Page 32 of Crocodile Tears
“I’m going to do everything I can to find her and bring her home safely.”
“Good.Because I’m helping.I’m good with computers.”
“Margo, this isn’t a movie.These are dangerous people with professional capabilities and significant resources.”
“I’m a former hacktivist with extensive knowledge of digital surveillance systems and international transportation networks.”Margo cracks her knuckles with obvious relish.“Remember when I mentioned I was good with computers?I might have undersold my skills.”
“What kind of skills?”
“The kind that got me recruited by three different government agencies before I decided I’d rather help Dr.Lawson revolutionize medicine than hunt terrorists for bureaucrats.”She grins.“Also, I watch a lot of spy movies, and they’re totally more accurate than people think.”
Despite the circumstances, I’m impressed by her confidence and oddly reassured by her willingness to help.“What do you think you can contribute to a rescue operation?”
“Transportation tracking, communication intercepts, financial transaction monitoring, and probably a dozen other things that will be useful for finding people who don’t want to be found.”Margo turns to Rebecca’s computer and begins typing with the kind of focused intensity that suggests serious technical expertise.“Plus, I know Dr.Lawson better than anyone, which means I can predict her behavior and anticipate her responses to various situations.”
“And you think your spy movie knowledge is relevant how?”
“Because spy movies get the technical stuff right more often than people realize.The relationships and dialogue are usually terrible, but the operational procedures are surprisingly accurate.”She pauses in her typing to look at me seriously.“Agent Scales, we’re going to need backup for this mission.”
“My name is Calvin, and what kind of backup?”
“The kind that operates in gray areas between official agencies and private contractors.”Margo grins.“You must have contacts from your mysterious security consulting career who can help with off-the-books international incidents.”
She’s right, though I’m not sure I want to involve my former colleagues in what’s becoming a personal situation with unpredictable complications.Still, Rebecca’s life is more important than my preference for handling problems independently.
I pull out my phone and scroll through contacts until I find the number I haven’t called in six months.Nikolai Daniels—not an official government agent but a highly effective freelance fixer, who operates in exactly the kind of gray areas this situation requires.
“Nikolai?It’s Cal Hargrove.”
“Cal?It’s been too long, my friend.Please tell me you’re calling with interesting work that pays well and doesn’t involve paperwork.”
“I’m calling with a situation that’s definitely interesting, probably won’t pay at all, and absolutely doesn’t involve paperwork.”
He laughs.“Even better.What do you need?”
“A friend of mine has been kidnapped by what appears to be South American contractors.It’s a professional operation with specialized equipment and international transportation.Probably Colombia.”I summarize the situation while Margo continues typing with impressive speed.“I need help tracking them and coordinating a response.”
“South American contractors working for whom?”
“Unknown.The target is a geneticist whose research has potential military applications.Could be government, corporate, or criminal clients.”
“Location of the incident?”he asks.
“United States.They’re probably transporting her out of the country as we speak.”I try to ignore the fear clawing at my stomach and sound calm.
“Cal, this is exactly the kind of situation that requires official channels and government resources.”
I snort.“Nik, you know how long official channels take for international incidents.By the time agencies coordinate jurisdictional authority and diplomatic protocols, she could be anywhere in the world.”
There’s a pause while he considers the implications.“This is personal for you.”
I don’t hesitate.“It’s very personal.”
“Off the books?”
“Completely off the books.Personal favor, no official sanction, and no backup if things go wrong.”
He sighs after a pause.“I’ll make some calls.Give me two hours to identify transportation vectors and potential destinations.”
