She doesn't sound like someone who'd kill herself. Everyone that knew her says she wasn't the type.
One website was extremely vocal about their doubts going so far as to accuse Future Dynamicon of killing the scientist. They claimed Dr. Branson had been murdered after discovering the company was using artificial humans for their black ops programs.
That sounds a little too sci-fi to me. Artificial humans! There's no way even they could keep something like that quiet. Dr. Branson may have been an AI genius but we're several decades away from thinking computers.
Shaking her head, she returned to Future Dynamicon's security page.
That still doesn't explain this. Unless Solaria works or worked for them, she shouldn't have access to this site. It's buried deep inside their network.
As if sensing an intruder, a series of symbols began blinking on the monitor.
Shit!
Realizing someone was trying to track her, Jain yanked the plug on the computer. Her pulse raced. She inhaled deeply trying to calm her nerves. The librarian wasn't naïve enough to believe they hadn't already tracked the intrusion to the library.
I need to get rid of this. I don't know what Solaria has to do with them but whatever it is, it's not with their permission.
Unscrewing the side panel, she disconnected the IDE cable, unsnapped the small hard drive and removed it. Slipping it into her pocket, she shifted to the computer next to it and removed the hard drive. After installing it in the first computer, she unlocked a drawer, removed the cleaning materials and wiped down everything she had touched inside then replaced the panel. Cleaning it thoroughly, she wiped the table top off and then turned it on. A clean boot told her it was working correctly. The clock on the wall said 3:39 PM.
Hmmm... less than two hours 'til closing. Even they can't get here that fast. Now to get a few people in here to use this machine. They'll be suspicious if it's this clean. Suddenly Jain laughed out loud. I've been watching too many spy movies.
* * *
Amy was sitting at the front desk talking to a woman with three children. Two appeared to be teenagers.
"I'm sorry but only one child is allowed in the room at a time," Amy said to the frustrated looking woman.
"But they have to finish their reports by tonight and our Internet connection is down."
"I can't make exceptions. It's against the rules."
"Is there a problem, Amy?" Jain asked, walking over to the group.
"No, I was just explaining the rules for the computers: one minor at a time in the room."
"That is the rule," Jain agreed, turning to the family, "but I think we can make an exception since this seems to be important."
"Oh thank you!" exclaimed the mother gratefully.
Smiling Jain led them to the room and directed the girl to sit at the far computer.
"You can use this one and then your brother. Make sure you're done by five, though."
Nodding their gratitude the family crowded around the girl and began giving her suggestions on where to go to find the information she needed. Smiling to herself, Jain left the room assured that everyone would be poking at the virtual keyboard on the counter in an attempt to expedite the kids' reports. In the morning she'd send Amy in to turn it on and check the system. That should provide plenty of smudges.
CHAPTER 14
AT 11:03 THE NEXT morning, five men in black suits entered the library and spread out in different directions. Each man wore a listening device attached to his ear and dark sunglasses.
Jain watched them with amusement but kept her expression neutral.
You guys watch too much television, she thought and smirked slightly as a short stocky man approached her. Pulling out an I.D. card with a gold badge, he flashed it at her then put it back in his pocket.
"We're from Homeland Security. We need to look at your computers and your records."
"Sure," Jain replied, amicably. "Just as soon as you show me your I.D. again so I can actually read it."
"Ma'am..."
"Don't ma'am me. You could be anyone for all I know and that thing could be a counterfeit. Until I get a good look at that I.D. and check to make sure it's legit, I'm not giving you access to anything. If you're from Homeland, you know the rules."
Grimacing, the man pulled out his government I.D. a second time and showed it to her.
"Good, now wait here while I call it in."
"That's not required under Section 2-27..."
"I'm calling it in. I'm not going to lose my job because I didn't confirm your identity."
Sighing, the agent nodded his head reluctantly.
Jain quickly dialed her boss and explained the situation. After receiving his approval, she hung up and smiled.
"Okay, now what can I do for you?"
"I need to see your records, check your computers and interview everyone that works here."
"Not a problem. The computer room is down that hall and to the left. You can use Amy's computer to access all of the records. She and I are the only full-time employees here at the moment. Cutbacks, you know. Is there anything in particular you're looking for?"
"It's a national security matter."
"Wow! This sounds serious. Should I be concerned? I mean, was someone coming in here that could be dangerous?"
"I can't say ma'am."
Turning to one of his men, he motioned toward the computer room and then signaled for another to take charge of Amy's computer. Nodding, the first man disappeared down the hallway. The other sat down at her assistant's desk and began typing on the keyboard. The remaining two prowled around the main room, their eyes constantly scanning for anything suspicious.
"How long are you going to be here?"
"As long as it takes."
"I might as well shut the place down until you're done then. You'll scare everyone off anyway."
When the agent didn't reply, Jain shrugged and hand wrote a sign saying the library was temporarily closed. Picking up a roll of transparent tape, she walked to the front door and stepped outside. Attaching the sign to the door, she was about to go back inside when she saw Solaria walking toward her. Holding up her hand, she waved at the woman and then motioned for her to stop.
Seeing Jain's unusual gesture, Solaria stopped, unsure what to do. When the librarian shook her head slightly and flipped her hand in a dismissive manner, Solaria knew something was wrong. Giving Jain a faint nod, she turned and walked away.
Phew! That was close!
"Who was that?" the agent asked, walking up to stand next to her when she re-entered the building.
"My neighbor's sister," Jain replied calmly. "We were supposed to have lunch today. It's obvious that won't happen. Now, perhaps you can tell me how I can help you and we can get this over with."
"Have there been any suspicious-acting people or unusual activities in here over the last few weeks?"
"Suspicious-acting? This is a library. Considering how high tech the world has become, most people would say anyone coming here was either suspicious acting or old," Jain replied, sounding slightly disgruntled. "Few people seem to enjoy reading from books anymore."
The agent grunted noncommittally while making a notation in a small notepad.
"Our records show you've been working here for over ten years. Is that correct?"
"Listen, Agent... excuse me but what is your name? I've forgotten already."
"Foster."
"Foster. Well, Agent Foster, we both know Homeland probably knows everything they need to about me, including my brand of toothpaste. Is it really necessary to waste your time and mine reconfirming what you already know?"
Secretly, Agent Foster thought the same thing but wasn't sure if he should let her off so easily. According to their records, Jain Plaine led a very ordinary and boring life.
"Perhaps I should talk with your assistant. If you think of anything, you'll let me know, right?"
"Of course, I wouldn't want to compromise the nation's security"
Amy watched nervously as the Federal agent approached her. She had always been terrified of the government and knew one day they'd find out about the year she had failed to claim the $150 Christmas bonus on her income tax.
"It was an honest mistake!" she blurted out, wiping her sweaty palms on her jacket.
Agent Foster frowned.
"What was a mistake?" he asked coolly, thinking he had at last found a lead.
"The $150! I didn't remember it until it was already sent in and well, I meant to file an amended report but then got busy with a new shipment of books and forgot about it and... and by the time I remembered..."
"Ma'am, would you tell me what the hell you're talking about?"
"My 1040EZ."
"Your 1040... Are you talking about your income taxes?"
Amy swallowed, her mouth suddenly very dry.
"Uh huh. Isn't that why you're here?"
Jesus Christ, Foster thought.
"Do you really think the IRS would send five agents here to discuss a hundred and fifty dollar tax evasion issue?"
"Well..."
"Look, we're Homeland Security not the IRS. As far as I'm concerned, I don't know anything about your tax status, but I'd suggest you get it straightened out as soon as possible. I'm here to find out if there's been any unusual activity or people in the library lately."
"Oh! OH!" Amy exclaimed, feeling very relieved. "Well, there was that family last night."
"What family?"
"The one with the kids. They came in late to use the computers. I find it hard to believe their kids waited until the last minute to do school reports. I mean, all of the kids wouldn't have done that... unless they're slow... if you know what I mean."
"School reports. Did they do or say anything else to make you suspicious?"
"Isn't that enough? What family nowadays has only one computer? I find that hard to believe too."
Realizing he was getting nowhere, Foster decided to change tactics.
"What about Ms. Plaine? Does she have any unusual friends or interests?"
"Jain? Good grief, no! Well, other than a few idiosyncrasies."
"Like what?"
Looking around to make sure Jain wasn't near enough to hear, she leaned close to the agent and lowered her voice.
"She's a little weird at times."
"Weird how?"
"Well, she lives in her own little world. I mean one minute she's as normal as you and I, and the next minute her mind has wandered off and she starts to make these strange noises... like she was in pain or something. Groaning and moaning. It's very disconcerting, you know."
"I can imagine," Foster replied, mentally rolling his eyes.
"We're never really sure if she's here or not but she's a good boss and good at her job," Amy continued. "Personally, I think she's one of them."
"Them?"
"You know... a lesbian... but that's okay. Why I remember awhile back we had a young man working here for a few weeks. He'd chat up the old women like you wouldn't believe. One day he didn't show up for work and the next week we saw him on the news. He married some rich old widow and moved to Monaco. This place really attracts some weird people, you know. It's a lucky thing it hasn't made me a little fruity... if you know what I mean."
"I think I know exactly what you mean." Tucking his notepad into his jacket pocket, he decided it was time to leave. Librarians were a little too peculiar for his taste. "If you'll excuse me, I need to check on my men."
Without waiting for a reply, he turned and hurried down the hall to the computer room. Hopefully, the other agents would be finished and he could get back to his office in time to finish his report. It wouldn't take long to write. There was only so much you could say about a fruitcake and a boring old maid. An hour later, they left without saying anything more. After their departure, Jain checked the computer room and found the hard drives missing from all of her computers.
Bastards! she muttered. The boss isn't going to like this but at least he has the clout to make someone's life miserable. I hope they didn't screw up my records.
Checking Amy's computer, she noticed the backup software indicated that someone had made a recent copy of the data.
As if I'm stupid enough to let just anyone snoop through my files! Wait ‘til you try uploading your copy.
Chuckling Jain wished she could be a fly on the agency wall. Without the proper backup code, any uploaded copy would immediately install a small virus that would scramble the new computer's BIOS making it inoperable. It was a little surprise Jain had created to keep hackers or unauthorized personnel from obtaining the private records of her customers. As a librarian Jain believed in privacy rights no matter what laws Congress had passed to help Homeland Security.
Well, since the day's almost shot, I might as well just lock up and call it a day. I'll tell the boss these goons scared everyone off and let him deal with it.
CHAPTER 15
JAIN WAS JUST securing the door when she felt a presence behind her. Spinning around, she clutched her chest, startled to see Solaria.
"What are you doing here?" she gasped.
"I came to thank you."
"For what?"
"For warning me about those men. That is what you did, isn't it?"
"Well, yes."
"Why?"
Looking around nervously, Jain grabbed her arm and pulled her toward her car which was parked behind the building.
"Let's say I don't like all of this government crap. They may have a legal right to check our files but I think it's wrong."
"But why would you warn me off?"
Opening the car door, Jain motioned Solaria to get in.
"Why are you so interested in Future Dynamicon? That's why they were really here. It had nothing to do with national security."
Realizing Jain had managed to uncover her activities, Solaria was impressed.
"You've discovered what I've been doing. You must be very good with computers."
Jain blushed but wasn't sure if it was because of the compliment or having been caught snooping.
"I know something about them."
"Meaning quite a bit. The question is, how much?"
"Enough to know you've been hacking into the Future Dynamicon security system and it has something to do with Dr Branson. Unfortunately, I think I'm the one who brought these goons here. I stayed in their network too long and was found by a spybot."
"I was beginning to think I had made an error, even though the probability of such a mistake was highly unlikely."
Geez, aren't you confident, Jain thought.
"No, unfortunately it was my blunder."
"But I did make one, didn't I? You were able to trace my activities."
"Well, it took awhile."
Jain hoped she hadn't made the woman feel incompetent. It had taken all her skills to find the paths. If she had just covered her tracks with the same determination she had used to uncover Solaria's, Future Dynamicon wouldn't have detected her intrusion.
"Look, I know it's my fault they traced everything back to the library. If there's anything I can do to make up for it, let me know."
"You've already done enough. The warning about them being there prevented my possible capture. They may have the hard drive but there's not much they'll learn from it."
"Actually they don't even have that. I removed it yesterday and substituted another in its place. Plus I made sure the keyboard was cleaned thoroughly. No finger prints or DNA."
Solaria smiled at Jain's thoroughness.
"I'm sure they found that a little odd."
"Not at all. A family used the computer yesterday evening. There were plenty of prints and smudges to go around. I don't watch spy movies for nothing." Jain laughed.
"Thanks. It looks like I'm in your debt. Is there anything you need?"
Jain's imagination went into overdrive but she quickly reined it in.
"As a matter of
fact, yes there is. Have dinner with me."
"Dinner?"
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