Page 256 of The Black Trilogy

“Couldn’t you deputise me or something? Or make me sign a non-disclosure agreement? I’m not about to start blabbing your secrets.”

“We don’t deputise people. Blackwood’s a private company.” Mack leaned back on the sofa and closed her eyes. “But truthfully, I could do with some intelligent help. There’s so much I need to look through, and I’ve already spent three hours today trying to break through a single firewall.”

“Which one?”

She paused for a few seconds before whispering, “The Jordanian defence department.”

“I did that one last year. They might have changed it since then, but I doubt it. Too expensive.”

She stared at the wall beyond him as she came to a decision. “I’d have to ask Nate and Nick. They’re in charge in Emmy’s absence.”

Nick? Fantastic, just who he wanted to see. He was tempted to make an excuse and leave, but his intrigue over Mack won out. Luke rarely worked with a partner, but a collaboration with Diablo promised to be a fascinating experience. “Well, call them up, and we can get started.”

Mack led the way into a ground-floor control room that was part-NASA, part-Fortune 500. One entire wall was covered in video screens.

“This is a mini replica of our operations centre at Blackwood House. If there’s an issue there, we can switch everything over here and carry on functioning without missing a beat.”

It made Luke’s home setup look like a teenager’s bedroom. “Very impressive.”

“Wake up,” she commanded. Monitors and consoles whirred into life as she turned to Luke. “Many of the systems are voice controlled, and we also use biometric security to prevent unauthorised access.” She took a seat at the centre desk. “Call Nate.”

Seconds later, a tanned face popped up on the screen, its features arranged in a scowl. The caption at the bottom of the picture told Luke it was 5:00 p.m. in Richmond. This had to be Nate.

“Anything?” he asked.

Mack’s shoulders dropped. “No, you?”

“Nothing. She’s gone without a trace. What did the French say?”

“They’re looking, but none of their people on the ground have heard anything about a woman being killed or held hostage. Just a lot of rumours about the explosion.”

“Who’s that behind you?” Nate caught sight of Luke lurking on the edge of the picture.

“Uh, it’s Luke. You know, Luke Halston-Cain? I ran into him at Sector 8. Public transport was in chaos, and he gave me a lift back here. I, uh, mentioned Emmy’s missing, and he’s offered to help with the search. I could really do with an extra pair of hands.”

“He’s a civilian.”

“I know, but…”

“But what?”

“We’ve got no time, Nate.”

“He the genius hacker Emmy seems to think he is?”

“From what I know, yes.”

On the monitor, Nate rubbed his temples. “I can’t believe I’m even considering this.”

“We need all the help we can get, and he says he’ll sign a non-disclosure agreement.”

“That’s just paper. Luke, do you give me your word you’ll keep your mouth shut if we let you in?”

“Absolutely.”

“And you understand that if you don’t, I’ll hunt you down myself and the outcome of that wouldn’t be something you’d enjoy?”

“Yes, sir.”

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