by Andrew Hood
“Hey, I’m an information age type of guy!” Adam replied. “I bet you say that to all the girls.”
Chapter 10
John was sitting in his office when the phone rang. While the rest of his business was decked out in cheap or even secondhand office furniture, nothing directly in his presence had ever been cheap.
“I told you I was not to be disturbed for fuck’s sake. What part of that don’t you understand?” he barked to his secretary.
He hadn’t been busy; just felt powerful taking a break while others were running around for him. He had been surfing the web again. “I’m so sorry Mr. Keyman! I just thought you might want to know that two detectives have just arrived and would like to talk to you. They are sitting in the reception now. Shall I tell them that they will need an appointment?”
“Of course not, you idiot. I will be out in a moment.” He was sure he would probably lose this secretary very soon anyway. He had made a move on her one evening when he asked her to stay back and she had turned him down.
She should have thanked me for bringing myself down to her level, the stupid bitch. He put the phone down and put on his suit jacket. John always took the extra moment of time when he suited-up. To him it was like preparing for battle. The cuffs hung exactly where they should. You don’t pay the type of money he did for a suit that doesn’t fit perfectly. As he crossed the floor of his office there was no need to check his reflection in the mirror. He instinctively knew he looked good.
“John Keyman!” He raised his hand, palm up in a welcoming gesture he had used many times before. A handshake can make or break a deal. In his business a good shake was essential.
“Mr. Keyman, I’m detective Adam Kelly and this is my partner Belinda Matthews. I appreciate you taking the time to see us today.”
“Detective, please call me John,” he insisted sizing up his audience. The chick’s hot! He can leave her behind when he goes.
“Thanks John. Is there somewhere we can have a chat?” “Of course, my office is just over here.” John turned halfway in the direction of his office. You never turn your back on a couple. It gives them a chance to exchange a glance with each other. A single facial expression can be worth an hour of discussion and very damaging to a negotiation. His technique had become habit. “I must say detective Matthews, and I don’t mean any disrespect, but I like your uniform a whole lot better that the standard outfit.”
The comment had taken the woman by surprise as it was meant to. The natural reddening of her cheeks was fighting the makeup that had been specifically designed to hide any such imperfection.
“I’m a little embarrassed actually. I wasn’t prepared for this meeting this afternoon and am not really dressed for it. I hope you’ll excuse me?” Belinda said.
“Anytime detective.”They had never instructed him to use their first names so he was still stuck with titles. Once in his office John closed the door behind them and took a different approach to the situation letting his smile fade into a concerned expression. “Please, tell me what I can do for you both.”
“John, we have come across some damaging computer files which we believe were sent from someone at Keyman Insurance. We would like your co-operation in finding out who it was and where they got the file from.”
Even though his office had been only 25 meters away John had formed an opinion on them before they had even sat down. Sizing up clients enabled him to set strategy early. He had learnt the skill well.
Now as they spoke,John was starting to get a clearer picture of the detectives in front of him. From the opening he could say the professional power was with the man, Adam. The other side to the equation was the undeniable fact that he was, at this moment anyway, infatuated with his partner. If his infatuation was this visible they obviously hadn’t worked together long. It was the small things that had given him away like the way he stole glimpses of her when he thought no one would notice.
“I am always ready to help the police but I don’t understand what kind of damaging computer files? Do you mean some kind of virus?” “It is a virus of sorts, yes. We believe it was attached to a self help audio program that is being distributed over the internet. We have been able to track it back to someone on your computer network and with your permission we would like to find out where they got it from.”
“You will have our full co-operation of course. Who sent the file?” John was starting to feel nervous.
“That’s the problem John, we know it came from your network but we don’t know from whom,” Belinda said. John fought to keep his composure. These idiots don’t know anything. “Right, well, while you are searching please keep in mind I have some problems retaining sales staff recently so that a lot of people that would have been logged on the network may no longer be with the company.We should have forwarding addresses for them though.”
“Fantastic. We appreciate your support.” “Let me see Adam. Hope you don’t mind if I call you Adam by the way?” John didn’t wait for a reply. “Self help program - sounds like something from Sales to me. You might want to start there first.”
“I notice you sponsor a kid’s soccer team John. Is your son in this photo?” Belinda said.
The question had been so off topic that both John and Adam were noticeably surprised to hear it. “Ah, no, actually I don’t have kids Miss Matthews. I never got married. I’m just trying to do my bit for the community.” He then launched his trademark ‘I do what I can’ smile.
“Please John, Belinda or detective will be fine. You live out at Prahran then John?” She continued. “No, actually I’m closer to the city.” John reminded himself that he was amongst professionals and needed to tread carefully. He also had a bad habit of being immensely conceited when an opportunity presented itself as it did now. “To be totally honest with you it was a strategic move. Three of the boys in that photo have fathers in senior positions in some of Australia’s largest companies.”
“Wow, that’s an interesting marketing ploy. Surely they don’t want to talk about business on the weekends? You might be wasting your money.” Adam said. John could see that detective Kelly found it funny which quietly enraged him. “You’re quite right Adam, they don’t want to talk about business on the weekends. Let me tell you though, the one thing a father is always prepared to talk about. His son. If you can talk to him about his children then you can talk to him about anything. I have set up meetings with all three fathers for the next few weeks - during business hours - all of which I could never have gotten anywhere near without sponsoring this team, so I guess it’s money well spent!”
“I guess that is why you and I are not in Sales Adam!” Belinda’s words were perfectly placed to defuse tension.
John took the opportunity to introduce his ‘What can I do to help’ smile. “So how specifically can I help you guys?” “We have one of our computer forensic experts on his way over here now. We would like to get the co-operation from one of your IT staff when he gets here so that he can do his job. I will instruct him to come in plain clothes so that none of your staff need be alarmed about police presence in their workplace. He can play the part of an IT contractor if that suits you best.”
It was evident to John that if the detectives had anything solid to go by, they wouldn’t be in his office asking for his co-operation, and though it wasn’t in his nature to be overly helpful without a decent return, he felt he had little choice in this situation. He had too much to hide to arouse suspicions.
“Detective, from what I can see, I don’t legally have to help you here, but I have offered full cooperation.” He looked to them for agreement.
“We appreciate you help John. What’s up?” Adam replied.
“In light of my co-operation I would like to ask you one thing?” This time the woman leaned forward. “What would you like?” She was still forming an opinion about him. He could see it in her facial expression. Her good looks could fool a lot of people into thinking she wasn’t as smart as she was, but not John
.
“I have given everything to build this business and any mention of this in the community could tarnish the reputation of this company and me. I would like to be kept updated with any findings and if any arrests are necessary, they are to be done outside of business hours at the person’s home not, here in this office during the day.” He paused for a moment, “Don’t get me wrong, I’m expecting that you will find nothing here. I fully trust all of my team and would be greatly surprised if they were involved in anything illegal. I just won’t let this firm get dragged down into it if they have.”
“I understand your concerns John. While this is an investigation, I will keep you updated with as much information as I am able to share with you and remain discrete. That is all I can offer you for now,” Adam replied.
John reached across the table and shook his hand in agreement. He didn’t trust either of them and wanted them out as soon as possible so that he could do a little cleaning up before their man arrived.
“I appreciate you alerting me before you begin your enquiries but for the moment I will have to say goodbye. I have an important customer on his way over here and I really need to prepare.” John stood and herded the detectives to the door.
“Thank you again for your co-operation Mr. Keyman. We know your time is valuable. You can rest assured we will try and keep our investigation here as discrete as possible.”
“I would appreciate that.” John flashed one of the smiles he reserved for only his best customers as they walked out. Three steps from the door the woman detective, whose rear John had been admiring, turned back and caught him by surprise. “By the way, good luck with the soccer dads.”
It briefly occurred to John to question whether she had said it in jest but right at that moment he had more immediate work to attend to. He turned his back on them and closed the door to his office before they had even left the lobby.
( * )
“I don’t trust him.” Adam was the first to talk when they returned to the car.
“You shouldn’t trust him at all! He doesn’t have a sincere bone in his body. I would stake my career on it.” Adam couldn’t help but chuckle. He had noticed Belinda’s response when John had mentioned her clothes and knew she didn’t appreciate it. Having dragged her to the meeting he felt a little responsible for her previous discomfort. “Oh come on, he wasn’t that bad. You’re just upset because he made a comment about your dress. You weren’t at all upset when I complimented you earlier.”
“Don’t be stupid.That had nothing to do with it.That secretary of his looked like she was going to be sick when we asked her to interrupt him. Then there was that crap about the kid’s soccer team. Don’t be fooled by this guy. He’s no saint.”
“You think he personally has something to do with it?” “I didn’t say that; just that he is no saint. What sort of a person uses someone’s children to do business with them? That was a strategic plan, without moral judgment, to use a person’s weakness against them. Sounds familiar?”
Adam went quiet for a few moments while he pondered her point and pulled his car out onto the highway. “Fair enough, I’ll get Tony to look into his background and see what he can find. I am really glad I brought you along.”
“Why did we come straight out here? Wouldn’t we normally check them out first?” “I just figured we were on a roll today; so as soon as Matthew called with the link I just wanted to attack it head on. If we didn’t we would now be wading through paperwork and approvals to get the place bugged. I think it worked out well.”
“I hope you know what you’re doing Adam?” Belinda took a deep breath in frustration.
“Don’t worry, I always know what I’m doing. You hungry? Why don’t we get some dinner somewhere? We can talk some more about the case over a bottle of wine.” ( * ) Shane had spent the remainder of the day aimlessly walking around the city. Usually under work pressures, the walk would help him clear his head; today however, with his life blown apart, it offered him no clarity at all.
In the last 24 hours he had found the person responsible for the problems he was currently in. Then within fifteen minutes of that, two kids had almost stolen all of the evidence he hoped would keep him out of jail. Now his newly found aggression haunted his every move. It was easier not to interact with the world around him than to run the risk of hurting someone else. It gave him a sense of relief when the crowds started to thin out around 9 pm.
Shane ordered a burger and fries and made his way back to the table he had been at the previous night. He pulled out his laptop again and when it booted up he noticed that he had only fifteen minutes worth of battery charge left so that his actions online would have to be decisive.
He was going to try and resume his chat with IDB. He couldn’t rely on anyone but himself to clear this up. Nobody had the personal stake in it that he had.
Shane: IDB are you online. I need to talk to you?
He hoped he wouldn’t have to wait for the answer as the battery indicator was already ticking down.
IDB: Hello Shane Kirk. I’m surprised you’re still alive. Good for you!! I see you have been talking to the police.
Shane: Are you getting nervous? They must be close.
IDB: They are exactly where I want them to be Shane but I would prefer if you were dead. It would just make things a bit easier.
The candid discussion of his mortality gave Shane a shiver that penetrated his whole body and made him instantly cold.
Shane: Can we meet somewhere?
IDB: If we were to meet face to face I would get the benefit of killing you but I’m not sure what you would hope to possibly get from it. Enlighten me?
Shane couldn’t find any benefit he could get from lying given his time constraints.
Shane: I want to deliver you personally to the police. Clear my name. The response didn’t come with the instant arrogance that they usually did. Shane took the opportunity to cram some more food into his mouth.With the adrenaline running again he couldn’t taste the food in his mouth and swallowed a lot sooner than he should have.
IDB: You’re a bigger fool than I thought Shane. You couldn’t even kill an unarmed woman, so I don’t know what you think you are going to do with me. Let’s meet tomorrow night under the clocks at Flinders St Station 6 pm.
Shane glanced up at the room in front of him. The person he was talking to could have been based anywhere in the world. Knowing that he was local made the threat real. The paranoia in him scanned the room before he responded.
Shane: How will I know who you are?
IDB: You won’t, but don’t worry, I’ll know you.
Shane had no other options; so he decided that trying to play a losing hand was better than playing nothing at all.
Shane: Ok, I’ll be there. IDB: Why don’t you have another listen to your MP3 before you come? It might help you with your confidence. And while you’re at it why don’t you invite your friend detective Kelly and his pretty assistant along. I might have some fun with her when I’m finished with you.
Shane’s battery now hit empty and all power left his screen. He silently thanked god he had at least gotten that far. After packing his bag he jammed the last of his fries into his mouth and left the restaurant. He needed to get to the station as soon as possible.
Chapter 11
Adam woke up alone the next morning, which was not what he had hoped for. He had taken Belinda to dinner and worked tirelessly all evening to break down her barriers. He had applied just the right amount of alcohol over dinner to ensure they were in for an eventful evening but to his frustration she had pulled out early and grabbed a cab home.
The only visible sign of the beeping that had woken him up was the light on his mobile phone. Who the hell sends a text message to someone at 6 am in the morning?
He fumbled with the buttons as his eyes begged to close.
New Message: 2night I meet the creator of the program at Flinders St Station. He wants to kill me so please be ready! Shane Adam rocked him
self away from the comfort of his mattress and sat at the edge of his bed. He didn’t yet have the mental facility to deal with the early information but he could recognize the importance of it. He had to start the morning process now so that he had time before work to really put some thought into the discovery.
His fingers fumbled with the phone as he replied to the message from Shane requesting more information to work with but didn’t need a response and didn’t expect one. He deleted the message and headed for the bathroom. As he showered Adam knew that he was ready for whatever was to play out that day. He had planned for the moment when he would crack his first task force and it was now approaching fast. He had gambled that pushing Shane away would make him more desperate and it had worked perfectly.
As he sat down to breakfast the now fully functioning brain of his told him that there still was some work to do in the next 12 hours. He hoped to do all of it without having to let on to his colleagues that he had been in contact with Shane at all. There was still some credit to be taken in this case and whether he had earned it or not, he was taking it.
( * )
“Matthew, I need you in the office right away.” Adam’s tone didn’t allow for negotiation.
“I’m on my way in now. What’s the problem?” “I have called a meeting for 9 am. I need you to bring any information you got yesterday at Keyman Insurance. I am determined to close this off today.” Adam hung up the phone without waiting for a response. So much to do!
He then dialed Tony’s mobile and changed his tone. “Tony, hey mate, how’s things?” “What can I do for you Adam?” He hadn’t liked being traced down at 8 am. Adam could tell from his voice he had never stopped questioning why his seniority hadn’t been recognized in this case. Don obviously hadn’t filled him in.
“Yeah, sorry to call you so early mate. Were you able to find anything out about John Keyman?” “Shit yeah, we’ve got a record on him. Nothing that has stuck, mind you, the latest was about a year and a half ago on suspected fraud. He ended up settling out of court to save his business and we let the investigation slip. He’s dirty alright. I just don’t have anything at this level.”