The Turing Option

“Major histocompatability complex. These are the so-called self recognizing antigens and are completely different for every person. The best part is that they are on the surface of the skin so DNA doesn’t have to be extracted from the cell nucleus.”

“Would you come over here, Mr. Delaney? Please use this terminal. Did you bring some memory — I see, fine. Everything checks out perfectly and we are satisfied re your identity. We have unlocked the security files and obtained your identification number and password.”

The operator plugged in the GRAMs as Brian sat in front of the screen that faced away from the rest of the room. He also passed over a piece of paper. “This is your access number. After you have entered it you will be asked for a code — this is it.”

PADRAIG COLUMBA, Brian read. The two most important saints in Ireland — no wonder he hadn’t guessed it.

“After you enter that you will be in your files. After you have verified that they are yours, control key F12 will download to memory. Verification during loading is automatic. Do you want to enter a new code word — or are you closing this account?”

“I’m closing it.”

“There is a balance due of…”

“I’ll pay that,” Benicoff said, taking out a roll of bills. “I’ll need a receipt.”

Brian entered the number, then the code, then hit return. He scrolled through quickly, then leaned back in the chair and sighed.

“What’s wrong?” Benicoff asked, worried. “Isn’t it what we were expecting, what we were looking for?”

Brian looked up and smiled.

“Bingo,” he said, and stabbed his finger down on F12.

18 November 21, 2023

Dermod led the way back down the hall, but stopped when he reached the outside door.

“Mr. Saldana — could I ask you a question?” he said.

“Of course.”

“Did you have other cars tailing us, keeping an eye on our rear?”

“No. I did not think it was needed.” The Mexican detective frowned. “Why? Did you see one?”

“I thought I did for a while, but it turned off when we crossed Independencia.”

“And another car might have picked up the trail?”

“Always a possibility.”

None of them were smiling now. Brian looked from face to strained face, his hands plunged deep into his pockets — with one of the GRAMs clutched tightly in each. “What’s up?” he asked.

“Nothing — we hope,” Daniel said, then snapped a quick command in Spanish to his companion, who eased out the door and closed it behind him.

“Do you want to shout for help?” Ben asked.

Daniel shook his head no. “The uniforms here are tourist police. I can get trained people — but not quickly. If there is anyone out there and we wait for reinforcements — they might be doing the same thing. We are to take you to the border at San Ysidro — is that correct?”

“That’s the plan.”

“Then I say do it and do it fast. Your Mr. Doe here will be in the second car with you driving, Ben. My associate and I will lead the way. What do you say?”

“We go,” Dermod said. “But I’ll be driving the second car, since I know TJ, Tijuana, very well. If there’s trouble we are not stopping for you.”

Daniel flashed a large toothy grin. “It would be unprofessional to do anything else.”

The outside door opened an inch — then stopped. Brian blinked and realized that all three of the men were now holding healthy-sized pistols in their hands. Pointed at the door. There was a quick whisper in Spanish from outside and Daniel pushed his gun into his waistband.

“Venga. Tell us in English, what did you see?”

“Nothing in the street in either direction.”

“We’re going out fast,” Daniel said. “There may be something out there — or nothing. We don’t take chances — we act like there is something. Stay thirty meters behind me all the way. No closer — or any further back. All the glass is bulletproof. Open the window if you have to fire. Let’s go.”

Ben sat on Brian’s left now. As soon as the door was closed Ray took out his heavy-barreled revolver and held it on his lap. Dermod started the engine and backed and turned until he was facing the exit, just behind the other car. He blinked his lights. The first car jumped forward and they were out of the drive and into the street.

Brian was looking at the lead car when it suddenly swerved; what appeared to be white dots appeared on the rear window. “Down!” Ray shouted, his hand on Brian’s shoulder pushing him painfully to the floor. Their own car swerved and the tires shrieked as they accelerated around the corner. There were two loud crashing sounds and a thud in the seat behind him. Followed by an ear-destroying series of explosions as the handgun fired through the open window. They shrieked a turn in the opposite direction and Dermod shouted back over his shoulder.

“Anyone in trouble back there?”

Ray glanced quickly at the other two. “We’re okay. What happened to the other car?”

“Rammed into a lamp pole. Did you hit anything?”