Disclaimer can be found in part one.
Comments welcome at: testhom@netzero.net
PANDORA'S BOX CONLCUSION
by Michelle Furnas
“The nose isn’t right. It was thinner and longer. Yeah, that’s better. His lips were thinner too. His mustache almost totally covered his top lip. He had a cleft in his chin. His eyes were brown, but they were farther apart. His hair was like a dirty blonde and short, longer than Jim’s, but cut close to his head. There, that’s him,” Blair said after the sketch artist had made the final changes to the drawing.
“Are you sure, Blair? Take one more look,” Jim said, “think back, is there anything else that comes to mind? Distinguishing marks? Tattoos? Moles or scars?”
“No, not that I can think of.”
“Okay, how tall would you say he was?”
“About your height, 185lbs.”
“Okay, you did good,” Jim said placing a hand on his roommate’s shoulder. To the artist he said, “I want copies made and distributed and a description put out over the wire.”
Simon walked up and glanced at the picture. “Is that him?”
“That’s him,” Blair said.
“Okay, if forensics can’t pull any prints off the disk, I’m going to send a couple of uniforms with a sketch over to the airport, have them show it around and see if anyone remembers him. Maybe we’ll get lucky and find out what flight he came in on and pull his name from the passenger manifest. We’ll also run the description through NCIC, but that’s going to take a lot longer.”
“Hey guys, I’ve got some bad news and some really bad news. The only prints which were identifiable were Jim’s and Blair’s. The rest were smudged.”
The three men looked up at Cassandra Wells. “If that’s the bad news, I almost hate to ask what the really bad news is,” Simon muttered.
“I took a look at the disk, but it’s encrypted. You’ll need to find the computer it came from to read it,” she said handing it over to Jim.
“Which again means finding out who this guy is,” Jim said.
“Yep,” Cassie said.
“Not necessarily,” Blair said at the same time.
“What do you mean, Chief?”
“It’s impossible, Blair,” Cassie said shaking her head.
“Finding the host computer is the easiest and fastest way, but I know a guy at the University, a grad student in Computer Science, who’s a computer whiz. Actually, whiz probably doesn’t cut it. Jason’s a genius when it comes to computers. If anyone can crack the code, he can.”
“It’s worth a shot. Jim, you and Sandburg get on it.”
“Let me give him a call to make sure he’s in his office and to let him know we’re on our way,” Blair said walking over to Jim’s desk followed by Cassie.
“Hey, Captain, one more thing.”
“What is it?”
“I think we should put a guard on Sandburg. I can keep an eye on him when I’m with him, but I don’t think he should be at the loft or the University alone. I can’t exactly keep him with me 24 hours a day. There’s no way he would cancel the classes he’s teaching and miss the ones he’s taking without knowing how long this was going to last.”
“I’ll see what I can do about pulling a uniform. Let me check on it while you’re gone.”
“Thanks, Simon,” Jim said then he headed to his desk where Blair was just hanging up the phone.
“Ready, Sandburg?”
“It’s all set. I should probably warn you that he doesn’t like cops much, but he’s agreed to help us.”
“And why exactly doesn’t he like cops?”
“It might have some little something to do with his being busted for hacking when he was 15, but he’s totally straight now. Just let me do all the talking and don’t get all impatient and demanding with him.”
“Me? Impatient and demanding? You must be thinking of somebody else.”
“Yeah, sure, Jim anything you say, man.”
********************************************************
“So tell me some more about this guy we’re entrusting our only major piece of evidence to,” Jim said as they pulled into the visitor parking lot of Eddison Hall.
“He’s 23. He’s different. He does his own thing, has his own style. He’s arrogant when it comes to anything dealing with computers, but people overlook that because he knows what he’s talking about. His masters thesis is on something to do with artificial intelligence. He’ll finish that this semester and then probably go for his doctorate if some private sector company doesn’t steal him away. I met him about four years ago. We worked on the University’s web site together. He’s a good guy. Just remember how deceiving appearances can be.”
“I think an anthropologist I know taught me that,” Jim said grinning at Blair.
Jim tried really hard to hide his disapproval when the door was opened by a kid who looked all of 16 with short spiky white hair, earrings in both ears, and one in his right eyebrow. He was skinny, about Sandburg’s height, dressed in holy jeans and a Grateful Dead tee-shirt. Jim looked down at the floor and put a bland expression on his face even though his mind was insisting that he should be searching the room for drug paraphernalia. He just kept repeating to himself: open mind, open mind.
“Jim, I’d like you to meet Jason McIvers. Jason, this is my partner, Detective Ellison.”
“Yo, so where’s the disk?”
Blair shot a glance in his partner’s direction trying to hide a smile. There were times when it was hard to tell what the larger man was thinking, but this was definitely not one of them. He watched the detective pull the disk out of his pocket and hand it over without comment.
“Like I told you on the phone, it’s been encrypted. We really need to find out what’s on it-if you can break the code.”
Blair’s last comment was met with a smug, patronizing look which was not lost on Jim. “I really don’t think that will be a problem. Let’s take a look,” McIvers said, inserting the disk and punching the keyboard.
After a few minutes of inspecting the numbers and symbols displayed on the screen he said, “The code’s not unbreakable, but it’s going to take some time. He knew enough about encryption to make it difficult, but not enough to make it impossible.” To himself in a low voice he added, “Encryption never was his strong suit.”
Jim caught the comment and stiffened. “You know who the disk belongs to?”
“What?” Jason asked surprised.
“What are you talking about, Jim? How could he know?” Blair asked just as surprised.
“I don’t know how he knows, but I know he knows,” Jim replied looking meaningfully at Blair.
“Encryption’s not whose strong suit, McIvers?”
“How did you…?” McIvers started.
“My hearing is very good, but that’s not the point. Who does that disk belong to, and what’s your connection to all this?”
“I don’t have a connection to anything. I’m trying to help you out, and you start accusing me of…of what? Being involved in something illegal? You have a lot of nerve! Blair, your partner here is going totally spacey. I agreed to help you despite my own bad vibes about cops, and this is the thanks I get. I just can’t work like this. I don’t think this is such a good idea. Maybe you two should just leave.”
Blair looked at Jim who just clenched his jaw. “Look, man, I don’t think you’re into anything illegal. If you were, the guy that’s after that disk would have been waiting for us. I do think you know something that you’re not telling us. Just come clean.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking…”
“Listen up, Junior,” Jim said menacingly, “number one, I haven’t accused you of anything, yet. I am stressing the yet. Number two, I don’t like being lied to. So let’s start this again. Who does that disk belong to?”
“There’s a signature in the encryption code. It’s a hacker’s handle-Ace Cool. I recognize it by reputation, but I don’t know anything else.”
“You don’t know the guy’s real name?” Jim asked skeptically opening his senses to monitor McIvers heartbeat and respiration.
“No, I don’t know his real name.”
Jim turned around to look at Blair and mouthed, “He’s lying.” He clenched his jaw and was just turning back to face McIvers when Blair laid a hand on his arm.
“Let me try, man,” he whispered, “I think if you threaten him again, he’s just going to be even more stubborn.”
“Give it a shot, but you might want to warn him that if he doesn’t cooperate, I’m prepared to haul him in for obstruction of justice, withholding information vital to an ongoing investigation, and as a possible accessory to whatever the hell is going on with that disk.”
“Just wait over there and let me give it a shot.”
Jim threw up his hands and walked to the far side of the room and watched Blair walk over to the younger man. His partner’s stance was non-threatening and he had pasted a rueful expression on his face. His voice was soft and cajoling. Jim turned his hearing up so that he could monitor the conversation.
“Listen, Jason, this thing has gotten way out of hand, and I’d like to apologize to you for that. I never intended to put you in an awkward position especially after you put yourself out to help us.”
“What is this, Blair? Good cop, bad cop?”
“No, man, I’m not a cop. I’m just an observer, and my apology is sincere. You wouldn’t be involved if I hadn’t asked for your help. That doesn’t really matter now though does it? Things have gone too far. You’re in this whether you like it or not. You’ve got two choices here. One, you can just tell my partner what he wants to know right now. Or, two, you can keep pretending that you don’t know anything, but I’m telling you right now that Jim doesn’t believe you. He has great instincts when it comes to people who aren’t telling him the truth. Look, this case is particularly sensitive and personal. The guy that’s after that disk broke into my place and my office trying to get it back. I was home when he broke in there so whatever is on that disk must be pretty important. Who knows what he’s going to try next. If we found out who created that disk, we’d be that much closer to finding out who this guy is and catching him. It would be easier if you just came clean. Jim’s like a dog with a bone. He’ll do whatever it takes to get that information including dragging you downtown. He’s over there thinking up things to charge you with. I don’t want to see you get in trouble for somebody else. Just give us the name. Please.”
“I don’t want to screw anyone over here. I’d be a rat.”
“I understand how you feel, but think about this. What if this person you think you’re protecting is into something he can’t get out of. He could already be in some kind of trouble. You might actually be doing him a favor. I give you my word that he will never know that his name came from you.”
“Shit! Okay, okay,” James said sighing, “his name is Marcus Pratt. He’s from California-the San Diego area. At least that’s where he was. I’ve never met him personally. He was exceptionally gifted with a computer. He associated with the hackers’ scene, but he never really got into it. He stayed on the fringe like me after I got busted. We would meet in chat rooms and exchange ideas, but he dropped out of it completely about four years ago. That’s all I know. I swear.”
“Thanks, man. I’ll understand if you don’t want to keep helping us with the disk. No pressure about that. If you say no, then we’re out of here right now. We’ll find someone else or figure something else out.”
“I’m tempted, but I said I’d do it, and I want to finish what I started. Besides I’m probably the best choice you have, and now I’m curious to see what Marcus has cooked up that’s causing so much trouble. No offense, but I think I’ll work better without you guys pacing and looking over my shoulder. Give me about forty-five minutes to break the code.”
“We’ll go to my office. Just call there when you crack it. Thanks again, Jason, I owe you big time,” Blair said clapping him on the shoulder. Turning back to Jim, he said, “Come on, let’s leave him alone to work.”
Jim and Blair headed out toward Hargrove Hall two buildings over with the sound of fingers striking on a keyboard following them.
“I assume you heard all that?” Blair asked.
“Yeah,” Jim answered, “good work, by the way. You handled him like a pro. Maybe we should think about using that good cop, bad cop routine in the future.”
“Only if you always play the bad cop and preferably not on people I know,” Blair remarked. “I can’t believe Jason knew that guy’s name. That was a lucky break. I just feel bad that we had to threaten to arrest him.”
“The important thing is that he made the right choice and gave us the information. What time is your next class today?”
“I have a lecture to give at 3:00. I should probably make sure my notes are in order. I also need to start writing up my notes on the symposium.”
“Why don’t you go ahead. I’ll be in after I talk to Simon.”
Jim watched Blair enter his office and then dialed his Captain.
“Hey Simon, it’s Jim.”
“Jim, have you come up with anything?”
“Actually yeah, I have some information that I need you to follow up on. The guy who created the disk is named Marcus Pratt. We don’t have a description of him so that could be our suspect. He’s from the San Diego area.”
“I’ll have Brown run his name and put in a call to San Diego PD. If they can locate him there, then we can rule him out as our guy. I’ll have them haul him in for questioning and see if we can get some answers.”
“Have the officers come up with anything at the airport?” Jim asked.
“Not so far. There were twelve flights into Cascade Airport yesterday, but if the disk came from California, odds are our suspect flew in from there. I’ll have the uniforms concentrate on San Diego flights and then other California flights showing the sketch and checking the passenger manifests for Pratt’s name.”
“Good idea. McIvers is still working on the disk. I’m going to stay at the University until he finishes. Blair’s got a lecture at 3:00. Any luck on getting him a guard?”
“Yeah, just let me know when you need him.”
“When McIvers decodes the disk, it should give me a place to start, and I’ll need the guard to stay with Sandburg. He said it should take him about forty-five minutes, but if he doesn’t have it by 3:00, I’ll need the guard to accompany Sandburg to his class so I can stay with the disk.”
“Okay, no problem.”
“Thanks, Captain.”
Jim hung up his cell phone and entered the anthropologist’s office. He found Blair working laboriously over his laptop. Not wanting to disturb him, Jim quietly took a seat just behind him. He reached over and picked up a magazine skimming through the pages. After about twenty minutes of scanning an article on the Symbolism of Body Piercing in Early Tribal Cultures, Jim’s attention was diverted when he realized Blair was speaking to him.
“What?” Jim asked.
“I said, what’s up?” Blair repeated turning around in his chair.
“Simon’s going to have Brown call San Diego PD about Pratt, and he’s going to concentrate on San Diego and California flights.”
“Sounds good. And?” Blair prompted.
“And what?”
“Come on, Jim. You look like a man with something on his mind and somehow I don’t think it has anything to do with body piercing.”
“Okay, there is one more thing.”
“Well, don’t keep me in suspense,” Blair said, pulling off his glasses adding, “Exactly what time does my baby-sitter get here?”
Jim smiled. Damn the kid was good. “As soon as I know what’s going on with the disk or 3:00, whichever comes first.”
“Do you think that’s really necessary? It’s a public campus, man. I’ll be lecturing in front of 40 people. How much safer could I be.”
“Humor me, okay. Until we catch this guy, you don’t go anywhere alone.”
“What about Campus Security?”
“They can’t follow you to and from the University or keep an eye on the loft. You might as well save your breath, Chief,” Jim said when he saw Blair open his mouth. To forestall further argument he added, “Besides, it’s a done deal. You don’t get a vote so end of discussion.”
Any continued debate Blair thought of launching into was precluded by the ringing of the telephone. He picked it up on the first ring, and by the upsurge in his energy level, Jim didn’t need to use Sentinel hearing to know McIvers had come through.
“What did he find?” Jim asked as soon as Blair hung up.
“I don’t know, man, but he’s totally hyped about it. He said it’s big, and I could be wrong, but I think he sounded…impressed.”
“Well, let’s go see what all the fuss is about.”
Jim and Blair made the journey back to Eddison Hall in silence. The door was thrust open before either had a chance to knock.
“It’s a Trojan Horse!” Jason exclaimed.
“I missed something. A Trojan Horse like in Greek Mythology?” Jim asked.
“Same principle, man,” Blair supplied.
“In computer terms, Detective, a Trojan Horse is a program that hides itself in another program and performs some function that the computer user is not conscious of,” Jason explained.
“This whole mess has been about a computer program?” Jim asked skeptically.
“This is the most sophisticated program of its kind that I have ever seen. It must have taken Marcus years to perfect it. Most Trojan Horses don’t replicate themselves so their not true viruses, but this one will and it’s stealth,” looking at Jim, he elaborated, “That means it can cloak its presence by concealing the extra data in the infected computer. It’s beautiful, a real work of art.”
“Great,” Jim muttered, “maybe we should just frame it and put it on display in some museum.”
McIvers shot Jim a disgusted look. Blair saw it and moved quickly to intervene. To his partner he said, “If you were a computer enthusiast, you’d understand.” To McIvers he said, “Lay off the rookie.”
At that comment, he drew his own disgusted look, from Jim.
“What’s the program’s function?” asked Blair trying to get the conversation back on track.
“It’s steals passwords. He named it Pandora’s Box, very appropriate if you consider what kind of information this program could make accessible. It attaches to the hard drive. When a password is entered, it is identified and sent out on the next e-mail or electronic fax transmission to an offshore e-mail account. The program goes dormant for lack of a better word, until the password is changed which reactivates it.”
“And what exactly is so beautiful about that?” Jim asked still not finding anything to be thrilled about.
“The design, man. Marcus is brilliant. It’s transmittable through e-mail. The only program of its kind in existence. Right now, to infect a computer using e-mail, the virus or Trojan has to be sent as an attachment or application which in turn has to be opened and run. With this one, you just send an infected e-mail and that’s it. A program this complicated should be twice or three times its size, but Marcus’ design makes it small enough that it will be virtually undetectable. That means that this program could stay resident in a system for years depending on the progression of anti-virus software which believe me for this is going to be years.”
“Oh my God,” Blair exclaimed. “This is bad, Jim.”
“Yeah,” Jim answered.
“You access that account from the terminal at your desk, right?”
“Right.”
“Is the terminal at your desk hooked up to the network? Can you access criminal records, case files, FBI resources?”
“Yes again.”
“But all of these are password protected?”
Jim nodded.
“Okay, someone sends you an e-mail which infects your computer. You access the criminal records by using the password. The security of that whole system has just been compromised. Whoever receives that password now has access to confidential police files, but it gets worse. The FBI resources are on their own network. I’m sure that there are areas of the FBI network that you don’t have access to, but someone else does and sooner or later they will be using a password to get to them. That area has now been breached. It will continue on sending out passwords until the whole system has been compromised.”
Jim cursed as the implications began to take shape, scenarios running through his head. “You’re right, Chief, this is bad. What if Pratt already used it?”
“No way!”
Jim and Blair turned back to McIvers startled at the vehemence with which his words were uttered.
“Marcus may have created it, but I can guarantee that he never intended to use it. It’s not his style. He was a hacker in the truest sense of the word. I don’t mean the definition of a hacker today. A true hacker is in it only for the challenge, not to cause any sort of destruction or trouble. I don’t know how the disk ended up loose. Maybe it was stolen or maybe he trusted the wrong person, but the Marcus Pratt I talked to in those chat rooms would never release this virus.”
Jim was about to launch into the whole people change speech when his cell phone rang. He stepped outside to take the call.
“Ellison.”
“It’s Simon.”
“Captain, I was just going to call you. We found out what was on the disk.”
“Good, I’ve got some information for you too. San Diego PD located Marcus Pratt. We can definitely rule him out as the one that broke into the loft.”
“Damn, that was fast.”
“It turned out to be pretty easy. He’s in their morgue. He was murdered four days ago.”
“Shit!”
“Yeah, well, I do have some good news for you. We got a hit on Sandburg’s sketch at the airport. The guy’s name is Samuel Becker. He came in on a flight from San Diego. The police there want to question him regarding Pratt’s murder.”
“The disk contained a computer virus so this is about to turn into a federal matter. I’ll tell you more about it when I come in. Go ahead and send that officer over. As soon as he gets here, I’ll head to the station.”
When Jim stepped back into the office, Blair and Jason were still excitedly discussing the parameters of the program. They were ecstatic. Jim hadn’t seen Blair this exhilarated since he’d discovered Jim’s Sentinel abilities. He was practically bouncing. Jim didn’t see what was so damned exciting about a computer virus which could potentially undermine the security of every computer network in the world. Not to mention that it had already jeopardized his partner’s safety.
“I’m afraid I have some bad news,” Jim said figuring that it was time to inject a dose of reality into the situation. “Marcus Pratt was murdered four days ago.”
“Oh man, poor Marcus,” Jason sighed, bowing his head. “It was because of the disk, wasn’t it?”
“Yeah, it looks that way. Listen, thanks for your help. Come on, Chief, we gotta go,” Jim said taking the disk back.
“I’m sorry, Jason, about Marcus. We’ll catch this guy,” Blair offered, not knowing what else to say. “Thanks again, man.”
As soon as they were out the door, Jim found himself barraged with questions.
“Whoa, slow down. Give me a chance and I’ll fill you in on everything.”
“Sorry, I just can’t believe this. I mean I do because it’s happening, but the whole thing’s just incredible. Marcus Pratt creates the most sophisticated computer virus around and is then murdered. The disk manages to land here in Cascade and get into our possession. I mean, God, Jim, think about the odds of that.”
“You know, Chief, I’m beginning to think if it weren’t for bad luck, we’d probably have no luck at all.”
“Actually us ending up with the disk was a good thing. You know, better our hands than the wrong hands. I just can’t believe that we did. That guy could have picked anyone at the airport to slip it to. He could have taken an earlier flight or a later flight. If the disk hadn’t fallen out in the truck, he would have found it when he broke into the loft. If you hadn’t found it in the truck, it would probably still be there. I could go on and on.”
“I get the point.”
“I guess it doesn’t matter now. What’s going to happen?”
“Well, our intruder’s name is Samuel Becker. He flew in from San Diego yesterday. It’s only a matter of time now until he’s picked up on the APB. We’re about to lose our jurisdiction though. I’m going to turn the disk over to CERT.”
“To who?”
“The Computer Emergency Response Team. Due to the increase in computer crimes, computer viruses specifically, the FBI created CERT. It’s sort of a virus SWAT team. We can pass it off to them and be done with it. As soon as the officer gets here, I’m going to go get it taken care of.”
“I guess I’ll see you at home later then. I have the lecture at 3:00 and then a department meeting at 5:00.”
“Straight home, no detours.”
“Yes, sir,” Blair retorted snapping Jim a mock salute.
“Could you please take this seriously. One person already died over this.”
“I know,” Blair said, sobering instantly. “Straight home, no detours. Stick with the guard. I promise.”
*********************************************************
Jim placed a call to the local FBI office. Then he went to Simon’s office. He filled him in on the exact nature of the virus.
“So, the mystery is solved. A computer virus, who would have thought.”
“Well, Captain, I don’t know very much about them, but by the way Sandburg and McIvers practically drooled over this one, and from what McIvers said it was capable of, I can understand what all the hoopla was about.”
“What did the FBI say.”
“You mean after they put me on hold for the better part of an hour. The local office is contacting Seattle CERT. A couple of agents are flying in tomorrow morning to take possession of the disk.”
“Good riddence. Can you imagine how much money that thing would be worth, and how many people who would love to get their hands on it.”
“I’ve thought about that. Maybe Becker brought it to Cascade to sell it to someone.”
“That’s a good theory. There’s one thing I still don’t understand. Why did Becker slip the disk to Sandburg. That was his fatal mistake.”
“I haven’t figured that one out myself. I guess when we catch him, we’ll have to ask him. You know, I think I’m going to go make some phone calls. Check a few of my sources to see if any of them have heard about a computer disk for sale.”
“Let me know if you find anything.”
“Will do.”
********************************************************
Blair drove conscientiously home, making sure he used his turn signals and keeping the patrol car in sight the entire way. Halfway home he remembered that he and Jim had consumed the last of the milk, eggs, and bread at breakfast, and it was his turn to get groceries. He debated with himself about whether to stop, but Jim’s words echoed in his mind. I promised to go straight home so I’m going straight home. I’ll make Jim stop. It’s his own fault. After all, I’m just following his orders.
Ignoring the turn in to the market, he continued on home, pulling into a space in front of the loft. He waited until the patrol car pulled into the space next to him, shutting its motor off before exiting his car.
Blair opened the door of the alcove, registering the darkness of the interior.
“The light bulb must have gone out.”
“Wait here. I have a flashlight in my car,” the officer said.
When the officer returned with the flashlight, he proceeded Blair into the building, warning him to stay close. The two men were almost to the stairs when someone knocked into them from behind sending both men down and the flashlight rolling. The guard ending up pinned between Sandburg and the stairs, but still trying to use his one free arm to release his weapon from its holster.
Blair was trying to shift against the weight of his backpack and their attacker to allow the policeman more freedom of movement, but couldn’t find the leverage he needed to turn over. Then he heard the sickening thud of something striking the officer’s head and the awareness of his body going limp before he was pulled off.
His left arm was twisted up behind his back while his right arm was relieved of the backpack. Any resistance he thought of mounting was quashed when he felt the barrel of a gun press into the back of his neck.
“Where’s the disk?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Blair answered, thinking if he could just stall and buy some time.
“Don’t play games with me, Mr. Sandburg. That cop’s just unconscious. I think you better start deciding if you want him to keep breathing.”
“Okay, okay, just don’t hurt him. The police have the disk.”
“Damn it! I was afraid of that.”
“You might as well just give up now, Becker. The police know who you are.”
“Give up? I don’t think so. No, I think your roommate, Detective Ellison, can get me what I want.”
“How did you…”
“As soon as I saw him with you at the airport, I pegged him as a cop. I got his name off the mailbox. Cascade PD was very helpful when I called to speak to Officer Ellison, correcting me about him being a detective in Major Crimes. Why do you think I tried so soon to get the disk back.”
Blair was pulled toward the circle of light radiating from the flashlight. The gun was moved from his neck to the middle of his lower back, and his arm was released so Becker could reach the flashlight.
“Put both hands behind your back and stand perfectly still.”
Blair did as he was told. He heard Becker move away. He didn’t have to wait long to know what the other man had done when he felt cold metal handcuffs snap first around one wrist and then around the other. Then he was guided out to a dark sedan where Becker popped open the trunk.
“Get in.”
Blair’s heart was pounding a mile a minute. “Not the trunk, man,” he said cringing inwardly at the pleading tone he heard in his voice. After being trapped in an elevator at Wilkenson Towers, he’d developed a fear of confined spaces which had started to dissipate until almost getting buried alive in a cave-in in underground catacombs.
“I said, get in.”
“I’m claustrophobic,” Blair explained, hoping for some mercy.
“I don’t care,” Becker growled pulling the gun from his waistband. “I’m running this show. Now, you can climb in there voluntarily or…,” Becker let the threat hang waving the gun for emphasis.
Closing his eyes struggling to get control, he worked on talking himself into it. Come on, Blair, pull yourself together. There’s no getting out of this, and the sooner you get in, the sooner you’ll get out. Taking a deep breath, he opened his eyes and forced himself to crawl into the cramped space, nearly losing it when the lid closed. He kept his eyes closed and curled up as best he could so that his head and feet weren’t touching the sides of the trunk, trying to fool himself into believing he had all the room in the world. It worked for a while until he got a cramp and had to extend his leg to relieve the pressure. Then he started to hyperventilate. He was sure he was going to pass out when the car reached its destination. He knew he probably looked quite a sight trying to climb out fast as he could with his hands bound behind him, but he didn’t care. It didn’t matter that there was a man with a gun waiting for him, getting out of that trunk was his only priority.
His breathing was still rapid but starting to ease as he was led into a warehouse. He was pushed down on a crate and secured to a support beam with rope tied around his chest. He gave Becker Jim’s cell phone number when he asked for it, watching him pull out a cell phone of his own.
********************************************************
Jim sat behind his desk thinking of who else he could call for information. So far, no one he’d talked to knew anything about anyone being in town looking to buy a certain computer disk. When his cell phone rang, his first thought was that it was Sandburg calling to report that he’d made it home.
“Yeah,” he said distractedly reaching for the coffee cup on the corner of his desk.
“Detective Ellison.”
“Speaking, who is this?” Jim asked forgetting about the coffee when he didn’t recognize the voice.
“Samuel Becker. Just listen very carefully. You have my disk, and I have your roommate. I propose a trade.”
“I don’t believe you. I want to talk to him,” Jim demanded.
After a few seconds of silence, he was rewarded with his partner’s voice.
“Jim, it’s me.”
“Blair! Are you all right?”
“Yeah. Officer Raines was hurt though. You need to send someone over to the loft to check on him.
“How sweet,” Becker said when he came back on the line. “He’s worried about that cop when he should be worried about himself. Now, you know I’m telling you the truth. Bring the disk to the row of warehouses on 8th street. The second warehouse is where you’ll find your friend. One hour. I know I shouldn’t need to say this, but just so there are no misunderstandings, come alone, unarmed. I probably shouldn’t need to say this either, but if I even suspect you didn’t follow instructions, it will really piss me off, and I’ll kill him just to prove a point. Understand?”
“Yeah, I got it, but just so we understand each other. If you hurt him in any way, I’ll kill you.”
“His well-being is entirely up to you. One hour.”
Jim hung up the cell phone and picked up his office phone calling dispatch for a paramedic unit to be sent to the loft along with back up. Then he headed for the Captain’s office. The second time in two days his partner’s safety was in question, but this time Jim knew Blair was in the hands of a killer. His guide’s life in danger, and Jim felt helpless and scared and angry. He latched onto the anger.
“What is it, Jim?”
“Becker’s got Blair. He just called me. He wants to trade Sandburg for the disk in one hour. I sent back up and paramedics over to the loft. Blair said Raines was hurt.”
“You talked to Sandburg? Is he okay?”
“Yeah, for now. As okay as he can be with Becker threatening to kill him if he doesn’t get the disk. He wants me to bring the it to the warehouses on 8th. Of course he told me to come alone.”
“Right, like as soon as you give him the disk, he’s just going to let you and Sandburg walk right out of there. There’s no way you’re going alone so just forget it.”
“I know, but we have to handle this carefully. He said if he even suspects that we’re trying anything, he’ll kill Blair on the principle of it.”
“We’ll wire you, and stay out of sight until you get inside and get a bead on Becker. As soon as we know he’s not watching, we’ll move in to position. Don’t worry, Jim, we’ll get the kid back safe and sound. Come on, let’s get ready.”
******************************************************
“Why did you pick me? For that matter, why did you ditch the disk in the first place?” Blair asked.
“I was going to be meeting with someone to sell the disk, and I was afraid that they would try to just rip me off. Hiding it in your bag was my insurance policy that I would get paid. I thought you were just some hippie, college student. Pretty funny, huh. I figured it would be a snap to get it back.”
“Why did you kill Marcus Pratt?”
“You guys have been busy. Pratt and I didn’t agree on the value of the disk.”
“You killed him over money?”
“In a matter of speaking. He didn’t want any. I did. He wouldn’t even think about selling it. He wanted to destroy it. Can you imagine? He spent the better part of three years working on that virus, and when he finished, he was going to destroy it. He said he did it just to prove to himself that he could, but I knew what it was worth. This is my chance to make the big score besides I promised delivery, and if I don’t come through, I’m a dead man. These are not people you break your word to if you know what I mean. So, your friend better come through for both our sakes.”
******************************************************
Forty-five minutes later, Jim pulled his truck to a stop in front of the second warehouse. He exited the vehicle putting his hands out to the sides so it would be clear to anyone watching that he wasn’t holding a weapon. He stood still for a minute opening up his hearing. He could pick up the heartbeats of Simon and the other men waiting for him to give the signal to move up, but he filtered those out leaving him with two heartbeats coming from…the third warehouse?
“Hold your position, suspect and hostage are in the third warehouse. I’m going in the second warehouse as instructed, but I repeat hold your position.”
Jim walked forward keeping his hands out. He entered the second warehouse pretending to look around. He walked up the stairs to the second floor calling Blair’s name for effect. He turned toward the window when he heard his name and saw Becker at the window of the second story of warehouse three pointing a gun at him.
“We’re over here, Detective. I just wanted to make sure you came alone.”
“I’m alone. Let’s get this over with.”
“Sure, come on over. You’re unarmed of course? What am I saying? Of course you’re unarmed. After all, you wouldn’t give me a reason to get angry knowing I would take it out on Mr. Sandburg.”
With the last comment, he disappeared from the window. Jim walked back the way he came, pausing at the door long enough to remove his back up 38, laying it down just inside the door.
“I’m going to the third warehouse-unarmed. Be ready to move.”
Once again he held his hands out at his sides as he approached the entrance. As soon as he was inside, he could see Blair tied to the pillar with Becker standing just behind him.
“Are you okay, Blair?
“Yeah,”
“Open your jacket, Detective.”
Jim pulled the flaps of his jacket out.
“Now, lift it up and turn around.”
Jim acquiesced. While he was turned away, he used the opportunity to tell the officers to move up.
“Good so far. Turn around and lift your right pant leg.”
Jim did it.
“Now the other one.”
Again Jim complied.
“Good, now show me the disk.”
Jim pulled the disk out of his jacket pocket and held it up.
“Excellent,” Becker said undoing the rope securing Blair to the beam. “See that crate just on your left? Set the disk on it and then move away.”
After Jim had done it, Becker pulled Blair with him over toward the crate, keeping the gun trained on Jim who stood just a few feet away. When he was near enough to reach the disk, he turned the gun on the anthropologist. He examined the disk and then slipped the it into his pocket.
“I marked the disk, you were smart not to try to pull a switch. Well, Sandburg, ready to go for another ride?”
Jim noted the panicked look and registered the acceleration of Blair’s heartrate and respiration. It was all he could do to fight the overwhelming urge to go for Becker’s throat, but he forced himself to stand still.
“Wait a minute,” Jim demanded, “the deal was, you get the disk, I get Sandburg.”
“And you can have him. As soon as I get somewhere safe, I’ll let him go.”
“No way. Just take the disk and leave,” Jim commanded taking a step forward.
“Stay back!” Becker yelled pointing the gun at Jim.
“Move in,” Jim said into his mike.
The back up team entering the building was all the distraction Jim needed. Becker whirled toward the door, maintaining his grip on Blair, the gun thrust out in front of him. Jim didn’t give him a chance to redirect his aim. He grabbed him from behind getting a firm grip on the arm with the gun with one hand and Becker’s neck with the other. He tightened his hold on Becker’s neck until the man was forced to release his hold on Blair.
Becker rammed his elbow into Jim’s abdomen loosening his grip. He managed to pull Jim around so that they were face to face grappling over the gun. Jim landed a well placed fist to his opponent’s side. Jim thought he heard the satisfying crack of a rib. Then he brought up his knee sending the gun skittering across the floor He swept his leg out knocking Becker off balance. When Becker hit the floor, he was immediately surrounded. He was handcuffed and led away.
“Good work, Jim,” said Simon walking over followed by Blair, now free of the handcuffs.
“Thank you, sir. You okay, Chief?”
“I’m fine, now. Thanks. How is Officer Raines?”
“Concussion, but he’s going to be all right,” Simon answered.
“I’m glad to hear it.”
“Hey, Captain, I think you better take a look at this,” said Brown coming over with his hand held out.
“Is that what I think it is?” Simon asked.
“Oh damn,” Jim swore, “I guess it wasn’t his rib that I cracked.”
“Jim, I hate to be you tomorrow when you have to explain to the feds that you destroyed their evidence,” Simon declared looking at the two pieces of diskette, adding, “I think I feel a cold coming on. Maybe I’ll take tomorrow off.”
“Thanks a lot, Simon,” Jim grumbled.
“Don’t mention it. We can hold Becker for 24 hours without charging him. Go home. You two come in first thing to give your statements so we can officially charge him with kidnapping. I imagine San Diego’s going to want to extradite him for Pratt’s murder. Even without the disk, he’s going down.”
“Thanks, Captain.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll see you in the morning.”
When they were alone, Jim put his hand on Blair’s arm.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Not even a scratch.”
“That’s not exactly what I meant. He put you in the trunk, didn’t he?”
“I’ll be okay. A few more nightmares and permanent claustrophobia.”
“I’m sorry, Blair.”
“You should be, man,” he said.
“I know. I should have stayed with you or insisted that…”
“Jim, I’m kidding,” Blair interrupted smiling, “although technically it is your fault. For all the times you bitch at me for not listening to you, this is the second time I’ve been kidnapped following your orders.”
“Second time?”
“Does the phrase, ‘wait in the car’ ring any bells?”
“Oh that.”
“Yeah, that.”
“I’m glad you’re all right,” Jim said squeezing the younger man's shoulder.
“Let’s go home.”
**The End**
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