Project Venom Read Free Page B

diseases. The creation of a deadly poison is totally outside their normal work. That’s why we’re working on the theory that Pablo Alva is acting alone. He seems to have used the company’sresources to follow his own research.”
    “So why was Alva’s email picked up?” asked Agent K. “Because of his past links to EBLS?”
    “No,” said Queen Bee. “It was intercepted at GCHQ, the UK government’s monitoring agency in Gloucestershire. It was flagged up only because of where it came from and the particular message it contained, the words it used. The fact that Pablo Alva sent it was simply the icing on the cake, as you might say.”
    “If this intel came from GCHQ,” said Agent K, “then we’re not the only ones who know about it.”
    “It’ll be all over MI5 and MI6 too,” said Agent J.
    “I’m afraid so,” said Queen Bee. “We’re not the only ones in this race. I have a meeting at MI5 in a few minutes. I’ll impress on them just how dangerous the poison is. We’ll code-name it Venom. In the meantime, MI5 should be doing something useful and quietly keeping tabs on Alva’s home, phone and internet use. Let’s hope they do the sensible thing and leave everything else to us. This situation gives us a chance to put a stop to the EBLS’s entire operation by watching every move that Alva makes. That’s why Widowis at Smith-Neutall right now. It’s vital that Alva doesn’t get spooked and break off contact with the terrorists. We may never get a chance like this again. We watch, we gather evidence and only then do we strike. Is that clear?”
    “Logged,” replied the robot bugs.

CHAPTER THREE
    “Pablo Alva must be arrested immediately.”
    A short, round man with a moustache was addressing a dozen MI5 secret agents seated around a large oval conference table. The nameplate outside the man’s office said “Morris Drake – Inland Containment Officer”. He stood in front of a large screen, showing a slightly blurred photograph of Pablo Alva getting into a car. Alva was thin and scruffy, with a heavily lined face and a sour expression.
    “This was taken yesterday afternoon as Alva left work,” said Drake. “I’ve had his flat andthe Smith-Neutall building watched twenty-four seven. Nothing unusual has been observed. We’ve also been intercepting his email, both at work and at home, and the only messages that have come in or out of his account are a competition entry form, and his birthday list sent to his mum. Bless.”
    The MI5 agents laughed.
    “So, nothing unusual there either. The internet connection into the Smith-Neutall building shows no odd or unexpected traffic, and Alva’s home broadband connection has registered only a couple of hours on BBC iPlayer and a ten-minute go on Ultimate Zap-Master 4.”
    “What’s the conclusion we draw from all this?” said Drake. “Anyone?”
    The agents glanced at each other for a moment. One of them nervously raised his hand.
    “That Alva’s not contacted the EBLS again yet, sir. We should continue to monitor.”
    “Wrong!” cried Drake. “It means he must be getting his messages out some other way, and we’ve got to nick him right now before the EBLS launch an attack.”
    “What about the poison, sir?” said another agent. “That’s still safely under lock and key, isn’t it? I mean, they can’t launch an attack without it.”
    “Of course they can’t,” said Drake. “And it’s got to stay that way. That’s why we must arrest Alva now, before he does the deal. He’s not going to steal the poison until the last minute, is he? He’s not going to keep it in a box at home! He’ll snatch it and run.”
    The image on the screen changed. Now it showed the layout of the Smith-Neutall building.
    “We need to move fast,” said Drake, “because I have it on good authority that we’re not the only branch of the secret service taking an interest in this. And I won’t have MI6 or the SIA poking their noses into our business.