IN THE MIND OF A SPY

By Bruce M. Perrin

When Jesse Bolger ran into an old acquaintance from his high school days, Robert Gleason, he wondered if the man still had an imagination that was unencumbered by reality. His question was answered in the affirmative that evening. After insisting they talk inside his homemade, electronically-shielded room so no one could listen to their thoughts

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mind Sleuth Publications
• Release date: Apr 25, 2024
• ISBN: 9781955114080

Bruce M. Perrin

Bruce Perrin has been writing for more than twenty-five years, although you will find much of that work only in professional technical journals or conference proceedings. After receiving a Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and completing a career in psychological research and development at a major aerospace company, he's now applying his background to writing fiction. Not surprisingly, most of his work falls in the techno-thriller, mystery, and hard science fiction genres, examining the intersection of technology and the human mind now and in the future. Besides writing, Bruce likes to tinker with home automation and is an avid hiker. When he is not on the trails, he lives with his wife in Aurora, CO.

Book preview

In the Mind

of a Spy

The Mind Sleuth Series Book 7

Bruce M. Perrin

Text Copyright © 2024 Bruce M. Perrin

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the express written permission of the author.

This book is a work of fiction.

Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons living or dead is entirely coincidental.

First Edition

Cover Art by Courtney M. Perrin

Visit the Author at

brucemperrin.com

Mind Sleuth Publications

ISBN-13: 978-1-955114-08-0 (ebook)

ISBN-13: 978-1-955114-09-7 (paperback)

TITLES BY BRUCE M. PERRIN

THE MIND SLEUTH SERIES

Of Half a Mind

Mind in the Clouds

Mind in Chains

From the Mind of a Witch

A Wrinkle in the Mind

The Beating Heart of a Mind

In the Mind of a Spy

STANDALONE NOVELS

In the Space of an Atom

Killer in the Retroscape: A Near Future Mystery

For all the latest on my new releases, promotions, and book reviews, please subscribe to my newsletter at brucemperrin.com

For Charlie – you wanted a story with a dog in it.

This one’s for you.

Contents

In the Mind of a Spy

Sunday, June 30

Monday, July 1

Tuesday, July 2

Wednesday, July 3

Thursday, July 4

Friday, July 5

Ten Weeks Later, Tuesday, September 17

Wednesday, September 18

Thursday, September 19

Friday, September 20

Saturday, September 21

Acknowledgments

About the Author

A spy's greatest weapon is deception; the ability to make everyone believe you're someone you're not.

Paulo Coelho, Author

From The Spy

Sunday, June 30

Early Evening, Jesse Bolger’s Home,

Denver, CO

Jesse Bolger swung his legs out of the taxi and rested them on the ground, his head still humming from the nearly ten-thousand-mile flight from Singapore. He handed over eighty dollars for the last thirty miles of his commute, just glad his feet were back on American soil and his bed was a mere twenty yards away. He felt like he could sleep for a week.

But as he opened the front door to his three-bedroom rental home in the Washington Park neighborhood, Jesse knew his sleep was going to take another hit. Sitting there in the entry hall were two of Loren’s suitcases. That wasn’t everything his live-in girlfriend had brought with her a year ago, but he figured the collection was symbolic rather than exhaustive.

Like most of Jesse’s relationships, this one had started off cautiously but had soon become passionate. They’d hardly been able to keep their hands off each other. But unlike most of them, this one had lasted … well, until now. Apparently, his grueling travel schedule had finally taken its toll.

They’d had their talks about his priorities, but afterward, he’d always lied to himself. The two-week trip in March was an outlier; it wouldn’t take that long the next time. In May, he’d hardly made it home at all, but he couldn’t possibly be that unlucky again, could he? But June was nearly as bad. So now Loren was going to handle the problem herself. She didn’t like confrontation, but she liked spineless avoidance even less, especially when she was the one who was sneaking around. She would never slip away when he was out of town.

A four-day trip, huh? Loren said as she appeared at the other end of the entry hallway.

I know. It should have been, but things got complicated. The customer wanted a server farm with equipment specifications that no one could match … well, not yet anyway. We had to go back to the requirements and ….

Loren held up a hand. I know. You told me all about it in your text messages and phone calls. She paused a moment. And I do appreciate you calling at all hours of your day. Singapore was fourteen hours earlier than Denver, so to call her at 7 o’clock at night on Monday, he’d be phoning at 9 o’clock on Tuesday morning.

Just like you not being able to buy computers that don’t exist, we can’t build a life if you don’t exist in a world we share, she said. And if the last year is any indication, we only live together two weeks out of every five or six.

Jesse grimaced, knowing she was right. It won’t always be this way. But now, it was his turn to hold up a hand. I know. I’ve said that before and no, I don’t know exactly when things will change, but they will.

The conviction he’d felt when he’d said that in the past, however, was slipping away. His travel during the first two years on the job had been manageable, but during the last four, he’d practically lived out of his suitcase. The truth was starting to overshadow all the lies he told himself.

Hopefully, the next woman you find will have more patience, said Loren, but I can’t put so much of my life on hold. She paused, her eyes narrowing. Why are you wearing a long sleeve shirt? It was 90 degrees here today, and Singapore is always hot, isn’t it?

And humid, replied Jesse. Basically, Singapore only has two seasons: wet, which runs from March to August; and dry, which is the rest of the year, but the humidity is always off the charts. That’s why I picked up this shirt at the airport. Nothing I had left was fit to wear. Jesse slowly shook his head. Sorry, you didn’t ask for a monolog on Singapore weather.

There was only one person who could make him retreat into trivia while he hoped for a reversal of fortunes, and he was looking at her. It was just one of the many ways he knew that he loved Loren. But then, love doesn’t always conquer all, despite what all the films, songs, and books might say.

You’re a great guy, Loren said.

And you’re a wonderful woman.

Thanks, she said, her lower lip quivering slightly.

His response had slipped out before he could think as his words had obviously hurt her. Even so, for an instant, Jesse considered making more promises he most likely couldn’t keep. But he knew Loren. He knew she would have her let-down speech prepared and practiced, and all he could really do was make it harder for her. As much as it tore at his heart, he had to let logic win over emotion. He had to keep his mouth shut and let her have the end she needed.

Unfortunately, even two great people don’t always end up with a great life together, Loren said. I’m moving out and I’m asking you to stay away from me. It’ll only end up making things worse.

His gaze dropped to the floor. He didn’t have to feign the pain. He felt it. When he looked up, he said, I’ll respect your wishes.

She nodded, her jaw now set in determination.

Jesse looked at the luggage. Is this your first load?

My last. I moved the rest of it earlier. I was lucky enough to find a couple of other teachers who needed a roommate and they helped with the move.

Roommates? That made sense. Denver was an expensive place to live, and she’d had roommates before she had moved in with him. Well, at least I can help you move those bags to your car.

I sold the car, Loren replied. I needed the cash until school starts since my parttime job won’t pay the bills. Once I get back to teaching, I’ll have the money to cover rent.

But how are you going to get to work without wheels? He knew the moment he asked that it was wasted breath. Loren would have a plan. She always did, mentally repeating himself. But then, he needed the reassurance.

My new place is close by. If the kids can walk to school or to the bus stop, so can I. As for the last load, one of my roommates will be here any minute.

Can I give you a good-bye hug?

I’d be disappointed if you didn’t.

It seemed he’d only just wrapped his arms around her when someone knocked on the door. Neither of them said a word as they stepped back from the embrace. After a short gaze at each other during which Loren looked like she might break into tears and Jesse knew he felt the same anguish, she went to the door and opened it.

Jesse carried the two bags to the door and deposited them at the feet of the woman who stood there. Loren didn’t offer an introduction and the roommate didn’t volunteer her name. Perhaps one look at the two of them told her all she needed to know as she took one of the bags, turned, and left.

I hope you find all you’re looking for because you deserve it, Jesse said.

Loren had bent down to take the last bag but stood up when he spoke. Her eyes were misty with the effort to control her emotions. Thanks, she said and placed a soft kiss on his cheek. She picked up the remaining piece of luggage and left.

When the door closed, he leaned back against it, now grateful that he was exhausted. At least his fatigue gave him a fighting chance at some sleep. Otherwise, he’d be up all night wondering if there wasn’t another way, pondering if he shouldn’t change jobs. Maybe he could even quit. But that made no sense. He’d be broke in two months.

Eventually, Jesse picked up his suitcase and moved to the bedroom. He sat on the bed, kicked off his shoes, and removed his shirt. A warm shower would remove some of the grime of too many hours in airport lounges and stuffed into airplane seats. He stood and looked at himself in the mirror. There weren’t many positives of Loren leaving him, but as he gazed at the reflection of his left arm, he muttered to the empty room, At least I don’t have to lie about all these scratches.

Monday, July 1

Morning, Ruger-Phillips West, Denver, CO

Good work, said Miles Sennett for the fourth time. I know it got a lot more complicated than we’d expected before you came up with a solution, but it’s ingenuity like that that’ll get you ahead.

Thanks, Miles, Jesse replied for the fourth time. He couldn’t quite understand why his boss was going on about it so much. Wasn’t it always the case that he came, he saw, he solved?

And I’m really sorry about Loren, added Sennett.

Ah, there was the reason. How’d you know?

It’s my job to know, replied Sennett, nearly eliciting an eye roll from Jesse. OK, Loren called. She thought perhaps I should know, which is pretty damn thoughtful for a girl I only met a few times. You want to take a day or two off? I’m sure I could swing some paid leave if you don’t have any vacation left.

Yeah, she is thoughtful that way. As for the time off, thanks for the offer, but no. I have plenty of vacation, but the last thing I want is to sit at home with nothing to do but feel sorry for myself.

Well, rest up enough to get over those injuries to your arm. I’m sure it’ll be in your report, but what happened again? asked Sennett.

It’s no big deal, replied Jesse. But when his boss frowned, he knew that wasn’t going to be enough explanation.

We’d traced the data leak to some components that were locked in a floor vault, but no one had the combination. They finally decided they didn’t care if the electronics inside were destroyed, so we drilled our way in. Unfortunately, I got a little too close while they were working, and some flying debris grazed my arm.

Well, I’m glad it’s nothing serious, said Sennett. Like usual, we’ve got a lot of work pending. When you’re done with the paperwork on Singapore, let me know and we’ll get you lined up. Right now, I’m thinking the Farrar case.

Jesse had vaguely heard of it—mostly that it was a bitch that would probably tax all his skills—but that was perfect for his current frame of mind. Sounds good, boss.

Great, replied Sennett. And again, I’m sorry about Loren.

Sennett had previously held the same job as Jesse now occupied, which, at least in Jesse’s mind, made them closer than most superiors and their subordinates. The man understood how tough this occupation was on relationships. But the condolences had gone on too long for him, and Sennett seemed to sense that as he launched into small talk—the local sports scene, the weather, the happenings at Ruger-Phillips West.

The parent company, Ruger-Phillips, was headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, and employed a few thousand people. The local staff in Colorado, however, numbered in the hundreds and mostly worked for contractors attracted to the area by the local military bases or at the bases themselves—Buckley Space Force Base, Fort Carson, Schriever Space Force Base, Peterson Space Force Base, and the United States Air Force Academy. Those employees, in turn, had their fingers in military development and training projects worldwide, making virtually every RPW employee in marketing or procurement frequent fliers on every commercial airline departing Denver International Airport.

By job title, Jesse was in procurement, or, as everyone inside RPW called them, he was a buyer. And because of that, he was an elite-level frequent flier on two different carriers and had a few thousand miles on a third.

As Sennett talked, Jesse noticed that his boss was avoiding any mention of his wife and two daughters, which was unusual for him. Perhaps he felt that mentioning them would highlight Jesse’s loss, but he felt otherwise. His boss had moved into his current supervisory position after ten years on the job, which meant Jesse had four more years if he followed the same trajectory. At that point, he’d be thirty-five and Loren would be thirty-two … although he wondered why he bothered with the mental math. No woman as attractive and intelligent as her would be around after that much time. Better for both of them if he just forgot her, not that it would be easy.

Anything else before I let you get back to work? Sennett asked after bemoaning the effect the current dry spell was having on his lawn and reveling in a winning home stand by the Colorado Rockies baseball team over the weekend.

No. That’s about it, Jesse said, only too happy to draw this meeting to a close. His body was confused after his halfway-around-the-world travel yesterday, and this morning, he couldn’t muster any appetite for breakfast. But about an hour ago, he had become famished, and he was starting to wonder if Sennett would ever finish.

He left the building at a fast walk, jumped in his car, and broke a half-dozen speed limits before he reached his favorite sandwich shop, Philly Pete’s. He skidded to a stop in their parking lot and exited the car.

As Jesse was making his way to the front door, a stocky man materialized from a patio on one side of the building. He was wearing black jeans, black sneakers, and a black hooded windbreaker with the hood up. While the temperatures had cooled some from the nineties the day before, he appeared seriously overdressed for the weather. And in Colorado, where people wore shorts until the temperatures retreated to forty degrees or below, he seemed positively out of place. But to each his own, thought Jesse.

As they were headed directly at each other, Jesse veered slightly to his left, but the man adjusted his path to put them back on a collision course. So, he tried a second correction, only to see the man again heading directly at him. Had this moving