5. Classified
Classified
“What do you mean, everything?” I asked curiously. David, the general counsel, looked at me and then at the special agent in charge. “They weren’t inside for long, which means they knew what they were looking for. An inside job, perhaps?”
“We thought so initially, given that the security guard seemed to help them, but we ruled that out last week. Apparently, the group had surveillance of the facility and had learned about the perimeter security guard’s family.
They threatened him with pictures of his children.
And they were heavily armed. The guard was not.
To his credit, he hit the silent alarm before those men left the building and did his best to keep them busy, which is why they were inside for such a long time,” replied Jones.
“Well, what was taken then? What does your company do exactly?” I said.
“Apollo Technologies Inc., is a conglomerate. We manufacture products and provide a multitude of services to customers around the world,” replied David. An answer you’d expect from a public relations office; expected of an attorney, but not what I wanted to hear.
“Alright, but you still haven’t answered my question. What does your company produce at that particular facility? It was targeted for a reason,” I asked, with a hint of frustration. The room fell silent again.
“It’s classified,” David said, after an awkward pause. “I’m not at liberty to discuss it with you or your captain. I’m sorry.”
“Classified? What are you talking about? What do you mean you can’t tell me?” I said in a flurry of words that escaped me. I was flabbergasted. And annoyed. Why the hell did they ask for help and give me the case if they won’t talk?
“It means you don’t have security clearance,” Special Agent Isabelle Sarfati said, bluntly.
“We can’t share sensitive information with you, like what may have been stolen, or any details about the facility.
We also can’t let you visit the facility as it’s been locked down.
The FBI will finish processing it,” Michael Jones said.
He then walked over and handed me one picture.
“We just need your help in finding these three. Once you have their location, let us know, and we’ll swoop in and pick them up. ”
“Swoop in, huh? How the hell am I supposed to find them if you won’t share any information with me?” I said with a scowl.
“I’m sorry, but we cannot divulge any more information about the case to you. Apart from this picture and its connection to your ongoing cases, of course.”
Captain Smith’s smile had long faded. In its place, a depressed mug had taken hold.
“Wait. Let me get this straight. You want our help but aren’t willing to share what information you have to help solve this case? Why ask for help at all?” Captain Smith said. He picked up the photo and shook it. “This isn’t enough. Without more information —.”
“I’m not at liberty to divulge any information regarding the case to either of you. I just need you to keep a lookout for these three, and if they rob another shop again, let us know. Hopefully, we’ll catch them during their next heist,” Michael Jones said.
“’I have a contact in the city. If you were to tell me what was stolen, I might be able to find a fence that moves stuff like that,” I said.
David, the general counsel, let out a cackling howl like a hyena. The entire room turned to him, confused as to why he was laughing.
“This — the item that was stolen can’t be sold. There is no fence that can sell this, nor is there anyone who can access it. It’s a priceless product created by APOLLO scientists,” David said, trying his best to keep his composure.
“Priceless, you say? How so?” I asked, my curiosity piqued.
“Look, even I don’t know what was stolen; its a black site.
The building was retrofitted and all markings removed on the exterior; to most people it looks like a simple warehouse from the outside.
Only the top scientists, engineers, and military personnel working on the project had access to and knowledge of what they were working on.
But from what I was told, they invented something that would revolutionize society.
Akin to the internet when it was created by DARPA,” replied David.
“The military is involved in this venture. What are the chances a hostile nation are behind the robbery? Are we talking state-sponsored espionage?” I said, turning to Special Agent Michael Jones.
“There’s no evidence pointing to that at this time, but —.”
“It’s not possible! There is no way of accessing the data inside!” David screeched, interrupting Michael Jones. “The security protocols in place are such that any attempt would destroy it all. I was assured of this.”
“That means data was stolen? data designed for military purposes? I can see why it’s classified,” I said.
“You must understand, Detective Hernandez, our company is enormous, and we have many customers. Our clients range from small private fisheries, to intelligence agencies in this country and beyond, to the military and its dependents. APOLLO has a weapons research division, and within that division lies the special projects unit,” David said.
“Special projects?” I said, softly. The others gave each other a look, and then Michael Jones gave a nod to David.
“Projects involving artificial intelligence, smart weapons integration, quantum computing, and advanced cyber capabilities. We’ve recently expanded into low-orbit weapons research,” David said.
He got up from the chair and walked over to me.
Then he raised his hand and pointed to my service weapon.
“Your sidearm is a normal weapon, functional and effective in the right hands. Similarly, antivirus software protects computers from a myriad of programs that would inflict harm on their systems. Effective if installed and kept up to date. Well, the item that was stolen is equivalent to a nuclear bomb that fits in the palm of your hand. A bomb with yet to be understood capabilities that hadn’t even started undergoing extensive testing.
All I know is that if it falls into the wrong hands, the result could be catastrophic. ”
“It’s small. Like a flash drive? Is that what I’m looking for?” I said. They all nodded in unison. “The fate of the world fits in the palm of my hand.”