Seamus

recap of part 1

Both men went back to Boston. Soon after, Seamus Brogan gave a heartfelt speech at Milton Academy’s Chapel during a service honoring Hannah James. It was a sad moment for everyone, and as a student sang Ave Maria, many in the crowd wept, overwhelmed by what could only be called a tragedy. Hannah James had been a promising student and was greatly respected by all.

The question now was: what would Hans Luden and his team, Lt. John Kelly of the Boston Police Department, do next? They were determined to prevent Mei Chang from returning to China, where it would be nearly impossible to find her and bring her back to face justice in the United States. They knew that the person ultimately responsible for the murder of Hannah James was Bo Chang, Mei Chang’s father. However, both men understood it was unrealistic to expect them to extradite Bo Chang to the United States. The man had numerous contacts and was untouchable.

Below are the first 16 chapters of Part 1. Tomorrow, the remaining chapters of part 1 will be published alongside the first chapter of part 2.

Chapter 1

Seamus Brogan was born into a wealthy family in Milton, Massachusetts. He had three brothers and two sisters and was the second-to-last child. His grandfather and father started a successful plumbing business, now with offices across southeastern Massachusetts.

The family was lively and full of energy. The children were always on different teams, had many friends, and rode their bikes all around Milton. That is, except for one. While most of the family was athletic, fun-loving, and outgoing, Seamus was artistic and quiet, enjoying books, painting, and music. Mr. Brogan sometimes wondered where this boy had come from.

Seamus was friendly, and it wasn’t that people didn’t like him; it was more that he had an artistic temperament and preferred spending time creating and observing. It was clear from an early age that he was talented in drawing and music, and his mother made sure Seamus took piano and singing lessons. At family gatherings, Seamus would often sing classic Irish tunes like “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling.”

Seamus began writing poems at the age of five, and he sometimes read them aloud during family dinners. At first, his siblings teased him, but eventually they recognized that their brother was talented, and his writing and singing deserved appreciation and respect, not mockery.

When it was time to choose a secondary school, Tom Brogan wanted all the children to attend Boston College High School or the well-regarded Milton Academy nearby. There was no doubt that Seamus would attend Milton Academy, which had a strong arts and music program. He had no trouble getting in because his academic record was perfect. His brothers faced greater difficulties and attended Boston College High School, where they played football and hockey.

Chapter 2

Seamus thrived at Milton Academy, where he excelled in theater and participated in plays. He contributed to the school newspaper and made many friends. During his first year, the choir performed after Thanksgiving in the school’s performing arts center. The choir director selected Seamus to sing a solo at the concert. He was scheduled to perform Mozart’s famous piece, Laudate Dominum, accompanied by the school’s orchestra.

As the orchestra started, many students, excited for the upcoming Christmas break, were restless, including Tom Brogan. He liked pop music, the Red Sox, and his beloved Bruins. He chewed on a couple of mini-Snickers bars, looking forward to going home to watch a game on TV and have a few beers. He felt out of place and uncomfortable in a suit and tie, and he could never understand why people wore them.

Tom Brogan loved his son, but he often wondered why he couldn’t participate in sports like his other kids. When Seamus stepped onto the stage, he looked confident and prepared. His suit fit well, and Tom thought the boy had a commanding presence.

Within seconds of Seamus starting, Tom, the rest of the family, and the audience all froze. Tom was moved as if he were at his father’s funeral, listening to the beautiful sounds coming from his son. No one moved, and even the choirmaster looked surprised. A tear rolled down the father’s face, just like it did down his mother’s. Any thoughts of Tom wanting Seamus to score touchdowns disappeared, and it was as if he were seeing his son for the first time.

When Seamus finished singing, silence fell over the crowd. People appeared spellbound until one person clapped, and then a wave of applause swept through the auditorium to the fields and buildings of Milton Academy.

Chapter 3

That evening when he sang at Milton Academy changed Seamus Brogan’s life. He wasn’t scoring touchdowns or goals, but he had become a new kind of hero at Milton Academy. Students who had never paid him any attention said hello in the hallways, and even teachers nodded to him, and many congratulated Brogan on his performance. Seamus couldn’t understand what all the fuss was about, since he sang like he always did. It was just that no one paid much attention to him before.

Two weeks later, at the local Catholic Church near Milton, Father James Donovan asked Seamus to sing at a Mass. The Reverend had seen Seamus perform at Milton Academy, and like everyone else in the audience, he had been captivated. He wanted Seamus to sing Panis Angelicus at a high Mass on Sunday at 11 o’clock.

Seamus was excited to sing before a live audience, and he knew the song well, having sung it many times before. He practiced with the choir director, and by Sunday morning, he was ready. The church was the one he and other Milton Catholic students attended every week. He didn’t know Father Donovan personally, but he was looking forward to meeting him and singing the beautiful hymn.

His parents picked him up around 9:30 at Milton, and they drove three miles to the church. Seamus went to the vestry, met the staff, and reviewed the routine. At the scheduled time, the church was full, and Seamus walked to a spot in front of the altar. The choir in front of him began singing softly, and the musicians played. The church was packed, and none of the parishioners knew who Seamus was.

When he began singing, the congregation fell silent. Even young children seemed unable to make a noise. The priest himself was stunned, his face frozen. The beautiful sound of Seamus’s voice filled the church.

Chapter 4

Seamus’s rendition of Panis Angelicus filled the church with awe and sounded beautiful. Even the priest at the altar paused for a moment to look up at the boy and the choir. The congregation was incredibly silent. There was no doubt that this was a special moment for both Seamus Brogan and the church.

At Milton Academy, Seamus kept excelling. He took courses in art, music, and English, and enjoyed his studies. Having taught himself about computers, he decided to sign up for a computer science class with a teacher, Les Crane, a retired MIT professor.

Most of Crane’s young students were hardworking, bright, and motivated individuals. They were like running backs who gained three or four yards per carry. They kept trying and gradually learned the material. He enjoyed his job at Milton, and it was a nice way to spend a few years in his retirement. One day, he picked up a homework assignment and immediately realized he had a star quarterback in the classroom.

Seamus Brogan understood the material better than most students. He was clearly an exceptional learner. After class, the teacher called Seamus in and tested him on some computer science topics. Within minutes, he realized that Seamus was a prodigy, and he began discussing his future in the field with him. Where should he go? Although Carnegie Mellon and Caltech were options, there was only one choice: the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His colleague Hans Luden was there, and he would eagerly look forward to hearing about this boy’s potential.

Seamus was a tall, lanky boy who, earlier in life, had been targeted by the more athletic crowd. This didn’t happen much at Milton because he was likable, interested in others, and modest about his own achievements. Some of the football players didn’t like that Seamus was getting so much attention, and it wasn’t for sports. They decided to test him and have some fun.

Chapter 5

Hey, where do you think you’re going? You might not know this, but underclassmen must pay a toll to pass through this hallway. Now cough up your money, or we’ll do some real damage to those vocal cords.

Seamus looked at the wannabe, preppy gangsters and said,

Look, guys, I’m not a fighter. I’m a skinny, uncoordinated guy who does arts and just trying to get to my class. I won’t give you any money. If you want to fight, go ahead. My two brothers play football for Boston College High School. They’ve made it clear that if anyone messes with me, there will be serious consequences. I’d rather handle things myself, but this is how my Irish family does it.

The attitude of the preppy punks changed immediately. Three of them stepped back and started gathering their books. However, one student, James Reese, said, “Tell your brother he can go screw himself. I’m not afraid of any Irish punk.”

Guys, I hate to say this, but my phone’s been on, and my brother’s on the other end of the line. He just hung up, which means he’s not happy with any of you. James, I suggest you watch your back. He’ll be here at some point.

With that, Seamus Brogan walked down the hall to his class. He wasn’t afraid of these guys, and he believed the strategy he used would keep him safe for a long time. He was looking forward to his computer class, and before heading in, he stopped at the canteen and grabbed a cup of coffee.

Seamus enjoyed his computer class. He had built a strong working relationship with Les Crane, the retired computer science professor from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Crane recognized Brogan as a once-in-a-lifetime student. The boy was brilliant and grasped concepts immediately. He was aware of Seamus’s passion for the arts and music, but he hoped to persuade him to consider a career in computer science.

Chapter 5

Two days later, a Milton student reported to the infirmary and was then taken to the local hospital. He said he had fallen on the sidewalk and broken his nose. Word spread among the students, and from that point on, no one bothered Seamus Brogan.

Seamus spent his time at Milton Academy acting in plays, singing with the chorus, and writing articles for the school newspaper. He won a poetry contest in his sophomore year, and it was clear he was a talented student.

Les Crane, who retired from the computer science department at M.I.T., devoted himself to mentoring Seamus in the field. The boy impressed him every day. He was like a gazelle crossing a stream on the Serengeti. During one of their regular lunches at Salvatore’s, Crane told his friend Hans Luden about Brogan. Luden knew that Crane didn’t exaggerate about students, and he listened carefully. Wouldn’t it be great to attract such a student to M.I.T.?

Luden had the opportunity to meet Brogan when Les Crane invited Luden to give a guest lecture in his class at Milton. The questions Seamus asked showed a deep understanding of the material, and his comments demonstrated creative thinking and enthusiasm. Luden understood what Crane was saying and hoped to bring Seamus Brogan to MIT.

Some students thought Brogan was gay because he didn’t talk about girls like others did, and he wasn’t interested in going to school dances. After what happened to James Reese, no one bothered him. What the students didn’t realize was the often sensual nature of the poetry and songs he wrote. Had they looked more closely, they would have glimpsed Seamus Brogan’s destiny.

Chapter 6

Over the years, Seamus Brogan continued to excel at Milton Academy. He sang in the choir, delivering more than 20 solos, and participated in plays, all while maintaining strong academic performance. His classmates recognized his computer skills, and he became an informal advisor to them. He was well-liked and respected, yet he often spent long periods alone.

Seamus realized he enjoyed his inner world, where he composed music and poetry, thought about his future, and the people in it. His mind was always filled with musical tunes, which he called his creative world. He knew he also needed to live in the outer world, so he pushed himself to socialize and connect with others.

He had formed a close bond with Les Crane, the retired computer science professor from MIT. Crane took him to one of Hans Luden’s lectures at Cambridge University, and Seamus was thoroughly impressed. Crane encouraged him to apply to college there, but Seamus was equally passionate about the arts.

In his junior year, he was walking down a corridor in the East wing, his eyes fixed on a girl he had never seen before. She was a sophomore and a transfer student from a local high school.

Hannah James was a good student, an outstanding soccer player, and a rugby player to be feared. She was beautiful, yet she had a no-nonsense attitude as a teenager. Other boys tried to approach her, but she saw them as distractions and brushed them off. However, the day she saw Seamus Brogan, something stirred inside her. She was momentarily stunned, but she kept going, keeping her eyes straight ahead. She didn’t understand what had just happened. He wasn’t the most attractive boy around, and she knew a bit about him because of his reputation, but what had just happened to her?

Chapter 7

Several days later, Hannah was eating dinner in the dining room when she saw Seamus Brogan walking with his tray. He looked at her, and as if pulled by an unseen force, he moved toward her table. He said nothing and sat down.

HJ: I know who you are. You sing and act in plays. I play sports, and I want to attend Wellesley. I live in Hyannis.

SB: I like the Cape very much, and I could visit you sometime, when school is out.

HJ: That would be nice. We sail, swim, eat fried clams, and enjoy ice cream. I must go now. History class starts soon. Bye.

SB: I’ll see you later, Hannah.

Seamus didn’t know much about love, but he thought he might be heading in that direction. He could see that Hannah felt the same way, and somehow, he knew that his life wouldn’t be the same from now on.

On a cold Thursday morning in New England, with the wind blowing across the Charles River, Dr. Crane parked his Ford Escape in the west lot at M.I.T. Accompanying him was Seamus Brogen, whom the computer teacher had brought to hear a lecture by Hans Ludden. Crane had enjoyed Ludden’s talk at Milton, and he was looking forward to the professor’s lecture.

Luden discussed the future of computer science, with a particular focus on Artificial Intelligence. Usually, Seamus was restless and fidgeted during lectures. At M.I.T., he might as well have been given a paralyzing drug; he couldn’t move. For the second time in recent days, he was caught in an emotional updraft.

After the lecture, Luden drove his car with Crane and Brogen in the Ford behind him. Their destination was Salvatore’s in the North End. Brogen was still recovering from Luden’s subtle brilliance. He looked forward to spending more time with the professor at the restaurant.

Chapter 8

Seamus Brogen was impressed with Salvatore’s. Peter had arranged a small private room near the kitchen for the group. Since his family didn’t eat out often, Seamus was curious about Salvatore’s. He started with lentil soup, which was very flavorful. His meal was followed by a dish called cacio e pepe, a well-known Roman specialty. At that point, Brogen wondered how difficult it would be to change his name to Brogeninni.

After tasting the pasta course and the spumoni, Seamus Brogen fell in love with Italian cooking. However, the food didn’t disrupt the conversations at the table. Luden liked Brogen and saw his potential. He was not only skilled in computer science but also creative and open-minded in his thinking.

When Luden asked Seamus which college he was applying to, Brogen said he was applying to Harvard. Les Crane mentioned that Harvard and M.I.T. would start a program next year, which was a joint effort for students interested in pursuing a dual major in Computer Science and the Humanities. Only five people would be chosen for the initial program, and the admissions committee expected tough competition.

Crane asked the professor if Seamus could meet with him privately to discuss the program soon. Luden replied, “Of course.” Seamus was not only excited about the program but also eager to have an hour alone with the professor. He believed it would be productive.

Back at Milton, Seamus kept studying and preparing for the musical that the students would perform in the coming months. He and Hannah James still occasionally crossed paths at school. They didn’t talk much, but their looks conveyed what words could not.

Over coffee one morning, she told him she would be sitting in the front row at his show. She wished him luck, knowing he would do a great job. Seamus thanked her, took her hand, and gently kissed it. Then he got up and left the cafeteria for his next class.

Chapter 9

Seamus and Hannah grew closer. They attended school events like dances and plays, and spent relaxed Saturday afternoons walking through Harvard Square and Newbury Street in Boston. They talked, but just being together mattered more. Seamus bought Hannah a gold pendant on Newbury Street, and she gave him a Patagonia vest for Christmas. She enjoyed skiing, but he didn’t, and she hoped he might learn if they went on the school trip to Loon Mountain in northern New Hampshire.

When it was time to apply for college, both felt sad. It meant Seamus would leave Milton Academy, while she still had one more year there. However, he planned to attend Harvard or the Harvard-MIT joint program, and he reassured her that he would be nearby and they would spend a lot of time together. It made sense, but he still worried about the separation and about him being in a completely new environment with new people.

Seamus met with Hans Luden in the fall of his senior year to discuss his acceptance into the joint Harvard-MIT program. He was surprised when Hans said,

This program isn’t suitable for you. I doubt you’ll be satisfied, given the intense focus on the MIT aspect. Your passion for the arts, especially the performing arts, won’t last long. You’ll likely spend too much time in the computer lab with people who don’t share your interests.

Attend Harvard and learn as much as you can. Have fun, take part in plays, and make the most of your time there. You can audit the courses I teach at MIT if they fit your schedule. If not, I can offer private tutoring. This will be more effective than a formal program. You’re a young man with great promise, and I believe in you.

Chapter 10

The summer after graduating, Seamus worked at a resort in Brewster, Massachusetts, on Cape Cod. Ocean Edge was a luxury resort, and Seamus was a waiter at different restaurants across the property. On his days off, he enjoyed playing golf, swimming in the pool, and spending time with Hannah James, who lived in Hyannis.

The couple visited the beach, local sporting events, and attended plays at various theaters around Cape Cod. They were deeply in love, and although Hannah’s parents preferred she wait a bit longer before becoming so committed to a boy, they realized they couldn’t control the situation. They could set limits and boundaries, but they didn’t influence their daughter’s feelings. She was smitten, and that was just how it was.

On rainy afternoons, which were common on Cape Cod, they listened to music and made love in Seamus’s room at the Ocean Edge resort. Throughout her life, Hannah had been a rational, goal-oriented person, and although she still was, she was beginning to drift into a fanciful world of music, commitment, and bright sunlight. There was no turning back.

Seamus felt his relationship with Hannah was like composing poetry. It was fresh, exciting, and he played his part as he went. The relationship had a rhythm, a soul, and a musical quality. Seamus was dancing on clouds, floating downstream with the river, and drifting across the dance floor. He was as happy as he had ever been.

Coincidentally, Hans Luden arrived for a weekend visit as a guest at Ocean Edge. Seamus was pleased to see the man who was becoming his mentor arrive. That evening, he, Lee Chen, Luden, and Hannah dined together at the hotel restaurant. It was an enjoyable evening, and although Hannah wasn’t quite sure what to make of Hans Luden and his friend, she appreciated spending time with the men. Everyone ordered local fish, and Luden brought delicious wine from Napa Valley.

Chapter 11

The summer was magical for Hanna and Seamus. Cape Cod echoed with their laughter, energy, and youthfulness. They were captivated by each other as they danced through the life around them.

Summer’s end arrived too quickly as Seamus packed to leave Milton for Harvard. In two weeks, Hannah would leave Hyannis for her final year at Milton Academy. Seamus’s room was in Wigglesworth, a dorm built along Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge many years ago. One roommate was Tom Keller, a friend from Milton, and the other two were strangers from Arkansas and Maine.

College became easier for Seamus once he understood how it worked. He did well in his classes and auditioned for a play during his freshman year. Usually, freshmen received only minor roles, or none. However, Seamus landed a leading role in Arthur Miller’s “A View from the Bridge.” He also biked to M.I.T. each week to audit a computer science class taught by Professor Luden.

Seamus visited Hannah every weekend, though restrictions on students at Milton Academy often complicated the logistics. They strolled through Harvard Square, grabbed lunch, and later in the afternoon, listened to music at different bars around Cambridge.

Hannah finished her application to Wellesley, and the couple looked forward to the freedoms they would enjoy in the upcoming year. In December of Seamus’s first year, they strolled through Boston Common, admiring the Christmas lights and listening to carolers. Later, they used fake IDs to drink martinis on Charles Street and then dined at a small family restaurant in the North End.

Chapter 12

Springtime in Milton, Massachusetts, felt magical. New leaves covered the trees on the beautiful campus of Milton Academy. Bushes bloomed, and the air grew warmer. The students at the well-known school had just gone through a long, tough winter, and a feeling of freedom filled the air as they strolled along the asphalt paths connecting the brick buildings.

It was a Thursday morning when Hannah James and several of her friends were walking to the science building for her biology class. She joked with the girls and thought about the upcoming weekend, which she would spend with Seamus Brogan. Life was good. She had been accepted to Wellesley College and was enjoying her courses and classmates. She looked forward to the next summer when she and Seamus would work at a resort in northern New Hampshire.

For no apparent reason, the girls walking with Hannah suddenly looked shocked. Hannah stumbled and fell to the ground. Blood seeped from the front of her dress, hidden by the asphalt walkway. Frozen with fear, the girls couldn’t move at first. Then, one of them turned Hannah over, and they saw she had been wounded. There was a large bloodstain on her chest. Another girl ran to alert the authorities. Suddenly, a circle of people formed around her body.

Milton Hospital was close to the school, and within minutes, an ambulance staffed by paramedics arrived. They quickly transferred Hannah into the vehicle and, with sirens blaring, headed to Milton Hospital. They arrived there in 15 minutes, and Hannah was immediately taken to the ER.

Half an hour later, the on-duty physician, Dr. Racine, declared Hannah dead. Although the ER staff didn’t know the young woman personally, they all felt deep sadness knowing that this beautiful, strong girl had died a violent death. Dr. Racine had removed a 22 caliber slug from a high-powered rifle from her chest. She had been shot from an estimated 200 yards away. Why on earth did something like that happen? The staff and no one else had any idea.

Chapter 13

When Mr. James answered his phone at work in Hyannis, he was in a good mood. He had enjoyed his morning coffee and was about to discuss some work-related issues with the secretary. When the doctor on the other end of the line delivered the news, he let out a loud yell, slammed his coffee down on his desk, and began to cry. The entire office fell silent, and within minutes, everyone was in shock, crying, and grieving. They all knew Hannah James and understood that she was a kind, hardworking young woman who would hurt no one. What in the world was this about?

Thomas Brogan was working at his office in South Boston when he heard the news. He couldn’t believe it, and he and his wife immediately jumped into a car and drove to Cambridge, Massachusetts, to find their son. When they located him, Seamus was walking to Lamont Library to study for an exam in two days. He was talking with a couple of other students, his carefree walk the Brogans had come to recognize.

Both Tom and Sis Brogan understood how much their son loved Hannah James. Like Hannah’s parents, they hadn’t wanted him to get so involved this early in his life, but they couldn’t control the situation. Also, they cared for Hannah James and always thought she would be a great match. Very surprised to see her parents, as they never visited him in Cambridge without giving a heads-up, Seamus smiled and said, “Mom and Dad, what are you doing here?”

The Bogans weren’t used to seeing their son in the kind of pain that followed their disclosure. It was as if he went from a carefree college kid to a vulnerable, hurt animal in seconds. Crestfallen would be an understatement.

The Brogans led Seth back to his room, where he sobbed uncontrollably. All he could say was, “Who would do such a thing?”

Chapter 14

The service for Hannah James at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Milton was somber and lacked joy. The Mass was far from a celebration of life because Hannah James had barely begun hers. Beneath the sorrow that filled the entire church, there was also a sense of underlying anger and frustration about her death. If it had been two hundred years ago, men might have been carrying old pistols, and the owners of such guns would have formed a posse to find the killer.

That was no longer true, as the understaffed detective division of the Milton Police Department now handled the investigation. However, Chief Tom Harkens had an idea.

Hannah’s aunt delivered a brief eulogy and read a poem by Seamus at the conclusion of her remarks.

The sun has passed

Over the meadow now,

Where once we laughed,

Where once we cried.

The flowers are still,

The pine trees mourn,

under the toll of relentless bells.

The stream passes

to a place unseen,

Far into the distance

As day turns into night,

As cold winds prevail

Bringing the sad arrival

of winter snow.

After the service, Seamus and his family went to a reception at James’s house. There were no funny stories or Irishmen drinking too much, only a dwindling group of sad people confused by such a senseless tragedy.

As he was heading to Appleton Street in Cambridge, Hans Luden got a call from Lt. Kelly.

Hans, the chief of police in Milton, called Tom Harkens, the commissioner, and asked for help from Boston. The commissioner called me, and I said I would be happy to help, but I wanted you to be appointed as a temporary detective. He agreed. Meet me for lunch tomorrow at Salvatore’s.

Chapter 15

At Salvatore’s, Luden arrived at 11:30 and was warmly greeted by Peter, the owner. He seated Luden and his soon-to-be guest, Lt. Kelly of the Boston Police Department, in a quiet corner. Peter brought Hans a cool glass of Sauvignon Blanc, and soon Lieutenant Kelly arrived.

Hans recommended a light mixed salad followed by cacio e pepe, Rome’s signature dish. Lt. Kelly, not very familiar with Italian cuisine, readily agreed to Hans’s suggestion. Then, the serious talk began.

Hans, we don’t have much to go on. All we know is that the shooter looked like a professional and used a long-barreled 22 rifle. We have no idea about the motive. The girl, Hannah James, was well-liked and a good student, and there’s nothing to suggest she had enemies who would want to harm her. We’re at a loss, Hans, and we need your expertise.

Hans started,

I’ve given it some thought, and I believe we’re looking in the wrong place. Maybe they weren’t targeting the girl but rather other members of her family. What do you know about the parents? What kind of business is Mr. James involved in? And what about the brother?

The brother is like Hannah. He is a popular and well-adjusted person. He has no enemies, as far as I know. I agree with you about the parents. We need to carefully examine the father’s business, which I understand is very complex. He owns a factory in Randolph that produces high-powered microchips, the hottest product right now. He’s earning a lot of money and doing business with people in China.

Luden felt a strong sense that he was on the right track. When he heard the words ‘microchip’ and ‘China,’ his mind started racing, and he couldn’t wait to get back to his computer that evening to begin investigating Hannah James’ father’s business dealings.

Chapter 16

Luden sat at his desk on a foggy evening on Appleton Street. He could barely see the houses across the street as the thick Atlantic fog rolled over Cambridge, headed toward Medford and Watertown. He thought, well, it is a good night to immerse myself in the pursuit of criminals.

It was a working dinner for Luden as he sipped a bottle of Pilsner Urquell from the Czech Republic and ate a roast beef sandwich from the local deli.

He initially researched Hannah James’s parents, Bob and Marie. Both grew up in the suburbs of Hartford, Connecticut, were high school sweethearts, and attended Boston University together. After graduating and marrying, Bob enrolled at Harvard Business School. Their backgrounds were clean, with no record of arrests or scandals.

Luden took a break to smoke a cigar and enjoy a glass of Remy Martin before getting back to work. He found out that Bob James had started a microchip company in Randolph ten years ago. Recently, one of his computer engineers had developed a highly sought-after super chip. James’s company was making a fortune from the new chip.

James was a partner at a Hong Kong firm called Chang Industries, which developed and shared technology for manufacturing microchips. The company exported its products throughout Asia and to Australia and New Zealand. Although Chang Industries seemed successful, Luden sensed that something was wrong and was determined to find out what. He noticed that James flew to China every month until about six months ago, when the flights stopped. Why, Luden wondered, feeling an adrenaline rush?

Luden struggled to access Chang Industries’ records because they were heavily encrypted. Then he had a hunch, and then another.