Nobody offered refreshments, nobody asked for any. There was no small talk, no compliments about the decor, no attempt to diffuse the tension as they took their places in the conference salon on the mezzanine. In deference to the congressman, Swift took a seat across from Heat and Rook and gestured for Duer to preside at the head of the long table. The old man ignored him and sat against the wall on the couch beside Detective Raley, whom Nikki had asked to come along. Although he took the backbench, the lawmaker kicked things off. “I have not been briefed by Captain Heat on the substance of this meeting, other than to be assured that it is of the utmost importance. That’s good enough for me. I’m ready to listen.”
“Thank you, Representative Duer.” Even though Heat was there to confront Swift, the congressman played a key role in her strategy, and so she addressed herself as much to him as to the tycoon. “I can make this very brief. Mr. Swift has been a person of interest in a homicide investigation into several murders. The victims were whistle-blowers attempting to expose a fatal safety defect in one of his SwiftRageous software products. Today I have learned he was not responsible for those homicides.”
“Then you did make this brief,” said Swift, half rising in his chair.
His attempt at humor was met with silence. Nikki continued. “However, evidence exists proving that there is a safety defect in the auto software and that there has been an illegal cover-up by Tangier Swift and his company.”
“You can’t prove that.”
“I don’t have to.” She touched Rook’s knee with hers. “Others will. But this is about something else. Something of interest to you, sir.” She turned to the congressman to make sure he was with her. Duer had stacked his wrists on the carved head of his cane and gave her a nod to proceed. “I have sources who tell me that, under your sponsorship, Mr. Swift has negotiated a contract with the Department of Defense to provide software allowing our military to hack enemy aircraft in flight.”
Swift slammed his palm on the table. “That’s not true. This is guesswork.”
The congressman said, “As a ranking member of the Defense and National Security subcommittees, I can tell you, Captain, that if such a DOD program existed, it would be classified.” A couched reply, for sure.
Tangier scoffed. “Sources. You have no sources.”
“It’s called SwiftJack,” said Heat. “You don’t have to respond, I can tell by your reactions that I’m right. And I don’t have to tell you about the high stakes this creates for our national security. Which leads me to the kidnapping of Jameson Rook.”
“Kent, come on. Murders I didn’t end up doing, auto safety allegations, now kidnapping? I didn’t kidnap anyone. She is going all over the map.”
“Then let me give you a GPS. You had no part in the kidnapping—directly. That was carried out—illegally—by some US government black ops for the purpose of stopping Jameson Rook from continuing his investigation of you, Mr. Swift. And do you know why? Because they were investigating you.”
That got Swift’s attention. He turned to a member of his staff and signaled for water. While he took the bottle, Nikki swiveled her chair, directing herself to Duer. “Tangier Swift has been secretly double-dipping. While he has a deal with DOD, he has also been bidding out his SwiftJack software under different product names to foreign entities. A violation of federal law.”
“And a patriotic no-no,” said Rook.
“That’s bull.”
Congressman Duer’s brow sagged. “What countries you talking about?”
“So far he has secretly been in contact with North Korea, China, Russia, and Syria.”
“And you can confirm this?”