The Gillespie Five (A Political / Conspiracy Novel) - Book 1 (42) (11 page)

Chapter Seventeen

Doctor Lyndsay glared at the agent in front of her.  "I'm telling you, David.  He's not lying to you.  I don't think the others are either." 

"Come on.  You heard, Jane.  Only someone trying to hack the site would ever be able to trigger that trap."

"Agreed.  And he’s not denying that he did it.  He even mentioned the email that he received again, which got him to look at it in the first place.  Don’t you think that’s a bit odd?"

"Not really.  The hacking community works together like any terrorist group."

"But it led him right into this trap, just days after it was launched."

"Of course it did.  It was designed to be enticing to hackers in the first place.  So how are the others still denying what we found on
their
computers?"

"They had no idea
how
this site got on their computers.  That is until Tommy explained it to them."

"Right.  It sounded like a pretty convenient explanation though, if you ask me."

"Maybe.  But I’m telling you, something’s not right.  The kid doesn’t deny going after the site.  He doesn’t even deny some of the other activity we’ve found on his computer.  You’ve seen what he is studying. It makes sense that he would try practicing.  But he does deny doing anything malicious."

"Then he’s lying!"

Both Agent David Miller and Jane jumped at the sudden appearance of Agent Barrett.

"No hacker does anything without malicious intent."

Jane bit back on her anger and replied calmly, "Look.  I may not be an expert on hackers, catching hackers, stopping hackers, whatever.  But what I
am
an expert in is this type of interrogation.  My track record speaks for itself.  And that kid, if not completely innocent, is
not
who we’re after!  You are holding a scared eighteen year old kid who has been deprived of communications with his family, interrogated and beaten like some terrorist."  She said the last through clenched teeth.  "And I've given him enough meds to make a
politician
tell the truth! 

Now,
when
are you going to let him and the others go?"

Barrett stepped in front of her.  "We're not.  This is bigger than you understand.  I don't know how he's doing it, but that
kid
in there is part of a collaborative effort and-"

"With all due respect, Agent Barrett.  I have interrogated the rest of your
collaborative
effort and
none
of them have confessed to anything.  They have no clue as to what is going on.  Some are scared, others are furious, and the only
problem
child I've found is a conspiracy theorist who is stuck on the belief that the government is trying to take over the country by declaring Marshall Law.  He thinks the fact we’re holding him without mirandizing him is the first sign.  And, frankly, I'm not too sure I find fault with his conclusions at this moment."

"Have you considered the fact you may not be asking them the right questions," Agent Miller asked quietly.

Without looking at him she replied, "Of course I have, David.  And that is what has me worried.  I think we're missing something important here and, no," she continued - staring pointedly at Barrett, "I
don't
think it has anything to do with a hacker ring.  You heard the recorded conversation between the four when we put them together.  They were clueless."

"Of course they sounded clueless," Barrett snapped.  "They knew they were being watched."

"Their reactions were genuine."

Jane tried to suppress a shudder at the cold look Barrett gave her as he said, "Regardless, you will continue your job and keep questioning them all, and say nothing of this to
any
one, Dr. Lyndsay.  Is that clear?"

Jane looked at Barrett and then Miller.  "This is a mistake."

"Regardless-"

"I know my job," she interrupted.  Through clenched teeth she continued, "Now, if it's okay with the both of you, I'm heading out.  I suddenly have the need to take a long, hot shower."

Maybe it will wash away the feeling that I've just participated in crossing the line
, she thought as she headed out the door.  She was barely able to refrain from slamming it in Barrett’s face.

011011000110010101100100011001110110010100100000

After the door closed, Barrett turned to Agent Miller.  "Is she going to be a problem?"

David turned from the door shaking his head.  "No.  Dr. Lyndsay can be a bit hot tempered but she's a professional.  She won't give us any problems.  What she said though, it makes me wonder if we really
are
barking up the wrong tree."

Barrett wasn’t about to mention the doubts he had been having.   So he replied, "We are not barking up the wrong tree.  Just keep that in mind.  This is the
real
deal."

"Now we just need to find the ring leader.  That's
my
only doubt.  I don't think the boy is the leader, nor any of the others we have now.  But it’s only a matter of time before we do get him.  Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a job to do."

Despite the fact that Barrett hadn’t believed the doctor, he realized he could no longer hold off.  It was time to contact his backers and, later, the Director and Gillespie, about the lack of evidence and the possibility of looking for another hacker or group of hackers that suited their initial agenda.

His thoughts were agitated as he headed to his office.

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Agent Miller’s mouth pressed into a thin line as he watched Barrett stride purposefully out of the office.  There had been something in Barrett’s eyes that had bordered on the fanatical when he had said ‘this is the real deal’.  Barrett’s eyes seemed to tell David that Barrett intended to find what he was looking for.  No matter
what
the truth really was. 

Miller could only hope that Doctor Lyndsay was wrong and that the people they held were actually guilty.  Otherwise he’d have to admit that he had just contributed to capturing and interrogating innocent civilians and,
that
, he couldn’t live with.

Chapter Eighteen

Alex was still mulling over his strange encounter from the night before when Jason popped his head into Alex’s office. 

"Dude you look like shit."

"Thanks, Jason.  Just what I needed to pep me up."

"The gang is heading out for lunch.  You should come."

Alex shook his head, "Not right now. But maybe later, when you have time, we can go for a walk." 

Jason was well aware that Alex only walked when he needed to think, and he always did that alone, so Alex waited for him to react to see if he got the hint that Alex needed to talk away from prying ears.  The reaction he got, however, wasn’t what he expected.  Instead of saying anything, Jason glanced quickly over his shoulder before stepping into Alex's office.  Moving closer to Alex’s desk he said, "You really should come.  Mark is a great guy."

Alex opened his mouth to say it was Phil, not Mark, who was having a birthday when he noticed Jason's upheld hand.  He then watched, perplexed, as Jason drew an imaginary zipper across his lips. 

His forehead furrowed as he answered, "Uh.  Okay.  You're probably right." 

"Good.  I'll drive. I have the car."

Alex's eyebrows shot up.  He glanced out the window, noting the bright and, most likely, warm day.  Jason rode his motorcycle nearly every day of the year.  Alex had even seen him ride on days it was snowing.  If Jason wasn't riding on a day like this, something was up.

Following Jason outside, Alex started to ask a question when Jason held his hand up again.  When they got in the car, he handed Alex a pad of paper with something scrawled on it.  Ears are flapping.  Talk about regular stuff till Hal's.

As directed, Alex started a monologue about next week's schedule.  By the time they arrived at Hal's, the team’s favorite Tex-Mex restaurant, he had bored even himself to tears and was ready to rip off Jason's head if he didn't start explaining soon.  

They met up with the rest of the group and a few other office people until they numbered twenty strong.  Loud to the point of obnoxiousness, the group entered the restaurant and was immediately led to a back room by their waitress, Maria, who greeted almost everyone by name. 

As they moved toward the back, Alex tried unsuccessfully to pull Jason aside.  His frustration growing, he pulled on his meditation training and forced himself to take several deep, calming breaths as they all found tables and began ordering drinks.  The noise level ratcheted up and Jason leaned over to Alex, placing a small black box between them before covering it with a napkin.   Alex recognized the scrambler.  It was designed to cause interference if anyone tried to listen in with a long range microphone. 

Jason said quietly, "Let's pretend we're joking, smile while I talk.  Laugh occasionally."

The table erupted in laughter and Alex laughed along, turning to hear just enough of the conversation to realize they were picking on Phil about something.  He threw a few quips in and then turned back to Jason smiling.

"Dude. That's creepy.  Can you knock the maniacal grin down a notch?"

Alex's smile compressed as he hissed through his teeth, "If you don't start talking I'm going to get a lot
creepier
!"

Eyes widening, Jason leaned a little closer.  "I got a visit last night. From my old friends."

Alex knew Jason wasn't talking about college buddies.  "Why," he asked, ignoring the vibrating of his phone as he received a text message.

"About the little item we found on your nephew's router logs."

Alex's heart sped up just a little.  "And?"

"Dude.  I got a cease and desist
or else
."

Alex’s phone vibrated again.  "You have to be kidding me?  What –"

"Dude.  Laugh."

They both laughed, then Alex asked, "What did they say?"

"Special interest case.  None of our business."

"What the hell do you think is going on?"

A loud voice interrupted, "What are you two love birds talking about down there?" 

Jason turned to Phil.  "Your wife!"

The group laughed, as Phil reddened slightly before saying, "And that's all you two ever do is talk.  When was the last time you both had a date?  Or are the rumors about you guys true?" 

Alex cringed slightly.  He and Jason really
did
spend a lot of time together.  In fact, he couldn't remember the last time he had even been on a date.  He had been too busy chasing security issues, among other things, for the last several years.  He was spared Jason's response, however, when the table erupted into cheers at the sight of Maria bringing drinks.

Knowing it would be impossible to talk until all the drinks had been passed out and orders taken, Alex reached into his pocket, pulling out his phone.  Plugging in his security code, he was surprised to see that he had two urgent messages from Bill asking him to call.

Marie came to their table last, setting an ice tea in front of Alex and a coke for Jason.  When she left with their orders, Jason leaned forward, "They made me show them my security pass."

"Why?  They have to know you work for us."

"I know that.  And they knew about my past, ‘cause they brought it up. Said it was just a matter of time ‘cause
my
kind always go back to hacking."

The story Jason was painting was getting stranger and stranger.  "
What
?"

"I know, right?  And then they told me if I didn't stop asking around about that trap, they were going to make sure I remembered what it was like to piss off the FBI." 

Alex opened his mouth to say something when he noted a flicker of fear in Jason's eyes.

"I think they would have taken me last night if they could have."

"Don't be ridiculous, Jason.  Whatever this is-"

"If they have him, your nephew is in trouble.  Count on it."

Alex suddenly remembered something about Jason's case.  Unlike most Americans, Alex knew that it was not an uncommon practice for the FBI to take people, sometimes holding them for days and even months without officially charging them.  Though it usually happened to people deemed traitors and lately, terrorists, it sometimes happened to just everyday citizens.  And it had been happening for a very long time.

It had happened to the Japanese-Americans during WWII, it had happened to the Arab-Americans after 9/11 and it had happened to Jason and a few other hackers that the government had decided might be a threat.  And it had only gotten worse since they passed the Patriot Act.

With its various and somewhat ambiguous title sections, the act had become a perfect catchall for legalizing the violation of a number of civilian rights. And these title sections had been used in order to justify holding Jason for several weeks before he had finally been taken in front of a judge.  He had been sixteen at the time.

Alex wanted to deny that this could have been what happened to Tommy.  But, after last night and now Jason’s odd story, the idea begun to cling to a dark corner of his mind.  After all, Tommy
had
actually been hacking, although, unlike Jason - who had hacked into a banking website and made himself a few generous deposits before getting caught- Tommy’s offenses were minor at best.

Jason interrupted Alex’s thoughts with, "I found an interesting email too."

He glanced at Jason.  "What did it say?"

"It led Tommy right to the trap."

"Do you know where it came from?"

"No."

The look he gave Alex told him that Jason had tried everything he had in his considerable arsenal of skills to find the sender and the failure sat badly with him.  He was about to say something reassuring when lunch arrived. 

Alex stared at his food while the servers passed out everyone else’s plates.  When they left, he pushed his plate aside, looking at Jason who was taking a bite out of his calzone.  Leaning forward, he asked quietly, "Have you ever heard of a group with a handle that translates to 42?"

Jason nearly spit out his food.  When he had quit coughing, he took a sip of his coke and then replied, "They don’t exist."

Alex quirked on eyebrow at Jason.  For just a second, Jason had seemed to pause before appearing to choke on his food.  When Jason continued to look at him guilelessly, however, Alex decided that he was still being paranoid and responded with, "Apparently not."  He then launched into the entire nocturnal conversation while Jason stared, no longer eating. 

When he finished, Alex asked, "So why do you say they don’t exist?"

Jason took a moment before answering and Alex’s curiosity ratcheted back up.  Jason wasn’t the best at hiding his thoughts and emotions.  It was one of the things that had gotten him nailed so quickly when the FBI had taken him.  And Alex had seen the same thing when he had first interviewed Jason.  His emotions ran across his face like an open book and age had done little to help hide them. 

Again, Alex got the feeling that Jason was hiding something.  But he said nothing as he waited for Jason to speak.

Staring at his food Jason started with, "There are rumors about a splinter group of Unnamed.  Two, actually."

Alex shook his head at Jason’s mention of the notorious group who felt
all
information, no matter how dangerous, should be free.  Not that this belief had stopped some of them from selling certain information to the highest bidder anyway.  As a result, Unnamed had been blamed for indirectly causing more than a few deaths.

Jason continued, "They apparently had a difference of opinion on what information should and should not be released, and decided to start their own group in order to stop what they deemed dangerous information from being released." 

"There were rumors that this started a hacker civil war, but then the group suddenly disappeared."  He looked up at Alex.  "That was about five years ago.  Other rumors surfaced for a bit.  But none of this was ever confirmed.  Most of us thought the rumors were started for lulz because we never saw any evidence of 42 or even the supposed war.  In fact, I’m not sure if the original rumors even referred to the group as 42 or µβ."

It was the most Alex had ever heard Jason say in such a short period of time.  And he couldn’t recall ever hearing of a hacker civil war either.  But someone was claiming to be what Jason had just called a ‘rumor’. 

"Maybe we should start doing some checking then."

"Okay.  Just keep in mind they are rumors.  And there are
lots
of rumors about secret hacker groups floating around."

"Understood. You mentioned two groups?"

Jason nodded, trying to swallow his last bite.  "Ya.  The second group was alternately called NIL or NULL.  Supposedly an extreme version of Unnamed that cropped up during the hacker civil war but were said to have existed long before it ever began.  One rumor had them listed as the original organized hacker group, existing long before Unnamed, Anonymous, any of them."

Alex quirked an eyebrow.  "Older than all the hacker groups and more extreme than Unnamed?  How is that even possible?"

"I know, right?  That was the rumor, but information on them is even more obscure.  If 42 is considered an unverifiable rumor, NIL is considered a mythical legend."

Alex nodded as his phone began to ring.  Pulling out his phone he answered with, "Hello?"

"Alex,
where
are you? I’ve been texting you!"

"At Phil’s birthday party.  Why?"

Alex had to strain to hear the response, as Bill’s voice dropped to a whisper.

"Listen I don’t know what’s going on but something went down for certain a few weeks ago and without us.  I don’t know what, or who, is running it.  The only thing I know is that someone high up is pulling the strings and they don’t like us poking around asking questions about it.  I got a call to that affect this morning."

Alex looked at Jason.

"Alex?  Are you still there?"

"Yes.  I’m just thinking.  Jason had something very similar to say. Only his call was in person late last night."

"Are you shitting me?  What the hell is going on, Alex?"

Alex’s mind was spinning.  "That’s what I’d like to know."

He hung up and told Jason what Bill had said.  Jason’s responded with, "You’d better watch your back and sweep your apartment tonight."

Recalling the sense he’d had last night that something was not right in his apartment, Alex nodded in agreement. 

That among other things,
he thought.