dumped him into the Rhine at the Deutsches Eck in Koblenz over a week ago."

  Walt had a puzzled look on his face. "Isn't that the guy whose license plate I ran for you last week? How do you know he did this?" Walt asked.

  "A German customs agent named Herbert Kline saw the whole thing. I found out just a few days ago, but couldn't tell you about it without a body. Anyway, I just found out from Milt that the body was found and you were investigating Charlie's murder. So here I am."

  "An eye witness for my first murder," Walt said. "I couldn't ask for more than that. But, why did Gunter kill Charlie? What was the motive?"

  "That's the whole reason I'm here, Walt. I was hired by Teredata to find Charlie Johnson. Milt Swenson thought he might be selling some high tech hardware. I'm sure Charlie Johnson was selling to Gunter for a company in Bonn named Bundenbach Electronics. You ever hear of them?"

  "Of course! There's been stories in the German press that Bundenbach is making some great breakthroughs in technology," Walt said.

  Jake ran his hands through his hair and then looked into Walt's eyes. "The only breakthroughs they've made recently has been through Charlie's skull. I've looked into the company over the past week. They fired most of their research and development department. It seems easier for them to just buy and steal the technology."

  "It's hard to believe that a company would have a man killed," Walt said.