The Passengers(22)
‘No faction or political group has yet to step forward. I’ve been informed that everyone available at GCHQ is working on this as a priority. They’re getting assistance from the US and Russia too.’
‘There must be a procedure in place in case something like this happens?’ Libby asked. Jack narrowed his eyes but it didn’t stop her questions. ‘Surely there’s a Plan B for everything?’
‘Does it look like there’s a bloody procedure?’ Jack replied. ‘Do you not think that if we had, we’d be carrying it out right now?’
‘I don’t know anything about programming but I do know that when a computer is involved, nothing is completely safe. Anything can be exploited with the right know-how and motivation.’
Jack gave Libby a stare so aggressive it made her want to melt like snow. ‘Why are you still here, Miss Dixon?’ he asked, his change of subject throwing her off course.
‘Because … I …’
‘None of what is happening here concerns you, does it? In case it’s not clear to you, this is a national security incident, therefore you are no longer required to serve on my jury. Now get out.’
Libby surveyed the room. With no one stepping up to defend her inclusion, she rose to her feet. But as she reached for her bag, she was overcome by concern for what might happen to Jude if she were not in that room. There was nothing she could do to help him, but circumstance and coincidence had made their paths cross for a second time and she felt duty bound to remain until the threat was over. Not being present scared her much more than Jack ever could.
‘No,’ she said, and dropped her bag back upon the table. ‘I didn’t ask to be on this jury; in fact, I fought not to be a part of it. But the laws you created forced me here against my will, so this is where I’m staying. If there’s no precedent for what’s happening, there is no reason you can have me removed.’
Libby placed her hands on her hips, more determined than she could remember. No one noticed that behind the desk her legs were trembling like a leaf.
‘Miss Dixon!’ Jack bellowed. ‘Kindly get the hell out of my inquest now before I throw you out myself.’
He marched towards her as the dark-haired man leapt from his seat to come between them. ‘Stop it, Jack. Miss Dixon is not the problem here.’ He looked at Libby for the first time – almost bashfully – as if to apologise for his colleague’s behaviour. ‘If she wants to stay, let her. We have more important things to worry about.’
The moment the voice came through the speakers, a chill spread through the air. They recognised it from the clips when he warned each Passenger of their fate. It was deep and honeyed, oozing calm and undermining the severity of his words.
‘You should listen to him, Jack,’ the Hacker began. ‘You have more crucial matters to deal with than trying to omit Miss Dixon from this process.’
Jack’s head turned sharply, looking towards his team for an explanation. ‘Who patched him through?’
‘I let myself in,’ the Hacker replied. ‘If I can hijack eight random cars and broadcast them live for the world to see, then it stands to reason I can find my way into the viper’s nest, doesn’t it?’
‘Who the hell is he and how does he know I am here?’ continued Jack, his top lip curled, like a snarling dog backed into a corner. He turned to Libby and pointed his finger towards her. ‘Is this your doing? I trust the others but you are the cuckoo in my nest.’
‘Of course not!’ she replied.
‘I’m well versed with you all,’ the Hacker continued. There’s Fiona Prentice, a Scottish-born barrister at Rogers and Freemouth solicitors, mother to daughter Tabitha and married to husband George for twenty-five years. Then there’s Muriel Davidson, Religious Pluralist, married to wife of six years Laura, expecting their first child together in July. To your right is Doctor Matthew Nelson, a pathologist and recent divorcé with no children, and finally, Member of Parliament and Transport Minister Jack Larsson, twice married and twice divorced, with no children.’
The jurors turned to one another and then Jack, as if he might offer assurances their identities didn’t matter. He gave them nothing. Instead, he lifted his head skywards, his eyes facing the ceiling as if he were talking to God.
‘What you are doing is an act of terror,’ he said. ‘You are attacking our country and threatening to murder our people.’
‘You misunderstand me. I’m not threatening to murder our people. I am giving you my word that I will murder our people before the morning is through. And there’s not a thing you can do to stop me. So please, take a seat, so that we can discuss what is going to happen next. Miss Dixon, pull up a chair and make yourself at home.’
Jack tried to stay defiant, remaining where he was standing, his chest puffed out and his deep nasal breaths rippling across the room. Eventually, and without looking at anyone, he backed down and returned to his seat.
Chapter 15
The silence in the inquest room between jurors, security operatives and backroom staff was palpable as each person absorbed the enormity of the Hacker’s threat.
‘What do you want from us?’ Jack asked. He clasped his hands together as if in prayer.
‘Now, now, Jack, all in good time,’ said the Hacker. ‘Why hurry things? That’s the trouble with men like you, isn’t it? Always wanting to get somewhere faster, always reluctant to sit back and appreciate the now. What you’re witnessing is history in the making, something the world has never seen the like of before. Today is going to be a moment in time that people will remember for decades to come. And you and your team are at the heart of it. If I can turn your attention back towards the wall.’