Before 24 Billion and Counting

Chapter 17 Part 1 Security invades, and a humane board meeting

A  car drew up at the end of the drive. My mind screamed, "Why do I have to be surrounded by these people who don't have weekends off or stay at home?" 

The bell rang. I thought, ' Bugger. Will the hell I answer it.'

There was a thunderous hammering the front door. "This is the police, we know you're in Mr Berisford, you've just used your 'phone." 

So they had the phone tapped. This was serious. I opened the door to Dave, who had two men in suits by his side, one of whom was looking daggers at Dave. 

"Do come in," I tried to be ironic, "After all I don't want leisure or sleep." 

"Let us introduce ourselves. I am Ian Mallet US Department of Scientific Conservation, and this is Earnest Strong United Europe Bureau of Science. We feel we have had too much of your humour already. We did not appreciate this." 

He pulled out a copy of my missive to him. 

"This was sent on open E-mail. It was a confidential investigation. As is the whole matter. We are not going to treat breaches of security lightly." 

"Excuse me I have to go to the bathroom."

Alicia's interrogators had arrived faster than I had ever expected. I sat on the pan in the en-suite bathroom off my bedroom. What to do? These investigators were obviously serious, and were also furious with Dave for letting me know the phone was tapped. Think, think. The best I could come up with was to use the portable phone as a recorder as I had done with Alicia. But that was probably tapped as well. If so they could rub out the memory as quickly as I recorded. Think, think. The only thing was the audio recorder in the Hi-Fi, and I had to make a diversion for that. Well - do the phone as well and see what happens. I set up the 'phone and concealed it in my wrap. 

I came back and picked up the remote to the Hi Fi and said, "I'll just switch the holo off." 

I deliberately fumbled the volume and four 200 watt speakers crashed into Stravinsky's Rites of Spring at maximum output, and Alicia's dancing troupe cascaded into the middle of the room. I obscured the unit from view and set it to record and shut the cabinet door to hide the level indicators. Peace came to the room. "Sorry about that," I said with a hopefully incompetent sounding laugh, "new toy - not used to it yet." 

The three men sat recovering from the auditory shock. Mallett was still holding my letter and the minutes in his hand. I remembered the advice from way back when I managed a print works. The best form of defence is attack. 

"What's the problem with that?" I pointed to the minutes. "It was not a secret meeting because it was about a work of fiction. I signed no secrecy agreement, and those proceedings are covered by the Freedom of Information Act as amended 2005. I know that for a fact, so don't try and intimidate me. Remember my profession, we know what we can publish and what we can't. If it makes you look silly then that's your own damned incompetence. I'm not going to be brow beaten by you or anyone else, and what I said in the accompanying letter I stand by."

"What is that document Mr Berisford?" asked Dave. 

"Nothing you need worry over sergeant." said the Englishman. 

"I disagree." said Dave, "You are questioning a New Zealand national through me, on an alleged breach of security in the Northern hemisphere, and in reaching the agreement to allow that questioning to take place you have concealed material documentation. Unless I see it I shall terminate the interview." 

Masterly, I thought, Dave has a razor sharp brain under that thinning grey hair. He scanned the document. "Did you originate this, sir?" He handed it to me. I read it taking my time.