(aka Bike) Part 1845 by Angharad Copyright © 2012 Angharad
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When Simon and Sammi came home, I asked her how easy it was to hack someone’s computer. This was out of earshot of any of the others. “If you know where the computer is, it’s easy but you can be traced.”
“Oh.”
“If you don’t want to be traced–except by the FBI or MI5–it can be done.” She looked at me. “You know it’s illegal?”
“Yeah, okay, it was just an idea.”
“Who is it, Mummy?”
“It’s two, Inspector Marple and a slime-ball named Cortez.”
“Is he the guy that owns all that property?”
“I don’t know, he might well do, but it’s his money lending that worries me.”
“Eh?”
“Not personally, but he’s probably the man responsible for Edith Howse’s death.”
“Phew, you had me worried there, I’ll see what I can do after dinner–you don’t have any email addresses or websites do you?”
“No, but James might.”
“Oh he’s that dishy ex-soldier you use, isn’t he?”
“You’d be wasting your time, Sammi.”
“I know, I don’t have the wherewithal, always the bloody same,” she pouted.
“He wouldn’t be interested, darling.”
“Story of my life, doesn’t do trannies.”
“Um–I don’t know how to put this delicately–um–he doesn’t do girls.”
“What? He’s gay?”
“Yes.”
“So he could be interested?”
“Um–no.”
“Why not?”
“Because I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“Why not?”
“Shall I just say, in a tight spot, there is no one I’d rather have with me than James. In bed, I suspect, I could think of several.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means no, find a boy nearer your own age, if you must.”
“I just see all these boys and girls together, walking arm in arm when we go for lunch–okay, at times it’s a bit cheesy, but it just keeps reminding me of what I’m missing.”
“Once you meet the criteria for surgery, we’ll get you done, but until then, be careful. Not all boys are sweetness and light if they think they’ve been deceived, especially if they’ve had a few drinks or other substances.”
“You know I don’t do drugs, Mummy.”
“I know you don’t but that doesn’t mean a boyfriend won’t–except if I found anyone in this house using any recreational drugs I would physically kick them off the premises.”
“I’ve never invited anyone back, have I?”
“No, Sammi, I’m just telling you what would happen if they did.”
“I think I get that loud and clear, Mummy.”
I smiled at her, “I have several younger children to protect–I aim to do so. Trish might be brighter than the sun, but she’s only eight and sometimes it shows.”
“Of course, Mummy. Tell you what, she’s going to be an ace hacker in a couple of years.”
“That is so reassuring,” I said hoping the sarcasm was thick enough to taste. She walked off to change, chuckling to herself.
“What’s for dinner?” I asked David.
“Moussaka.”
“Oh, something different–nice.”
“It’ll be ready in ten minutes.”
“Fine, I’ll go and have a quick wash.” I ran up to the bedroom and changed after a quick lick and a promise, back in jeans and tee shirt I felt much more comfortable. The meal was delicious as one would expect from a chef. Simon was stuffed and after retiring from the table he fell asleep in an easy chair in the dining room.
I retired to my study after checking on the other children. Julie and Sammi were shrieking with laughter at something Phoebe was telling them, presumably one of the people at college. She said she was enjoying it, especially working at the salon at weekends. I thought it was too much but she refused to stop, besides, she said they stopped for Christmas soon–I think she meant half term.
I was booting up my laptop when Sammi came in. “Okay, I’ve found his email address and have planted something in an email.”
“Won’t his antivirus–hang on, how did you find it?”
“I spoke to James, I’ve done the same to your little friend Cortez–no relation to the bastard who conquered South America, is he–in which case this could be a pleasure.”
“How did you get hold of James?”
“Daddy gave me his card.”
“Oh, so what do we do now?”
“We let them open the emails and my hidden stuff should make the next bit easier.”
“What have you done?”
“It’s a bit like a Trojan but his antivirus prog won’t see it.”
“Oh, aren’t they any good, then?”
“Oh they’re good, but I’m better.”
“When will we know if it’s worked?”
“When they check their emails.”
“And if it doesn’t?”
“We go in without the email, it takes longer but I can do it.”
“Don’t take any unnecessary risks.”
“Don’t worry, anyone except a real expert would think I was doing this from Russia.”
“You’ve relayed it?”
“Yeah.”
“Clever girl.”
“I’m ninety nine per cent certain they’ll open them up.”
“Why?”
“I’ve sent one to your copper as if it was from the Independent Complaints thingy, and the loan shark, I suggested it linked to the death of the lady in the fire, Mrs Howse, wasn’t it?”
“Who does that come from?”
“A non-existent firm of solicitors in Petersfield.”
“Wouldn’t they write a letter through the Royal Mail?”
“Well they couldn’t use US Post could they, they’re all druggies.”
“I think that only applied to their cycling team.” As I said it she smirked, so she watches the news, probably on line. “Anything I have to do?”
“No, just sit here and fold your arms and behave yourself.”
“I think I’ll go and feed Catherine or express a bottle, my boobs have felt sore ever since he poked me in one earlier.”
“Who did?”
“Marple, he accused me of having implants and prodded one, which sprayed milk all over him.”
“Serves him right, isn’t that sexual harassment?”
“I think general assault.”
“But he couldn’t do it to a boy, could he?”
“That’s what he accused me of being, hence the poke. I suppose I should be glad it wasn’t a Crocodile Dundee check.”
“A what?”
“This,” I made a move towards her crotch with my hand, stopping before she jumped back out of the way. “That’s what he did in the film.”
“You’re joking?”
“No, I’m not, check Youtube, I’ll bet it’s on there.”
“If he’d done that to you, what would you have done?”
“Caused him major dental repairs.”
She took a moment to understand what I’d said, “Oh, right, sounds like he’s a nice specimen.”
“Of total arseholes, yeah, a real prize specimen.”
“What do you want if he bites–and he will?”
“Check his computer for anything embarrassing, I know there’s porn on it–if that’s embarrassing enough...”
“I could possibly link him to a paedo site.”
“No, don’t take unnecessary risks. Just have a browse and see what he’s got on his computer and can you check his correspondence–see if there’s anything to our other friend, or anything on his to Marple.”
“I suspect the copper will be easier, Cortez will probably have a second computer with his dirty stuff on–that might take a bit of finding.”
“See what you can, sweetheart and let me know–I’m off to feed the baby, if I can catch her.”
Comments
Easy As Falling Off A Bike pt 1845
Wondering just what she will be doing to those innocent computers to capture the guilty?
May Your Light Forever Shine
Nobody's computer is safe.
It gets to the stage that nobody's computer is safe. I think Cortez might have the right stratergy. Keep all the confidential stuff on a separate computer that is NOT online.
Softly, softly, catchee monkee.
Nice chapter Ang.
XX
Bev.
It might be the right strategy
But it's not idiot-proof. The locals here caught on to one pedo because he wanted fresh material but couldn't bear to part with the old stuff. So at least a couple of times a week the target computer would pop up online. They were able to match it to an id on the server and that gave them his download history. And all of that obligingly turned up on the target computer. And he thought he was being so clever! He thought by going online at random times it would escape notice!
"Life is not measured by the breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away.”
George Carlin
I don't open too many emails
... from anyone. So far, after 8 years on the net, knock wood, I have not been compromised.
The next step for me is to get an email only computer so god forbid things go south, reload the OS and I get to thumb my nose at them.
Kim
Sammi too?
So a house of people who can hack into anything also? Interesting development.
Better be careful because what they're doing
happens to be illegal and is more and more seriously prosecuted these days.
Sammi
I forgot about Sammi and her computing skills! Now, with Trish and just a little luck (or superior planning) Marple and Cortez are in for a big surprise.
I love the duet of authors! Bonzi sets up the dirty work, and Izzy cleans it up! Right now, they are working paw in paw.
Scritch, Scratch, Rubbby rubby rubby tummies tummies tummies
Don't let someone else talk you out of your dreams. How can we have dreams come true, if we have no dreams?
Katrina Gayle "Stormy" Storm
And now
the fun starts.... Not that it will be easy though, Cortez would not be running the sort of business he is if he was a fool, But Cathy being the sort of woman she is will not give up easily and with the genius of Sammi and Trish on computers backing her up she may yet find enough information to sink Cortez and his cohorts once and for all.... That is of course if everything goes according to plan , But it is Cathy we are talking about here so maybe there may yet be a little bloodshed.... Hopefully theirs!!
Kirri