Decency

by Rex Fuller

  20

  The J. W. Marriott Hotel reigned over an entire quarter of a city block at 14th and Pennsylvania Avenue. It well served the purpose the chain’s executives apparently had in mind, to commemorate the founder by naming the flagship after him and putting it as close to the White House as possible.

  The clerk at the reception desk pointed Kelly in the direction of the conference room where Bonnie had set up shop, rather expensive shop, given the cost of the hourly rental of the conference rooms.

  Opening the door, Kelly found Bonnie and Christian Mason studying the gray scale screen from the old Toshiba’s feed.

  “Kelly! You just won’t believe all of this! The files are complete records of the way Samantha tried to unearth the mole. They have dates and times and names of people involved. We’re about finished with the last file. Christian can explain it step by step.”

  “Hi, Christian, I feel like I already know you.” Kelly extended her hand to meet Samantha’s “buddy” personally for the first time. “You work today don’t you, Christian?”

  “Yeah, Bonnie called though, so I took some annual leave. This is a lot more fun anyway.”

  The excitement in their voices suggested a lot and Kelly noticed they kept within a foot of each other.

  “What have we got? Start from the beginning.”

  Mason did not know the extent of Kelly’s familiarity started with basics.

  “First, you were absolutely right. There is no other computer that will read the files. This one has its own unique operating system. Samantha apparently wrote it as the ultimate security device. Unless you put the disk in this computer it won’t be read. The only problem is it is so slow.

  “What the files show is the steps she took to document what was going on…how she discovered an anomaly in the Echelon dedicated computer system. She tried official reporting routes. Those didn’t work. She pinned the anomaly down to an unplanned feedback loop. She again informed Security and the IG.

  “Then she found a new self-copying function that was not authorized in the Echelon software and informed Security and the IG. That resulted in her being suspected of responsibility for the whole thing.

  “One of the people that helped her, Carl Foley, died and it was ruled a suicide. His psych eval was done by Cochran, the same one as for hers.

  “At that time, she needed someone to witness inserting a program to track where the unauthorized software was accessed. She found me. I put the program in.

  “We found it was linked to the Security office itself. We tried various ways to code for the identity of the person accessing the unauthorized software. By stepping up the pass rate, the number of times the identification code would run, we were able to get it down to three personal identifiers. But we didn’t know who they belonged to.”

  “The advantage of having these files is that everything is cross-referenced and very, very specific as to dates, times and where applicable, names.

  “Now we get to this file, which has some stuff on it I didn’t know anything about. It takes this old machine about thirty minutes to grind through decrypting a page so we’re taking it a paragraph at a time.

  “The first paragraph said she found out why the Security and IG people didn’t react to her reports. They were letting it appear as though she was suspected in order to keep the real target, one of her subordinates, from guessing he was identified as the target…”

  Kelly broke in.

  “Well, that’s progress. Now we can show she was not duped for the whole time.”

  Bonnie grinned, a very big grin. “There’s more.”

  Christian took off again.

  “The way she found this out was pure genius. She believed it was too far out of the normal procedure that Security and the IG did not even acknowledge doing anything with her reports. They should at least have polygraphed her according to the way things normally were handled and performed other investigative steps that just weren’t happening.

  “So she assumed that there must be a reason why. She figured they were using a ruse for some purpose that she didn’t know about and that they did not know she had realized it. She reasoned that whoever was controlling the ruse could not be in IG because they only have the access that Security lets them have. So, she was going to go to each one of the people in Security who could have some connection to the case and tell them the operation was blown. If the reaction was, and these are her words, ‘Okay, thank you very much, now go away little girl,’ she would be pretty confident that person was in on it. And, she could work it from there.

  “She picked the first one she went to on the basis of who would have the most to gain by scoring a big case. She figured that had to be the FBI agent detailed to NSA. An FBI agent who makes a case in NSA would get a great reputation.”

  “Mr. Fitzgerald.”

  “Yeah. But his reaction surprised her. He said she was one of the smartest people he ever saw. He wanted to work closely with her to ‘develop capabilities’ within the agency. She told him, in what she called her ‘most feminine’ voice, that she would love to do so.

  “Two days later he gets back in touch with her. She says he was either very attracted to her, or pretended to be. She told him that she couldn’t be sure he was being straight with her. She demanded that he prove that she can trust him because she knew he’s a mole and wants to know who for!”

  “That’s gutsy, turn the tables.”

  “She said what he told her next just about made her retch. He told her that he worked for the ‘People’s Republic of China.’“

  “An FBI agent? A real FBI agent spying for China?”

  “I know, but there was Hanssen.”

  Bonnie jumped in again. “The next part is the best of all.”

  “She says, while trying to keep from vomiting, she flattered him and then, get this, she tells him that ‘anyone can claim to be spying for some other country. It can’t be proven one way or another.’ And she tells him he has to give her actual evidence proving it!”

  “The woman was amazing.”

  “He went for it. He tells her his code name is ‘Green Lilly.’ And that’s where we got to before you came in. There’s at least one more paragraph. We’re waiting for the decryption to finish.”

  For another three minutes the whole group stared at the screen. Eventually, it started displaying text the old fashioned way, line by line.

  “I flattered him again, then turned the conversation casual. As soon as he was comfortable I asked to see an actual transmittal from China addressed to him as ‘Green Lilly.’ He surprisingly agreed. But I think he may back out of it because I sensed a little fear on his part that he may have already gone too far. We are scheduled to watch the transmission come in next Tuesday. By then, I will have put this turn of events in one of my coded letters to my folks. I’ll include the existence of this computer system. This system is important, obviously, because the dates of the files will show they were created over time and not made up as a defense in case anyone doubts me. It should not be a problem, what with the agency not really intending to terminate me, but that could change if Fitzgerald somehow manages to get them to think otherwise. This will be here just in case he does. Or I get hit by a bus.”

  They all fell silent, not wanting to mention, or think about, the irony of her last sentences. Then they turned to Kelly, expecting her to decide what to do.

  Tom, there are about five hundred things I need to do right now and I’ll fail if I don’t do them in exactly the right order. Please, help me…

  “Christian, thanks for your good work. You really opened this up.”

  “Hey, it was the least I could do.”

  “Bonnie, we have a awful lot to do. We need to have Christian make an affidavit about this. We’ll set up shop right here. I’ll explain why later. We’ll need some regular computer and printing equipment. I’m sure the hotel will rent us some. Would you go make the best deal you can?”

  “Sure.”

 
; Christian piped up, “I’ll come with you,” and they left for the front desk.

  Kelly dialed her cell phone.

  “Kelly, this must be you on my cell phone at this time of day.”

  “Jannie, hey, we have some work to do. I really need your help.”

  “Of course.”

  “Please come down to the J.W. Marriott, conference room 107. Bring my laptop and pocket tape recorder. Borrow the firm’s video camera and, of course, bring your cell phone. I also need Fitzgerald’s and Cochran’s home and work phone numbers and addresses. They are in one of the Pierce files, the service of process file, I think. Also, anything else you might need if you’re here for a while. Do you have commitments tonight?”

  “No, but I’ll need to get a babysitter…which is no problem.”

  “Okay. I’ll be here when you get here.”

  “Kelly, should I clock out?”

  “Yes.”

  “Okay. Be there in a jiffy.”

  Bonnie came back in alone.

  “I left Christian with the hotel people to get the stuff we ordered. What’s the deal with what you would explain later?”

  “Bonnie, I’m leaving the firm.”

  “No. That’s awful.”

  “They just didn’t think they could be affiliated with this case.”

  “No guts.”

  “Don’t be too quick to judge. They have all had some hard times and don’t want to risk going back there, not even a little bit.”

  “Everybody has hard times.”

  “Anyway, you’re still an employee of the firm. I won’t ask you to leave because your goals may require you to stay. But you are welcome to come work with me. And, at least for tonight I really need you for several things.”

  “If you are not at that firm there isn’t any goal of mine they can fulfill. I’m with you.”

  “Thanks. I won’t hold you to it if you change your mind.”

  Christian came in with a porter in tow pushing a four wheeled cart with a computer, copier, printer and fax machine on it.

  “Okay, Christian if you would set up the equipment, my secretary will be here shortly to take your affidavit. Just tell her the whole story in your own words. Everything about Samantha Pierce, including the decrypting you did today. You’ll be signing it ‘John Doe,’ for now, so don’t worry too much about the agency taking action. We’ll be using the affidavit in a motion we will be filing with the court. We will ask the court to keep your identity secret, even from the government. So please put all the details you can into the affidavit. We’ll go over it very carefully when the draft is done. Got it?”

  “Sure.”

  “Questions?”

  “Not one.”

  “Okay. Bonnie, we’ll need to go out to the Richardsons’ to talk with them. As soon as we’re done there, I’ll need you to come back here and write a motion for a protective order barring disclosure of witness identity concerning Christian and both Richardsons, of course without naming them in the motion.”

  “I like that idea. Do we file it in camera?”

  “No. I want to be able to get copies out to NSA, Main Justice, and Senator Charboneaux.”

  “That could run us pretty late.”

  “I know. Do you have commitments tonight?”

  “No, I was just going to do some reading.” She exchanged glances with Christian.

  “I’ll be back here to help as soon as I can. I think we have to file the motion in the morning on an emergency basis so we can hope to get a hearing as soon as possible. I want NSA and Mr. Fitzgerald to know we’re on to him. Presumably he’ll run for it. Whatever he does, it will happen pretty fast after the hearing or whenever the word gets to him.”

  With a knock at the door, Jannie stuck her head in.

  “Are we saddled up?”

  “With you here, we are. Jannie, this is Christian Mason. Christian this is my secretary.”

  “Jannie, I’ve explained to Christian we need an affidavit from him. He is to tell you what’s to be included in his own words. I need you to structure and format it properly. It will be a John Doe. It’s probably going to be long. Bonnie and I are going to another witness’s home and will be back later. Call me with any questions. Okay.”

  “Sounds good. Do I use the laptop?”

  “No, we have some rented equipment. I need the laptop, the tape recorder, the video camera, and the phone numbers.”

  “Here you go.”

  Kelly and Bonnie grappled with the equipment and headed out the door

  “Okay. Good luck, everybody.”

  21

  Once they were in the car, Kelly said, “Let’s get started on the motion, it’ll go quicker if we both work it. I’ll suggest the paragraphs and you enter them on the laptop. We’ll also need a short notice to the clerk changing my address from the firm to my home address.”

  “Sure.”

  They worked on the motion for a protective order nearly all the way to the Richardsons’.

  “Okay, we’re about five blocks away. Give them a call and hand the phone to me when it rings.”

  When they answered Kelly said, “Theresa, this is Kelly Hawkins. Remember me from the Ramada Inn?”

  “Sure.”

  “I’m in my car with Bonnie Cummings. We know you had a bad scare and we are coming to help. We are close by and will be at your door soon, okay?”

  “Well, my husband won’t be home for a few minutes yet.”

  “That’s okay. We’ll wait in the car until he gets there if you want us to. But don’t hang up the phone. Please, we’ll stay on the line with you, okay?”

  “Okay.”

  “We’re just now pulling into your driveway. Can you see us?”

  “Yes, I can.”

  “I’m just going to step out of the car so you can identify me.”

  “All right, Ms. Hawkins. It’s you. It’s okay to come in. Just come to the front door.”

  “Don’t hang up the phone until we’re inside.”

  “Okay.”

  After Theresa Richardson let them inside, she snatched the door and the deadbolt shut as though battening the house against vampires.

  “Theresa, I’m so very sorry about what happened. I don’t yet know who did that to you but I will find out if I can.”

  “I just got so scared I didn’t know what to do.”

  “You don’t have to worry, now. You will be safe. That’s what I came here to do, make things safe.”

  “Please, come in and sit down. It will just be a few minutes before Duncan comes home. He called me from work to tell me he was leaving so I would know when to expect him.”

  Kelly got up and went to the Richardsons’ bargain basement all-in-one sound system, turned on the radio function, and turned up the volume on the pre-set station.

  Then she huddled with Theresa and murmured into her ear, “We’ll go over this again when he’s here but I want to tell you this now. It is not good for you to be so worried. It’s not good for Gareth or anyone. I have a place for you to stay. No one will know where you are. It should be for a very short time but it’s important for you to be where no one can find you or Gareth. Or threaten you in any way.”

  Theresa’s face relaxed, but not entirely.

  “I don’t know…if it’s all right with Duncan.”

  “Of course.”

  “That may be him now.”

  “Let’s go outside and meet him. Bring Gareth.”

  Kelly went out and waved to Duncan and walked up to his car window.

  “Duncan, I’m sorry to surprise you like this but I have some important things to talk with you and Theresa about.”

  “Sure.”

  Theresa met them at the door of the car.

  “Bonnie and I are really pressed for time. The two of us have a lot of work to do yet tonight.”

  “What is it you came to talk about?”

  “I was just telling Theresa, I want you and her to feel perfectly safe. The case may be ending v
ery soon. Regardless of that, my main concern at the moment is not with the case, but with your safety. You would be welcome to come and stay at my own house but it would be easier on Theresa if we did something else. I would like for you to be my guests at the Marriott Hotel downtown. I’ve made reservations under the name ‘Thompson.’ Staying there, you won’t have to worry about fixing meals or doing laundry for Gareth. The hotel can provide all of that and anything else you need. Do you feel like that would be a good idea?”

  Duncan and Theresa looked at one another, then nodded.

  Duncan said, “I think it would give Theresa a chance to sleep soundly and relax a little. We’ll do it.”

  “Good. I’m going on a few errands. Bonnie will stay and accompany you to the hotel. You should probably pack for a week and we’ll hope you don’t need to stay that long. Okay?”

  “Sounds good.”

  “After you’ve had dinner, Bonnie and I will call you, Duncan, and arrange a short meeting to talk about some details of the case a little but that can wait for now. Okay folks, enjoy your stay. Try to think of it as mini-vacation. I’ll see all of you later. But I will probably call Duncan on Bonnie’s cell phone in just a few minutes.”

  “Are you still going to try and have me testify?”

  “To be honest, if it comes to that, yes. But think about this. What are you going to do the rest of your lives? Hide? Whisper? You might resent Theresa because you stay in a job for her and Gareth and think she trapped you there. Theresa, you might feel like he doesn’t appreciate you and resent that. All because you both feel trapped and afraid. This way gives you a chance to avoid being trapped. Hang in there with me, please.”

  In the car, Kelly dialed the cell phone for Dr. Cochran’s NSA phone number. No answer.

  She then tried Cochran’s home phone.

  When he answered she spoke over-quickly, “Hello, Dr. Loughlan,” pronouncing it “Locklan,” “this is Dr. Campbell with the World Wildlife Conservation Society. How are you today?”

  “I’m fine, but it’s ‘Cack-ran,’ not ‘Loughlan.’“

  “Oh, I must have misread this card. The eyes, you know?”