Jack felt sick. He couldn't believe what he was seeing on the screen in front of him, and yet he knew it was true. He'd been searching for this information for weeks, all the while secretly hoping it wouldn't appear.
*EMAIL TRANSMISSION*
11:43am, 21/04/2008
From:
To: 'Mohammed Al-Jahani'; 'Mo Al-Jahani20'
Subject: CLASSIFIED:Shipment FT-IG-243
Mo,
I've sent this to both your accounts so it has the best chance of reaching you as quickly as possible. The shipment we agreed is being sent out this afternoon under the number FT-IG-243. It's being sent by cargo plan to Kuwait City, tail number G-JIKL, arrival time 16:45 local time, and from there by convoy to Tehran. It should be with you within 16 hours of touchdown in Kuwait.
As discussed, please arrange payment in the usual manner. I hope the good reach you in good condition and that you are able to make full use of them.
Regards,
John
Sir John Franklin
CEO, Franklin Trading Ltd
It had taken Jack, an up-and-coming IT technician, three days to extract that email and several like it from his company's highly secure computer system, and it would almost certainly cost him his job if it was discovered that he had hacked the database. However, coupled with other pieces of evidence he'd managed to find, he was now 100% sure he'd uncovered a dark and potentially terrifying secret. He picked up his mobile phone from the desk and dialled a number he'd been waiting weeks to call.
"Good afternoon, MI5 confidential information helpline," said the automated voice. "Please hold while we connect you to an operative." There was a click, and then the over-familiar strains of Vivaldi's Four Seasons came drifting through the line. After about thirty seconds, the phone reconnected.
"Good afternoon, my name's Kelly, how can I help you?" asked a friendly voice.
"Oh hello, I'm afraid I have some disturbing news regarding Franklin Trading," began Jack.