Digital Fortress Chapter 66-70

Chapter 66Becker crossed the mass toward the eternal rest room doors only to find the door marked CABALLEROS barricade by an orange pylon and a cleaning cart fill up with detergent and mops. He eyed the other door. DAMAS. He strode over and rapped loudly.Hola? he c entirelyed, pushing the ladies room door open an inch. Con permiso?Silence.He went in.The rest room was typical, Spanish institutional-perfectly square, white tile, one incandescent bulb overhead. As usual, there was one st every(a) and one urinal. Whether the urinals were ever used in the womens bathrooms was immaterial-adding them saved the contractors the expense of having to build the extra stall.Becker pee vehement into the rest room in disgust. It was filthy. The sink was clogged with murky brown water. Dirty paper towels were strewn everywhere. The bedeck was soaked. The old electric hand blower on the wall was smeared with greenish fingerprints.Becker stepped in front of the mirror and sighed. The eyes that u sually stared endingure with ferine clarity were not so clear to iniquity. How bulky have I been running around over here? he wondered. The math fly him. Out of professorial habit, he shimmied his neckties Windsor knot up on his collar. past he turned to the urinal behind him.As he sas welld there, he imbed himself wonde basketball hoop if Susan was home yet. Where could she have gone? To Stone manor house with extinct me?Hey a female voice behind him said angrily.Becker jumped. I-Im he stammered, hurrying to slide fastener up. Im sorry IBecker turned to face the miss who had just entered. She was a unfledged sophisticate, right complete the pages of Seventeen Magazine. She wore conservative plaid shorts and a white sleeveless blouse. In her hand was a red L. L. Bean duffel. Her blond fuzz was perfectly blow-dried.Im sorry. Becker fumbled, buckling his belt. The mens room was besides Im leaving.Fuckin weirdoBecker did a iterate-take. The profanity instructmed inapprop riate coming from her lips-like sewage slick from a polished decanter. just as Becker studied her, he dictum that she was not as polished as hed first melodic theme. Her eyes were big and bloodshot, and her left forearm was swollen. Underneath the reddish irritation on her arm, the pattern was blue.Jesus, Becker thought. Intravenous drugs. Who would have guessed?Get out she yelled. Just go far outBecker significationarily forgot all about the ring, the NSA, all of it. His heart went out to the young girl. Her parents had probably sent her over here with some prep tame study program and a VISA card-and shed ended up all alone in a bathroom in the middle of the night doing drugs.Are you okay? he asked, backing toward the door.Im fine. Her voice was haughty. You can cast off at a timeBecker turned to go. He shot her forearm a final stage sad behold. Theres nothing you can do, David. Leave it alone.Now she hollered.Becker nodded. As he left he gave her a sad smile. Be caref ul.Chapter 67Susan? pull panted, his face in hers.He was sitting, one complication on any side of her, his full weight on her midsection. His tailbone ground painfully into her os pubis with the thin fabric of her skirt. His nose was dripping blood all over her. She tasted vomit in the back of her throat. His hands were at her chest.She tangle nothing. Is he touching me? It took a moment for Susan to realize Hale was buttoning her snuff it button and covering her up.Susan. Hale gasped, breathless. Youve got to get me out of here.Susan was in a daze. Nothing made sense.Susan, youve got to help me Strathmore killed Chartrukian I byword itIt took a moment for the words to register. Strathmore killed Chartrukian? Hale obviously had no idea Susan had seen him landstairs.Strathmore knows I saw him Hale spat. Hell kill me tooHad Susan not been breathless with fear, she would have laughed in his face. She recognized the divide-and-conquer mentality of an ex-Marine. Invent deceits-p it your enemies against each other.Its true he yelled. Weve got to omen for help I think were both in dangerShe did not confide a word he said.Hales muscular legs were cramping, and he turn over up on his haunches to shift his weight s well-to-doly. He opened his let the cat out of the bag to speak, but he never got the chance.As Hales body rose, Susan felt the circulation hatful back into her legs. Before she knew what had comeed, a reflex instinct jerked her left leg back hard into Hales crotch. She felt her kneecap crush the soft shift of tissue between his legs.Hale whimpered in agony and instantly went limp. He turn over onto his side, clutching himself. Susan twisted out from under his deadweight. She staggered toward the door, knowing shed never be strong exuberant to get out.Making a split-second decision, Susan positioned herself behind the long maple meeting table and dug her feet into the carpet. Mercifully the table had casters. She strode with all her superpow er toward the arched glass wall, pushing the table before her. The casters were good, and the table rolled well. Halfway across Node 3, she was at a full sprint. atomic number 23 feet from the glass wall, Susan heaved and let go. She leapt to one side and covered her eyes. After a sickening crack, the wall exploded in a shower of glass. The hards of Crypto go into Node 3 for the first time since its construction.Susan behaviored up. Through the jagged hole, she could see the table. It was unflurried rolling. It spun colossal circles out across the Crypto floor and eventually disappeared into the darkness.Susan rammed her lacerate Ferragamos back on her feet, shot a last glance at the still-writhing Greg Hale, and dashed across the sea of disconnected glass out onto the Crypto floor.Chapter 68Now wasnt that easy? Midge said with a sneer as Brinkerhoff hand over the key to Fontaines office.Brinkerhoff looked beaten.Ill erase it before I go, Midge promised. Unless you and your wife sine qua non it for your private collection.Just get the damned printout, he snapped. And then get outSi, senor, Midge cackled in a thick Puerto Rican accent. She winked and headed across the suite to Fontaines double doors.Leland Fontaines private office looked nothing like the rest of the directorial suite. There were no paintings, no overstuffed chairs, no ficus plants, no antique clocks. His aloofness was streamlined for efficiency. His glass-topped desk and black leather chair sat directly in front of his enormous picture window. Three file cabinets stood in the corner close to a small table with a French call forth coffeepot. The moon had risen high over Fort Meade, and the soft light filtering through the window accentuated the starkness of the directors furnishings.What the hell am I doing? Brinkerhoff wondered.Midge strode to the newspaperwoman and scooped up the queue make. She squinted in the darkness. I cant read the data, she complained. Turn on the lights.Y oure reading it outside. Now come on.But Midge was plainly having too frequently fun. She toyed with Brinkerhoff, walking to the window and angling the readout for a better view.MidgeShe kept reading.Brinkerhoff shifted uneasily in the doorway. Midge come on. These are the directors private quarters.Its here somewhere, she muttered, studying the printout. Strathmore bypassed metal glove, I know it. She moved closer to the window.Brinkerhoff began to sweat. Midge kept reading.After a fewer moments, she gasped. I knew it Strathmore did it He really did The idiot She held up the paper and agitate it. He bypassed gauntlet Have a lookBrinkerhoff stared dumbfounded a moment and then raced across the directors office. He crowded in next to Midge in front of the window. She pointed to the end of the readout.Brinkerhoff read in disbelief. What the?The printout contained a list of the last thirty-six files that had entered TRANSLTR. After each file was a four-digit Gauntlet headroom cod e. However, the last file on the sheet had no clearance code-it simply read manual bypass. Jesus, Brinkerhoff thought. Midge strikes again.The idiot Midge sputtered, seething. Look at this Gauntlet rejected the file twice Mutation strings And he still bypassed What the hell was he thinking?Brinkerhoff felt weak-kneed. He wondered why Midge was perpetually right. Neither of them noticed the reflection that had appeared in the window beside them. A grand figure was standing in Fontaines open doorway.Jeez, Brinkerhoff choked. You think we have a virus?Midge sighed. Nothing else it could be.Could be none of your damn business the lately voice boomed from behind them.Midge knocked her head against the window. Brinkerhoff tipped over the directors chair and wheel around toward the voice. He immediately knew the silhouette.Director Brinkerhoff gasped. He strode over and extended his hand. acceptable home, sir.The huge man ignored it.I-I thought, Brinkerhoff stammered, retracting his h and, I thought you were in sulphur America.Leland Fontaine glared polish at his aide with eyes like bullets. Yes and now Im back.Chapter 69Hey, misterBecker had been walking across the con personal line of credit toward a bank of pay phones. He stopped and turned. Coming up behind him was the girl hed just affect in the bathroom. She waved for him to wait. Mister, waitNow what? Becker groaned. She wants to press invasion-of-privacy charges?The girl dragged her duffel toward him. When she arrived, she was now wearing a huge smile. Sorry to yell at you back there. You just kind of startled me.No problem, Becker assured, somewhat puzzled. I was in the wrong place.This will sound crazy, she said, batting her bloodshot eyes. But you wouldnt happen to have some money you can lend me, would you?Becker stared at her in disbelief. Money for what? he demanded. Im not funding your drug habit if thats what youre asking.Im toilsome to get back home, the blonde said. Can you help?Miss your e vasion?She nodded. Lost my tatter. They wouldnt let me get on. Airlines can be such assholes. I dont have the cash to buy another.Where are your parents? Becker asked.States.Can you reach them?Nope. already tried. I think theyre weekending on somebodys yacht.Becker scanned the girls expensive clothing. You dont have a computer address card?Yeah, but my dad canceled it. He thinks Im on drugs.Are you on drugs? Becker asked, deadpan, eyeing her swollen forearm.The girl glared, indignant. Of course not She gave Becker an innocent huff, and he all at once got the feeling he was being played.Come on, she said. You look like a rich guy. Cant you spot me some cash to get home? I could send it to you later.Becker figured any cash he gave this girl would end up in the hands of some drug dealer in Triana. First of all, he said, Im not a rich guy-Im a teacher. But Ill tell you what Ill do Ill call your bluff, thats what Ill do. Why dont I charge the ticket for you?The blonde stared at him in utter shock. Youd do that? she stammered, eyes wide with hope. Youd buy me a ticket home? Oh, God, thank youBecker was speechless. He had apparently misjudged the moment.The girl threw her arms around him. Its been a shitty summer, she choked, almost bursting into tears. Oh, thank you Ive got to get out of hereBecker returned her embrace halfheartedly. The girl let go of him, and he eyed her forearm again.She followed his gaze to the bluish rash. Gross, huh?Becker nodded. I thought you said you werent on drugs.The girl laughed. Its Magic Marker I took off half my skin trying to scrub it off. The ink smeared.Becker looked closer. In the light fixture light, he could see, blurred beneath the reddish swelling on her arm, the bleak outline of writing-words scrawled on flesh.But but your eyes, Becker said, feeling dumb. Theyre all red.She laughed. I was crying. I told you, I missed my flight.Becker looked back at the words on her arm.She frowned, embarrassed. Oops, you can still kind of read it, cant you?Becker leaned closer. He could read it all right. The message was crystal clear. As he read the four black out words, the last twelve hours flashed before his eyes.David Becker found himself back in the Alfonso long dozen hotel room. The obese German was touching his own forearm and speaking broken English Fock off und die.You okay? the girl asked, eyeing the dazed Becker.Becker did not look up from her arm. He was dizzy. The four words smeared across the girls flesh carried a very simple message FUCK OFF AND DIE.The blonde looked down at it, embarrassed. This friend of mine wrote it pretty stupid, huh?Becker couldnt speak. Fock off und die. He couldnt believe it. The German hadnt been insulting him, hed been trying to help. Becker lifted his gaze to the girls face. In the fluorescent light of the concourse, he could see faint traces of red and blue in the girls blond hair.Y-you Becker stammered, staring at her unpierced ears. You wouldnt happen to wear earrin gs, would you?The girl eyed him strangely. She fished a tiny object from her pocket and held it out. Becker gazed at the skull qualified dangling in her hand.A clip-on? he stammered.Hell, yes, the girl replied. Im fright shitless of needles.Chapter 70David Becker stood in the deserted concourse and felt his legs go weak. He eyed the girl before him and knew his search was over. She had washed her hair and changed clothes-maybe in hopes of having better luck selling the ring-but shed never boarded for New York.Becker fought to hap his cool. His wild journey was about to end. He scanned her fingers. They were bare. He gazed down at her duffel. Its in there, he thought. Its got to beHe smiled, barely containing his excitement. This is going to sound crazy, he said, but I think youve got something I need.Oh? Megan seemed suddenly uncertain.Becker reached for his wallet. Of course Id be happy to pay you. He looked down and started sorting through the cash in his billfold.As Megan watc hed him count out his money, she drew a startled gasp, apparently misunderstanding his intentions. She shot a frightened glance toward the revolving door measuring the distance. It was fifty yards.I can give you enough to buy your ticket home if-Dont say it, Megan blurted, offering a labored smile. I think I know exactly what you need. She bent down and started rifling through her duffel.Becker felt a surge of hope. Shes got it he told himself. Shes got the ring He didnt know how the hell she knew what it was he wanted, but he was too tired to care. Every muscle in his body relaxed. He fancy himself handing the ring to the beaming deputy director of the NSA. Then he and Susan would lie in the big canopy bed at Stone Manor and make up for lost time.The girl finally found what she was facial expression for-her PepperGuard-the environmentally safe alternative to mace, made from a potent exit of cayenne and chili peppers. In one swift motion, she swung around and fire a direct strea m into Beckers eyes. She grabbed her duffel and dashed for the door. When she looked back, David Becker was on the floor, safekeeping his face, writhing in agony.