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know.”
    “He’ll find it.”
    “It’s being used.”
    Pampas’s brow furrowed. “You told me that earlier–that someone had connected it to a PC.”
    “Right, but it’s gone beyond that now. Norbert says that one of our transmits was accessed earlier today using that particular device.”
    Now Pampas was concerned. “That’s no small feat. Security is–well, you know Norbert.”
    “Indeed. He has a few ideas as to how this might have happened, but none of them gives me any comfort.”
    “You think Slocum might be involved?”
    “That’s why I called you,” said Mason. “What do you think?”
    “I can pull his file if you want…”
    Mason waved him off. “I want your gut feeling.”
    Pampas needed only a moment. “Personally, I’d take a dozen Slocums. He’s old school, doesn’t mind knocking heads together when it’s called for, and he gets the job done.”
    “Okay, so he’s good. Could he be a traitor, though?”
    “Could he be? Sure, all kinds of people get notions. Could I? Could you?”
    Mason pressed his fingers against his eyes, trying to relieve the building stress. “Okay. I’ll tell you what I want to do. Bring him in, but do it soft. I don’t want him to bolt if he’s bad. Think of a reason for him to come in.” He dropped his hands to his desk.
    “If he’s turned against us just about any excuse could be a red flag for him.”
    Mason considered this. “Tell him we were able to change the codes on the palm unit and we’re issuing a new one for him. Say that we can’t afford for him to spend any more time looking for his old one.”
    “That might work,” said Pampas. “Although if he really has turned it might not matter what excuse we use.”
    “Once you have a location on him give him the message and send an escort. Once he’s in, I want to talk to him.”
    “Do you really think we need to send an escort?” asked Pampas.
    “Send them. I don’t want to take any chances.” 

    ***

    Stanley had to shout for Bobby to hear him upstairs. “Bobby, you be sure and come right home after school. Your lunch money is on the counter. And don’t forget your book bag.”
    “Okay, Dad. See you tonight.”
    Stanley could hear his son’s footsteps overhead as he ran back and forth between the bathroom and his bedroom, getting ready for school. He himself had to leave right away, as he was already running late. He went through the door that led from the kitchen to the garage, and soon had pulled out of the driveway.
    Bobby watched the car disappear from his upstairs window, toothbrush hanging out of his mouth. He hurried into the bathroom, rinsed out his mouth, and ran downstairs. Halfway down the steps he realized he had forgotten his book bag and raced back up to get it. This time he walked down the steps, checking his book bag as he did so. He went to the kitchen and picked up his lunch money, stuffed it deep into his front pocket, and had started for the front door when his eyes happened on his father’s computer desk.
    The palmtop sat next to the computer, where his father had left it the night before. With a quick glance towards the front door, Bobby walked over to the computer desk, slowly opened his book bag, and stuffed the palm unit deep inside. Quickly zipping the book bag closed, Bobby ran out of the house. 

    ***

    Robert Slocum watched as Bobby came out the front door and disappeared down the street, off to school no doubt. That left the house empty. He got out from his car and walked up to the front door, looked up and down the street, then rang the doorbell. No one answered. Glancing across the street he was grateful for the large pine tree that obstructed the neighbor’s view of his position. He turned back to the door, took out a set of tools, and worked the lock. It opened easily, and there was no evidence of a security system. He swung the door wider and walked inside.
    As his eyes swept the room, he was impressed at how orderly everything appeared. For a