Black Matter

by G D Parker

  Forty-eight hours later, all of Anderson’s computer equipment arrived at Tammy’s home address. She was shocked that she actually had evidence for a murder case in her grasp. She was a little excited, as she felt like she had a purpose and was as keen as Valentina to find out who this perpetrator was.

  It took Tammy a while to set up all the kit, but once sorted, she was able to bypass the encryption on Anderson’s computer. She finally found Black Matter and explored the system.

  ‘That clever, evil bastard,’ she muttered to herself as she went through it all.

  In the bottom corner of the screen on Anderson’s computer, she finally found what she had been looking for – Onionchat, an encrypted Dark Net chat site.

  Logging in was easy, as Anderson foolishly had auto login enabled. The page loaded to over twenty chat logs. The one that caught Tammy’s eye was Scientist83. The chat log had been saved and had been going on for pages and pages. She converted the log to PDF and sent it to her printer. Reading through, it was clear that this Scientist83 was in control and was willing to pay Anderson for Black Matter once he had proved it worked, which it did. Tammy decided to make contact posing as Anderson.

  Tammy: “Hello?”

  There was a long pause of about thirty minutes, then Scientist83 came online.

  Scientist83: “You’re not following the rules.”

  Tammy: “What do you mean?”

  Scientist83: “You’re not meant to contact me at all.”

  Tammy: “Sorry, I just wanted to chat.”

  Scientist83: “Chat?”

  Tammy: “Yes, about my payment?”

  Sceintist83: “Work isn’t yet complete.”

  Tammy: “But I’ve proved the system is working.”

  Scientist83: “One more job. I need you to kill one more person for me.”

  Tammy: “Ok?”

  Scientist83: “Tammy Bezuidenhout.”

  Scientist83: **IS NOW OFFLINE**

  Tammy sat back, and her heart pounded in her chest as she saw her name appear on the screen.

  ‘Why me?’ she said out loud. Tears of fear rolled down her cheeks. She was confused as to why this person, Scientist83, wanted her dead. In a panic, without considering the time, she called Valentina.

  ‘This had better be good!’ Valentina opened the call.

  ‘I need your help!’ Tammy was hysterical, causing Valentina to jerk up in her bed.

  ‘With what, Tammy?’

  ‘They want me dead!’ She was screaming down the phone and could hardly get her words out.

  ‘Tammy, calm down! No one is going to hurt you. Take deep breaths.’

  ‘I need you here, now! Come quick, please!’

  ‘Tell me who is after you?’ asked Valentina.

  ‘Scientist83. I was posing as Anderson.’

  ‘What have you done, Tammy?’

  ‘I’m sorry! I was trying to help.’

  ‘Get in your car and drive to a hotel. Call me from the reception phone when you get there. Do not use your mobile and make sure you leave it at home,’ Valentina ordered.

  ‘Okay....’ Tammy replied, hanging up her phone with trembling hands.

  23

  The Radisson Blue Bristol was a plush four-star hotel. Tammy had dined in the restaurant a couple of times but had never stayed there. Wheeling her Cath Kidston holdall by her side, she approached the reception desk and checked in for three nights, optimistic that whatever was happening would be over by then.

  Her suite was as expected; large glass wardrobes, separate lounge and study area, and a luxury bathroom area. Still, it wasn’t as nice as her own home, but it would do. Tammy loved her home. She had worked hard for years to build it up to what it was now. Having a maniac forcing her to leave her home didn’t sit right with her, giving her a constant nauseous feeling in the pit of her stomach.

  In an attempt to relax, she ordered a bottle of red, made herself comfortable on the bed and flicked through the available channels on the wall-mounted TV. There was a film just starting; a comedy about two people who had a drunken one-night stand and the woman fell pregnant. The couple were complete polar opposites. Tammy found it comical and it helped her to switch off. She was able to put all the adversity she was experiencing in her life to sleep for the time being.

  Towards the end of the film, her eyes became heavy, but she tried to fight the urge to go to sleep. Fear of sleeping put her in a vulnerable position, but eventually the fatigue got the better of her, causing her to dose off. She fell into a peaceful sleep.

  After a few hours, Tammy awoke suddenly. The room was partially dark with a radiant blue glow coming from the TV screen where the movie had finished. There was a gentle tapping noise, causing the hairs on her arms to stand on end. She lost her breath as the thought crossed her mind that Scientist83 had found her. You’re paranoid, she thought to herself, trying to provide a sense of self reassurance.

  There was more tapping, only this time louder. This time, Tammy realised it was coming from the door to her room. There was someone outside the door. Was it Scientist83, room service? Combinations of scenarios played with her mind. She immediately jumped out of bed and threw on a pair of jeans and a jumper, followed by a pair of trainers she had packed. Fully dressed, she was ready to investigate the noise.

  As she slowly tiptoed towards the door, the tapping increased in number from four to five. She looked through the viewing hole in the door, but there was no one there. She looked again, questioning whether her eyes were playing tricks on her following the bottle of red.

  The tapping came again, causing her to jump back. Tammy, too scared to open the door, hovered on the safe side, unsure of what to do. She cast her eyes around the hotel room. There was a phone on the side under the TV. She walked over, picked up the receiver and listened. There was nothing; no dial tone. Frantically, Tammy pressed all the buttons in an attempt to bring the phone to life, but her attempts proved to be ineffective.

  The tapping came again, and she rushed to the door, looking through the viewing hole, which once again revealed nothing.

  ‘Who is it?’ Tammy asked, her voice broken with fear. She waited, but there was no response. ‘Who’s there please?’ she asked again.

  ‘Me!’ said the soft, sweet voice of a little girl.

  Tammy opened the door quickly, as she loved children. She assumed that the child was lost and looking for the room of her parents.

  In the doorway stood a cute blonde girl, dressed in a school uniform, about six or seven years old. Tears were streaming down her face as her eyes fixated on Tammy. Sorrow was apparent within the girl’s big green eyes, and she blinked her eyelids, sending more tears rolling down her face.

  ‘What’s your name, little girl?’ Tammy crouched down to the girl’s eye level, attempting to diffuse any form of intimidation.

  ‘Jeska,’ the girl replied through a trembling bottom lip.

  ‘What’s wrong, Jeska?’ asked Tammy, speaking softly whilst reaching out to wipe the child’s eyes and to dry the stream of sorrow pouring from them.

  ‘It’s my daddy; he’s gone!’ Her sobs were heart-wrenching for Tammy.

  ‘What room number are you looking for, sweetheart?’

  ‘I don’t know what you mean?’ Jeska replied.

  ‘The room number your dad is in? Do you know it?’ Tammy asked gently.

  ‘Daddy and mummy’s room. I can’t think of a number.’ She stepped forwards, seeking comfort from Tammy, throwing her arms around her and squeezing as tightly as she could.

  Tammy returned the comfort, but not as hard. ‘Okay, shall I take you down to reception? They can help find your daddy for you.’

  ‘Yes please,’ Jeska replied, her voice sweet with an element of relief.

  Tammy gently held Jeska’s hand, pulling the door to her room closed, then they made their way down to the reception in the lift.

  The doors opened to the main reception, but the place was deserted with no one around. The main doors were
locked and the lights were out, apart from a few spotlights faintly illuminating the area.

  Tammy searched the front desk, looking for a bell or something to notify a member of staff that they required assistance, but there wasn’t anything. Tammy then crouched again, so that her eyes were level with Jeska’s.

  ‘I’m not sure what to do sweetheart. There’s no one here.’

  ‘I need my daddy! He’s gone!’ Her eyes darkened this time, giving out anger and annoyance aimed towards Tammy.

  ‘Sweetheart, you can stay in my room until we find someone. I promise to look after you,’ Tammy offered.

  ‘No! I want my daddy, and he’s gone! It’s all your fault!’

  ‘I’m trying to help you, my darling. I didn’t make him go away. We will find him, don’t you worry.’

  ‘I want my daddy!’ Jeska screamed, giving out an ear-piercing high pitched cry.

  ‘He’ll be here somewhere. We will find him. Try to calm down.’

  ‘It’s all your fault! He’s dead, and it’s you! You did it!’

  Tammy froze in disbelief at the words this little angel was saying. Jeska’s face was red with upset, and she tried to pull away from Tammy, but Tammy kept hold of her hand tightly, not wanting her to run off.

  ‘You need to stay with me until we find someone. I promise, I didn’t hurt anyone,’ Tammy said.

  ‘You did, you did, you did, you did!’ Jeska repeated the same words over and over.

  Tammy became frightened as a result of the words, concerned that this little girl was blaming her for her daddy’s death.

  ‘I promise you, it wasn’t me. He’s here, okay? Let’s go back to my room, and I’ll make you a hot chocolate?’

  Jeska went silent, and her face paled as fear and upset caused the blood to drain from her. Tammy then stood from her crouched position and walked Jeska back towards the lifts. They both got in a lift, and Tammy pressed the button for floor twelve.

  Tammy stood staring ahead, not wanting to say anything else in case she upset the girl further. She didn’t want to cause her any more distress. “Floor Twelve” said a polite robotic female voice as they reached their floor. Tammy looked down and the girl was gone, nowhere to be seen. Frantically, she looked around the small area of the lift. The little girl had disappeared.

  ‘Jeska!’ Tammy called out with a whisper, not wanting to alarm the girl or anyone else. There was no response. She peered out of the lift doors just as they were closing again, and they instantly reopened with the obstruction of Tammy’s top half.

  ‘Jeska darling,’ she called again. There was nothing. The place was deadly silent.

  The lift lights began to flicker, causing Tammy to jump and step out without realising. The doors closed, then the lift left the floor. Tammy looked up at the blue floor counter. The lift was moving up. She pressed the lift call button rapidly, trying to bring it back and praying that Jeska would reappear when it returned.

  Within a matter of minutes, the lift came back. There was a “ding” and the doors opened. Jeska stood there, the light above still flickering. Tammy reached into the lift and took hold of her hand, gently pulling her out.

  ‘Where did you go?’ Tammy was confused at what had just happened.

  ‘I’m here! I want my daddy back!’

  ‘Please don’t run off, sweetheart. You scared me.’

  ‘Good!’ replied Jeska, her eyes black with hatred.

  Tammy was confused at the words. Kids are hard work, she thought.

  ‘I hate you, and so does my mummy!’ Jeska shouted.

  ‘I don’t understand, sweetheart?’

  ‘My daddy’s dead because of you! The electronic thing he had in his head is your fault, and someone killed him!’

  Tammy looked away completely aghast. Her hands began to tremble, and she felt herself leave her body for a moment at the realisation of Jeska’s words. Streams of guilt flowed through her veins as her increased heart beat pumped it into every organ. She was speechless and horrified by the words that had come from this poor little girl. She looked down, and again, Jeska was gone.

  Tammy was frozen on the spot. She didn’t know what to think, what to do or where to go. She wanted to find Jeska but became scared. She didn’t want to face up to the accusations, knowing they might be true. She was confused as to how this little girl would know such a thing.

  Minutes passed, and Tammy was still standing in the lift lobby, waiting for something, but she didn’t know what. She moved slowly, pressing her back against the wall, sliding down until she sat with her eyes fixed forward. The agony of Jeska’s words had injected cortisol into her blood. Tears fell as a result, and she continued to stare ahead. She blinked from the sting of the tears, then closed her eyes.

  There was the sound of ringing. Tammy stretched out her body as she awoke. She was in her hotel room, and the bed was warm and comfortable. She opened her eyes. The sun shining through the large windows caused her to squint then rub her sleepy eyes. She turned and reached out to lift the ringing hotel phone next to her bed.

  ‘Morning Miss Bezuidenhout! I hope you slept well?’ asked a polite female voice from the other end of the phone.

  Tammy gathered her thoughts for a second before replying.

  ‘I did, thank you. How can I help you?’ she asked with a broken, sleepy voice.

  ‘There is a visitor in reception for you.’

  The words caused Tammy to dart up from her pillow. ‘Who?’ she asked with worry.

  ‘A detective from South Wales Police.’

  Thank God, thought Tammy.

  ‘Are you okay to send her up to my room please?’ The relief was evident in her voice.

  ‘Of course, Miss Bezuidenhout. I’ll send her up right away.’

  ‘Thank you.’ Tammy placed the phone back onto the receiver, checking the time to find that it was only 9.00am. She laid her head back down onto the soft, fresh pillow, gathering her thoughts.

  There was a knock at the door with a one, two, three. Tammy climbed from her bed, wearing a pair of jogging bottoms and a kitten pyjama top. She quickly brushed her bed hair using her fingers and wiped the sleep from her eyes as she walked towards the door and opened it.

  ‘You were meant to call me when you got here. I had to trace your debit card in order to find you. I was extremely worried about you! You okay?’ asked Valentina as she walked into the hotel room. ‘This is nice,’ she exclaimed, looking around the room.

  ‘I’m so sorry. My head’s all over the place!’

  ‘That’s understandable. How are you feeling?’ asked Valentina, concern written all over her face.

  ‘I’m okay, thanks. Been having strange dreams though. This whole thing is affecting me more than I realised,’ Tammy said, thinking about her dream about the little girl.

  ‘That’s understandable,’ Valentina nodded.

  ‘Can I make you a drink?’ asked Tammy as she switched the kettle on.

  ‘Sure, just a black coffee, please.’

  ‘Have you got anything on Scientist83?’ Tammy spoke fast in her worry-stricken state.

  ‘Unfortunately, no, but we are working on it. We do have reason to believe that the instigator of this case works for Medi Corps.’ Valentina took her coffee from Tammy’s hand and sat on a sofa, with Tammy following suit.

  ‘What makes you think that?’ asked Tammy.

  ‘Anderson,’ Valentina collected her thoughts. ‘He explained to us that Scientist83 mentioned some time ago that he works for a large well-known organisation. He didn’t say the company name, but he did say that the company developed a life-changing medical product.’

  Tammy shifted on the sofa. ‘I see.’ She looked puzzled.

  ‘We have officers on their way down to Medi Corps to start an investigation,’ Valentina informed.

  ‘Okay, that’s a little concerning. I know nearly everyone in that building, and for the life of me, I can’t think of anyone with that kind of intent.’

  ‘That’s because you�
��re a nice person, Tammy. But trust me when I say, a lot of people have a dark side. The world is full or sociopaths, psychopaths and not so PC... fucked up individuals.’

  Tammy gave a little nervous smile. ‘Is there anything you want me to do?’

  ‘No, nothing. Stay here and relax. I’d recommend that you don’t go outside.’ Valentina gave her a look of sympathy.

  ‘Hmm, that sounds like fun! Can I ask a favour?’

  ‘Of course, considering everything you’ve done for me. I would say I owe you the world!’

  Tammy smiled again. ‘Don’t be silly, I just need a tablet. If I give you my card, can you get me an iPad or something. I’ll go out of my mind sitting here doing nothing, especially with all the dross they have on TV these days.’

  Valentina glanced over with suspicion. ‘What for?’

  ‘Oh, just so I can download some books and films, nothing else.’ Tammy looked away after her sentence.

  Valentina picked up on the body language. ‘You cannot start any more work on this case. I’ll get you an iPad, but you have to promise me it’s for entertainment purposes only.’

  ‘Of course, I promise,’ Tammy replied, doing a scouts honour sign with her hand.

  Valentina gave her another look of suspicion but let it slide. ‘Okay, give me your card. What’s your PIN?’

  ‘One, eight, four, six,’ Tammy said, passing her debit card over.

  On her way to the electrical store, Valentina walked past a cash machine. Something was playing on her mind. A gut feeling was nagging at her, urging her to just check the balance of Tammy’s account. She loaded the debit card into the machine, keyed in the PIN and waited for the machine to load the relevant information.

  Staring back at Valentina was a bank balance she never thought she would see in her life; a life-changing amount. Tammy never has to work again! How does she have so much money? Valentina thought, not realising that Tammy was actually a millionaire.

  24

  ‘Nice to see you again, Tommy. How are you feeling?’ asked Valentina as Tommy sat his skinny body down onto the hard, plastic chair in interview room two at Swansea Prison’s visitor centre.