“That will not be an issue. It has come to my attention that Klein is becoming uncomfortably close to—and possibly familiar with—the software we will be using to control the electronic results of the election.” Turgenev stood and walked to the windows that looked down on the Moskva River. The view always helped him organize his thoughts.
Barovsky waited patiently.
“Klein needs to be stopped,” Turgenev said, “before he can possibly endanger our efforts. There—”
Turgenev was interrupted by a knock on the inner door to his office.
“Yes?”
One of Turgenev’s deputies stepped through the door and signaled to him. Apologies, Mr. President.”
Turgenev was annoyed. “Excuse me a moment,” he said to Barovsky, and stepped through the open door, closing Barovsky off behind him.
BAROVSKY WAS LEFT SITTING in Turgenev’s office. Why in the hell would he possibly want to discuss with me stopping some American who is proving an irritation to him? I may be the titular head of GRU, but such physical tactics are hardly within my expertise. Or anything I want to be involved in. Barovsky was still pondering his bewilderment when Turgenev finally returned twenty minutes later.
CIPHER ANSWERED THE CALL. “Da?”
“Gradsky, here.” No social amenities, he came right to the point. “Around the end of November, I sent you an encrypted message about an American by the name of Jake Klein. You had met him at your annual conference. I said I thought Klein might prove troublesome. I asked you to give the matter some thought. It occurs to me that you have never responded. I pay you a lot of money. I expect better.”
Cipher was caught off guard. Not because Molloy identified himself as Gradsky and spoke Russian. He always did that—it was part of his paranoid ghost cover of his true identity. More to the point, he wasn’t sure he wanted to admit to Molloy that his Kazakhstan computer had been remotely hacked long distance by Klein. Or that he had reached out to Turgenev and shared that information. He wasn’t sure which might prove more unsettling to Molloy, that he had no action plan to offer Molloy at the moment, or that he might appear closer to Turgenev than he truly was.
“I have someone here with me. I cannot talk now. I’ll get back to you.” He clicked off without waiting for Molloy to respond.
TURGENEV RE-ENTERED HIS OFFICE and found Barovsky right where he had left him. “Apologies,” Turgenev said, without much conviction. He also offered no excuses for his absence. “We were talking about the need to dispose of the American, Jake Klein. As I was about to say when we were interrupted, there is the obvious way, of course, but it occurs to me that there may be a better way.” He outlined his thinking to Barovsky.
Barovsky nodded. “Very clever, Mr. President. I understand completely. I know what you want me to do. Leave it with me. I will take care of it, and I will, of course, keep you informed.”
CHAPTER 55
February 21, 2020, Two Days Later
JAKE SAW ABELSON EYEING him from the other side of the room as they walked out of one of their shared classes. He didn’t want to stir things up with Mossad, but he didn’t dare pretend he hadn’t seen him. He put a smile on his face and walked over. “Just the guy I was looking for, Gali,” Jake said. “I know I owe you an update. Sorry, I’ve been spread really thin between classes, Carter’s manuscript assignment, and my extracurricular activities. Got time for a cup of coffee?”
“Sure, let’s do it,” Abelson said.
Jake knew he had a fine line to walk. Abelson had generously provided Jake with two Mossad toys that were proving invaluable to him. He had to let him know at least something about what he had been doing with the technology, enough to show his appreciation, and to make sure Abelson would have no second thoughts or regrets about having loaned it to him.
He had been procrastinating on feeding Abelson’s obvious curiosity for any number of reasons, but lack of appreciation was not one of them. Most of all, he wasn’t about to share any of his proprietary interests with anyone. The fame and fortune he was after was going to be his, and his alone. He wasn’t taking the risks he had just to have someone beat him to the punch, or even share his thunder.
He also didn’t want to burden Abelson with any more detail than necessary, only to have him perhaps ask for the return of the technology before he could complete his pending mission to Montreal. The more Jake thought about it, the more convinced he was that he had to make that trip, and there was no way he could pull it off without the Mossad technology. If he had been skirting any laws up until now, he was soon going to be heading way beyond skirting. There was no way he was going to reveal any of his Montreal plans to Abelson.
After they filled their cups and settled into a corner booth in the commons cafeteria, Abelson said, “Okay, bud, spill it, and I’m not talking about the coffee. What exactly have you been up to? Don’t forget your deal with the devil—you promised to share. I have to explain myself back home.”
“I know, I know,” Jake answered. “This spy stuff is kinda new to me. On the one hand, I don’t want to waste your time on what may already be common knowledge to you. On the other hand, I don’t want to involve you in anything you might not want to know. To make sure I protect your plausible deniability.”
“Wow, all them cute words. I just love it when you talk dirty to me,” Abelson said. “Tell ya what. Why don’t you let me be the judge of all that stuff. You start sharing, and I’ll let you know anytime I need you to stop. Work for you okay?”
How can I say no? “Sure, that works,” Jake answered. He started off by mentioning Nilsen’s demonstration at the conference. He figured that would be boring because Abelson had previously told him Mossad had people at the conference. He would already know all about Nilsen.
“Remember, we had folks at the KHC,” Abelson said. “Nothing new there. We know all about Nilsen and his technology. If they have boots on the ground at the right places here in the U.S., they can mess a bunch with the election results, but that takes a lot of manpower. Don’t know that they can make a significant dent with Nilsen’s technology.”
“What if it’s not necessary to have boots on the ground?” Jake asked. What if they can do it long distance, kind of like the technology you’ve been sharing with me?”
Abelson’s eyes perked up. “What are you saying, Jake? Are you telling me there are some private hackers out there who have something comparable to our long-distance technology? Spit it out, man.”
“Well, I’m not really sure,” Jake said, “but I think Cipher is working on something like that with some individual by the name of Gradsky.”
“Yeah, we know about Gradsky too,” Abelson said.
“Well, that’s about all I know right now,” Jake lied, “but I’m still working on it. Give me another couple of weeks and maybe I’ll have something more for you.”
“Fair enough,” Abelson said. “Just remember our deal. Don’t be a stranger. I gotta run. Talk soon.” Abelson stood, gave Jake a pat on his cheek, and walked out of the cafeteria.
THAT NIGHT, ABELSON SENT a brief encrypted text:
ONE THING INTERESTING. HE MAY—REPEAT MAY—BE ON TO SOME PRIVATE HACKERS DEVELOPING LONG DISTANCE HACKING CAPABILITIES. NOT SURE, BUT I THINK HE MAY BE HOLDING OUT ON ME. HAVE THE FEELING HE’S NOT SHARING EVERYTHING HE’S GOT. THINK HE MAY BE TRYING TO PLAY COWBOY.
Two could play at that game of being less than totally forthcoming, Abelson thought to himself. He wasn’t surprised by the encrypted response he received:
NO WORRIES. JUST KEEP AN EYE PEELED AND LET US KNOW IF HE STUMBLES ACROSS ANYTHING INTERESTING.
Abelson smiled.
CHAPTER 56
February 26, 2020, Five Days Later
CIPHER TELEPHONED MOLLOY ON their rerouted telephone arrangement that would leave no record of their call.
“Gradsky,” Molloy answered Cipher’s call. “You sure took your sweet time getting back to me. Did you use our established calling protocols?”
Mo
lloy drives me nuts when he uses his Gradsky alias with me. He knows I know who he really is. “I did.”
“Okay. So what’s your plan? What are we going to do to stop this guy, Klein, before he messes up our plans?”
This ain’t gonna be pleasant, but I’m gonna have to put an end to this right now. Look, Malloy—”
“Stop calling me that. My name is Gradsky.”
“Whatever,” Cipher said. “The point is, this is not about what we are going to do about our plans. Whatever you are doing with Turgenev is your business, not mine. You hired me to provide you with certain encryption services. That’s all I was supposed to do, and I’ve done it, lived up to my perfectly lawful end of the bargain. If Klein is making you uncomfortable for some reason, that’s your problem. And Turgenev’s. Not mine.” Cipher paused to catch his breath.
“Are you done?” Molloy asked.
He hasn’t started yelling and screaming or interrupting me. That’s a good sign. “I’m not,” Cipher answered. “I don’t know about you, but I’m not some kind of common thug. I don’t go around beating people up, or worse. Maybe you do, but I don’t. Unless you have some sign that Klein has penetrated my encryption system, any problem you have with Klein is your problem. And unless you are some kind of gangster, I’d suggest the one you need to address your concerns with is Turgenev, not me. The relationship with Turgenev is yours, not mine, and he’s probably the best one to address your concerns with—especially if he shares them. He is the one who has an identity of interest with you, not me, and I suspect he’s the one who has the resources and ability to take care of any problem Klein represents. Now, I’m done.”
“If you are that disloyal to me after all I’ve paid you, perhaps I should express my present dissatisfaction with you to my client and see how he feels about that.”
Sounds to me like Molloy is getting weaker and weaker. How could someone so good with computers be so bad with humans? I don’t have any choice. I have to keep the heat on. “Now you’re threatening me? Have you forgotten that if anything happens to me, Turgenev’s access to your software terminates. I doubt that Turgenev has forgotten that. Or will be very pleased if you mess up his plans. The ones for which he paid you a small fortune.”
The line went dead. Did that asshole hang up on me?
ANYA THOUGHT ABOUT JAKE. Time to make sure I’m still on his mind. But not be too cloying. She thought about sending him a selfie or two, but decided that would not be dignified. She settled on a tempting text instead:
I MISS YOU. WHEN CAN WE SEE EACH OTHER? THIS WEEKEND? ANYA.
JAKE HEARD THE TEXT alert on his phone. He read Anya’s text and was pleased. He had too much work during the coming week, this weekend would be much better. Shit! Kelly told me her parents are coming into town this weekend and I have to spend time with her and her family. She’s acting like we’re engaged or something and need to set our wedding date. I don’t want to hurt her, but I have to quit procrastinating and end things with her. Just as soon as her parents leave. He texted Anya back:
BAD WEEK, INCLUDING PROJECT THIS WEEKEND. MISS YOU. HOW ABOUT IF I COME VISIT YOU ONE DAY NEXT WEEK? I’LL LET YOU KNOW WHEN I CAN GET AWAY. JK.
Two hours went by and no reply. Did I blow it?
And then, finally:
DID YOU THINK I WAS PLAYING HARD TO GET? I THOUGHT ABOUT IT, BUT NO. I WOULDN’T DO THAT. I JUST FELL ASLEEP WAITING FOR YOUR REPLY. LET ME KNOW WHEN YOU CAN COME. SOONER THAN LATER, PLEASE. ANYA.
CHAPTER 57
March 1, 2020, Four Days Later
TURGENEV TURNED OFF THE television. When are all of these U.S. political theatrics going to come to a halt? First, it was the impeachment trial. Now that’s over, but there’s still no let up. I can’t stand Baker, but I can’t stand Bianchi and her Democrats even more! And besides, I have no leverage on them.
MOLLOY TURNED OFF THE television. He was tired watching all of the political nonsense going on in the U.S. Another few months, and hopefully I will bring all this noise to an end.
His mind drifted back to his conversation with Cipher. Let the bastard sit and stew about my hanging up on him and what that meant. Truth be told, that pompous ass was probably right. Like me, he’s a computer scientist, not a political scientist. The one I really do need to discuss Klein with is Turgenev. He’s the political scientist, and the one with the resources to handle Klein. But picking the right time to talk to Turgenev about anything sensitive is very difficult to figure out. He was such a prima donna. And then, a knowing smile crossed his face. I was spot on to provide myself with an out in case I need it.
CHAPTER 58
March 2, 2020, One Day Later
JAKE WAS ON HIS way to the first of his Monday classes. He thought about the past weekend with Kelly and her family. They had really pressed him about his feelings for Kelly. It was all he could do not to end it while they were all there with him. But he thought he owed Kelly better than that. He had to at least let her be the one to orchestrate the breakup.
This week was off to a better start. He had finally cleared enough time on his calendar to fly up to Montreal and accomplish what he hoped to accomplish. He had even managed things so that he could spend a couple of days with Anya along the way. He had traded confirming texts with her last night. He was going to rent a car and drive to Cambridge early tomorrow morning, spend the day with Anya on Tuesday and Wednesday, and then supposedly head back to New Haven.
In fact, he was going straight to the airport and taking a flight to Montreal. It was time. No more delays. No more excuses.
He had to rent a car because if he came by train, Anya would want to see him off on his return train to New Haven. This way, they would say their goodbyes at her apartment. He had mentioned in his text that he was driving because he had some chores to handle on the way back to New Haven, and it was easier if he drove.
I hate all this lying. Is this the cost of trying to be a successful businessman?
CHAPTER 59
March 3, 2020, One Day Later
JAKE WONDERED IF IT was perhaps the calm before the storm. He had rented his car, driven to Cambridge, and spent a romantic evening and morning after with Anya. They had taken a midday walk, and had lunch in their favorite local café near Anya’s apartment.
Their short visit had been all that Jake had hoped, but his mind was now drifting to the storm that lay ahead—his impending trip to Montreal. No risk, no reward. “I’m afraid I have to get on the road,” he reluctantly said to Anya.
“So soon?” Anya asked. “Can’t you stay a little while longer?”
“I can’t. It was hard for me to fit this in, but it was worth every second.”
It was less than a block to Anya’s apartment. They held hands and silently walked back to Jake’s car. He had put his duffel bag and backpack in the car earlier that morning.
Anya looked sad.
“No need to be sad,” Jake said. “Remember how you explained to me, what now seems like years ago, the meaning of ‘parting is such sweet sorrow?’”
“Yes. My turn next to come to you. This weekend?”
“We’ll talk,” Jake said. “The rest of this week is tough for me. One of my professors has a project that may take most of the weekend.”
“I don’t mind. I can read and practice my language exercises while you’re working. If you get too busy, I can always hook up with your roommate,” Anya kidded.
“Right,” Jake said. “Very funny.”
A lingering embrace, and Jake drove off.
BAROVSKY FINISHED PACKING. AMERICA awaits. It would be a short trip, but an important one—one that I sure need to get right. Might prove hazardous to my health if I don’t. Working for Turgenev has its rewards, but the stress is relentless. Maybe I should just stay in America. Now that’s a thought.
MOLLOY HAD TO WAIT a long time, but his scrambled call was finally put through.
“Gradsky, to what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?” Turgenev asked. “I trust you saw the
results of the Baker impeachment vote?” he added.
“Da. That’s why I’m calling, Mr. President. I think we may have a problem.”
“I don’t like to hear about problems, Gradsky. Only solutions.”
“Well, I’m hoping we might come up with a solution together. I am concerned about an American by the name of Jake Klein.” Molloy detailed his worries about Klein to Turgenev.
“Stop!” Turgenev interrupted.
“Da.”
“Does your software do what it’s supposed to?”
“Da. Of course.”
“Is it encrypted and secure as you have assured me?”
“Da. Cipher has assured us both.”
“Then you and Cipher have nothing to worry about, and Klein is not your problem. You leave Klein to me. Have a nice day. Paka, paka.”
Molloy wasn’t sure what Turgenev had in mind, but he had done all that he could.
JAKE’S FLIGHT LANDED IN Montreal. Clearing customs in Canada was a snap for a U.S. citizen. He rented a car and drove the short distance to the nearby hotel where he had made a reservation while waiting to board the flight. He checked in, went to his room, unpacked his duffel bag, and ate the light dinner he had stopped to purchase in the ground floor snack bar. He went through his plans again, as he had done on his flight. Can’t be too careful. His adrenaline was already on high.
Using the maps bundled on his laptop, he had already studied and had a pretty good feel for the neighborhood in which Molloy’s home was located. Still, he decided it would be a good idea to make a dry run and canvass the home and the neighborhood in person. The drive took him less than half an hour. His smartphone app was accurate to the minute. Very cool how the algorithms adjust for fluid traffic patterns.
JK's Code (Brooks/Lotello Thriller Book 4) Page 16