PROLOGUE

 

Late 19^th and early 20^th Century America saw the rise of industrial power and wealth. In turn the late 20^th Century witessed the rise of space exploration and computer technology while the early 21^st Century is seeing firm steps to establish mankind as an interplanetary species.

These technological advancements have, along with social progress, also given way to a new breed of criminal.  Criminals who in lieu of guns use keyboards to steal the work and secrets of others. These activities are labelled “Cyber Crime”.

American Telephone and Telegraph grew out of what Americans like to call ‘Ma Bell’. The corporate name has gone through several incarnations as successive CEO’s have manuevered it into becoming the largest telecommunications conglomerate in the world. 

As always in American big business, like hungry lions chasing a wildebeast, an array of Asian, European and Third World companies are constantly nipping at their heels. The failure or compromise of its communications  technology is a sure sign a nation is in trouble.

The fall of great empires usually comes from within and always as a result of weak or dodgy leadership.

America’ s press is and has been failing for a long time.

 

“No science is immune to the infection of

politics and the corruption of power.”

- Jacob Bronowski

 

*******

 

 

CHAPTER ONE

 

Trinity Prison

HMP Wandsworth

Heathfield Road, South London

Friday 21:45, 20 January, 2023

 

aving proven himself with good behavior Anakin Banbury, former CEO of Hamlet Security who is serving 25 years for accomplice to murder, malfeasance, grand larceny and misleading the authorities, awaits his transfer from A Wing to the Trinity scection, a Category C wing reserved for ‘low risk of violence’ offenders, forgers, fraudsters etc . . .

The armored car heist back on New Year’s Eve 1999 in which two security guards disappeared along with several billion in cash had been largely forgotton. By most.

Now, years later, nearly all the money has been recovered as well as the missing armored car. However, of the two guards only one body was fished from the Thames years after the fact. The other guard was never found and was  presumed dead.

At approximately twelve minutes before evening lockdown in the prison, as the diminutive Banbury was preparing his personal property to vacate his cell next morning, his cellmate wandered off to the toilet. Two other prisoners slipped into his cell. 

Next morning during breakfast the wing’s lockdown alarm blared and amongst the shouting of the guards and the wailing of the alarm all prisoners were shuffled back into their cells again to be locked down as extra guards hurridly flooded into the wing.

Banbury’s cold, rigor-ridden body had been discovered tucked neatly in his bed. He apparently had been garrotted.

The required investigation was launched.

No one would ever be charged.

But Banbury’s cellmate earned an extra two cartons of cigarettes for sleeping above the corpse that night.

The British Prison authorities would never discover, or much care about, the fact that the people who paid Banbury to supply the information required for the 1999 crime for which he was inprisoned were apparently none too happy that the electronic spoofer device they paid him for never found it’s way into their hands.  

 

*******

 

 

CHAPTER TWO

 

New York Times Building

620 8th Avenue

Manhattan, New York

 

he Domino’s Pizza motorcycle maneuvered between the short silver bollards lining the sidewalk and parked right in front of the huge, circular glass door which stood sentry in front of the seventy-five story skyscraper in Lower Manhattan.

The fact that the driver parked up on the sidewalk, two feet from the main entrance was to allow the night guard to keep an eye out for his motor bike. The odds of getting a ticket at 11:58 at night were virtually nil however in a town where the entire population save the city’s administration relealized that crime was out of control, the odds of his bike being stolen were pretty good. Even with the night guard keeping an eye out. All the cops on the late shift, now operating at 20% less manpower curtousey of the ’Defund Police’ campaign, were prowling around the poorer neighborhoods where 80-85% of all the crime occurred.

More importantly, if the execs got their pies piping, hot it translated into an extra ten buck tip.

From behind the four man reception desk inside the spacious lobby the sole black, middle-aged guard glanced over the bank of monitors in front of him and casually watched the delivery guy scurry to the rear of his bike and pull out two extra-large, pepperoni pizzas. After all, it was New York City not one of your dinky little New England villages and so the only respectable sized pizzas were extra-large pizzas.

“Yo, your guys pies is here!” The night guard declared into the phone as he simultaneously buzzed the Dominoes guy in.

Send him up Jimmy would ya? The intercom growled back.

“Not supposed ta do that Mr. J.! New rules this year!”

The year hasn’t officially started yet Jimmy! But if I’m looking at pizza on my desk in the next ten minutes, you’ll be looking at a twenty in front of yours!

Jimmy the guard hung up the phone and motioned the kid nearer. Coming around from behind the desk he then opened the top box and took a slice out, folded it in half and took a bite catching a dribble of hot mozzarella with his other hand as he did.

“Security check kid.” He garbled as he juggled the hot cheese in his mouth. “Company policy, you know, make sure there’s no bombs hidden in the dough. Take the elevator, fourteenth floor, board room, door marked ‘Legal Department’ end of the hall.”

At the same time upstairs in the modern highrise, there was a clandestine, late night meeting of a small group of PR lawyers for a major cable news network gathered to concoct a plan to combat the network’s sagging ratings and to figure out how best to make use of the new sat com technology due to come on line next month plus how to exploit its potential benefits to the broadcast industry.

With all the hallways and offices, save those in Conference Room C turned out, the four figures, mostly lawyers, huddled in the shadows at the oversized conference table were reminiscent of Macbeth’s witches in Act IV, scene 1.

“We need to decide what we’re going to recommend to the execs upstairs so they can brief the on-air talent who we’re going to back after Biden has been replaced by his own party and is out of the picture.” The lone female pointed out to the guy at the head of the table.

Reinforced by a weekend game of paintball he effortlessly exuded the false machismo so often mistaken in the corporate world for manhood. It was clear he was the honcho at the midnight conference.

“I say we go with Harris.” The bleached blond suggested much to the objection of the bald guy a PR account/lawyer type brought in to babysit the fading numbers.

“Word Salad Harris?! You can’t be serious! She’s the only one worse at public speaking then he is!”

“Yes but she doesn't confuse Sweden and Switzerland, refer to Michelle Obama as vice president or misquote the Constitution!” Blondie countered.

“Okay, let’s see how many dozen Dems throw their hat in the ring this time and go from there.” Macho Man directed. “Let’s get down to the main mission.”

“Good idea, I say 18.” She quickly spouted.

“18 what?” He queried.

“18 Dems announce their candidiacy sometime after the midterms.”

“I’ll lay $20 on that!” Bald Guy threw in.

“Put me down for fifty!” Macho Man ventured.

“I’ll take both those bets!” She defiantly boasted .

They all turned to the guy sitting quietly at the other end of the table taking notes as the pizzas arrived and they all dove in.

“Now guys, business please!” He pleaded.

“Yes sir.” Blondie responded. Macho Man resumed.

“As per orders from the top no more boosting, paddding or faking reports! Sources will be quoted on all stories.”

“You mean like the two reporters broadcasting ’live war’ news from Bagdad making believe they were broadcasting the initial bombing from a downtown hotel?” The accountant quipped.

“Personaly I think it was the plastic Arica palm and fake helmets that gave it away!” Blondie added.

“Did the producer staging that thing ever get caught?” Macho Man queried as he cradled his chin as much to emphasise his interrogative as to flex his right bicep as he did so.

“Oh yeah! It was even posted on line.” Blondie affirmed.

“How come I never heard of it?” He pushed.

“They quashed it. Plus the American public has the memory of a goldfish.” She added.

“Well from now on word is nothing that can be branded Fake News!”

“Chief that might be easier said than done.” She countered.

“How so?”

“Well the idea of fake news has been around forever and is pretty ingrained in the zeitgeist at this point.”

“Actually  it only dates back to 2015 when Alphabet, the parent company of Google, published it through First Draft. Obama while giving a speech at Carnegie-Mellon used it to apply to the mass media when he said: ’Somebody has to step in and corral this wild west Media environment.’” Bald Guy informed.

“Well we will avoid it like the plague! What did we find out today on the viewership survey?” He asked.

“Pew Research reported 83% of liberals are satisfied with their news coverage. Less than 30% of conservatives reported being satisfied with their news coverage. How are we supposed to close a more than 50% gap?!” The diminutive guy with the horn rimmed glasses and extra-large forehead was quick to respond.

“We’re not. Our strategy is going to be to continue to pander to the 83% while planning a transition strategy for when the numbers change.”

“And how are we supposed to know when the numbers are going to change?” He asked as he looked up from his notes.

“Hello! Tuesday November 8th?” Macho Man snapped back.

“Between the supply chain screw ups, gas and food prices and rising inflation. . .” Blondie opined.

“Not to mention the border and the laptop from hell!” Bald Guy interjected.

“Those are just side shows. No one is ever going to see the inside of a jail cell because of their economic and business ties with communists or opening the border.” Macho Man confidently spewed.

“But we openly backed Biden and the Dems!” The accountant countered.

“Guys, let’s keep our eye on the ball! We are here to figure out how to get our numbers up to support our required revenue stream. And we can’t do that with less than half a million viewers! We’ve already lost half a dozen sponsors. Is there anything else?”

“The suits.” Blondie prompted.

“Shit yeah, the suits. Very briefly, before we break and finally call it a night. The suits from Santa Clara are coming in on Monday! They’re going to want to know how we intend to shape the news leading up to the midterms. We need to minimise the bloodbath Biden’s people are likely to face. Be ready for the suits’ input on which spins to apply!” He cautioned.

“That it? What  about inter-departmental coordination?” She asked.

“The Chief has an all-hands meeting planned in two weeks depending on what happens with the guy the SecDef recommended for DIRNSA. He’s a 98% chance of getting nominated, it all depends if he gets the Senate’s approval.”

“He’ll get through, he’s a hardcore Dem!” Accountant Guy insisted.

“He’d better at the abysamal ratings they’re going into their third year with!”

“I wouldn’t put money on that boys!” Blondie interjected. “Especially given the rumors of the House Intell Committee cover-up and shifty Shiff!”

“That’s fake news! It’s just disinformation.” The big guy blurted out with a chuckle.

“Yeah, Russian disinfomation!” She mockingly quipped.

The grey-haired guy at the end of the table closed over his notebook and spoke up.

“Get your aides on the phone first thing in the morning, I want a detailed legal search of the FCC codes, any pertinent state and federal regulations regarding communications sale and transfers and it might not be a bad idea to brush up on the D.O.J.’s latest modifications and interpretations of the Sherman Act.”

“That all? Why don’t we stage a revival of Jesus Christ Superstar while we’re at it?!” Blondie made no attempt to hide her sarcasm.

“It’s been done.” He shot back. “Also reports to my secretary by Thursday close of business!”

“What’s the name of this company that we’re negotiating with?” Bald Guy asked.

“AstroCom Technologies.”

 

 

*******

Dulles International

Dulles, Virginia

Thursday, February 23^rd

 

The twin pom poms of his Peruvian winter hat bounced off his chest as the fifty-something, clean-shaven gentleman in open black rubber goloshers and grey herring bone overcoat made his way to the luggage claim area. He carried only a brown leather briefcase such as a 1950’s school teacher might have.

After collecting his single bag from the luggage carousel he made his way through the terminal out into the cold but clear winter day to a taxi.

“U.S. Capitol Building, please.”

“How many capitol buildings do you think we got here pal?” The driver quipped.

“Then take me to the largest one, please.” He politely snapped back.

Inspector Nigel Morrissey had been flown over from Scotland Yard in London to Washington D.C. to testify before a Department of Homeland Security senate sub-committee regarding the security of the formerly classified portable spoofer devices such as the one stolen from the Hamilton armoured car in London back in New Year’s 1999.

In route he marveled at his first sight of the city’s world-famous, pristine monuments formerly seen only in movies.

One thing you can say for the Yanks, he silently mused as they passed the imposing Lincoln Memorial. They don’t do things half measure!

On arrival at the Capitol Building, as he paid the driver he was taken aback by the soldiers patrolling the partially cordoned off streets and all the fencing he saw.

  On arrival at the front entrance he was required to present his I.D. then again at the entrance to the actual chamber where he was asked to set his bag aside with one of the D.C. policemen at the door before being scanned with a detection wand. An easel mounted sign to the side of the door read:

 

‘House sub-Committee on

Communications, Media & Broadband’

 

 He was escorted into the large hall where a hearing was already underway.

Inside the two large oak doors, in the front of the room, sat twenty-eight high-backed, padded chairs which were arranged around and behind a large horseshoe-shaped desk. Seveal of the seats were unoccupied.

A panel of senators, 12 from the Minority and 12 from the Majority, were seated around the desk with a 12 foot long, mahogany table in the center. Behind this table were seated four men in business suits.

In the center of the large horseshoe desk sat Massachusetts Democrat Sen. Burman. The plaque in front of him read: ‘Chairman’.

A smattering of photo journalists sat on the floor at the foot of the large horseshoe desk and there was a small gallery with seating for perhaps fifty visitors.

The men at the long table represented two tech companies, AstroCom Technologies and Nexus 6, the latter of which were seeking approval of the Communications committee before they could apply for licencing from the FCC to launch their latst product, a constellation of communication satellites designed specifically to bring internet to parts of the globe where it was now lacking.

Their competition, AstroCom, sought to block their efforts.

One of the committee was posing a question regarding the Sherman Act on monopolization to one of the businessmen at the table who appeared to be a lawyer representing Nexus 6.

Morrissey was quietly shown to his seat on the right side of the visitor’s gallery.

“Senator, the Statute of Limitations ruling under 18 USC 3282 (a) clearly states it is 5 years.” The lawyer at the table responded.

“On what legal grounds does AstroCom intend on filing against the Nexus 6 V.P.E. system?” A second senator asked. A second suit, this one from AstroCom took up the question.

“In its 2017 ruling The Eighth Circuit applied the Continuing Violation Doctrine thus extending the time under 15 USC 15(b).” He confidently responded. “We intend to do likewise senator.”

Morrissey was always befuddled by the incomprehensibly complicated American legal system. Particularly given that it was theorhetically evolved from the British system. Convinced no one on the planet had access to all the laws of the U.S. much less knew the majority if them, it seemed that no matter what law one side presented in court the fast talking lawyers on the other side, providng money was no object, could magically pull an opposeing law out of their hat.

The Chairman spoke up.

“Dr. Parker how do you intend to deal with the fact that before your first customer pays any money for your service your company will be required to have 100% of your investment not only in place but invested in the right locations?”

“Already arranged Mr. Chairman.” The forty-something year old Dr. Parker CEO of Nexus 6 shot back.

“Enough of the legal arguments I’d now like to direct questioning to the technical details and applicability if the uh, the . . .” Burman announced as he shuffled through some papers in front of him. “. . . ah The Vacuum Pulse Emitter. The Chair recognises Senator Nadlinsky.” Senator Gerry Nadlinsky, (D-CA) switched on his mike.

As Morrissey took his reserved seat near the front of the gallery he caught sight of Frank Mahone seated on the other side, back to the wall eating a large submarine sandwich, bits of shredded onion escaping the back end of the roll, as fellow audience members kept their distance.

Morrissey glanced back at the entrance at the ‘No Food or Drink Permitted’ sign on the wall, shook his head and smirked.

“Thank you Mr. Chairman.” The short, fat Nadlinsky said. “Dr. Parker, you are a professor at the Department of Electronics and Computer Engineering at Cal Berkeley, is that correct?” Nadlinsky asked.

“No, I formaly held the chair of that department but I am no longer with the university.” The well-dressed forty-something at the table answered.

“How is it you no longer hold that posistion Doctor? Were you dismissed?” Nadlinsky probed.

“No senator. I felt obligated to give someone else a shot at the university chair so they could advance their career.”

“Is that the only reason? I mean do you expect this committee to believe you walked away from a well paid, highlty prestigeius position as a tenured professor just to give someone else a chance?”

“Not only. After I was awarded the Rumford Prize for Astrophysics I decided to use the money to expand my own private laboratory, hire some young up and coming scientists and persue several other projects I believe could benefit mankind.” He politly explained. “Which is why we developed the The Vacuum Pulse Emitter.”

“So you’re an altruist?” The vertically challenged, noticably obese senator made little attempt to hide his sarcasm.

“No sir. Just a scientist.” Parker answered.

“The university chair yes.” Nadlinsky repeated as he fumbled through his notes. “You are familiar with this Nexus system?” Nadlinsky asked.

“I believe you mean the Omnibus satellite system? I should be. I wrote the navigational program.”

“Omnibus, yes.” Nadlinsky mumbled. Parker took up the question.

“In 2019 half the world was still without internet.” Parker explained. “In terms of coverage we’ve made little progress since then. The third world wants and needs technology!” He continued. “A large part of why 911 succeeded for them but failed so tragically for us was because the FBI and Intelligence agencies were technologically behind. While Americans were posting pictures of their breakfast on Facebook and trading tweets about their favorite shoes our enemies were making significant strides and military advances in technology. The technology my company is working on has unlimited applications to the entire internet system. The time sensitive nature of the finance industry alone is a perfect example.”

“How is that Doctor?” The chairman queried.

“Sir, if we can reduce the latency transferring of information from ground to satellite by just five seconds as opposed to the undersea cables currently being used in either the Hibernia Express or the Atlantic Crossing cable, we can save 300 million dollars in those 5 seconds!” Suddenly the room became more attentive. “The undersea cable system we now use to transmit information was revolutionary in its time but now gentleman, it’s time is past. Undersea communication systems are an open invite to sabotage by our enemies. Not to mention the possibility of future attacks on supply systems such as the Nord Stream pipe lines.

Because our economic system is so time sensitive that five seconds saved by using ground-to-space technology versus trans-Atlantic cables, translates to billions per day on the international market. Millions being moved in fractions of seconds, all as a result of decreased latency!” He continued with mounting enthusiasm.

“Not to mention the benefits that will be incurred when we bring in the whole rest of the world.” Parker sat forward in his chair and made deliberrate eye contact with the committee members. “Imagine it ladies and gentleman, a day when every household in all the third world countries can say, ‘we have internet!’ It would be a quantum leap forward for civilization! If anyone ever questioned why we came down out of the trees and walked across the Serengeti standing upright looking for something better . . . this is it! This is something better!” He pleaded.

Senator Nadlinsky, a clandestine stockholder in AstroCom, was not about to throw in the towel.

“A key feature of the GPS system lies in its ability to successfully navigate it’s assigned orbit does it not?” Nadlinsky challenged.

“To an extent yes.” Parker replied.

“Well then doesn’t your Nexus system’s navigational ability also depend on the reliability of our GPS satellite constellation?”

“Yes but that’s not the critical technogical breakthrough which makes the V.P.E. viable.”

“And should one of your units come on course to collide with a piece of space junk or a satilite not belonging to the United States? Say the Soviet Union for example. What then? World War Three?”

“Probably not. With all due respect senator that will never happen”.

“What makes you so sure doctor?”

“Well for one thing, the Soviet Union has been extinct for 33 years.” Sporadic laughter filtered across the room. “But more importantly Senator, each of the 3,000 satilites Nexus is seeking to launch is equippted with individual navigational abilities. In other words should a unit somehow intersect the trajectory of another satilite or piece of space debris both units, in coordination with each other, will replot new courses to avoid collision. The replot will then be sent to the control center, tagged and permanently recorded.”

A second committee member, Representitive Natalie Farmiga, a republican from New Jersey, interjected with a query.

“Dr. Parker should the committee decide to pass this on to the FCC for approval how long do you anticipate before you will have had the full constellation of 3,000 units in orbit?”

“We have planned for 180 days to have completed all launchs than an additional 30 days to co-ordinate all 750 satellite quad clusters and work out all the bugs. At that point 94.5 per cent of the Earth will have access to the internet.”

“Three thousand satellites!” Nadlinsky exclaimed.

“That is correct, senator.” Parker answered.

“Dr. Parker we already know it’s getting pretty crowded up there without adding to the nearly 4,600 satellites already jamming the earth’s outer atmosphere. Don’t you think the addition of three thousand more satellites will increase the chances of a mishap?”

“Not actually senator.”   

“Why not?”

“In addition to the avoidance system already described our satellites will be restricted to the L.E.O., the Low Earth Orbit, that is altitudes below the 2,000km pathways.”

Senator Burman interupted the back and forth.

“Gentlemen, I’m due in the House for a vote in twenty minutes, so if there are no objections, I would like to hear  from our two police witnesses so they can go about their business and I can duck out and vote. After that, we’ll take a thirty minute recess then resume.” There were no objections. “Good, then I’ll start. As there were earlier some questions of overlapping functions with the spoofer mechanism stolen from the London Hamlet Security van heist over two years ago and I am now informed that these so-called ‘spoofer’ devices are now widely used by several militaries to transmit false VPN locations through dedicated satellites, let’s move to the subject of illegality.

Doctor Parker, would this Vacuum Pulse Emitter system, if approved and deployed, not afford the criminal element the opportunity to scramble or disrupt large numbers of VPN locations?”

“Mr. Chairman my company has also had the opportunity to closely examine current spoofer devices and we believe we have come up with a safety system whereby should two or more VPN’s be suspected of disruption, a notification will alert base control and allow a blocking program to be activated.

Additionally Mr. Chairman I’d like to point out that, according to the FAA, there are currently over 24,000 aircraft in the comparatively tiny space of our stratosphere and they seem to manage quite well.”

“Not if you’re flying out of Newark!” Someone in the gallery called out. Sporadic laughter filtered across the room.

“Mr. Chairman, if I may?”

“The chair recognises Representative Farmiga.”

“Thank you. Dr. Parker, my staff informs me and in reading through your proposal here, you’re predicting far-reaching implications in economics for your VPE system?”

“Yes ma’am that’s correct.”

“Could you please elaborate on that for us?”

“Be happy to. Many people are under the misimpression that all of our internet interactions are carried out by satellite. This is false. The majority of our online and internet interactions are still carried by fibre optic cable. While a quantum leap from electric transfer, fibre optic cable is still five times slower than information transfer through a vacuum. The delivery time of information from point A to point B is known as ’latency’. The latency time of transfer through the vacuum of space will reduce communication time by 75%. Ergo the VPE.”

“How will VPE in turn improve overall commerce?”

“Not just commerce but all communications madam. By improving latency time by 75% we will add an estimated 1 to 1.5 billion dollars per day to the open market. Political communications would be near instantaneous, treaties and political contracts could be decided upon and signed the same day!”

“I think you give us politicians too much credit for efficiency Dr. Parker! But if you can somehow invent a way to reduce latency time in between politicians, I believe we’d all be better off.” Reresentitive Faemiga added.

Again mild laughter rippled through the gallery.

“No comment madam.”

Nigel Morrissey was finally called on to testify and related his knowledge of and participation in the events of 1999-2000.

“I head up a special homicide unit in Scotland Yard who were called in to investigate the disappearance of two Hamlet Security guards. The fact that no hint of the guards was found for 19 years is testimony to the cleverness of the planning by those who perpetrated the crime.” Now speaking from the center table Morrissey relayed.

“So you are convinced the robbery of this prototype electronic device was a professional job?” The Chairman asked.

“Correct sir. The fact that we lost one of our best detectives in the course of our investigation in conjunction with the fact that the perpetrators were solely focused on the electronic spoofer device, neglecting the £600,000,000 sterling contained in the van is testimony to the potential financial value of such electronic devices.”

“And we still have no hint who set this robbery up?”

“We’ve apprehended and successsfully proscecuted the London backers but there is some suspicion that, being as these spoofers were such a sought after piece of hardware at the time, there may have been international implications as well.”

“Inspector, do you feel there is a likely possibility that we will see more of these high profile cyber-type crimes in the future and that we should rethink our secuurity in these areas?” Burman asked.

 “You’d be negligent in your duties if you didn’t, Senator. I have no doubt cybercrime will only increase in frequency and audacity as time progresses. I am absolutely certain as we speak another such crime is being planned.”

“Is there anything else you’d like to add Inspector?”

“No Senator thank you for inviting me.”

“Thank you for comng all this way to testify for us.”

Morrisey returned to his gallery seat.

“Call Detective Frank Mahone please.” Chairman Burman took note of the fact that Frank had about a quarter if his hoagie left.

“Detective Mahone would you like us to rearrange the order of testimony in order to allow you time to finish your lunch?” He sarcastically asked over the room’s open microphone.

“No thank you Senator.” Mahone called back across the room as he stood to come forward. “I’ll finish it later.” He answered as he wrapped the last of the sandwich in its paper and crammed it into his over coat’s side pocket and proceeded to the witness table. “It’s not that good any way, too much mayo.” There was mild laughter as the chairman ignored his return sarcasm and Frank took a seat at the table.  

“Mr. Mahone would you please state your name and occupation for the record?”

“Frank Mahone, Lieutenant Detective, NYPD Homicide Division. Currently on rotatioal duty.”

“Is that for diciplinary reasons Detective?”

“No sir, that’s because some bright sparks in the politcal establishment decided it would be a good idea to defund the police! Perhaps some of you have seen this story in the news?” Mahone’s comments briefly blanketed the room with silence.

“What can you tell us about this new VPE device?” Chairman Burman pushed on.

“Absolutely nothing senator.”

“What about the spoofer device stolen from the Hamlet Security people?”

“Except for the fact that they went through a shit load of trouble to steal it, not much.”

“Then why have you been called here to testify?”

“It’s your show senator. I have no idea why I’m here. I’d much rather be back up in New York cleaning up the criminal mess that scumbag DiBlasio left us.”

Sporadic laughter floated across the gallery.

“Detective Mahone if you could modulate your speech it would be much appreciated!”

“I was told I was asked to come down here and talk about computer crime not space technology.”

“Very well. Based on your experiences in London what can you tell us about the computer crime situation you and Inspector Morrissey encountered?” Representitive Farmiga asked.

“Like I said, I don’t know anything about the tech side of the house but I do know that whatever the tech guys can dream up to make life better and help people, some low life prick can twist around, exploit and turn into a criminal enterprise particularly if they have the backing of some politicians. I trust the committee has no objection to my use of the pejorative prick? Its pretty standard vocabulary on the force.”

“Very illuminating.” Nadlinsky commented.

“Look I don’t want to take up any of your time repeating what Inspector Morrissey has already stated but the fellas that pulled off that heist were not what you call your local neighborhood punks stealing hubcaps for a few bucks. They were well financed, highly organised and most importantly had high up political connections.”

“What led you to that conclusion detective?” Rep Farmiga asked.

“The fact that they weren’t afraid to do long stretches in prison means only one thing, they had political pull. Either that or they knew, even if caught, like that asshole who shot up all those people in the subway or the deranged prick who drives at full speed through a holiday parade they’d be out on low bail or get off easy.”

“Are you insinuating that politicians were involved?” Senator Nadlinsky the California Democrate challenged.

“Of course not senator! We all know politicians are above board and would never indulge in illegal activity!”

Again laughter peppered the room.

“If there are no more questions and if you are through enlightening us Detective, I think we can take a thirty minute break.” Burman announced.

During the recess, out in the vestibule, Morrissey approached Mahone.

“Have you always had such disdain for your government’s rules?” Morressey asked Mahone as he approached and they shook hands for their first meeting in well over a year.

“Rules no. Government yes.” They greeted as they shook. “You’re looking pretty good for such an old man!” Mahone chided.

“ME?! Don’t you lot have some sort of rule here about mandatory retirement? And if so how did you elude it?” Morrissey shot back.

“How are things in the Big Smoke?”

“Wet! For some reason we can’t get the hang of freezing rain into snow like you Yanks. How are things up in the Big Apple?” Morrissey asked.

“At the moment in flux. Finally got a new Mayor, but it’s still a democrat run city so, not much is likely to change.”

“The new Mayor, still pounding the race drum?” Nigel asked.

“Remains to be seen. He talks a big game but still shows no apparent attempt to crackdown on crime. How’s The Squad?”

“Doing well. All send their regards.”

“How are they coping without Dunn?”

“As well as can be expected. We’re due to have a replacement soon.”

“Any word on who?”

“No but for certain it will be a girl.”

“She’ll have a big bra to fill!”

“Maureen was a good woman and a sharp cop!” Morrissey stated looking down.

“Your mother still doing well?”

”Oh yes, eighty-two and fit as a fiddle! Still gives the local green grocers hell about his veg prices.”

“How long you over for?”

“Funny you should ask! I’ve taken two week’s extra holiday. Thought I might fly up to New York and have a snoop around, see what you lot have done to our colonies since you’ve moved in!”

“Ah well you’re in luck! I just happen to know someone who’s a cop! Might be able to put you up for a couple of days.”

“Invitation accepted.”

“Here,” Mahone passed him a business card. “Call me when you land.”

*******