Part 21 (2/2)

”We can't understand you,” said Desh.

”Can't-operate-at-your-pathetic-speed-so-leave-me-the-h.e.l.l-alone,” blurted out Griffin harshly, having slowed just enough that Desh could separate the words.

”Divert a portion of your mind to act as a slow version of yourself,” instructed Desh. ”Less frustrating speaking with normals that way.”

”Done,” said Griffin.

”How are you feeling?” asked Desh cautiously.

”Idiot question!” snapped Griffin immediately. ”What you're really asking is: have I turned into the devil? If not, I would tell you no. If so, I would lie and still tell you no. Moron!” he finished disdainfully.

It may have been a stupid question, Kira thought, but Griffin's response had been illuminating nonetheless. ”You realizea””

”That I was as pathetic and slow as you are a few minutes ago. Yes, I know.” The blistering pace of Griffin's keyboard and mouse manipulations didn't slow as he spoke nor did conversation seem to affect his ability to digest entire screens of information at a glance.

Desh caught Kira's eye worriedly, and she knew exactly what he was thinking. Griffin was also handling the transformation less well than had Kira. Less well, perhaps, even than Desh. So perhaps it was a testosterone effect after all.

The group let Griffin continue working in silence for the next fifteen minutes, not wanting to provoke the demon within. Kira finally decided it was time for a status report. ”How is it coming, Matt?” she called from the other end of the vehicle.

Griffin's hands hadn't once stopped moving over the keyboard since he had begun. ”Child's play,” he said smugly. ”I'll be in NSA's personnel database in about ten minutes.” He paused. ”Meanwhile,” he announced with a superior air, ”I've broken into the Federal Reserve and diverted 500 million dollars into your numbered Swiss bank account.”

Kira drew back, stunned.

”Relax,” snapped Griffin, correctly having predicted her reaction despite her being well out of his sight. ”It's a victimless crime. Just numbers in a computer. I didn't steal anyone's money, just created 500 million more. And yes, even though it's a numbered and oh-so-secret Swiss account, I'm sure I put the funds in the correct one.”

”Why, Matt?” said Kira, concerned. ”What prompted you to do that?”

”Sadly, I'm forced to live most of my life as a moron,” Griffin shot back. ”I'll soon return to my pathetic former self who will be joining this sanctimonious team of yours. The better capitalized we are, especially in the beginning before invention money pours in, the faster we can achieve our ultimate goals.”

The four other members of the group exchanged meaningful glances and raised eyebrows. Griffin had become ultra-arrogant, certainly, but in his own way he knew that the future of his lesser self was tied to the team, which was at least somewhat comforting.

”You have to reverse this transaction, Matt,” said Kira softly. ”It's not right.”

”Don't preach to me!” barked Griffin. ”Spare me your brainless and misguided moralizing. A sum this great will help our cause, and you know it.”

”Buta””

”This discussion is over!” thundered Griffin.

Kira sighed deeply and decided not to push it further. The truth was that he was right. It was a victimless crime and would help them accomplish a greater good. She was certainly no stranger to these hard choices. She had broken the law to develop her treatment. She had killed Lusetti and she had injured several others to avoid capture. That night alone she had been involved in the theft of two cars and a misappropriation of a military helicopter.

But this was while she was her normal self. Those experiencing the mind altering effects of her treatment wielded too much power, and had too little conscience, to be allowed even the smallest step onto this slippery slope. The team would need to make sure that in the future those they enhanced had no ability to directly affect the outside world while still in the thrall of the transformation.

”I'm in,” announced Griffin. ”Quickly, describe Sam.”

”Well,” began Desh, ”His height is abouta””

”Too slow,” barked Griffin. ”I'll find him without you.” There was the briefest of pauses and then, ”This is him, correct?”

A headshot security photo of a man filled an entire screen. For the first time since Griffin had become transformed he left something on a monitor for more than a few seconds.

Desh's eyes widened. ”Buta””

”How?” Griffin interrupted, antic.i.p.ating Desh's question once again. ”Without hearing your description?” As he spoke, his fingers once again sped over the keyboard and Sam's picture disappeared to be replaced by a screen of what looked like computer code. Once Griffin had learned from Desh's reaction he had found the right person he continued to pursue other projects he had been working on in parallel. ”I can access the log-in patterns of any employee. I know Sam's locations over the past few days and the timing of some of his activities. From your story I know his approximate age and I can guess the precise level and position in the organization that would allow him to achieve all that he has. I narrowed it to five men. His name is S. Frank Putnam. The S stands for Samuel. He's among the top twenty people in the NSA.”

Kira was speechless. He had done it! At long last, she knew the ident.i.ty of the man who had killed her brother and turned her life into a nightmare. ”Do you havea””

”Yes, of course,” snapped Griffin. ”His address and more.”

”What are you doing now?” asked Desh, his weapon still trained on the hacker. Finally, Griffin's slower-witted avatar had allowed someone to get out an entire question without being interrupted.

”Clearing Kira's and the colonel's good names,” he replied.

Given that Griffin appeared to have almost free rein of the cyber domain, Kira was encouraged that he continued to work toward helping the team. ”But won'ta””

”That be a tip-off to S. Frank Putnam,” finished Griffin. ”No. The records will remain as they are for twenty-four hours. Kira and Connelly will continue to be wanted fugitives.”

”And in twenty-four hours?” called out Kira from her post in the bedroom with extreme interest.

”The record will show that the accusations and evidence against Kira Miller were false, but that she was shot and killed before this was discovered. You'll be off the grid for good, Kira. I'll set up a new ident.i.ty for you later. When I'm finished, you'll be able to ride naked on a horse through Fort Bragg without attracting military attention.”

”I'd take money on that bet,” mused Desh, who then quickly winced as if he couldn't believe he had said this out loud.

A smile came to Kira's face, knowing this was meant as a compliment, but she didn't respond. ”And the colonel?” she asked Griffin.

”New evidence will emerge that he is completely innocent, with prior information to the contrary an attempt by an unnamed NSA employee with a personal vendetta to frame him.”

”And what willa””

”Enough!” thundered Griffin. ”I've been more than patient.”

He continued his work with the computer unabated; as if unaware he had just made an outburst. Eight minutes later he gasped and looked as if his best friend had just died.

Desh caught Kira's eye and nodded knowingly. ”Welcome back, Matt,” he said.

”This well and truly sucks,” complained the giant.

”Give yourself a few minutes,” said Desh. ”It won't annoy you so much.”

”Do you think you could untie me?” asked Griffin.

Desh shook his head. ”I'm afraid not. Not for ten minutes. I need to be sure this isn't a ruse.”

Griffin didn't look happy about this but didn't argue. Having been transformed, he now was one of the few people who would know firsthand why Desh had been so cautious.

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