JK's Code (Brooks/Lotello Thriller Book 4)

by Ronald S. Barak

  CHAPTER 62

  March 8, 2020, Two Days Later

  TURGENEV REFLECTED ON HIS debriefing of Barovsky. How dare that ingrate Baker reexamine my designs of how best to use Klein to our advantage? I get him elected president, and this is how he repays me? I’ve created a damn monster. Do I have to remind him what I hold over his head?

  Turgenev reviewed his two pertinent objectives:

  First, reestablish Russia as a singular first tier world power—not the case since the Sputnik era. Its standing suffered, along with the subsequent collapse of the Soviet Union. He had to assure that Russia was once more recognized as the equal of—if not superior to—the U.S. and China.

  Second, his personal reputation had to rise above the reputations of those at the helm of the U.S. and China. An essential ingredient to any country’s perceived greatness was the greatness of its leaders.

  Ironically, Baker, who fashioned himself the ultimate salesman, was inept when it came to selling himself outside of his core followers. The reputation of China’s Li Wei was suffering because of China’s increasing aggressiveness on the world stage. The pandemic spread of COVID-19 beyond China would also impair Li Wei’s standing.

  In most international circles, Turgenev was regarded as little more than a mean-spirited GRU spy. To rise above Baker and Li, Turgenev had to position himself as astute, impeccable, and most of all, stately. He had to rise above the common and ordinary.

  If the media—without tangible evidence—loosely painted Turgenev as behind Baker’s election, that actually added to his stature—so long as he plausibly denied any personal involvement. However, if he were caught red-handed controlling the outcome of the U.S. election, that would personally be catastrophic for him, and Russia.

  Turgenev’s strategy, therefore, was to let it be seen that someone other than him—anyone other than him—was advancing the election of Baker, his perceived U.S. choice, and supposed puppet. It could be another country. It could be an individual possessed of extraordinary know how—such as the loner, Jake Klein

  The advantage to having Klein appear to be behind the manipulation of the election in Baker’s favor was that it made Turgenev look crafty enough to get what he wanted without having to sully his own hands, or anyone associated with him.

  But Baker was unwilling to appear—even tacitly—to be the beneficiary of any outside influence. He wanted the use of Molloy’s software come election time, and he was all for having it appear to be at the hands of some treasonous American—Jake Klein—but he wanted to re-script Turgenev’s strategy to instead make it out that Klein was actually trying to steer the election not in favor of Baker, but in favor of the Democratic nominee.

  I have to hand it to the twit. He wants what I have to offer, but he doesn’t want to pay to play my way. Maybe Baker’s not quite as dumb as I think he is. We’ll just have to see whose will is greater, Baker’s or mine.

  CHAPTER 63

  March 11, 2020, Three Days Later

  JAKE READ ANYA’S TEXT:

  MY DEAREST JAKE,

  I AM SENDING THIS TEXT TO YOU WHILE I’M WAITING TO BOARD MY FLIGHT HOME. MY MOTHER HAS SUFFERED A STROKE. MY FATHER NEEDS ME TO HELP TAKE CARE OF HER. I’LL TEXT YOU FURTHER WHEN I KNOW HOW LONG I’LL HAVE TO REMAIN AT HOME WITH MY FAMILY.

  I’M SO SORRY THAT WE COULDN’T SEE EACH OTHER IN PERSON BEFORE I HAVE TO LEAVE, BUT THERE’S NO TIME. I ONLY LEARNED ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED HOURS AGO.

  LOVE,

  ANYA.

  Jake was in shock. He had no idea what or how to feel. He replied:

  MY HEART IS WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. BE SAFE. UPDATE ME MORE WHEN YOU CAN. JK.

  ANYA SENT STILL ONE more text, this one encrypted:

  I HAVE SENT KLEIN THE TEXT YOU PREPARED FOR ME TO SEND. I WILL NOW DO AS YOU HAVE INSTRUCTED.

  CHAPTER 64

  March 14, 2020, Three Days Later

  JAKE WAS STEELED AWAY in his campus apartment. He had not heard anything further from Anya, and he was afraid that might not be a good sign. He was torn between sending her another text to display his concern, and not imposing on her at the moment. Maybe I’ll wait another few days, and then text her, if I still don’t hear anything further from her.

  Progress on cracking Molloy’s code was proving extremely difficult, but Anya’s situation made it hard for him to concentrate. He had been at his desk, chipping away on Molloy’s code, for several hours when he heard the knock at his door.

  “It’s not locked. C’mon in,” he said. Probably should start keeping it locked. The door opened. Jake couldn’t believe his eyes.

  AUSTIN FILLED BAKER, JR. in on the two customary off record items on their agenda, in addition to the buckets of balls each was exhausting, sort of. “Turgenev is insistent that his anti-Klein campaign be carried out without modification, as he put it together. I side with your dad if he’s prepared to take Turgenev on over this.”

  JAKE LOOKED AT HIS long-lost friend. “Amir! I was wondering why you vanished like you did. Come in! What’s going on? How are you?”

  “Mr. JK, nice see you. Amir fine. You too?”

  “Yes, I’m fine,” Jake said, “but I want to hear about you.”

  “Little to say, Mr. JK. Didn’t mean to disappear, but not want to be more burden on you. After you explain immigration here, went to take care myself.”

  “How did it turn out?”

  “File application for asylum. Am legal now. Allowed to stay and work until application hearing.” He showed his official asylum papers to Jake. “If approved, hope can stay in America permanently. Not want go back Kazakhstan. Danger for Amir there.”

  Jake really wasn’t clear what Amir’s problem was in Kazakhstan, but if he’s allowed to stay here, and wants to, he thought that would be great. “Amir, where are you staying now, and what are you doing? Are you working?”

  “Decide stay in New Haven. Nice town. Many people from different countries. Making some friends. And near where you are. All good. Buy used car. Working for Uber. Making enough for small apartment with other Uber driver. Hoping fix my English and maybe get job as campus guide at Yale.”

  “Wow. Seems like you’re doing very well.” Jake wondered how Amir had the money to buy a car.

  “Like to have lunch, Mr. JK? My treat. I drive us to favorite coffee shop in my Uber car.”

  “Sounds good. Let me grab my jacket. But maybe we could go dutch treat.”

  “Not understand. Restaurant not Dutch food. Maybe another U.S. saying?”

  Jake explained the meaning of dutch treat—where each party pays their own way—as they walked to Amir’s car. He was surprised to see the car—a small four-door sedan—but only a couple years old and very clean. It drove very well. They had a nice lunch. Amir treated.

  Amir dropped Jake back at his apartment. “Amir very busy now, working many hours and studying to become campus guide. Maybe we have dinner in one month. Go dutch treat.”

  BAKER TURNED RED IN the face. “Fuck him!” he shouted. “Both of them.”

  “Dad, ease up, I’m just delivering the mail, and you don’t need to blow a gasket.”

  “I don’t need any mail I don’t want, and my gaskets are just fine. Time to let Turgenev know that when we’re in America, we do it my way and not his. I may have to kiss his ass to get the okay to develop a hotel in Russia, but here, it’s my way or the highway—for him. He can huff and puff, but there’s not a damn thing he can do about it. He doesn’t want the Democrats taking control and investigating the hell out of him. He has no choice but to quietly do everything he can to get me reelected. He figures, after another four years in partnership with me, he won’t have to worry about the Democrats.”

  “I get it. I’ll make sure he gets the word.”

  CHAPTER 65

  March 16, 2020, Two Days Later

  AUSTIN CALLED THE EBCOM meeting to order. Each member reported on his or her area of responsibility. Things generally seemed to be progressing as anticipated. “Unfortunately, I do
have a bit of distressing news to report,” Austin said. “This couldn’t be more confidential, as will be obvious.”

  He then revealed to the members the early reports about the virus that was now starting to pop up around the country, and the fact that POTUS was still refusing to address it. “He is in denial. He seems to insist that he can ignore anything he doesn’t want to hear and it’ll go away. He’s used to getting his way, as we all know, but he doesn’t seem to understand that he can’t intimidate this virus.”

  They went around the table. There were no dissenting opinions. Baker was going about this all wrong, but there was nothing they could do. They were stuck with him. He might not be great, but he was better than the Democratic Party that has totally been taken hostage by the progressive left wing of the party.

  Austin adjourned the meeting after all views had been shared. The die is cast.

  CHAPTER 66

  March 18, 2020, Two Days Later

  JAKE HAD FINALLY RECEIVED a text from Anya:

  SORRY NOT TO WRITE SOONER. THINGS HAVE BEEN DIFFICULT HERE. AT FIRST, WE WEREN’T SURE MOM WAS GOING TO MAKE IT. I WAS AFRAID TO WRITE WHEN THE NEWS SEEMED SO GRIM. BUT SHE IS NOW SHOWING SOME IMPROVEMENT. MY DAD CAN’T BEAR THE THOUGHT OF MY ABANDONING THEM NOW, AND SO I CAN’T. I HOPE THAT I WILL BE ABLE TO RETURN TO MY STUDIES AT HARVARD—AND TO YOU—IN ANOTHER COUPLE OF MONTHS. I MISS YOU. LOVE, ANYA

  P.S. HOW ARE THINGS COMING WITH YOUR STUDIES AND WORK?

  He was pleased that she hadn’t forgotten him, and that her mom was recovering. He sent her a short reply:

  SORRY, THINGS ARE SO DIFFICULT AND THAT I CAN’T HELP YOU, BUT HAPPY TO KNOW THAT YOUR MOM IS IMPROVING. STUDIES AND WORK HERE ARE FINE, SAME ‘OL, SAME ‘OL. MISS YOU TOO. WRITE WHEN YOU KNOW MORE. JK.

  Jake was modestly intrigued by the fact that Anya had inquired about his work. Given that what he was doing was very anti-Russia, it seemed wise to him not to possibly put Anya on the hot seat, given her heritage and presumed loyalty. That was why he had decided to side step her inquiry.

  At least he had simplified his love life during Anya’s absence. He had finally forced himself to make a clean break with Kelly—she didn’t seem to be surprised. She said that they would still be friends, just without benefits. He hoped she meant it—that they would still be friends.

  Jake was also beginning to make some serious progress with decoding Molloy’s software. It wasn’t easy—Molloy was a tech beast—but Jake was gaining some traction. It was like trying to build one of those several thousand piece jigsaw puzzles. First, you have to find the four corners. Then, you have to find all of the pieces that have straight outsides that make the perimeter. Then, you just have to keep working from there, as best you can. As you work toward the center, it becomes tougher and slower.

  He thought he might have a full handle on it in another couple of weeks. He was confident of his abilities, but he was beginning to be mindful of the clock.

  He also had an exciting software thought, but that would have to wait until he had finished the decoding.

  CHAPTER 67

  March 24, 2020, Six Days Later

  JAKE HAD JUST FINISHED one of Carter’s classes. As they were walking out of the lecture hall, Carter told Jake they needed to meet, and they were now seated in Carter’s office. The professor had made a point of closing the door, which he didn’t usually do.

  Jake sensed things weren’t quite right. “Anything wrong, Professor?” Jake asked.

  “Yes, but it certainly isn’t your fault, no problems with either your class-work or the extracurricular work you put together for my manuscript.”

  Carter paused. Jake figured it was Carter’s meeting, so he waited for him to continue.

  “I should have known,” Carter finally said. “With these damn publishers, it’s always hurry up and wait. You bust your ass to get your manuscript finished, and then you have to sit and wait, and then wait some more. The publish or perish principle only makes this tedium all the more aggravating, although I can’t blame that on my publisher.”

  He sure is taking his sweet time coming to the point. “What’s on your mind, Professor?” Jake asked.

  “My publisher was just acquired by one of the big five publishing houses. And wouldn’t you know, they have some different ideas about my manuscript. They think it’s too bland. They want me to rewrite it, make it more … progressive.”

  “I don’t get it,” Jake said. “I thought tech books are just that, techie, not political. What do they mean by progressive?”

  “The new publishing house is very anti-Baker. They think the publishing industry will do better under the Democrats if Baker is defeated this November. They want to do whatever they can to help achieve that result. They’ve given me one month to edit my manuscript, and turn it into more of an intellectual piece. One that is very progressive, to boot. Leaving very little doubt as to who I think should win in November.”

  Jake’s antenna was rising. So was his blood pressure. “And how does this have anything to do with me?” Jake asked.

  “I’m gonna have a tough time turning this manuscript around in four weeks, but I have no choice. Our university here is even more progressive than my new publisher, with whom they side.”

  Jake sat opposite Carter, waiting for the other shoe to fall.

  “I’m up for tenure in the coming school year. I need to read the tea leaves. As the saying goes, I have to publish … or perish. And what I publish has to ring progressive—ultra-progressive. If I don’t appease the university, and the new publishing house, I could end up out on the street. I’m hoping you might be able to help me with the rewrite, redoing the chapter you wrote about KHC to make it more of an advocacy piece than the existing neutral tech report you originally submitted?”

  “Wow. That’s a tough ask, Professor. I’m not at all a political creature. My thing is computers, not politics.”

  “Yeah, I get it, Jake, but you need to get it too. Shit flows downhill.”

  He started out kinda using honey. Seems like he just pivoted to vinegar. “Let me give it some thought, Professor, and see if there’s anything I might be able to do,” Jake said. Maybe I’m being more political than I realize because I know damn well I’m not gonna do what he’s asking, and I’m not at all being candid or honest about that.

  CHAPTER 68

  March 26, 2020, Two Days Later

  TURGENEV SAW NO CHOICE but to concede. I can’t devote any more time to this bullshit. I’ve got bigger fish to fry, including this new pandemic business, which is taking a ton of my time—and is going to get a lot worse before it gets any better. Baker just doesn’t give in. I have to let him win this round, agree to take Klein out by marrying him to those damn progressive American Democrats. I hope Baker knows what the fuck he’s doing. I sure as hell don’t want to spend the next four years fighting a number of goddamn progressives who certainly aren’t my friends.

  I’m also amazed that Baker doesn’t seem to be paying the least bit of attention to the pandemic. Not a word coming out of his administration as of yet. Boggles my mind.

  CHAPTER 69

  March 30, 2020, Four Days Later

  JAKE CAME UP FOR air. He had finally managed to fully decode Molloy’s software. He now understood exactly how it worked, and how it was going to be employed to help Baker gain reelection. Time for me to see if I can now turn my conjecture that I can block Molloy’s software into reality. It’s gonna take me even longer than it did to decode Molloy’s software because I have to design and write it from scratch. Not a lot of time until the election. Have to really haul ass.

  He also stopped by to see Carter and break the news to him. There was no way he was going to do what Carter wanted. He wasn’t a politician, and he wasn’t going to become one.

  He expected a full on collision. If so, he was prepared to deal with it.

  Carter surprised Jake and just reversed course: “Don’t worry about it, JK. It was wrong of me to ask you what I did. The problem i
s mine, not yours. I’ll deal with it.”

  CHAPTER 70

  April 11, 2020, Twelve Days Later

  AS A YOUNG ISRAELI, Abelson remembered when he was first recruited out of the Israeli army to join the Mossad. It was one of his proudest moments. The Mossad enjoyed a reputation as one of the most sophisticated intelligence agencies in the world. As far as he was concerned, no other country’s intelligence agency held a candle to them, including the American CIA, or the Russian GRU. The Mossad earned its reputation because of its technology, its commitment, its discipline, and its worldwide networks of underground moles.

  It wasn’t often that Abelson was invited to participate in one of the daily intelligence briefings of Mossad’s upper echelons held in Mossad headquarters in Tel Aviv—this was one of those rare occasions. In this instance, by scrambled telephone from his apartment at Southern Connecticut State University where he was on leave studying computer science. Abelson didn’t know whether to be pleased or concerned.

  “Thanks for joining us, Gali,” said his handler. “We have a piece of intelligence we wanted to bring to your attention.”

  “That was a great way to get my attention,” Abelson responded. “Anything I should be worried about?”

  His handler ignored Abelson’s question. “As you know, we are well aware of the not-so-secret Russian efforts to assure Baker’s reelection in November. According to intelligence from a well-positioned mole in Moscow, there is some kind of joint campaign afoot between Turgenev and Baker to attribute Russia’s actions to a young Jewish American computer expert by the name of Jake Klein.”