To The Stars

“Of course not. Got another gadget for you to look at.” He took a flat package out of his pocket and passed it over.

“I don’t know how well my eyes will focus today. But I’ll give it a try.”

Jan slipped a metal case out of the envelope and opened it. There were a number of tiny readouts and controls inside. It was beautifully made. Thurgood-Smythe had brought other extracurricular work to Jan in the past. Electronic instruments that Security was testing, or technical problems that needed expert advice. It was in the family and Jan had always been glad to help. Particularly when there was a cash bonus if he had to devote any time to the work.

“It looks very nice,” he said. “But I haven’t the slightest idea of what it does.”

“Wiretap detection.”

“Impossible.”

“That’s what everyone thinks, but we have some original people in the lab. This device is so sensitive that it analyzes every element of a circuit for basic resistance and loss of strength. Apparently if you eavesdrop on a wired signal the act of detection causes a measurable alteration of the signal which in turn can be detected. Does this make any sense to you?”

“A lot. But there are so many random losses in a transmitted message, through switches, connections and such that I don’t see how this thing could possibly operate.”

“It’s supposed to analyze every loss, find out what it is, see what its true value should be, and if it is correct go on to the next interruption of signal.”

“All I can say is wow. If they can pack that much circuitry and control into something this big then your boys know what they are doing. What do you want from me?”

“How do we test it outside the lab to see if it works?”

“Simple enough. Put it on a lot of phones, yours and some other people in your shop, and run it for awhile. Then put taps on the lines and see if it does its job.”

“Sounds simple enough. They said that all you have to do is use it with the microphone input. Any problems?”

“None. Like this.” Jan went to his phone and fixed the device over the microphone. The ready light came on. “You just talk into the mike it has as you would normally.”

“Let’s try it. I’ll tell Elizabeth you’ll be coming tonight.”

It was a brief call and they both watched the rapid signals flashing from the VDU. It seemed to be doing its job. Thurgood-Smythe broke the connection and the random flickering stopped. The readout lit up.

TAP ON THIS LINE IN EXCHANGE.

“It seems to be working,” Thurgood-Smythe said mildly, looking at Jan.

“Working… Do you think it found a tap on my phone? Why on earth…” He thought for a moment, then pointed an accusing finger. “Out with it, Smitty. It was no accident you came today and hooked that thing up there. You knew that my line was tapped. But why?”

“Let’s say I ‘expected’ something, Jan. I couldn’t be sure.” He walked to the window and looked out, tapping his hands together behind his back. “My business is full of uncertainties and suspicions. I had hints that you were under surveillance from a certain department, but I couldn’t very well ask or they would have denied everything.” He turned about and his face was very cold. “But now I know and a head or two will roll. I will not have routine-minded blockheads interfering with my family. This will be all taken care of and I wish you would forget about it.”

“I would love to, Smitty. But I’m afraid I can’t. I’ll have to know what is going on.

“I thought you would.” He raised his hand in resignation. “You were just in the wrong spot at the wrong time. That can be enough to cause these low-level bureaucrats to swing into action.”

“I haven’t been any place unusual other than the ship accident.”

“That’s it. I wasn’t exactly truthful with you about what you saw. I’ll tell you more, but it can’t leave this room.

“You know better than to ask.”

“Sorry. Been one of those weeks. Those were criminals, smugglers, in the first boat. Running drugs. The second ship was our guard. Caught them and blew them out of the water.”

“Illegal drugs? I didn’t know there were such things. But if there are and they caught the people — why it sounds a good item for the evening news.

“I agree with you — but others don’t. They feel that publicity would only encourage law-breaking. That’s policy and we’re stuck with it, and you’re caught in the middle. But not for long. just forget the tap and what I have told you and be there for drinks at eight.”

Jan reached out and took his brother-in-law’s hand.

“If I don’t sound grateful it’s only because of the hangover. Thanks. It’s nice to know you’re there. I don’t understand half of what you told me and maybe I don’t want to.”

“That’s wisest. See you tonight.”

When the door had closed, Jan poured his cup of cold coffee into the sink and went to the bar. Hair of the dog was something he usually avoided, but not today. Had Smitty been acting, or was his story true? Was there more to the story than what he had been told? The only thing he could do was act as though it were. And watch what he said on the phone.