Net Force - Tom Clancy [107]
The five oclock meeting began an hour late. This was a small group-Michaels, Toni, Jay, Colonel Howard, and the new FBI computer liaison, Richardson-though the FBI guy couldnt stay long. From here on out, the information concerning this case was going to be NTK-need to know-only.
All right, Michaels said. Youve all gotten the info-packet Jay put together. Any questions?
Richardson said, Yes. Once youve done a verification that this Plekhanov is for certain the programmer we want, how do we proceed?
Michaels said, It is a little tricky. Ideally, we would contact the Chechen government and ask to have him extradited under the Net Criminal Agreement of 2004. This might not be a good idea. Jay, if you would?
Jay nodded. Plekhanov probably has a standby security program for his most sensitive files. If the local police go barreling into his office or house and start tapping keys or pulling wires, chances are his system will lock itself up tighter than spandex before they figure out how to pull the plug. And even if not, his sensitive files are certain to be encrypted, 128s or maybe even 256s. He used to write the Russians military ciphers. Without a key, it would take our SuperCray going full blast something like ten billion years to break the code. Thats probably a little longer than we want to wait, so we cant get his system files without the key. If we dont get the files, we cant prove its him, not enough for the legal guys to ask for indictments.
So, how do you do it? Howard asked.
The ideal way is to look over his shoulder while hes got his system lit. Either that, or get the key.
And thats only part of the problem, Michaels said. Jay?
Ive done a little background on this guy. Turns out hes got links to some pretty high government officials all over. Hes done a lot of legitimate security work, for the Russians, the Indians, the Thais, the Australians, you name it. Hes got money-a nice chunk on the legal books-talking a couple of million personal net, and no doubt a lot more illegal money stashed. That bank robbery in New Orleans probably wasnt his first.
So we have a rich guy with clout, Toni said. And even if the Chechens were willing to nab him and hand him over, we cant nail him without evidence we cant get?
That pretty much sums it up, Michaels said.
Howard said, If this guy is rich and powerful, why is he doing this? Why take the risk?
Michaels nodded, glad to see his people were paying attention. Theres the big question. What does he want?
More money, more power, Richardson said. Hes greedy.
Probably, Michaels said. But Ive been going over the information, and what it seems like to me is that hes driving at something specific. Some of the system crashes have been directly beneficial to him-Jay has the particulars-but some have not. Even if some of that is just blowing smoke to cover his trail, there seems to be a pattern. Hes going someplace in particular. Before we try to grab him, it might be wise of us to see if we can figure out where that place is. He might have help, and it would be good for us to gather them all in.
Before he could continue, the door to the conference room opened. Michaelss secretary stood there. She wasnt supposed to interrupt unless it was an emergency, and Michaelss first fear was that something had happened to his wife-ex-wife, dammit-or his daughter. But before he had more than a flash of panic, his secretary put that to rest:
Commander, there is some news from New York you need to hear. Its about Ray Genaloni.
33
Wednesday, October 6th, 4:40 p.m. Long Island
Brigettes doorbell rang. Oh, Jesus, she said.
Go let him in. Remember, Ill be standing where I can see you and he cant see me. If there are any sudden moves, anything at all, Ill drop you before I do anything else.
Okay. I understand.
Brigette headed for the door.
Here was where it got dangerous. The Selkie didnt think Brigette would do anything stupid-she was betting a lot on that. If it went sour before Genaloni got inside, she had four.22 magazines loaded for the Walther,