Austin no longer blinked at the strange language Yaeger used. He assumed that computer geniuses like Yaeger were on another planet and sometimes they reverted to their native tongue. He'd asked for an explanation. Yaeger said that Wi-Fi was shorthand for the wireless computer networks that were coming into use at major complexes.

“Say you're running a big hospital,” Yaeger explained. “You want your people to have access to vital information so that if they're away from their computers on the other side of the building, they don't have to go running back. You set up a wireless computer network that only covers the building or complex. The key staff carry laptop computers. They simply switch them on, tune in to the right frequency and they have instant access to the main system.”

“That's very interesting, Hiram, but what's it got to do with our problem?”

“Everything. The Ataman yacht has Wi-Fi.”

Austin still wasn't sure where Yaeger was going, but Hiram's enthusiasm was contagious. “How do you know this?”

“It's Max's idea, really. After we fell flat on our faces trying to decipher Ataman's code, she started to pullout everything she could find on the yacht. There wasn't a lot, because Ataman built the ship at its yard on the Black Sea. But the electronics were beyond anything the Russians had, so they bought American equipment and had it installed by a French team. Max got into the French company's file. They set up Wi-Fi for the yacht.”

“I can see a hospital using something like that, but why a yacht?”

“Think of it, Kurt. A boat that size is a community unto itself. Say you're the purser, and a question on the payroll comes up while you're away from your office at the other end of the boat. You flick on your laptop, and there you have it. Same thing goes for the chef. Maybe he's in his cabin and has to check inventory. Or you're the first mate and you're on break in the mess hall when you need information on who's manning a shift.”

“How's this help with our main problem, the missing password?”

“The password must be in that ship. If Max and I could plug directly into the network. we could take stuff out at our leisure and look closely at it."

“What's stopping you?”

“A couple of things. First of all, the information is bound to be encrypted against unauthorized use. Second, the wireless signal is a weak one that only covers the yacht itself. I need somebody to place a 'sniffer' on board.”

“You're talking computer weird again.”

“Sorry. A sniffer is simply a device that can tap into the network, pump up the signal and send it to the waiting arms of Max.”

“Impressive. You say the files would be encrypted. What's to say the code won't stop you again?”