Unlimited Plan (*)

A little hacking before flying never hurt

33.

Toronto, Canada

"Are you in the trade?" Lucy hears the question asked by the computer equipment attendant. She pretends to rummage through a pile of discounted DVDs at the end of the aisle. No doubt Baltac, to whom the question is directed, has also heard it. But he probably prefers to ignore it, as he does not respond.

The seller finds it good to insist.

"Quite specific hardware," he comments, detailing the items spread out on his counter.

Baltac pulls out his credit card without saying anything, but the cashier, while validating the barcodes, keeps the conversation going himself.

"I saw on the Internet that this kind of card reader is very popular with hackers. Apparently, it can be easily modified to access SIM cards of mobile phones."

Still silent, Baltac extends his payment method.

"There, it's settled. You can go to the left of the main checkouts, present the ticket at the exit."

Baltac nods.

"Good day, thank you for shopping at Future Shop."

Lucy waits a few seconds before proceeding towards the exit herself. She pauses under the huge red porch topped with the store's white lettering, lets Baltac, bag in hand, join the blue BMW, then she heads to her rental vehicle parked in a side alley.

It's been less than half an hour since she took up the tail of the small car as it left the Wessler residence. Baltac led her towards the lake, then onto the Gardiner Expressway to the outskirts of Mississauga, where he just made his purchases. She doesn't know if he stopped just for this errand, or for another reason.

She lets two vehicles slip between her and the BMW exiting the parking lot. To the right, Baltac would head east, back towards Toronto and the residence. To the left, he would go west, to Niagara and the American border if he gets on the QEW, or to the international airport if he veers onto Highway 427. She sees the left turn signal of the BMW light up and activates hers. Always careful not to find herself directly behind the vehicle she is following, she takes the street leading to the interchanges. The German car climbs the ramp, keeps to the right, and exits upon the 427. Unless of an impromptu visit in the northern region; Baltac is preparing to leave the country by air.

Lucy continues her cautious tailing to the entrance of the airport. When Jeremy heads towards the long-term parking, she does the same while picking up her mobile phone. With a press of a button, she calls Macmillan.

"He's at the airport, sir."

"Don't lose him. If he takes a flight, I want you on the plane with him."

"Understood, sir."

She parks her car one lane behind the space now occupied by Baltac and waits. Nothing happens for a long while. She risks opening her window to observe the BMW better. She can make out the profile of her target, leaning over the passenger seat, apparently busy with his recent purchases. Lucy closes her window and stays patiently still. About an hour later, Baltac gets out of his car, activates the central locking, then heads towards the departure hall.

Lucy abandons her weapon under the driver's seat and follows him to the long glass walkway that spans the various lanes reserved for visitors' vehicles, taxis, and buses. A hundred yards behind Baltac, she steps onto the lengthy conveyor belt that takes them both to the Terminal 1's first floor.