It was a few days before Barry called. Michael had discussed his burn notice and the possibility of having Suzanna "research" some information. She clearly didn't like the idea, but he hadn't expected her to, given her background. He realized he was essentially a stranger asking her to violate one of the most carefully guarded organizations in the world. But she'd give it some thought, she told him.
Meanwhile, she rebuffed any attempts made to engage her in conversation or any kind of social contact. She spent most of her time either barricaded in her apartment, working her shift, or sitting on the canal wall behind the warehouse, staring into the distance.
"I offered to take her shopping for some new clothes," said Fiona, a little miffed, "but she basically told me to get lost."
"What did you expect, Fi? She lost her 9-year-old daughter and lover a couple of months ago. That doesn't exactly put someone in the shopping mood."
His cell rang, which he answered after checking the number. "Yeah, Barry, what've you got?"
The voice on the other end sounded panicky: "I moved the money to the local account, but I'm pretty sure they know it's gone. I got a ping, even though I ran it through a ton of filters and remotes."Michael hung up and looked at Fiona. "They know she's in Miami. We'd better be ready."
**
In spite of the threat of exposure, Suzanna had made up her mind about Michael's request. She insisted on attempting the CIA breach as soon as possible, even though he tried to dissuade her.
"It has to be now, Michael; we don't have much time. I need to try as soon as possible," she told him, as they stood around the work table in his flat.
He sighed resignedly. "OK, what do you need?" As he listened to her computer and security parameters, he knew he'd have to involve Barry yet again. He was the only one who might be able to make the necessary arrangements. He placed the call.
When he hung up, he opened a kitchen drawer and took out a Glock, checking for a full magazine and a chambered round before shooting the slide and sticking the weapon in his waistband. Fiona helped herself to a Sig Sauer from a different drawer and did the same. Noticing Suzanna's expression, he flashed her a quick smile. "Just a precaution," he told her reassuringly.
**
As it turned out, Barry had everything Suzanna required…or at least, he knew how to borrow it. Just after 4 a.m., they met him on the University of Florida campus, where he led them into a nondescript building and down to the basement. He showed them proudly into a tiny room that contained exactly one chair, one router, and one computer terminal with two monitors.
"Ta daaah! Just for you, Athena. Fastest processor available, almost nine gigabytes per second access, and the best part is, it's mirroring as a library terminal across campus. That should slow them down and buy you some time when they figure out what you're doing."
"When?" asked Fiona.
"When," repeated Suzanna. "It's only a matter of time before someone notices the incursion."
"I rigged something for that, too," said Barry. "Check this out." He brought up the second monitor, which displayed a shot of the empty foyer they had just passed through upstairs.
"A wireless camera," said Suzanna admiringly. "Very nice!"
"I saved the best for last," Barry said, as he opened a small panel in the corner of the room. "Our exit. It's an access hatch to a tunnel that runs to another building nearby."
"This is perfect," Suzanna told him gratefully. Michael was fairly sure Barry was blushing under his deep tan.
"But there's one condition," Barry said, a little hesitantly.
"What's that?" asked Michael suspiciously.
"I get to stay and watch her work."
After a brief argument that Michael knew he was bound to lose, Suzanna and Barry fell into a discussion of methodology that was incomprehensible to the other two people in the room. Michael had always thought he knew something about computers, but he couldn't follow even the basics of what they proposed. Finally, Suzanna settled into her seat, looking regretfully at her missing finger. "I haven't tried anything like this since I lost it, so it'll be a learning experience."
It didn't seem to slow her down much, as she proceeded to bring up screen after screen of data, faster and faster, until even Barry was forced to become a silent observer. Michael and Fiona had given up long before and settled for keeping watch on the camera monitor.
After almost an hour of probing one portal after another, Suzanna stated quietly, "I'm in."
Barry looked at the screen. "They're monitoring you….They'll notice pretty soon. How much time?"
"I'd say…maybe half an hour, at the outside." She worked even more quickly, searching files, lists, names…anything that might provide a clue.
Michael's phone rang. "Carla! Hello! Isn't it a little past your bedtime?"
"What are you doing, Michael?" the voice snarled. "You're going to make some very important people very angry!"
"What do you mean? We're just about to catch the early show. In fact, it's starting right now. Bye-bye." He shut the phone and looked at Suzanna. "Hurry."
She nodded absently. After another quarter of an hour, she said slowly, "I think they just found the remote terminal. It won't take long to trace it back."
"Nope," said Barry nervously. "Only a few minutes."
"Just a little longer," muttered Suzanna. Her fingers were flying, her eyes darted over the screen as the data flashed by.
From his position by the second monitor, Michael said, "Fi, I want you and Barry out of here, NOW." When it looked like Fiona was going to argue, he added, "I need you outside to run interference if we need it."
She headed for the hatch without another word, with Barry glued to her heels.
At five minutes, Michael saw movement on the monitor and grabbed Suzanna by both arms. "Let's go!" he ordered.
"Just another minute!" she protested.
"In another minute, we'll both be dead," he replied. "Out!"
She took a few more seconds to wipe the screen and then let him pull her toward the hatch. Shutting it behind them, they ran hunched over down the low tunnel toward safety.