Private Sydney (Private 12)

Either way, the odds of making it through today were worse than even he’d imagined.

Chapter 7

WITH THE FINCHES sorted, I could concentrate on more pressing issues. Johnny Ishmah had begun trying the computers and backup systems, starting at reception.

The young investigator was completing a degree in criminal psychology. Brought up in a rough part of the western suburbs, his school mates included the son of a leading underworld figure. Those contacts had proved helpful more than once.

Dust swirled into the entrance as two men manoeuvred a large pane of glass towards the door.

I asked Johnny what he had so far.

‘I ran a virus scan on the entire system. Nothing showed up. The cameras didn’t record because Collette’s computer was shut down.’

The video feed was accessed on her station. One of her tasks was to fast-forward through the footage each morning.

I turned to Collette, who was anxiously picking at bright red fingernails.

‘Could you have accidentally shut it down instead of logging off last night?’

‘No. I did what I do every night. Log off.’

Whatever happened, the footage didn’t exist.

Next to arrive was Darlene Cooper, her usual immaculate ponytail and wrinkle-free shirt and jeans replaced with a baggy top and crinkled pants. Nothing about today seemed routine.

‘Sorry, boss. I came as quickly as I could.’

I explained the situation and she told us not to turn anything on until she’d had a chance to update the virus library. Meanwhile, I went to find Mary in her office. She could start on the Finch job.

After filling her in, I suggested she use her phone until online access was restored. Instead, she stood, arms folded across her chest. The former military police officer and kickboxer was formidable at the best of times. The stance emphasised her biceps and was designed to intimidate. ‘You can get someone else.’

Her reaction took me completely by surprise. My most experienced investigator and right hand in the business, Mary Clark

e pulled more than her weight in the agency.

‘Today’s not started well. We need to function even more efficiently as a team. None of us gets to pick and choose cases. The others are tied up with the computers –’

She stood, arms still folded, like a bouncer blocking a nightclub entrance. ‘You don’t need to remind me about teamwork.’

That was true. Mary had put herself on the line many times, including for my safety. I closed the door so we could speak in private.

‘Is there something going on I need to know about?’

‘I don’t want to be a part of this. Johnny can do it.’

Darlene interrupted with a knock. ‘Thought you’d want to know. I updated the virus library and tracked the source to Collette’s computer. Going through the log files, the system shut down at midnight.’

‘It was programmed to switch us off in the night?’ I asked.

‘Could have been in an email attachment or a bogus web link. I’m still running diagnostics, so if you give me an hour, I’ll do a full sweep of the backups too.’

I wondered how long it would have taken if Darlene wasn’t on the job. And what sort of thrill led people to design viruses which destroyed strangers’ computers. Our business relied on confidentiality and with high-profile clients we needed to guarantee information security.

Right now, that was at risk.

‘Can you double-check for spyware? We can’t afford to have anyone access the systems.’

Darlene looked from Mary to me, obviously sensing the tension. ‘On it.’