Imagine (Fuzed Trilogy Book 2) Read online

  21

  REUNION

  After they left, Tim imitated Josh. “I think we’d all agree symmetry is preferable?”

  Josh shrugged. “Think I heard it in a movie.”

  Tim just shook his head. “OK ... we’re out of our league with this cyber stuff. Need an expert that can understand it.”

  At the same time, they both said, “Langlois.”

  Josh said, “I’ll call him.”

  “He thinks you’re dead.”

  “Yeah, worse than that, it means I have to pay up on a promise.”

  Tim called back to CIA headquarters. Confirming Greg still worked at Boeing, Josh flew from Los Angeles to St. Louis, as Tim headed back to D.C.

  Arriving in St. Louis, Josh drove out to St. Charles where Greg lived. On the way there, Josh received a voice text from Jen. “What happens to you when you die?”

  He wished he had never mentioned the guerillas. “Well ... many people believe there’s life after death.”

  “How do they know?”

  Josh realized her parents might have died or maybe she was seeking assurance that he or others in her life weren’t going to desert her. He had to keep in mind he was dealing with a frighteningly intelligent child. Platitudes wouldn’t work. His unique experience had changed his perspective, but he answered carefully. “That’s a good question. If you’d like, I can give you some books that might help.”

  “Yes, I would like that.”

  “If you can read eBooks, I’ll buy and send them to you.”

  Jen replied, “If you give me the names, I can get them myself. I’m a fast reader.”

  Josh wondered if her guardians were supporting her book purchases, or with her computer skills, she was just acquiring the books.

  Josh got a text from Tim with Greg’s current location. It was amazing how easy it was for the Agency to locate most people. Josh drove to the address, which turned out to be a nice restaurant.

  As he went inside, he saw Greg eating dinner at the bar. Even from behind, Greg was easy to spot with his ever-present geek cap pulled over an afro that stuck out on both sides. His interesting choice of oddly colored clothing hung loosely on his slim six-foot frame. Noting that the bartender was a beautiful blonde, he sat down on the stool next to Greg and said quietly, “Good strategic position.”

  Greg turned, did a double take, and almost fell off his stool. He jumped up, grabbed Josh and hugged him, yelling, “You’re alive! I knew it! James Bond never dies!”

  Josh hugged him back and said, “Yes, and now everyone knows that.”

  Greg looked around and saw several people looking at them. “Oh, sorry.”

  As they both sat down, Greg loudly whispered, “So what happened after they shot you?”

  The bartender, who couldn’t have missed Greg’s question, was now looking at them with interest.

  Josh said, “Can’t say I remember a lot, but suffice it to say, I woke up on an aircraft carrier off the coast of Antarctica.”

  The bartender was now cleaning the clean bar next to them.

  More quietly, Josh said, “They shipped Elizabeth in. She nursed me back to health, and we watched the comet come in over South America.”

  Greg’s expression turned angry. “You could’ve called and let me know you were alive.”

  “I’m really sorry about that, Greg. The nature of the work is such that I ... had to keep a low profile.”

  Greg shook his head. “That was terrible.” He softened. “Please don’t do that again.”

  A little surprised, Josh nodded. “I promise.” Looking around, he added, “Greg, if you’re game, I could really use your help again.”

  Greg laughed, and again too loudly, whispered, “We’re gonna jack some more fighters?”

  The bartender was now openly staring at them.

  Josh laughed. “No.” He shrugged. “At least not that I know of. The agency and I have kissed and made up. I’m actually helping them with a ... challenge.”

  Greg smiled. “I’m all over it. Just tell me what we’re doing.”

  “Before we do that, I promised you that if we got out of that last situation alive,” he leaned in and whispered, “I’d help you meet women.”

  Greg grinned, and, not so subtly, tilted his head toward the bartender who was still watching them.

  Josh smiled and added, “Sure, but first we need to do a little image tweaking. Let’s go see Elizabeth. She’s got a great eye.”

  Josh picked up the tab. As the bartender gave him the receipt, she leaned in and asked, “Who are you guys?”

  Josh nodded back toward Greg, who was standing behind him, and with a conspiratorial wink, said, “You don’t recognize him?”

  She tilted her head past Josh to study Greg.

  Without saying another word, Josh grabbed Greg’s elbow and moved him toward the door.

  Greg, looking back at the bartender, whispered, “Do we have to go right now?”

  Josh smiled, “Easy there big boy, I just set the hook.”

  They flew to D.C. the next day. Josh took Greg to their apartment and introduced him to Elizabeth.

  She hugged him and said, “It’s great to finally meet you. Josh says you’re a genius and were instrumental in saving London.”

  “Thanks, Ms. Fuze, but I was just along for the ride.”

  “You’re too modest. Josh told me the whole story, and call me Elizabeth.” Seeing Greg’s state-of-the-art phone and cyber glasses, Elizabeth asked about them.

  Josh got a snack while they talked geek. It didn’t take long before Josh saw the admiration in Greg’s eyes.

  A half hour later, they wound down, and Elizabeth said to Greg, “OK, turn around.”

  As he turned 360 degrees, she said, “Hmmm. You’re a good-looking guy, Greg. We just need to do a little work on your clothes and hair, uh, style.” She put a finger on her lips and said. “Would you mind if I give you a little trim?”

  “Uh, I guess not.”

  Josh suspected Elizabeth was one of the few people who could talk someone into cutting their hair 30 minutes after meeting them. Elizabeth could relate to anyone and turn them into a best friend. It wasn’t a technique. She loved people and always took a genuine interest in them.

  As she opened some kitchen drawers in search of scissors, Josh asked Greg, “So, what are you looking for in a woman?”

  Greg thought for a moment and then pointed at Elizabeth. “I want one just like her.”

  Elizabeth smiled. “Why thank you, Greg.”

  Josh added, “Your taste is impeccable.” Then turning to her, asked, “OK, Elizabeth, what does it take to attract someone like you?”

  She bit the side of her lip. “First impressions are important. While clothes don’t really make the man, they can certainly get a woman’s attention.” She paused. “We just need to update your wardrobe a little so women can see the real you. You’re color blind?”

  “No!” Greg frowned. “Why does everyone ask me that?”

  Elizabeth gave Josh a nasty look and said, “Sorry. I’m going to write you a ‘prescription’ for clothing. Are you game?”

  Josh threw in. “Trust her; she’s a nurse.”

  “Sure.”

  Elizabeth went over to a notepad on the kitchen bar and began writing.

  Josh said, “After Elizabeth fixes you up a little, I think I’ll introduce you to Amber.”

  Without looking up, Elizabeth said, “Amber? Oh no you don’t. She has a tendency to forget her clothes.”

  Greg’s ears perked up.

  Josh casually said to Greg, “I think she’s attracted to shy intellectual guys.”

  Greg whispered, “Nice body?”

  Josh whispered back, “Amber has an amazing empennage.” He gave a quick head nod toward Elizabeth, who was facing away from them and slightly bent over as she wrote.

  Greg, admiring Elizabeth’s perfect-fitting jeans, nodded appreciatively.

  Over her shoulder, Elizabeth said, “I’m sure G
reg wouldn’t be interested in some naked nymph who’s just going to throw herself at him.”

  Earnestly, Greg said, “Actually, that would be great.”

  Turning around, Elizabeth gave them an expression of mock surprise.

  Josh shook his head dismissively and said, “She wasn’t naked.” Then quietly, to Greg, “She always wore earrings.”

  Elizabeth said, “I heard that.”

  Josh replied, “I remember a very short silk bathrobe—”

  Before he could finish, he got “the look.”

  He immediately turned to Greg and said, “So, will time off from the space-based laser program be a problem?”

  “Uh, I don’t think so. The software integration is done, and they’re not ready for the final hardware-in-the-loop testing.”

  Josh nodded. “Great. I can get you a hall pass that will excuse you based on national security. That way, they’ll hold your job. The CIA will pay you as an independent contractor about $1,000 a day. We need your software expertise, but I can’t promise there won’t be some danger.”

  Greg smiled. “How much more dangerous could it be than ejecting out of a fighter over Antarctica?”

  Elizabeth said, “Touché,” as she handed Greg his clothing prescription. Armed with scissors, she added, “Put this towel around your shoulders.”

  Greg’s phone beeped. He looked down at it and said, “Wait! Turn the news on.”

  Elizabeth turned the TV to a news network. The top story was about outraged social media users around the world. The news anchor said, “Apparently, less than an hour ago, almost every social media user found their personal messages, documents and pictures publically posted. The hackers managed to override all privacy settings, changing them to public.” The reporter continued, “And every private message was not only posted, but emailed to everyone on the user’s friend list.” With the slightest of smiles, she added, “There are dozens of developing stories about potential scandals involving political figures and celebrities. Most social media companies have made the extraordinary decision to take their sites down until they can sort it out.” She finished with, “So far, no one has claimed credit for the attacks, but law enforcement agencies around the world are vowing to find and prosecute the hackers.”

  Elizabeth muted the TV as Greg said, “Guess you shouldn’t say things you don’t want to be published in public.”

  With a slight smile, Josh added, “It’s interesting. Hackers can tie up traffic in cities all over the world and manipulate stocks, but there’s no public outrage until they hit social media.”

  Elizabeth nodded. “Now, it’s personal.”

  Josh paused. “OK, let’s assume all these attacks are perpetrated by the same organization. What’s their goal, and is there any way the iMagine app and this BOTIC chip could be a common element?”

  Greg shook his head. “Sounds like the cyber guys tied the CIA break-in and the traffic jams to it, but I don’t see how stock manipulation and this social media attack could be related. They operate on computer servers not phones.”

  As Elizabeth started cutting Greg’s hair, she asked, “How were the stocks manipulated?”

  Josh was reading the story from his phone. “They think people’s stock tracking software started showing false indications that these stocks were rising rapidly. Of course, people responded by buying them. When they did, they caused the stocks to actually rise, turning the false indication into reality.”

  Still clipping, Elizabeth said, “Well, I track and trade stocks on my phone, and I know I’m not alone. As for social media ... Greg, how do you usually access your account?”

  Greg slapped his forehead, almost skewering his fingers. “On my phone! You’re right! These attacks could have come in through a phone app.”

  Josh said, “That’s what Bentley meant when he said, if someone’s hacked the BOTIC chip, we’d have much bigger things to worry about than him.”

  Elizabeth stopped cutting. With a low-pitched whistle, she said, “Think about what we’re saying. We’ve become a society dependent on our phones for navigation, finances, news, schedules ... almost everything. Some of my friends would have a hard time finding their way home without their phone. Most of our connection with, and picture of, the world comes through our phones. If someone could control our phones—”

  Greg finished, “They could control us.”

  22

  BOTIC

  Armani opened his front door and threw his keys on a side table. He was mumbling to himself as he went straight to the refrigerator in the dark kitchen. Opening the door and reaching in, he said, “What I should have said is, ‘Oh yeah, let’s see you do it.’” He pulled out a Diet Coke and a cold Snickers bar. “They’re flippin’ clueless; they have no idea.” He closed the refrigerator door and popped the top of the can. Unwrapping the Snickers bar, he said, “Come to papa.”

  Josh flipped the kitchen light on. “Diet Coke and Snickers?”

  Armani screamed and jumped back, sending his Snickers bar skittering across the floor and spilling the Coke down the front of his shirt.

  Tim appeared in the doorway, holding and petting a contented cat, and blocking any possible exit.

  Josh said, “Ryan, we need to talk.”

  Eyes still wide, Armani managed a slight head nod.

  Tim stepped back, clearing the kitchen entrance, but standing between Armani and the front door. He casually waved Armani toward the living room.

  Josh scooped up the Snickers bar from the floor and followed.

  Armani stopped when he saw Greg sitting on his living room couch.

  Tim said, “This is Greg Langlois, our technical expert.” He pointed at an overstuffed chair sitting at a 45-degree angle to the couch. “Have a seat.”

  As Armani sat down, Josh sat on the couch next to Greg.

  Tim gently set the cat down and pulled a dining room chair over. Turning it around, he straddled it, facing Armani.

  Still holding his Diet Coke, Armani looked at Tim on his left, then Josh and Greg on his right. Finally, he said uncertainly, “What ... what’s this all about?”

  Tim started, “We had an interesting conversation with Bentley, who, by the way, suggested you fingered him because you had an ax to grind. We did a polygraph on him and don’t believe he was behind the break-in. Based on what he shared, however, you’ve been elevated to a person of interest in this investigation.”

  Armani said, “Uh, aren’t you supposed to have a search warrant or something?”

  Tim looked him right in the eye and said, “Yup.”

  There was an awkward silence.

  Finally, Josh said, “Nice place.” Looking around, he added, “I’m not into antiques myself, but it looks like you’ve done a great job decorating, and with some very old and expensive pieces.”

  Armani let out a big breath of air. “Look, I swear, I wasn’t involved with the CIA break-in. I honestly don’t know anything about it.”

  Tim said, “You’re on the short list of people with both access and knowledge. Right now, it’s a list of one. You need to tell us everything you know.”

  Josh added, “Would you like to start with BOTIC?”

  Armani’s eyebrows went up. “What did Bentley tell you?”

  Greg said, “I believe he claimed your digital assistant is taking advantage of it.”

  Armani sighed heavily. “Uh, yeah. We sort of ... attached it to the BOTIC chip.”

  Tim asked, “What exactly does BOTIC do?”

  Still clutching his Coke, Armani said, “BOTIC stands for Bandwidth Optimization Through Interphone Communication. It’s a new chip that’s been added to almost all phones.” He took a deep breath. “A few years ago, the big news story was that we were rapidly running out of cell phone bandwidth with everyone accessing the Internet.”

  Tim frowned.

  Armani clarified, “There’s only so much data you can transmit and receive via radio waves, and we’d already used up all that bandwidth. Cell pho
ne networks were becoming overloaded and slowing down.” Warming up to the subject, he took a swig of his Coke and set it on the table next to him. “The problem was solved by Dr. Lee, a brilliant engineer who created the BOTIC chip.” He paused. “The idea came after several hurricanes took out cell phone towers, shutting down the phone network. To fix it, they created phones that could bypass the towers during an emergency and communicate directly with each other like walkie-talkies. Their range was limited to 500 meters, but calls could then be relayed through multiple phones until they reached a working tower or Internet connection.” He paused again. “Dr. Lee applied that idea to data, but not just during emergencies. BOTIC allows phones to relay data between each other without using a cell tower, creating a kind of bucket brigade.”

  Josh, set the open Snickers bar on the table and leaned forward. “What do you mean bucket brigade?”

  Armani said, “If a phone is idle, it can act as a repeater, passing data from one phone to another until it reaches a phone that’s connected to Wi-Fi. So you end up with this giant phone-to-phone network.”

  Tim asked, “How does it do that?”

  “The BOTIC chip shares your phone’s location with other phones that are in range.” Getting more comfortable, he explained with enthusiasm, “Let’s say your phone isn’t in range of a Wi-Fi network, but it is in range of your neighbor’s phone, which is connected to Wi-Fi. When your neighbor isn’t using his phone, his phone can act as a relay station between your phone and the Wi-Fi network.”

  Tim said, “So phones are relaying data to each other and transmitting their location to other phones?”

  Armani said, “Yes, but it’s an encrypted signal and uses only a tiny bit of the phone’s processor. With all the phones out there, if each idle phone relays only a tiny bit of data, it takes a huge load off the cell towers. It’s a much more efficient use of limited bandwidth and makes phones faster and more reliable.”

  Josh asked, “Where does your digital assistant come in?”

  Avoiding eye contact, Armani unconsciously picked up the Snickers bar. Rotating it nervously in his hands, he said, “We, uh, found a way to access the BOTIC chip.”