Mark Pryor - Cyberian Affair

The leader turned his attention to Niko. “I’m going to ask you one more time. Tell me your name.”

Niko shook his head. “I don’t have to talk. I want a lawyer.”

“We’ll learn who you are soon enough. The court will assign you a lawyer if you can’t afford one.” The SWAT leader pulled out handcuffs. “Turn around.”

“Can I put some clothes on? It’s chilly outside.”

The man nodded and clipped the cuffs back on his belt. He inspected the clothing that Niko selected before allowing him to get dressed.

“Turn around. Place your hands behind your back.”

Niko did as instructed. “Am I under arrest? What for?”

“We’re arresting you on suspicion of murder and conspiracy.”

“Murder?” Holy shit !

The agent snapped cuffs on Niko’s wrists and recited the Miranda rights.

Niko had a million questions. Murder who ? Conspire with who ? He should wait for a lawyer. The FBI agent said the court would appoint one—if he couldn’t afford it. The only way he’d be able to pay for a lawyer was to use Marko’s money, but he couldn’t let anyone know where it came from.

While being led away, he saw half a dozen people in assault gear searching the house. Niko asked the FBI agent, “Do you have a search warrant?”

“Of course. Are you the homeowner?”

Niko ignored the question and walked outside to the waiting vehicle.

At the DC Detention Center, Niko had refused to give his name, so the booking clerk designated him as John Doe. They took his mug shot, confiscated his clothing, gave him an orange jump suit, and fingerprinted him. It wouldn’t be long before they found out who he was.

Now Niko sat on a thin mattress which covered a hard metal bed facing a toilet with a sink attached. A tray with the uneaten portion of his breakfast was on the floor. He wanted to know how Vyper was coping with everything. Did they put her in a cell like this? Did they charge her with murder?

Originally, Niko thought he’d been arrested for stealing Sokolov’s money, or maybe for unauthorized access to a computer. But murder? Was this a mistake? Unrelated to the Russians? Not likely. The smartest thing to do was remain silent until he learned what he was accused of doing. He’d find out in a few hours when he appeared before the judge.

A uniformed officer stopped outside his cell. “Stand against the far wall.”

When Niko complied, the cop entered, handcuffed him, and led him out of the cell block and down a long corridor. Near the end of the hall, he opened a door and led Niko inside, sitting him down in a folding chair. He attached the cuffs to a rail on the only table in the room.

Niko sat there alone, waiting for the inevitable interrogation. Vyper was probably going through the same thing. No telling how she would react to the loss of control—the handcuffs.

Waiting gave him plenty of time to think—Russians, murder charges, and jail. But mostly he thought of Vyper.

When the door opened, a tall man in a dark suit carrying a briefcase walked in. He stopped short when his eyes settled on the cuffs. He shouted a command loud enough to be heard outside the cell. “Remove my client’s handcuffs.”

Client ? Niko didn’t have a lawyer. “Who—”

The man held a finger to his lips, signaling silence, then turned around and raised his voice. “Are you deaf? I said remove these handcuffs— now !”

Niko sat silently as the uniformed officer rushed in, removed his cuffs, and left the room.

The lawyer followed him outside the door briefly and looked both ways. When he returned, he closed the door and walked back to Niko, his hand extended. “I come from Provo.”

Provo ? That’s half of the passcode from Marko. Niko cautiously shook his hand. “Who are you?”

“I am The Pythia.” He sat down. “But you may call me Mister Bodnar.”

That was the proper response. Niko had to trust him. “Who sent you? How’d you know I was here?”

Bodnar smiled. “Lydia Harris sent me. I’m her lawyer.”

Vyper ! “How’s she doing? Where is she?”

“She’s doing fine. They’re holding her in a cell like yours.”

“Is she really okay? I mean… she was upset last night. And she doesn’t like—”

Bodnar held up his hand. “I’ve known Lydia for a few years, and I’m aware of her limitations. She told me she’s being treated well. Her cell is small, but they never restrain her.”

“That’s great, but why did they arrest her?”

The lawyer set his briefcase on the table and opened it. “Before we discuss anything further, we need to settle something. Lydia would like me to represent you… if that’s your wish.”

“Um… yeah, but… I can’t afford a lawyer.”

“No need to pay me a thing.” Bodnar pulled out a small packet of papers. “I’ve been on retainer to Marko Kozel for years. His estate will pay for everything.” He set the papers on the table facing Niko. “This is a standard agreement with an additional authorization for joint defense with Lydia. I will be able to share information with each of you about your cases. You can read the document, or I can explain it to you. If you’re satisfied, sign at the bottom of the final page.”

On the top of the first page was the name Ivan Bodnar, Attorney at Law. Niko glanced through the verbiage, written in legalese. He skipped to the last page where his signature was required. Under the line, someone had typed the name Adam Zima.

“Did Vyper tell you my name?”

Bodnar nodded. “Lydia said you prefer to be called Niko, but all legal papers reference Zima. I know you haven’t revealed your name to the FBI, but they figured it out—I presume from fingerprints. Are you aware you were declared legally dead?”

Niko ignored the question and signed the paper. “Now can you tell me why they arrested Vyper?”

“She’s been charged with murder and conspiracy—same as you. You’ll receive the formal charges when you appear in court this afternoon. Lydia, AKA Vyper, is scheduled to appear later in the day.”

“They told me what I was charged with, and it makes no sense. But Vyper? How can anyone think we’re murderers? Who do they think we killed?”

The lawyer took the signed paper and placed it in his briefcase. “I don’t know. I could only speculate. The formal charges will be more detailed.” He stood up. “See you in court. Is there anything you want me to tell Lydia?”

Niko stood to shake Bodnar’s hand. “Tell her I love her.”

When the lawyer left, a guard returned Niko to his cell, where he sat alone with his thoughts for hours before he was taken to see Mister Bodnar again, and then the judge.

Niko stood in court wearing an orange prisoner jump suit, Bodnar at his side. His hands were cuffed in front of him.

The judge looked like someone’s grandfather sitting at the bench. He spoke with authority. “State your name.”

Since the court already knew the answer, Niko responded, “Adam Zima.”

The judge began to read the formal charges. It sounded like legal mumbo jumbo. Then he got to the point, “… Adam Zima provided material support and resources to Alexei Sokolov…”

No ! I didn’t help Sokolov .

The reading continued, “… the murder of Marko Kozel and the attacks on the Kozel and Cybercade action centers…”

Niko couldn’t believe what he heard. They got it all wrong. Why did they think he did it? It was the Russians!

Then the judge said something that made Niko’s heart stop. “… conspired with Lydia Harris…”

The rest of the reading went by in a blur. All he could think of was Vyper.