‘Go ahead, kid. Good luck.’
‘Just a moment please,’ he said into the phone and walked quickly towards the door, ignoring the curious glances around him, his heart suddenly in his mouth. Something must have happened to my mum, she’s sick or had an accident.’
He went into the corridor. ‘This is Leo Stewart. What is it?’
Leo was sitting with a Coke in the café/bar when General Chillicott walked in. He ordered a drink then, recognising him, he brought his glass over and sat beside him.
‘Leo Stewart. I saw from the attendee list you’re a programme development manager with M2M. Pretty damn good at your age. Congratulations.’ He toasted him with his glass.
‘Thanks, General. And I’m sorry about the interruption. I had to take the call, so I thought it best to leave.’
‘Well, I hope it was more important and fruitful than my appeals for help with those idle sons of bitches at the UNSC.’ He appraised Leo with a cynical, querulous eye.
‘It wasn’t life or death, but it was a pretty cool phone call.’
‘You want to tell me about it?’
‘I’m still a bit in shock, actually. And I don’t want to take up your time.’
‘After that question and answer session, I need at least two whiskies and then some supper. We’ve got plenty of time if you’d like to talk.’
‘Was it that bad?’
‘Let’s just say I’d rather listen to your news ‘til I calm down.’
‘OK. I need to get my head around it, so here goes.’ He took a swallow of Coke. ‘It was kind of surreal. I answer the phone and a woman puts me through to some guy I don’t know, and he starts talking to me like we’ve been friends forever. I’m like, who the hell is this? He’s reviewing my school results in the UK, my time at UCLA, my finals, my internship with M2M, some news items about me, very embarrassing actually, and my work with them since I joined. He goes on for about five minutes. Finally, he takes a breath and I say, “Who is this calling?”’
Chillicott laughed uproariously. ‘What a start to a conversation. Everything ass-backwards. What did he say?’
‘Turned out the woman hadn’t told him I didn’t know who was calling, and he thought I’d be prepared.’
‘Prepared for what?’
‘He quizzed me for fifteen minutes then offered me a fucking fantastic job! Sorry, sir, but he’d never even met me before and offered to make me a Senior VP over the phone. I’m still in shock.’
‘Now we’re going ass-first. Who the hell is this guy, and what’s the job?’
Leo stood up. ‘I’m going to get a beer. You want another whisky?’
He returned from the bar and the two men toasted each other. Leo was beginning to like the bluff, outspoken army man, and the feeling was mutual. He continued with his narrative. ‘The guy is called Tom Connor, and he’s CEO of XPlus Circuits in Dubai.’
‘That’s the subsidiary of the Chinese outfit, isn’t it?’ Chillicott looked thoughtful.
‘Right. Very strong competitor, well established in both conventional assets and IoT. I hear they’ve got huge funding.’
‘And he wants you to be one of his Senior VPs? The whole business?’
‘Only the microprocessor development division, there’s another SVP running the network and support services, but it’s still a massive task and it’s what I’m best at. And they’ve got what could be the most valuable asset in the industry, if they develop it right.’
‘The new encryption system?’
‘ACRE, that’s right. It’s unbelievable. It’s a goldmine waiting to be dug out, and I could be a part of the mining team. It’s an awesome offer and if I told you the salary, you’d shoot me and take the job yourself.’
Chillicott gave another huge roar of laughter. He opened his coat. ‘See? I’m not carrying. So, they want you that bad, eh? What happened to the previous guy?’
‘Connor told me there was an accident and one of their team leaders died of food poisoning. They have to get a replacement in asap.’
The general sat thinking for a moment. ‘Why was it so urgent he had to yank you out of a conference? He could have called back, nothing’s that urgent.’
‘He told me they’ve got a September 1st launch date for their new products, and they need someone right away. They’ve done their homework. He knew my contract with M2M is up for renewal this week, and M2M has already signed it, but I haven’t yet.’
‘How did he find that out?’
‘I have no idea, and that’s what’s weird. There’s a lot of things here that I can’t figure. He made me a firm offer, only it’s subject to me flying there this weekend to meet him on Monday. Seems like he’s trying to rush me into a decision, and I don’t like being pushed around. Even for an offer like this.’
‘He wants you to drop the M2M contract and ship over to Dubai asap?’
‘If the interview is OK, I have to answer next week and be ready to start in two weeks. I’m not so worried about M2M, they’ve got a lot of smart guys queuing up for my job. But if I let the guy push me around now, it’ll only get worse, and no job is worth that kind of hassle.’
Chillicott looked at his watch. ‘It’s almost seven. If you don’t have anything better to do, why don’t we go along to the brasserie and have a bite? We can talk about this some more if you’d like.’
Leo was staying at the hotel and knew no one in San Diego. He didn’t hesitate. ‘Thanks, General, sounds great. I’ll give my mother a call first. It’s eleven in the morning in the UK, I know she’ll be at home, writing.’
They finished their drinks and walked out of the bar, an incongruous pair: a disillusioned sixty-four-year-old, battle-hardened, four-star US Air Force General and a bright, optimistic and ambitious Rwandan man just twenty-three years old.
NINE
Durham, England
April 2017
‘That’s incredible news. Well done darling. I’m so proud of you.’ Emma Stewart hadn’t heard from her son for a week, and here he was announcing a fabulous job offer over the phone. Then she added nervously, ‘Are you sure you want to move to the Middle East?’
‘I haven’t really had time to think about it, Mum. It came out of the blue, and they want me to go there this weekend and give them an answer next week so I can start in May.’ He explained the reason for the rush and heard her draw a quick breath.
‘How sad. Do they know how it happened?’
‘Tom Connor told me the verdict was accidental death, so I guess they don’t really know. Anyway, I suppose things like that happen, it has nothing to do with the job offer.’
‘You don’t sound convinced about it. What is it?’
‘It’s all the urgency around it. The guy calls me out of a conference, offers me a really senior job, and wants me to start in three weeks. It’s just not normal.’
‘Is it a very big company?’
‘The Chinese parent is enormous, but the Dubai business is just at the point where someone could do really well if they get on board now. They’re growing fast, and they’ve got a fabulous product and loads of cash to fund them.’
‘You need to sleep on it. Things are always clearer in the morning.’
Leo smiled. He loved it when his mother came out with these old-fashioned sayings, as if he didn’t know how a good night’s sleep could help. He said, ‘You’re right, as usual, Mum. I’ll sleep on it and call you when I’ve thought about it properly.’
San Diego, California, USA
General Chillicott was sitting at a table for six by the window, with another glass of whisky in front of him. The restaurant was almost full, but apparently no one had plucked up the courage to invade his space. Leo sat opposite him so the table would appear more occupied.
‘Drink?’
‘I’ll just have a beer, General. Thanks.’
Chillicott ordered from the waiter, then said, ‘If we’re going to be talking all night, it’ll be easier if you call me Billy. I’m not in the forc
es now.’
‘What was the problem with the questions and answers, Billy?’
‘We’ll order first, I don’t want to ruin my appetite.’ He called the waiter back and asked for a burger, well done, with everything and double fries. Leo ordered the same, medium.
He took a sip of whisky. ‘It’s always the same problem. Same like we’ve got with those schmucks at the UNSC. Nobody’s paying attention. All we’re asking for is a sensible and well-funded programme to implement some proper security around the Internet and the Cloud, and it’s like we’re asking for funding to go on a trip to Saturn. The world’s facing the biggest threat we’ve ever known, and nobody gives a crap. Hugh Middleton and me, we’ve done everything bar organise a street demonstration, but we can’t get the message through.
‘And those techies in that conference room. Nothing personal, Leo, but talk about vested interests. They’ve got their salaries, expense accounts, bonuses, stock options, and they all depend on one thing: making a shitty situation even worse. Because that’s exactly what they’re doing, and either they’re not aware of it or they’re just turning a blind eye. The evidence is there, right in front of them, but it’s being ignored. You know what one of those “goody two-shoes” leftist pricks said after you’d gone? He stood up and he said, “Snowden and Assange have the same right as anyone to make public any knowledge that they possess, if they feel it’s in the public interest.” Fucking idiot. We’re talking about national security here.’
Leo hid his smile. The general was clearly irritated. ‘What did you say?’
Chillicott laughed loudly again. ‘I said, suppose I was having an affair with your wife. I’m aware of it, she’s aware of it, but no one else is. How would you like it if I told all the folks here then went on national TV and social media to announce it? How does that help anyone, especially you, the injured party?’
This time, Leo joined his uproarious guffaw. ‘I hope it’s nobody I know. Don’t tell me. I might not be able to resist a dig next time I meet him.’
‘Seriously, Leo, this is not a laughing matter. Middleton and me, and a few people like us, we’re busting our balls to try to get something done by the UNSC, and it’s a totally futile exercise. How many government secrets leaked, or banks or gullible people screwed out of their money, or harmless folk blown up, or innocent children trafficked need to happen for them to see what lack of Internet security is doing to the world? They just don’t get it.’
He finished his whisky and sat back in the chair as the food arrived. Neither said much while eating. Chillicott was nursing his wounds from the conference, and Leo was sifting through that afternoon’s presentation. He knew he was included in the ‘techies’, but it didn’t bother him. Chillicott needed to vent his frustration and he happened to be the one listening. Leo had his own way of analysing, understanding and rationalising complex matters. His experiences in South Africa years ago had helped him to mature quickly, and later helped him in his studies in foreign countries, competing with other students, often years older than him.
He waited until they’d finished eating, then asked, ‘Billy, d’you mind if I say something?’
‘Fire away. I’ve been taking a beating all day. No need to stop now.’
‘Sometimes people don’t want to notice, they don’t want to see what’s happening, to be confronted by the truth, however bad it is. Most times they don’t react until something really terrible happens, or until it’s too late. My mother was an aid worker in Rwanda after the genocide in 1994. She told me that for one hundred days, while a million people were being slaughtered, the whole world – the governments, the UN, everybody – just refused to acknowledge what was going on. They had a few people on the ground witnessing the atrocities, but they couldn’t act, wouldn’t act. Why? Because no one wanted to use the word “genocide” or the Genocide Convention would kick in, and would involve sending in troops. After the “Black Hawk Down” disaster in Somalia, the US wouldn’t risk their soldiers on the ground. Then the UN was too late and too weak and so nothing was done until it was too late.
‘Maybe it’s like that this time. The Internet is such a powerful innovation for good that they don’t want to face up to the bad side of it and create the security measures that you and Dr Middleton are asking for. If you’re right, it’s going to take something really bad to happen before something gets done. Meanwhile, all you can do is to prepare for it, and I’m sure that’s what you’re doing. But I wouldn’t hold out too much hope of intervention from the UN or other organisations. They’ve been wrong before, and they’ll certainly be wrong again.’
‘Nice speech, Leo. Were you personally involved in that Rwandan tragedy?’
‘I was just a baby, but my mum has told me a lot about it.’
Chillicott replied, ‘Well, unfortunately I agree with you. I’ve done a lot of arm wrestling in my career, and you can’t wrestle committees. They have to learn the hard way and it’s usually a very expensive and destructive experience. Let’s talk about the XPC offer. Can you do the job?’
‘I don’t know for sure, but I’m doing a similar job at M2M without the title, so I guess if I was able to do this job a year ago, I can do that one now.’
‘But you’re reticent. Why?’
‘I guess a few things worry me. It’s a fairly new company and it’s owned by the Chinese. I don’t know how dedicated they are to the business; they can afford to make it really successful, or they can retreat to Shanghai if it doesn’t fly. Then, it’s in a place I know nothing about, the Middle East. I’ve heard Dubai is a great place to vacation, but I don’t know what it’s like to live and work there. And then there’s all the hurry-up because of the poisoning accident. This guy Connor comes out of nowhere and I’m supposed to run after him to solve his problems. What about me? I’ve got my own agenda, and he wants me to change it.’
‘What do you think you’d do in his position? He’s lost a key man, he’s got a problem to solve with a tight deadline, he thinks you’re the solution and he wants to meet you to be sure. It’s a natural reaction from him and a terrific compliment to you.’
‘So you think I should go to meet him on Monday?’
‘That’s the only way you’ll find out what it’s all about.’
‘OK, you’re right. I’ve got more to gain by going than by refusing, it’s only a flight and they’re paying the ticket. Thanks for the good advice, Billy, it’s been a pleasure and a privilege to spend the evening with you.’
‘Promise me one thing, Leo. If you take the job, keep in touch with me and Hugh Middleton. OK?’
Leo laughed. ‘You trying to enlist me to the CIA now?’
‘Just offering a lifeline if you need it. Here’s to a good decision and a great future.’
‘And here’s to you somehow winning your arm wrestling contest.’
TEN
Malaga, Spain
May 2017
‘There he is! Hi, Leo!’ Emma Stewart called out and waved at the young man exiting the door of the arrivals hall at Malaga airport. At six foot four, he was easy to spot amongst the holidaymakers arriving for a shot of Spanish sunshine. Leo waved back, struggling to push his overloaded trolley through the crowded hall towards them.
‘Hello Mum, Aunt Jenny, you both look great. You’ve got suntans already.’ He embraced the two women and shook hands with Juan, Jenny’s gardener-cum-chauffeur-cum-handyman. He mumbled a reply, then took the trolley and pushed it away towards the car park.
‘It’s been beautiful every day here since I came down,’ said Emma. ‘Nothing to do but sit and chat with my sister and sunbathe.’
‘Get me warmed up for Dubai,’ he laughed. ‘How are you, Jenny?’
‘All the better for seeing you back in Spain. How long can you stay?’
‘I’ve got to be there for Saturday, to start at XPC on Sunday. Seems weird, their Sunday’s our Monday.’
‘Well, you’re here for three days which is marvellous. In fact, the whole Stewar
t-Bishop family is together again for the first time in quite a while. We’ll make the most of it.’
‘How’s the old man?’ Leo asked with a cheeky grin.
‘Alan’s fine, thank you. And if he’s an old man, that’s not saying much for me.’ Emma looked put out.
‘Sorry. Just joking, Mum, is he down here?’
‘He’s in Edinburgh, busy signing up a new author. Jenny and I are having a sisters reunion week and you’d better not spoil it.’ Two years ago, when it was clear that Leo would be settling in the US, Emma had married her publisher and long-term on-off boyfriend, Alan Bridges. They bought a house in Durham on the riverside, near the cathedral, and she gave up the cherished flat in Newcastle where Leo had been brought up. She knew that he had never warmed to Alan, so the 12,000-kilometre transatlantic separation helped to avoid any family disruptions.
‘Great. I’m happy if you’re happy. You know I never liked you living alone.’ As soon as the words came out, he cringed inwardly. That’s going to upset Aunt Jenny.
Jenny didn’t seem to notice the remark and a few minutes later they were sitting in her Bentley, cruising smoothly along the A7 towards Marbella. The car had belonged to Charlie Bishop and was ten years old now, but thanks to Juan’s devoted care and attention, still like brand new.
Juan stored Leo’s three suitcases in the garage while he took his wheelie bag upstairs to a room overlooking the golf course and the Mediterranean. Encarni, Leticia’s mother and Jenny’s housekeeper, was nursing a cold at home, and knowing Leo would be hungry as always, Jenny and Emma went to prepare something to eat in the kitchen.
Emma took her sister’s hand. ‘Leo didn’t mean what he said about being alone. It was just a thoughtless way of saying he was happy I married Alan.’
‘Don’t worry, Emma, it didn’t upset me at all. I’m not exactly pining away from lack of attention. You know how busy I am with the private equity business. I travel a lot and mix with some interesting people, including eligible bachelors – well, divorcees more often – so I haven’t given up hope.’
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