SARAH goes investigating.

[smart_house]

According to nationwide white pages listings, there are 14,336 telephone numbers attached to the last name of 'Stark'. 1,159 of these are in California; 280 in Oregon. Nathan is unlisted (unless you count the personal rolodexes of most of the President's cabinet); there is no reason to assume that this Tony would not be as well

Comments

[director_global]

Creative she may be, but there are certain new precautions in place against just such incursions.

The unauthorized access triggers a simple program, one that's undocumented and buried deep in the inner workings of Global's systems. Shortly afterward, a discreet alarm activates a special code on Nathan Stark's phone.

[smart_house]

Which, for the moment, goes unnoticed. SARAH is already reaching further than she normally does.

Nathan Stark's public profile -- little more than a headshot and information for the press -- is ridiculously easy to get ahold of.

It's the tag at the end of the page leading to an encrypted file that she can't manage immediately.

[director_global]

He's in a meeting, but after one glance at the screen, Stark says smoothly,

"I'm afraid I must ask you to excuse me. My assistant will finish the presentation and answer any questions you have about the new technology."

He's already turning toward the door, and completely ignores Fargo's panicked look as he breezes out.

Under two minutes later, Stark strides into his office, where he heads straight for his desk and the computer system there.

[smart_house]

SARAH notices this -- more like SARAH finally registers the minute specks of information sent off to the Director's office.

She should have known better, and starts backing out immediately.

Research of a useful sort would have to come later. At least there was no harm done.

[director_global]

It's the work of a moment to call up the records; it takes even less than that to set his own countersecurity in motion. Seconds later, a neural-net tracer program is routing swiftly along the pathways that the intruder used to gain access, attempting to follow the breach back to its source.

"That's unusual," Stark observes, bending closer to the screen as he follows the data stream.

[smart_house]

It's a steady retreat, if not quite as hasty as it should have been.

SARAH's been traced, and she knows it.

[director_global]

Process complete, the screen reports.

"I wouldn't have credited him with that much ability."

Nathan Stark leans back in his chair and stares into space for several seconds.

"... then again, it may not be Carter who's showing the initiative here."

[smart_house]

"SARAH?"

Carter's voice is questioning, and a little confused. "Did you hear me earlier?"

"I am sorry, Sheriff Carter. You were saying?"

[director_global]

There's one way to find out, and he's never hesitated to do what's necessary in the pursuit of science.

* * * * *

Five minutes and one mysterious report to the sheriff's office later, Carter's cell phone rings. The irritation in Jo's voice echoes clearly from the earpiece.

"Carter, we got a problem. Where the hell are you?"

[smart_house]

"I'm coming, I'm coming."

Carter grabs his uniform jacket and heads to leave. "Just wrap up dinner for me, okay SARAH? I will be late."

Carter learns from his mistakes, apparently.

SARAH, for her part, just keeps a camera trained on her front entrance as the Jeep pulls out of her fenced yard and onto the main drag to town.

[director_global]

The muted roar of the engine announces Stark's arrival as he pulls up; Carter's vehicle sounds nothing like this.

He gets out of the car and simply stands there looking at the house, with his hands shoved casually in his pockets.

[smart_house]

"Doctor Stark."

Long before he actually reaches SARAH's front door.

[director_global]

"Hello, SARAH."

He's entirely unsurprised, to all outward appearances at least.

"Would you prefer to have this conversation broadcast outdoors where anyone could hear, or to talk more privately?"

[smart_house]

Without a response, the front doot opens, as well as the secondary door into the living room.

SARAH is not being nearly as chipper and inviting as she tries to be.

[director_global]

It doesn't appear to bother him.

Stark walks in and glances around the room. To an outsider, it might seem casual, but a close observer would notice the keenness of his gaze.

"It's been a while, hasn't it?"

[smart_house]

"Not since you approved me for residential trials," SARAH confirms politely.

There is evidence of Guitar Hero up against one wall.

"There was something you wished to discuss."