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CHAPTER THIRTY

COTTONWOOD, ARIZONA

FRIDAY, MARCH 24, 2023

8:00 A.M.

Once at her desk, Ali tried calling Cami several more times with the same result. She was finally focused on work when a call came in from Frigg.

“I just spoke to Cami,” the AI said.

“Lucky you,” Ali grumbled. “I’ve tried calling her several times, only to find she had blocked her phone.”

“No doubt that was while she was being interviewed by the Essex Police.”

“Interviewed by the police again?” Ali echoed. “Why? What’s going on?”

“They were questioning her in regard to Adrian Willoughby’s death.”

“Don’t tell me they suspect her of being involved in that!”

“Presumably not since she wasn’t even in the UK when the crime occurred, but they spoke to her nonetheless.”

“If the situation on the ground has come to the point of bringing her to the attention of law enforcement, I want her home as soon as possible,” Ali declared. “Now that her phone is working again, I’m going to call her and tell her to be on the next available flight.”

“That may not be possible since she’s now part of an active police investigation,” Frigg replied, “but I have some additional information I’d like to relay to both you and Mr. Simpson. Would you like me to add him to this call?”

“No,” Ali said. “I’ll have him come here.”

Once B. arrived in Ali’s office, both of them listened with increasing dismay while the AI related everything she had discovered about George Smythe, including the payments that led back not only to Adrian Willoughby but eventually to Bogdan Petrov as well.

“So Smythe is caught up in all kinds of illegal activities,” B. said, “but what the hell does any of that have to do with Cami?”

“To your knowledge, is Mr. Smythe aware of Mr. Tucker’s GHOST operating system?” Frigg asked.

B. paused for a moment before he answered. “Since he once offered to buy it, I’m sure he is, but Lance told him straight out that it wasn’t for sale.”

“But having access to something like that would be very beneficial to Mr. Smythe’s criminal associates,” Frigg observed, “and that may have been the motivation behind Cami’s attempted kidnapping as well. Perhaps Smythe was hoping to use her as a bargaining chip in order to gain access to GHOST.”

“Whoa,” B. said, “are you saying that’s what they would have asked for as ransom—a working version of GHOST?”

“I do,” Frigg replied, “because having GHOST at their disposal would make it possible for the crooks to operate with almost complete impunity.”

“We can’t let that happen!” Ali exclaimed.

“Agreed,” B. said. “Thank you bringing this to our attention, Frigg.”

As soon as the call ended, Ali dialed Cami. She answered after the first ring.

“Good to hear your voice,” Ali said. “I tried calling you several times earlier, but the calls didn’t go through.”

“Sorry about that,” Cami said. “I was going into an interview with the Essex Police and didn’t want to be interrupted.”

“We know,” Ali said. “Frigg just told us all about that and a lot of other things as well, none of which are putting me at ease about your being in the UK. How soon can you be home?”

“I’m not sure,” Cami replied. “I’ve moved my departure to Tuesday, but I don’t know if I’ll be able to leave even then. The detective said I may have to stay longer. We’ll have to wait and see.”

“Is Rachel taking good care of you?”

“So far so good,” Cami said with a laugh. “Right now, we’re back in my room at the Portlandia, dining room-service style on wonderful takeout curry.”

“All right, then,” Ali said reluctantly. “I’m glad to hear you’re safely back at the hotel. B. and I don’t want you taking any unnecessary risks.”

Once off the phone, it wasn’t easy for Ali to get back to work, but eventually she did. Shortly after two, Shirley came rushing into her office, carrying a thick FedEx packet.

“I thought you’d want to see this right away,” Shirley said.

“What is it?” Ali asked, reaching out to take it.

“It’s from Dozo International.”

“This soon?” Ali asked, tearing open the envelope. “Cami’s dinner with them was only a week ago. This can’t possibly be good news.”

But it was. As she shuffled through the pages, Ali was astonished to discover she was holding in her hand all the information necessary for High Noon to create a company-specific cybersecurity proposal for Dozo International.

She immediately called B. to pass along the good news.

“If they’re moving this fast, they must be really desperate,” B. said. “Or maybe their minds were already made up before they ever came to the dinner. Have you called Cami to let her know?”

“Not yet,” Ali said. “I just opened the packet.” She glanced at her watch. Two p.m. in Sedona meant it was just past ten in London. “But it’s not too late to call her.”

“Hang on,” B. said. “I’ll come there so we can congratulate her together.”