Free Off the Grid (A Gerrit O'Rourke Novel) by Mark Young Page A

folded his hands, sitting back in the chair as if he were a king holding court.
    Gerrit glanced at Kane. “I’m not sure what—”
    “I’ll go over the details later, Gerrit. I told them about you. And they thought you were an excellent choice for the job.”
    The others nodded. Gerrit settled back onto his chair. Did they also know he was in this country under an assumed name? Since Kane introduced him by his real name, he assumed they knew nothing of his alias.
    More secrets. And it had been a long time since he heard
Doctor
attached to his name. A long time.
    Kane edged forward. “Dr. Clarke is the foremost authority in quantum computer technology and cyber-security issues.”
    “You flatter me, Mr. Kane. I am one of a hundred scientists puttering around in the dark in this particular field.”
    The man’s thinly disguised arrogance—cloaked in false modesty—rankled Gerrit. There were only a handful of scientists in Clarke’s field that could do what this man does. On the other hand, Gerrit could see why this man might be a high-value target for the enemy—if his own side didn’t shoot him first.
    Kane continued. “Henry, you’re the one they chose to sit on a prestigious international panel for cyber-security technologies. And Dr. O’Rourke will fit very nicely in your entourage to Vienna.”
    Clarke pompously patted Gerrit’s arm. “I’d be honored to have Dr. O’Rourke aboard. My secretary will send you my travel schedule to look over. She’ll make whatever reservations you require.”
    Lawton sat quietly, watching the others interact until he gave Kane a nod. “My office will run interference.”
    “Your office?” Gerrit asked. “Which office might that be?”
    “Let’s just say Her Majesty’s security office is interested in Dr. Clarke’s well-being. Wouldn’t do to have him popped off on my watch, good fellow.”
    MI6.
    Gerrit looked over at Kane, whose face seemed masked at the moment. “No, that would not be good, Mr. Lawton. Let me know what you need from me.”
    “My friend, Mr. Kane, will give you the details. I won’t be seeing you in Vienna, but I will be…available if matters turn sour. I guess we’d better be off, shall we, Dr. Clarke?”
    The scientist shrugged, stood, and was about to leave when Lawton tapped him on the shoulder. “Why don’t you go on ahead, Henry. There’s one small matter I need to discuss with Mr. Kane and Dr. O’Rourke.”
    Clarke looked back curiously and then left the room. Lawton closed the door behind him. “What an arse that man is. Sorry to stick him with you, Dr. O’Rourke. But we needed that clown to give you cover.”
    “Cover?” Gerrit looked from Lawton to Kane.
    Lawton nodded his chin at Kane. “Richard, why don’t you give our boy here the details.”

Chapter 10

    G errit saw the two men exchange glances before Kane leaned forward, eyeing Gerrit for a moment before turning to Lawton. “First, I wanna make sure you know all about our boy here, George.”
    Lawton shook his head. “I’ll take your word that this is our man. That’s all I need to know.”
    Kane leaned forward. “No, no, George. I want you to know why I’ve picked this good ol’ boy for the job.”
    Gerrit shifted in his seat, feeling like this was some kind of job interview for a job he never signed up for—nor wanted. And if Kane called him
boy
once more, Gerrit was going to grab that long-haired creep’s silver locks and give him a Mohawk.
    Kane reached into a drawer and pulled out a bulging file folder. “Just so I don’t forget anything, I’ve jotted down a few notes about our boy here. Quite a history.” He glanced up and gave Gerrit a wink.
    Kane’s index finger trailed down a page before turning to the next. “Bachelor of Science degree in 1991 before joining the U.S Marine Corp, where you entered as an enlisted man. Qualified to serve with Force Recon just before the Persian Gulf War, field-elevated to officer status based on combat service