Hunting for Hemingway Read online

  "I just brewed a new mix called Jamoco Select," he said, recognizing my interest, and he filled a cup from an expensive coffeepot.

  As I took a sip, he removed his glasses, scratched his head and said, "They say you found some guy's body,"

  "This is truly great coffee, Mr. Marx."

  "Okay, I get the message. You don't want to talk about it. I know you're here about the piracy," he said, putting his glasses back on. "Follow me. I'll take you to the big guns."

  He opened the door to Barry's office. Barry stood up and pulled out a chair for me.

  "Glad you're here, DD. I see Herman got you coffee. Okay, then. Let's get down to it."

  Barry was on perpetual overdrive, always doing at least two things at once. He talked almost as fast as he could think, and I knew he couldn't wait to get back to his work. His office had a vast array of electronics equipment, including some of the newest large screen portables as well as a lot of scanners and other equipment. Next to Barry's desk was a computer and video camera he used for international conferencing. He never had to leave his office to confer with a client.

  "Sorry about yesterday," I apologized and plunked my cup onto the table, spilling a few drops. I sat down, avoiding any eye contact with Mitch Sinclair. I was still thinking about David's murder, and my head was pounding. Nonetheless, I hated myself for noticing how handsome Mitch was up close and personal in the light of day. He was wearing a dark blue blazer with chinos and a white button-down shirt, open at the collar, and his physical presence was disturbing, despite the fact he hadn't yet said a word.

  "You two already know each other," Barry said, a thin smile playing fleetingly on his lips as he briskly closed the door and sat down across the table from me.

  "Yeah," I said, glancing directly at Mitch. Those attractive brown eyes seemed to look through me, not at me, sharply bursting my fantasy bubble of mutual attraction.

  "Hello," he said icily.

  "All right you two," Barry said abruptly. "Get into neutral corners and don't waste time sparring." He swiped away my coffee spills with his handkerchief and continued, "I heard this morning about what happened, DD" He leaned across the table and looked concerned. "So maybe this isn't a good time to ask for your help. I should be doing just the reverse."

  "Thanks, Barry. I'm fine. They focused on me because I found the body, not because I had anything to do with the murder. Believe me, it'll all blow over soon."

  As I said the words, I wasn't sure if I was telling the truth or a lie. 1 just didn't know. But I did know I had to look into this problem if there was even the slightest chance of shedding light on what happened to Scotty.

  "So, I'd rather you just tell me exactly what's going on."

  "Okay, DD. It's your call. To sum it up, I'm in a lot of trouble. I'm gonna lose the business, not to mention mega dollars, and maybe land in jail if we don't straighten this out immediately. The problem's exactly what Mitch told you. Some copyrighted software we developed for the International Monetary Fund has shown up on the open market, and we have no idea where it's coming from."

  "Where'd it first turn up?" I asked, taking out my notebook.

  "In this global economy," Barry said, "it's turned up all overEurope, the Far East, the Caribbean. And the Feds think its being used to launder drug and arms money, but who knows?"

  "Is that why the government's so uptight about this software?" I asked.

  "Well, that and because it was especially designed to prevent theft, tampering, and monitoring. Explain it to her in layman's terms, Mitch."

  "I'll try," Mitch shrugged uncomfortably, an Oxford Don being asked to teach the alphabet to a savage. "You see, this software allows money and information to be transferred securely from any computer to any other computer. The product is totally unique. Nothing like it is out there on the market. Two key elements make it special. First, the information is encrypted during transmission."

  He paused. "You know what encryption is, I take it."

  "Coded, right?"

  "Correct, so as to ensure privacy in the transaction. Second, the highly sensitive software carries with it its own decryption key, thereby allowing it to appear in the receiving computer without that computer having any decryption software. In this program, only the computer which is being addressed can receive the encryption key and decrypt the message."

  "What I don't understand," I said, "is if this program was developed under the IMF, why are the Feds hounding you now? They knew it wouldn't allow transactions to be monitored."

  "We sold only to banks on U.S. soil, DD," Barry interjected. "Banks the Feds can examine anytime. They're hopping mad because the stuff is on the international market, and they regard some of this technology as vital to national security. They say all sorts of laws are being broken by its being disseminated overseas."

  "How many copies are out there?"

  "Legitimately, ten." Barry exchanged a glance with Mitch, who nodded agreement. "And they're all tucked away in vaults next to the gold bullion and diamonds in the big banks that bought the software from me."

  "Well, somebody's copying one of them," I insisted.

  "Brilliant deduction, Mrs. Sherlock," Mitch interjected. "See, Barry? She doesn't understand the technical problems involved. How do you expect her to tackle this?"

  "Hey," Barry said softly. "This isn't the War of the Roses, you two. The software, DD, isn't something you can just sit down at a PC and copy. It takes some special equipment and some very special knowledge. People in the banks don't have that."

  I glared indignantly at Mitch. "Well, somebody has it."

  Mitch drummed his fingertips on the table, frowning impatiently. "This is exactly why we need the top manpower over at Gilcrest and Stratton, Barry."

  I decided not to take offense. This was strictly business. "Maybe he's right, Barry," I conceded. I glanced at Mitch who unclenched his teeth and relaxed.

  "After all," I continued, keeping an eye on Mitch, "Gilcrest and Stratton and I could operate on parallel tracks." I smiled sweetly. "To the winner go the spoils."

  "No," Barry insisted. "Forget it. They've got a bunch of used-up flat feet and donut-pushers over there. I'd be in jail for twenty years by the time they got their first break. Harry Marley over at the Treasury said you'd be the right one to tackle this for me, DD."

  "Could anyone be pulling copies of this software over the Internet?"

  "Impossible," Mitch answered. "First, our security doesn't allow anyone to hack into the computers. Also, none of the software is in any machine that's online."

  "Well, some of the current computer hackers are doing some really amazing things."

  "That's true. Some hackers have done almost everything possible with electronic equipment except maybe do the dishes," Barry said. "But that computer is off-line. Nobody would have access to it."

  "Well, who in your office has access to the software and the equipment necessary to copy it?"

  "Just me, Mitch, Peters, and Hilliard. Oh, and Herman, too. That's it. But I've known them all for a long time, and I trust them all with my life."

  I glanced pointedly at Mitch. "What about clients?"

  Barry and Mitch both smiled.

  "Nobody comes here," Barry said.

  "We always go to them," Mitch added.

  "Most everything is done over the phone," Barry explained, pointing to the elaborate set-up next to his desk. "See, I use that Internet teleconferencing set with voice and video. And even if some CEO does visit when they hire me, they don't know a byte from a bit. None of 'em would know how to get their hands on anything."

  "I'm going to need a complete rundown on your office security."

  "Mitch can give you the details. We've got very tight security for the entire office. Everything's hooked up to the computer, even the fire alarm. I've asked Mitch to personally work with you on this. Here's his personal cell number. He'll be on hand 24-7 to answer any technical questions. I hope you two aren't going to have any problems working
together."

  Mitch glanced at me. He looked like he might throw up, and I wasn't jumping for joy.

  "Something's bothering me, Barry," I said, deflecting the issue. "Even if I find the people who are doing this, those bootleg copies will still be out there. The damage is already done, so why bother?"

  "Don't worry about that," Barry said enthusiastically, clasping his hands together. "I've got an upgraded version of the software, which isn't compatible with the previous one. When we distribute the new version, we'll distribute it only to the authorized banks. Once a terminal receives from it, it won't receive from the old one anymore.

  "Ain't science wonderful?"

  "Sure is," Barry agreed. "Once the new software starts being legitimately used, any other illegal receivers will be closed off, and the wounds will be sealed. The old terminals won't be able to depend on easy transference anymore."

  Mitch chimed in: "Before we can release this new version, we've got to figure out where the leak is and plug it." He sighed loudly. "Otherwise we're just digging a deeper hole."

  "You'll take the job, DD?" Barry asked.

  I opened my notebook and jotted a few notes. "Before I decide, I need to look at your entire security set-up."

  "Fine," Barry agreed. "Mitch, take her into your office and lay everything out for her, okay?"

  "You're the boss" Mitch stood up and walked out the door as I continued scribbling on my notepad. When I finished, instead of leaving the office, I closed and locked the door behind Mitch.

  "What the hell are you ...?" Barry stopped mid sentence as I turned to face him. I put my finger to my lips and shoved the piece of paper from my pad across the table under his nose: "Be Quiet. Office May Be Bugged"

  Taking an electronic de-bugger from my purse, I checked Barry's office and all the equipment, floor to ceiling. Barry kept trying to interrupt me. When I finished, I shoved the handy gadget back into my bag and sat down.

  "You're clean, but I needed to be sure."

  "I'm glad you're happy, but that was totally unnecessary. I do the same thing every morning. Mitch would have told you so."

  "Some things a girl likes to find out for herself. Exactly what do you know about Mitch, Barry? How long has he been with you?"

  "DD, he's a junior partner in the company and my numero- uno troubleshooter. The best there is. He came on board six months ago. Wonder now how I managed without him. I hear you two didn't exactly hit it off last night. But I vouch for him. He's smart, just like you. And he's got a sense of humor just like yours. He's really a straight-arrow, just like you, although you don't want anybody to know that."

  "Well, somebody is making copies of your stuff. It could be him. Why is he so hot for me not to take this job?"

  "Mitch is highly intelligent and a perfectionist. He doesn't know you at all. This situation needs to be looked at from the wrong end of the prism, which is exactly what your friend Harry Marley at the Treasury Department told me you do best."

  I'd been pestering Harry Marley to help me get information on Scotty ever since he'd disappeared, and Harry, I knew, was fed up with me. So I wondered exactly what he'd said to Barry about me. I wondered too if Harry had ever replaced his favorite hundred dollar bill cuff link that had gotten buried in the rubble of the old Consolidated building.

  "Listen DD, forget about Mitch. Now are you gonna take the job?"

  "Only if you promise me two things. One, you'll let me set up a micro video camera in your office. I've got one of those teeny wireless systems with a 2.4 GHz color camera that I can install right there"-I pointed to his ceiling-"in that sprinkler head."

  "No. I can't agree. I'm certain the copies weren't taken from here. I'm here all the time."

  "You can't be certain of anything right now, Barry."

  "Look, I don't have surveillance video here in my office because it could backfire and be the cause of a leak. Furthermore DD, you're dead wrong if you still suspect Mitch is involved. He's done the most work on tracing the whereabouts of the pirated copies. I have a duty to be loyal to my people."

  "Either I set up the monitoring system in your office here or I don't take the job. Choose A or B." I got up to leave.

  Barry scowled. "Why do I feel like I'm being blackmailed."

  I unlocked the door, ready to walk out. "Barry, when I hook up, I won't hook up to any computers. It'll be a stand-alone operation, and I'll come in and review the video myself. Only me. How's that for a compromise?"

  "Okay. Have it your way," he said, glowering. "Set it up, but I don't like it."

  "And you've got to promise me that you won't tell anyone, even Herman. And certainly not Mitch."

  "This is crazy. You might as well suspect your cat."

  "I often do. Look Barry, I'm sorry, but it's got to be that way or not at all." I turned on my heel.

  "Wait. All right. All right. Be here at ten tonight, and you can install it. What's your second condition?"

  "I need to look at your phone records for the last five months. Will you tell Herman to make copies so I can take them with me?"

  "All right, but I'm telling you, you're on the wrong track."

  "I've got one more question, Barry. It's on another matter."

  "Okay. Shoot."

  "Have you heard anything about Scotty Stuart from Jerry Freh- ling's operation?"

  "Not a peep. You know, DD, I have a lot of analogues here-er, you know computer test methodologies. Anyway, I ran them all to see if I could track him. Nothing showed up. They're our competitors, by the way. Can I ask if this is business or personal?"

  "It's not business, " I assured him. "Just curious, that's all."

  I left his office feeling sick at heart. I'd never be able to tell him just how personal it was. As I emerged, Mitch approached, scowling. "What's going on?"

  "We were discussing terms," I said noncommittally. "Now can you show me that security?"

  Mitch eyed me sourly. Without a wasted word, he took me into his office and detailed the intricacies of their state-of-the-art security system. His explanation was clear, concise, and comprehensive. He had a good mind and answered my questions before I asked them. He also provided the confidential list of banks with names of contact people who'd purchased their encryption software. It was a start, which was more than I had going with him personally. And I kept telling myself to keep it that way. One of the reasons I'd taken this job was the off-chance I'd find out something about Scotty. That wasn't going to be the case, but I hoped I still might get a line on him somehow. Mitch might be sexy, intelligent, and downright attractive, but I was after Scotty. Besides, Mitch might be the one responsible for pirating the software. If so, Barry would have him drawn and quartered before we'd ever get to first base.

  "And I'm sorry about what happened to you," Mitch said as I walked out of his office. "I mean finding that body. Why didn't you tell me last night? I wouldn't have said what I said."

  "Even though you meant it?"

  "Can't you see I'd like to help you?"

  "Some kind of help," I said and walked away as his door slammed.

  Herman's eyes were expressionless as he handed me the phone records with a too-casual attitude. As we said good-bye, I had the distinct feeling he, too, questioned my ability to do this job.

  In the parking lot, I quickly scanned the phone records from Herman, jotting down any international and out-of-state numbers. I'd have Barry run a check to see if any weren't his and follow up from there. One thing I hadn't told Barry was that I'd recently installed Cell Spy Pro in my cell phone. This new technology wasn't illegal-yet-but I expected it to be any day. I could target any cell phone and view the calls made and received, see any photos or text messages stored and even have the target phone call me whenever it made or got a call so I could listen live to conversations. Nothing had to be installed on the target phone. The only big hurdle was that in this case, the target phone was Mitch's. I only used Cell Spy if I had to, and in this case, I had to. I bit my lip and set up Mitch
's cell number as a target. I also made a note to remind me to install a Keykatcher recording device tonight that would record all keystrokes made on Barry's main computer-the one that held the software. I'd have to do it without his knowledge or consent, of course. Even then they would probably catch it quickly. How soon would give me a good read on how their security functioned on a day-to-day basis. I suspected I was also going to definitely need my mail-order Portable Lie Detector. Thank God for GadgetUniverse.com.

  I paid the twenty buck parking fee and sped back to my office. I still had no real plan. Would my involvement help solve Barry's problem or make it worse? Speaking of worse, if Barry ever found out I was using Keykatcher and Cell Spy Pro, he'd never forgive me. I thought I could explain Keykatcher to him-I hoped. At least all this activity was keeping me from brooding about David and Scotty.

  THIRTEEN

  A man can be destroyed but not defeated.

  -ERNEST HEMINGWAY

  MY TINY OFFICE Is located in the Loop in the Beech Building, not far from my old office in the Consolidated Bank Building, demolished over a year ago. The new Consolidated Bank Building was supposed to be finished soon, but with all the turmoil in the financial sector, I wasn't counting on it. I'll probably be here for some time, renting one of the many small offices that went vacant when the economy collapsed and everybody downsized. At least the rent is reasonable. The bad part of the bargain is putting up with my landlord, George Vogel. As I inserted my key into the lock, he appeared beside me, springing up full-blown like some pesky Djinn.

  "DD, I've been looking for you."

  I knew that tone of voice. George was a neat-freak. The last thing I needed today was another lecture from him about cleaning up my office.

  He leaned against the doorframe like Samson in the temple. He enjoyed standing too close.

  "You really look boss today," he said, cuffing my shoulder playfully.

  It was difficult talking with George since we never made eye contact.

  "George, I..."

  He pushed my door inward and clicked on the light. "I heard about what happened-you finding that body and all. I wanted to check things out for you. There, now it's safe for you to go in."