The Sixth Day (A Brit in the FBI #5)(22)

Nicholas said, “If MATRIX is compromised on one machine, it could be compromised on all of them. As I said, Adam is flying over, and we’d like to take a look personally at the servers. I’m glad to hear you took such measures so quickly. It’s smart, but it’s still not enough. There’s more, Father. We’re looking for possible ties between Hemmler and Donovan. Is there anything you call tell me, off the record?”

Mike heard silence, then, “This isn’t an appropriate conversation for us to be having.”

“So you’re already pursuing this angle.”

“Those were not my words.”

Nicholas looked at Mike, said slowly, “Do you know if they were involved in some sort of plot, or were they targeted separately? Is there something in your files that ties the two together?”

Harry’s voice became more clipped. “We have no reason to believe the vice chancellor of Germany was doing anything illegal, or immoral. Nor Donovan. Again, this isn’t an appropriate conversation.”

“Except they’re both dead. Murdered, Hemmler, moments before a meeting with the prime minister, Donovan taken out in front of his home. What were these men doing? If you’d let me look at their files, examine the servers—”

His father said with finality, “You do not have the clearance to see any of this information, nor are you part of our investigative services any longer.”

“Mike and I are heading to London shortly, surely we can talk—”

“No, we most certainly cannot. I will pass along your concerns. Now, I will see you at the weekend.”

And then Mike understood. She held up a hand, called out, “Hello, Mr. Drummond. Mike here. It would be lovely to have dinner with you this evening at Drummond House.”

Mike heard silence from his father, then, “Very well. Half six and don’t be late.” And he rang off.

Nicholas smiled at her. “Well done.”

“I realized he simply couldn’t talk to you. The phones aren’t secure, and there were probably people around.”

“Yes. And you know as well as I do he’ll let us know what’s up at dinner. I wonder if there is a link between the two.” He stood. “I’m sorry about cutting our holiday short, but we’ll come back as soon as this is resolved.”

Mike wrapped her arms around his waist, looked up at him, eyes alight with excitement. “Sorry? Nicholas, the game’s afoot. I’ll race you to the car.”

“The game is always afoot for us. Let me tell my mother and talk her out of coming with us. Oh, and I’m going to update Savich. Let him know what’s going on. Get packed, and I’ll meet you at the drive in twenty minutes.”

“Tell S and S I said hello.”

Nicholas watched her nearly dance out of his office. She was an excitement junkie, just like him. He was a lucky, lucky man.

He dialed Savich. “Sorry to bother you, but I need to run something by you.”

“Let me get Sherlock on the phone, too—all right, here she is.”

He filled them in, and they listened without interruptions, until Sherlock said, “Wait. Let me get this straight. Your theory is the victims were already being investigated by Security Services, and you think someone may have hacked the Security Services’ databases and gained this knowledge? Nicholas, the Security Services’ servers are the most secure in the world, as secure as ours.”

Savich laughed. “Sweetheart, both Nicholas and I—and don’t forget Adam Pearce—all of us could hack their databases.”

“Yeah, yeah, you’re all geek gods.”

Nicholas laughed. “That’s good, Sherlock, I’ll have to tell Adam.”

She continued, “But the real question is, how would someone outside know to hack the databases to find these specific names in the first place? Or are classified documents being leaked? Either way, if someone is murdering people Security Services are investigating, you do have a serious problem.”

“Yes,” Nicholas said. “We need to find out why these two were being investigated. You know about the massive malware attack Adam and I stopped this morning. And remember, Parliament was attacked head-on back in June.” He paused a moment. “I’m thinking perhaps this goes deeper than we think.”

“Deeper, what do you mean?”

“It’s all coordinated with another purpose at the core of it—what, I don’t know. Yet. But I’ll keep you updated with what Mike and I discover.”

Savich said, “Please do. I’ll pass this along to the president’s team. Keep us posted.”





CHAPTER THIRTEEN


Nicholas cruised his Beemer down the long lime-tree-covered drive to the country road. Mike turned in her seat to look back at Old Farrow Hall glistening under the sun, the wildly blooming front gardens, and off to the side, the tall, thick bushes that formed the labyrinth. Could there be a more perfect place on this earth?

“That was fast talking to get your mom to stay here and not jump in the car.”

“Anytime I can outtalk her, I deserve a medal. She’s too smart.”

“I don’t know how, but she said she knew we could be up to something dangerous. And the look she gave me, Nicholas, like I’d better step in front of a bullet if it came your way. Hopefully she was reassured I am your personal dragon slayer.”