Dead in a Week (Forensic Instincts 7)

“In most situations, that’s true. But the special computer we’re providing you with is enhanced in ways that will allow us to monitor your activity and also penetrate some of the anonymous layers of the Deep Web without raising red flags. In short, we have the tools and skills of the NSA. The kidnappers have no clue who they’re dealing with.”

“How—”

“We’re losing precious time.” Aidan cut off Vance’s next question. “Explanations on how you’re going to accomplish what they’re asking can wait until I fly up to Tahoe tonight. Right now we need to worry about contacting the kidnappers and orchestrating your first videoconference with Lauren. So grab a taxi and get to Starbucks. Call me when you’re in front of a computer.”

* * *

Aidan disconnected the call and pressed Terri’s number.

“Yes.”

“It’s me,” Aidan replied.

“One sec.” She said a muffled “Make it ten” into what was obviously another phone call and then ended it. “Sorry,” she said to Aidan.

“Was that Ryan?”

“He’s on his way here with his gizmo.”

“Good.” Aidan gave Terri a three-sentence update on where things stood at his end. “Did the two of you program the computer?”

“It’s done,” she replied. “Ryan did most of the work. He really is quite brilliant. He prepared the laptop specifically for Vance’s needs. He started with a standard HP laptop and then replaced the entire operating system with a highly secure and customized version of Linux. The user—in this case Vance—will be presented with a Windows login, but behind the scenes, every keystroke will be logged and forwarded to me. All audio and video signals will be mirrored and streamed to the Zermatt servers.”

“So for all intents and purposes our team will be watching everything Vance does with that laptop in real time. He can concentrate on his communications with the kidnappers and we can pick up on any pertinent data he might miss. We’ll get all content, body language, visual surroundings, nearby voices—the works. If there are any clues to lead us to Lauren, we’ll get them.”

“Precisely. Our courier service will be arriving here right on Ryan’s heels. I’ll have everything airborne within two hours—including a few other electronic items for you that might come in handy at some point.”

Aidan made a quick mental calculation. “That means the package will arrive here after we’ve held our team videoconference, I’m guessing around midnight. Have it delivered to my room at the Tahoe Ritz-Carlton. I’ll be there, tutoring Vance and keeping all the Penningtons in check. I’ll break for the team meeting. Once the package arrives, I’ll talk to Vance alone—no wife, no kids. I’ll give him a bare-bones explanation of the computer. Immediately thereafter, I’ll hop on our plane and get back to the Four Seasons so I can pass along the ring to Simone.”

“Simone? But it’s a man’s ring. I thought that Vance…”

“Change in plans. Just talked to him—Vance is too much of a nervous wreck for me to trust him to successfully pull this off, especially since all eyes are on him. He briefed Simone on where she’ll find what she needs, but she’ll be the one taking those photos. I’m not too thrilled about putting her in that position, but she’ll come through for us.” A pause. “As soon as I’m in Simone’s room, I’ll want an immediate videoconference with Ryan. Simone and I will both require a verbal instruction manual from him on the usage of the ring so that she can get those photos. Tell Ryan to be available.”

“Already taken care of,” Terri replied. “Ryan will be accessible all night. He knows what’s expected of him.” A pause. “As I said, he’s really good, Aidan. Even I’m impressed. And he was amazed by my Wheel of Fortune app. It’s gratifying to meet someone as young and savvy as Ryan—and someone who actually calls this work fun. I might have been dubious at first, but you were right to bring him on board. He’s a strong asset.”

Aidan bit back a smile. No surprise that Ryan’s exuberance over Terri’s app had won him major Brownie points. “I know he is. And I’m glad he’s following your lead, since Ryan tends to like running the show.” A quick glance at his watch. “Are we good? Because Vance should be calling me back any minute.”

“We’re good.”

Starbucks

Northstar Drive, Lake Tahoe

27 February

Tuesday, 8:55 a.m. local time

Vance was a complete wreck when he called Aidan back. Discussing a procedure like this and actually carrying it out—with your child’s life on the line—were two different things entirely.

“I hope you got yourself something to drink,” Aidan began, hearing the familiar Starbucks sounds of complex beverages being ordered and customers arguing over who was first in the queue. “You have to look like everyone else. The Starbucks manager won’t take kindly to freeloading their Wi-Fi with no purchase made. Not during pri

me breakfast hours.”

“I got decaf,” Vance replied. “I despise the stuff, but I don’t need caffeine to rev me up even more.”

“Smart.” Aidan didn’t waste time with small talk. He quickly and succinctly talked Vance through getting to where he needed to be using the Tor browser. Vance followed his instructions to a tee, which made the process go as painlessly as possible.

“Okay, I’m looking at a blinking cursor,” Vance reported, having logged in and used his requisite password. “Why baba?”