Free Interface: A Techno Thriller by Tony Batton

different weapon. "This is a tranquilliser gun. It's what I used on your dog." She aimed it at him and raised an eyebrow. "What I said was I wouldn't shoot you with the other gun."
    And she pulled the trigger.

    ◇◇◇

    The woman watched the dart hit Armstrong in the neck, his shock turning immediately to stupor. It only took seconds for him to fall unconscious. She laid him gently on the floor, next to his dog. Then she turned the oven and all the burners on the gas cooker on, leaving them unlit. Next, she placed a small black box with an antenna and single switch by Armstrong's foot. She opened the door to leave then, with a sigh, she walked back and dragged the dog out, closing the door behind her. She hid the dog in a bush away from the house. Then she walked away, pulling out an encrypted cell phone and dialling a number from memory.  
    A man's voice replied. "Identify."
    "It's Alex," she said. "We caught him in time."
    "Good. Clean up and leave."
    She ended the call, then dialled a second number and pressed send.
    Behind her the night lit up with the blossom of a huge explosion, but she did not react. She just kept walking.

TWENTY

    THE SUN SHONE OVER DOCKLANDS, though in the distance Tom saw a cluster of dark clouds. This time the CERUS security gates were fully functional, as were the lifts; in moments he was walking into his office, giving his desk a slightly wary glance. With careful movements he eased into his high-backed chair and let out a slow breath.
    He'd returned to the clinic for an early morning check-up. Chatsworth had seemed pleased with his progress. They still wanted him to return daily, but the doctor stressed it was merely a precaution.
    Samantha appeared at the door. "Morning," she said. "How are you feeling?"
    "Better thanks," replied Tom.
    "Try not to run before you can walk this time!" She smiled. "Your new company mobile is in your desk drawer by the way."
    "What meetings do I have today?"
    "I don't think you have anything yet. We didn't know if..." she hesitated, " when you'd be back."
    Tom frowned. "I spoke to an engineer at the launch party. I think he wanted to meet this week. Hasn't he been in touch?"
    "Nobody contacted me, but I can look him up if you like."
    Tom sighed. "He didn't give me his name. I'm pretty sure his nametag said 'Ric' if that helps."
    Samantha shook her head. "We have 25,000 staff. I'll need more than that."
    "Yeah, but we're only talking the 100 or so CERUS staff who were at the party: a male engineer whose name started 'Ric'... Can't be too many people who fit that profile."
    "I'll go and have a look for you. Anything else?"
    Tom closed his eyes. Perhaps he should just let this lie. Perhaps he shouldn't poke around for answers he might not like. He opened his eyes. "I also want to see the press photos from the party."
    Samantha looked puzzled, but shrugged. "I'll see what I can do." She turned and left.
    Tom slid open his desk drawer and picked up the mobile, noting it was fully charged and ready to go. Then he eased back in his chair and turned to the keyboard and shiny oversized monitor: ultra hi-res to display multiple pages of legal documents simultaneously. He reached out a hand to log in, but the screen winked on, flashing ' Good Morning, Tom .' He knew it was simply reading the ID card he carried, but it was still a little unnerving. He glanced over his messages; he'd only been with the company a few days, but already there were hundreds.
    "Do you have a moment?" called a voice.
    Tom looked up and saw Peter Marron smiling from the doorway. "Of course."
    "It's good to see you, Tom, but should you be back in the office so soon?"
    "I'm doing fine. I really appreciate the company covering the clinic to make sure, though."
    Marron raised a hand. "No need to thank us. And believe me, it was as much in our interests as yours."
    Samantha reappeared. "Excuse me, Mr Marron. Tom, I worked out who the engineer was: Richard Armstrong."
    Marron blinked. "Why were you