Simple Genius

“Well, he did say that the people here had no idea what they were getting into. That what we were working on would change the world. And not in a good way.” She attempted a smile. “He said we geeks were clueless about how the real world worked. Maybe he was right.”

“He mentioned to me that what was going on at Babbage Town was worth countries going to war for. It can’t be just numbers.”

“I’m scared, Sean. Len Rivest was a very capable man. The fact that someone could kill him, like that, in his own house with security all around.” She shuddered and fell back in her chair.

She looked so miserable that Sean rose and put an arm around her shoulders to steady her. “It’ll be okay, Alicia.”

“Don’t patronize me! I’m terrified about Viggie. She could be in danger too.”

“Why?” he asked.

“You tell me. You’re the expert in this sort of thing.”

“Does the girl know her father’s not coming back?”

Alicia looked uncomfortable. “I’m trying to lay the groundwork to tell her, but it hasn’t been easy.”

“If you’re really concerned about her, then I’d get her out of Babbage Town.”

“I can’t do that.”

“I thought Viggie’s welfare was your top priority?”

“Viggie’s happy here. I can’t just uproot her and take the girl someplace she’s never been. It could destroy her.”

“I’ll admit it’s not much of a choice.”

“I have another option,” Alicia said suddenly, gripping his hand. “We stay and you help keep Viggie safe.”

“I’ve already got a job.” I’ve actually got two jobs now, Sean mentally corrected.

“She’s a child. She needs help. Are you just going to sit there and refuse to help a vulnerable little girl who just lost her father?”

Sean started to say something and then stopped. Finally, he sighed. “I guess I could keep an eye on her.”

Tears again trickled down Alicia’s cheeks. “Thank you.”

“I guess now that I’m her unofficial bodyguard I should actually meet the young lady.”

Alicia composed herself and rose. “She’s just finished doing some factoring exercises for me.”

“What?”

“Viggie has the ability to factor large numbers in her head. Not so large as to make my work obsolete, but there could be something lurking in the recesses of her mind that provides the key to unlocking the shortcut I’ve been looking for.”

“And the vulnerable little girl brings the world as we know it to a screeching halt?”

Alicia smiled. “Well, it’s said that the meek shall inherit the earth.”

CHAPTER 30

SEAN HAD EXPECTED TO FIND a shy, quiet type in Viggie Turing; however, the girl was full of energy, and her wide, blue eyes seemed to capture every movement around her. She wore a bright red shirt, Capri pants and was barefoot. After being introduced by Alicia, Viggie immediately took Sean’s hand and led him over to the piano.

“Sit.”

He sat.

“You play?” she asked, staring at him with a pair of eyes that were uncomfortably intense.

“Bass guitar. Only four strings, not so complicated. And when you’re losing millions of brain cells every day like I am that’s a good thing.”

She didn’t bother to acknowledge his little joke. Viggie sat down and played a tune that he’d never heard before.

“Okay, you stumped me,” he said. “Who is it?”

Alicia supplied the answer. “‘Vigenère Turing.’ It’s an original composition.”

Sean stared at the girl, impressed.

“You like it?” she asked simply.

He nodded. “You’re a very gifted musician.”

She smiled, and Sean could finally see the eleven-year-old girl inside, for it was a shy, eager-to-please sort of expression. And this scared him. It might make her trust people she shouldn’t. Spies here, Rivest had said.

“Viggie, do you-”

She started playing another song. When she finished, Viggie got up and walked over to a chair at the kitchen table and stared out the window. As Sean watched, her wide, dancing eyes retreated to slits.

Sean rose. “Viggie?”

Sean looked over at Alicia, who was motioning him to join her on the couch.

Speaking quietly she said, “She sort of withdraws into a little world of her own. If we wait she’ll come around.”

“Has she been seen by experts? Is she on medication?”

“I don’t know about the experts, but she’s not on medication. Now that I’m her guardian I’m going to look into it right away.”

“What do you know about Viggie’s mom?”

“Monk said they were divorced, years ago. He had full custody.”

“That’s what Rivest said. But you know, Alicia, if Viggie’s mother shows up a court will likely grant her custody unless she’s in prison or otherwise incapable of taking care of her daughter.”

“But Monk appointed me guardian.”

“That doesn’t matter when a parent is involved.”

“I’m not going to worry about that until it happens.”

“18,313 and 22,307.”

They turned to look at Viggie, who was now staring at them.

“Those are the prime factors of 408,508,091,” the girl explained. “Aren’t they?”

Alicia nodded. “That’s right. If you multiply 18,313 and 22,307 you get 408,508,091.”

Viggie clapped her hands together and giggled.

“But I just gave you that number barely an hour ago. How did you come up with them so fast?” Alicia asked.