“And since the theft and Brian’s being shot — there have been two other threats on his life?”
“That is correct.”
“Then it seems to me that solving the crime should take top priority.”
Benicoff did not know whether to laugh — or be insulted. “You do realize that I am in charge of the investigation? That I have been working on it full-time for some months?”
“Sir, please don’t misunderstand! I was not denigrating your efforts — just offering to help.”
“And how will you do that?”
“By writing an Expert Program with only one aim in mind. To solve this crime.”
Benicoff dropped back into his chair and rubbed his jaw in silence for a moment — then nodded happily. “Captain — my thanks. I have been very, very dumb about this. I don’t intend to be in the future. How soon can you transfer here?”
“I’m part of a team. They are very good and I know that they’ll be able to carry on without me. I could be here in a day or two. I’ll first have to make some notes of developments that I am working on so they’ll have that input. Then, as long as they can contact me in the future, I could transfer here almost immediately. The end of this week if you want. The work there is important — but not as important as this. If you would let me I would like to develop this Expert Program for you. And keep myself available for further work on the AI. Is that agreeable?”
“Perfect. I’ll organize all the material so you can access it at once. And I’m going to kick myself around the block for not thinking of it myself. An investigation like this one is mostly a dumb, boring, sorting of facts and running down endless leads. Which is a job for a computer — not for a human being.”
“I couldn’t agree more. I’ll be back as soon as I can. And thank you again for asking me.”
They stood when she did, shook hands, watched her leave — as did the marine guard who allowed only his eyes to follow her.
“She is one hundred percent right about that program to solve the Megalobe crime,” Brian said. “If we can get my first AI back it will make my job an awful lot easier.”
“Your job will be a lot easier if you stay alive. I want to stop the attacks — and solve the case.”
“When you put it that way — I agree.”
20
February 15, 2024
Benicoff looked at his watch. “The good news is that as of today you’re out of this hospital. Dr. Snaresbrook says that you are fit as a fiddle. You ready to make the move?”
“I’m ready whenever you are — and rarin’ to go,” Brian said, closing and locking the suitcase and putting it on the floor next to his computer. “How about this case! Looks like leather — but it’s made of cross-linked teflar and boron nitride filaments. Can’t rip or tear and will last forever. A present from Dr. Snaresbrook…”
Ben sighed. “I know. She curled her lip with scorn when she discovered that I had brought your clothes here in a plastic bag. And that you were happy enough to carry them away again in the same bag.” He glanced at his watch. “We have some time yet. That’s the good news.”
“Now what’s the bad news?”
“About your assistant. The MIT post-doc lead didn’t work out. He was qualified all right — except he was married with three kids and no way was he going to leave Boston.”
Brian rubbed at his jaw and frowned. “Then — that means that the Captain gets the job?”
“On paper she is equally good. If you want her and think that she’s qualified. The decision is yours. I’ll go on looking for more candidates if you want me to.”
“I don’t know, Ben — I guess that I am just being stupid. If the Captain, Shelly, were a man I wouldn’t hesitate for a second. It’s a gut feeling, nothing else.” Ben was silent, leaving the decision up to Brian. Who paced the length of the room, came back and dropped into the chair.
“She’s good?”
“None better.”
“I’m being sexist?”
“I didn’t say that. The decision is still yours.”
“She stays then. How is she coming with the Expert Detection Program?”
“Very well. You want her to tell you about it?”
“Sure — as soon as it gets rolling. And it will give me a chance to see how she works.”
Ben looked at his watch again. “It’s time. I’ll phone down and let them know we’re ready. And I want you to meet the man who will be in charge of your security. Name of Wood. Very experienced, very reliable. I don’t say that lightly because your life might very well depend upon him. I think — no, I know that he is the best.”
Major Wood knocked and entered. A big man, built like a boxer with a narrow waist and wide shoulders. The scar on his right cheek made a ridge on his black-brown skin, ran down to his mouth and tucked up the corner of it to give him a tiny perpetual grin.
“Brian, this is Major Wood, who is in charge of security now at Megalobe.”
“Pleased to meet you, Brian. If it is going to be first names my friends call me Woody. But not in front of the troops. We’re going to take good care of you. Better than the last bunch.” His nostrils flared slightly with anger. “The only thing good about the security that they used to have at Megalobe is that we can learn from their mistakes. Their one big mistake.”
“Tell me,” Benicoff said. “I’m still investigating what happened.”
“Security is people — not machines. Anything one man can build another man can trick. Of course I’m going to use all the security apparatus that has been built in and installed there — plus some additions of my own. Machines and wire fences help. But it will be my men who will be guarding you and the others, Brian. That is security.”
“I feel better already,” Brian said — truthfully.
“Then stay that way,” Dr. Snaresbrook said as she entered. “This is going to be a stressful day whether you realize it or not. Five hours maximum — then you lie down. Understood?”
“Do I have a choice?”
“No.” Her smile softened the imperiousness of her command. “I’ll give you a few days to get into your work. I’ll need that time to move my equipment to the Megalobe infirmary. Since you won’t be coming to this hospital anymore we’ll do the machine sessions there. See if we can give you access to all those technical memories you are going to need. Now — take care of yourself.”
“I will, Doc — don’t worry.”
“Are you ready?” Major Wood asked as soon as she had gone.
“Just waiting for orders.”
“That’s the correct attitude. Do what I say and you’ll get there safely — and will stay safe. Sergeant.”
The soldier entered the room an instant after the sharp-barked command and handed the Major one of the two stubby, ugly automatic weapons he was carrying. Benicoff grabbed up Brian’s bag and computer and they all left together.
Although this trip lacked the showiness of the Marine transfer that had brought Brian to the hospital, everything still proceeded with professional efficiency. A squad of soldiers moved into place, surrounding them when they walked down the hall; others kept pace before and behind. The officers’ parking lot had been cleared of all vehicles — despite a lot of high-level protests — and a large transport copter now sat in the middle of it with its rotors turning. It lifted off as soon as they had all climbed in. Fast attack choppers circled them as they rose, getting altitude before they headed across the bay and over the sweep of streets and homes of San Diego. They followed the freeway west, then turned and went even higher to get over the mountains. It was a beautiful, sunny day with visibility apparently unlimited.
Away from the hospital at last, Brian felt elated and confident. He liked the view, first the craggy and bare mountains, then the parched colors of the desert beyond. They passed over the buildings and golf courses of Borrego Springs, then on to the desert. The slashed and desolate badlands drifted by below, then greenery appeared ahead. The squared-off area of low buildings and grassy plots grew larger as they dropped down toward it, settling easily onto the helipad. The attack copters dipped in one last protecting circle, then hurtled away — tracked automatically by the SAM radar. A soldier opened the copter’s door.