Doctor Who_ Warlock - Andrew Cartmel [58]
‘Is it something to do with the same mission I’m on?’
‘Quite possibly. This affair is assuming some very interesting dimensions.’
‘That’s good,’ said Benny. ‘I’d hate to think you might be getting bored. Are you sure you don’t want me to steal you a warlock pill?’
‘No,’ replied the voice of the Doctor. ‘But try and involve yourself with the lab tests IDEA is conducting.’
‘So you want me to steal their results for you?’
‘Yes.’
‘I don’t know. Those lab people are like a separate department,’ said Benny. ‘And they seem pretty hot on security.’
* * *
‘I should hope so,’ breathed the big Texan, winking at Webster. They sat watching Benny’s face on the screen. She was frowning as she listened to the disembodied voice of the Doctor.
‘Don’t put yourself in any danger. Just test the water,’ they heard the man called the Doctor say.
‘Okay. I’ll take a crack at it tomorrow. I’ll get back to you then, about the same time.’
‘Good. Meanwhile I’m going to pursue my own enquiries at this end.’
‘What have you got to go on?’
‘Just a few ideas,’ said the Doctor.
‘Good luck. I’d better go now.’ Benny bent forward, ready to switch off her videophone.
But the Doctor suddenly said, ‘By the way, are you sure this communications link is secure?’
Benny hesitated, looking irritated. ‘It ought to be. I’m using a computer system which no one else touches and which has been officially dead for years.’
Webster and Mr Harrigan grinned at each other. On the screen Benny waved and then faded slowly to black as she cut the connection. There was a wash of static as the Doctor switched off at the other end. Mr Harrigan turned the sound down on his computer and looked up at Webster.
‘It’s a real shame we’ve only got this fellow’s voice. If we had his image we’d also be able to see the background, the place where he lives.’ He sighed and leaned back in his chair. ‘I’ve got an image enhancement package on this thing that would curl your hair. Give me the view looking over the guy’s shoulder and out of one of his windows and I could plot a trajectory for a helicopter attack.’
Webster and Mr Harrigan both chuckled. ‘And you might be able to work out where he lives,’ added Webster.
Harrigan frowned at him. ‘Are you saying you haven’t been able to trace the call?’
‘Oh, sure. We traced it to Baltimore, Kathmandu, Medicine Hat and Alexandria, Egypt. This guy’s got a smart system. He’s sending his transmission simultaneously through a thousand different routes. He could be anywhere in the world.’
‘But you’ve got his system bugged?’
‘I sure have. I’ve got some very smart incursion and surveillance software.
‘I know, son. I damned well ought to know. I paid for it. Did a good job, huh?’
‘Yes, sir. It not only told me what kind of hardware was receiving the signal, but also what other equipment was linked to it. So we went inside and took a look. I did a kind of guided tour of his software.’
‘You checked out his entire network?’
‘As much as I could without being detected. It’s a real stealthy little program. Its first priority is not to get caught.’
‘Good. And what did you find?’
‘The guy’s got some toys that are out of this world.’
‘What does Miss Summerfield call him?’
‘The Doctor. I can keep track of everything he does on his computer from now on. Communications, data access. I get a copy of any program he runs.’
The Texan nodded slowly. ‘Well, maybe you can keep an eye on him while I talk to this fellow.’
‘No problem,’ said Webster, moving to one of the other chairs nearby.
But the big man was no longer even listening to him. He was already concentrating on the next thing on his schedule. He touched a control on his computer and spoke into it. ‘Send in Mr Chavez, please.’
Webster turned around as the office door opened and he watched Raymond Bowman step through, holding a rifle. Raymond really took himself far too seriously. It was like he was always starring in his own private spy movie. Lucky his wife was as nutty as him, otherwise