UG2:Spying By Numbers Part 3 Trouble in Store

First posted here in 2014/5, this story had only been available on Kindle since 2017. The third & fourth books are also now out.
 

Helen was chuckling, it was now two weeks since the evacuation of the Security Service house when Gail and Sophie had left in a hurry without luggage or possessions and had to think on their feet. They now had a good relationship as friends, in this case the adversity of their circumstances had helped cement their kinship.

Helen did a walk around the ground floor to check the security measures. The front of the house included three hidden cameras, there were additional cameras inside the front door, down the side of the house, in the garage and the garden. The camera feeds were recorded but there were also discrete monitors in the kitchen and by the front door. Each of the external doors included an embedded steel plate and the locks were multipoint.

The girls were happy that the hire car was now empty and started to relax. Unfortunately a van turned up and insisted that Sophie move the car.

"Delivery for Miss Young."

Helen intervened, Heather was still not briefed on how to handle deliveries, even if these were from the Security Service.

"Good afternoon gents, you you have a delivery note?"

"Hello Miss, here's your copy." Helen had drafted it so knew it was okay.

They unloaded the van but Helen was very particular about not allowing the delivery crew into the house, regardless of who they were.

"We'll talk about that later."

That meant that Heather and Sophie were again carrying everything upstairs, although this time Heather did the carrying first and the stowing second. Sophie was pleased to see her laptop, abandoned two weeks earlier, then remembered out loud that she had several reports to write.

"Heather, I'm afraid you need to report on the past two weeks too, starting when the attack began."

"Can't I just copy Sophie's?"

"No, absolutely not."

By now it was past one-thirty and Helen still had to run through the usual practicalities of a new house, the safe combination, alarm codes, panic alarm, lock-down procedure, evacuation procedure, weapons management and secure disposal. This took some time.

"Secure disposal? I'm not sure I like the sound of that."

"Heather, it's simple really. You will scan any documents so they're available but they're also backed up automatically onto our servers. You then shred the original and any copies unless it's essential you keep them. The shredded paper goes into a special bin which will be emptied every few weeks by a contractor. You do not put anything, and I mean anything, into the normal waste or recycling if it has your, Sophie's, security service names or any client's name on it."

"So no paperwork?"

"Not unless it's essential, even then I'd expect you to keep everything except household bills in the safe."

"So I'm responsible for the bills?"

"Of course, the only things you don't have to deal with is the house itself and insurance. The utilities have been given your bank details already so you shouldn't need to do very much. By the way, you two, I'm expecting expenses claims for the past two weeks so I hope you kept receipts, and please don't make it read like fiction."

"As if...."

Heather went around the house checking what was needed from the shops, the answer was loads. They both had the toiletries they'd bought to survive the previous fortnight, plus that which they'd left at the other house, but not domestic cleaning or laundry supplies.

Shopping was the next priority but of course Heather and Sophie first had to sign for keys as well as an agreement covering tenancy, repairs, DIY and security. Then the locking up procedure was explained, the office upstairs was to be locked and alarmed when not needed and always when the house was unoccupied.

They drove to Sainsbury's, a short distance away, and parked in the rooftop carpark. Sophie and Heather both took a trolley and started working their way around the aisles, Helen adding suggestions where necessary. One thing was clear, they needed a bigger store to get better value, that meant driving out of town. The total bill for the two trolleys was around £300 and they were still missing a few things. Heather decided to do an online order next time.

"Be careful!"

"What now, Helen?"

"Try to avoid deliveries and don't let them bring any shopping or parcels indoors. Also we have the problem with loyalty cards, that cashier was quite insistent that you took one of their own cards but those cards can be used to track you. There will be times when you won't want anyone to know where you've been."

"What about the offers?"

"Shop somewhere cheaper instead? Anyway, did you see the photo booth down there?"

"Yes, why?"

"You need to organise a season ticket for the train and we're only five minutes walk from the station but you first need a photo, a few would be useful."

Helen sent Sophie back to the house, reminding her she only had thirty seconds to enter the alarm code before the small tactical device detonated! The look on Sophie's face, however, was more to do with the eighteen bags of shopping that had to be unloaded and stowed whilst the other two wandered off empty handed.

Once Helen and Heather reached the station it was remarkably quiet, but within a few minutes hordes of school children started arriving to catch trains home. Heather managed to find a helpful employee but was in shock when he told her the cost of a monthly season ticket.

"£321!"

"and 80 pence."

"Oh, and 80p. It's not as if I have any choice."

She put her debit card in the reader and typed in her PIN. It was another an expensive day, could she claim this on expenses? Had she even been given an expenses form?

The pair of them walked back to the house, it was a journey Heather would have to get used to but one thing was clear, it was 10 minutes downhill to the station and fifteen minutes uphill to home. Heather put her key in the lock but it wouldn't turn. Helen tried as well but had the same problem. She pushed the bell then waited. And waited.

Finally Sophie opened the door.

"What the bloody hell was that for?"

"Well, Helen, I was given the task of putting everything away so made certain the door was shut whilst I was dashing all over the house."

Helen still wasn't impressed but allowed Heather to continue this argument.

"Come on Sophie, I needed to get my season ticket organised, not that I know what I'm doing on Monday yet." She paused then realised they'd all forgotten something important. "Oh, you will need a season ticket too."

"I have an Oyster all-zone card from The Met so I only need a ticket as far as Croydon on the edge of London. It's not worth buying a season ticket all the way into central London from here for me."

Helen decided she'd spent enough time there and told them she was heading to her own home.

"Play nicely girls. I'll be over for dinner on Sunday."

Both Heather and Sophie had previously enjoyed a solo lifestyle which included lots of take-aways or quick and nasty microwave meals. Given the excellent diet they'd enjoyed at the previous house, continued in Cornwall, a decision was taken that meant they would keep the healthy options. There was also a strategic decision taken, Heather chose the meal today, it would be Sophie's turn tomorrow and so on. That automatically meant that Heather was responsible for Sunday's dinner when Helen had invited herself over.

There was a long list of things to sort out, but they could all wait for another time. By 8pm, suitably fed, tidied and quickly showered, Heather locked the house and retreated to her room, having left her weapon in the safe. Sleep was easy.

***

As Heather woke, she turned to see the time was seven and that sunlight was streaming into the room. Unfortunately she also had that weird sensation of not remembering where she was before it came back to her; she was at home, her new home. Looking around the room she realised a few more comforts would be needed including a rug and a full length mirror, she'd make a list. First on the agenda was a shower, before Sophie needed the bathroom, then the biggest decision of the day - what to wear.

When she entered the kitchen she was surprised to find Sophie already there, with the daily paper and an empty breakfast bowl.

"I thought you were still in bed?"

"I was up at six and went for a run, I'll take a shower shortly."

"I'd like to take a walk around the area later to get my bearings."

"I agree, but I will not do any driving today as I've driven every day recently."

"I wanted to go to Ikea in Croydon."

"What for? There's going to be discount stores nearer here plus you don't need to get everything within the first few days."

"Okay, one thing though is I need a laptop."

"You have one."

"Yes, and everything I do on there is run through the Security Service network. I need a laptop I can use for personal stuff, like streaming video and personal online shopping."

"Right, I can understand that. Get yourself some breakfast, I'll be back down in fifteen."

***

Sophie suggested Heather left her firearm in the safe, given her twitchy fingers of late. This had the unfortunate effect of Heather patting the side of her bag repeatedly as it wasn't as heavy as recently.

"I keep thinking I've left something behind."

"You did, now stop that unless you want someone to think there's really something valuable in there."

The first thing Heather did was to go into the station and pick up a couple of copies of the timetable for London-Gatwick Airport trains, which passed through Redhill, this went into her bag. They continued under the railway line and into the High Street area. As neither Heather, in any of her guises, nor Sophie had been to Redhill previously this was a learning curve.

There was a temptation for Heather to pick up and purchase almost everything she saw but again and again she was reminded that they were on foot, as well as that hill up to their house. They continued their journey along the High Street, mostly just window shopping, until Heather saw a major electrical store. In this store, it being a Saturday morning, they found the standard issue greasy faced teenager who was sure he knew more than the two ladies who had just walked in.

Heather tempted fate by asking about a laptop that had apparently good specifications for a reasonable price.

"Oh, that's now a discontinued model, but we have a large selection and everything comes with an extended warranty. Now what do you need it for? Skype, emails, or just online shopping?"

"No, particle physics research, I'm designing the next matter transporter."

"I'm sure we have a laptop that suits your needs, Miss."

"Unlikely."

The two made it outside and waited for the automatic doors to close before they lost it.

"Particle physics, Heather?"

"It was the first thing that came to mind, he didn't have a clue and was following a script."

"I noticed a sign while you were dealing with him, there's a bigger store in Croydon, we can go there after lunch?"

"Sure."

The next stop was a jewellers, Heather's ears had been pierced by Diane well over a month ago and she was now ready to try alternatives. Sophie tried to offer help but Heather wanted to exert her own style, whatever that was. They took a break in a café, sitting out the front in the warm sunshine. The area was busy with parents dragging school age kids between shops, the little darlings had now been back at school for two weeks following the long summer holiday.

"Heather, I know this place was rather imposed on you but what's your first impressions?"

"The house is okay but it's not really a home yet. So far as the town is concerned, we're in the commuter belt so it's not going to be anything like Hackney."

"Nothing's like Hackney!" They both laughed.

A few minutes later they continued their patrol around the pedestrianised area, picking up small bits of shopping. Heather was relaxed, although Sophie was still vigilant. The last item was a loaf of bread then they headed back to Coxon Rise.

With lunch out of the way Heather changed her mind about going into Croydon that afternoon and pondered Sunday instead, but what time was Helen coming over?

What time Sunday? Planning dinner for 6pm, Heather

The reply only took a minute.

Will be with you around 4. Helen

So an out of town trip was definitely possible.

"Sophie, Helen will be here about four tomorrow, how about we go into Croydon in the morning instead of today? I'm going to plough through those emails."

"Okay, I'll work on my report."

Heather walked up to the box room, the office, and punched the alarm code to unlock the door. Heather's real reason for tackling the emails now was to avoid being stuck when the encryption code needed changing the following day, as it would every Sunday.

Many of the emails were administrative, it seemed Heather was now on the main distribution list for Thames House security and management notices, plus the financial intelligence team's own list. She set up a filter to move them automatically to a couple of folders then looked at what was left.

Given that her laptop had been taken away several days before the house had been evacuated, some of the emails dated back to the end of August whereas it was now mid September, that meant several of the emails were superseded by later ones. Of the rest, Heather had been copied into emails between other analysts but the subject matter was outside her role.

One email stood out, it had been sent the day before by Dave Brown in the Financial Intelligence team at the Security Service:

To: Heather Young
From: Dave Brown
Date: 12 September 2014
Subject: Next assignment

Heather,

You'll be pleased to hear that I have passed the Fourani data onto a junior analyst who's joined the team in the past few weeks. You had almost finished squeezing all the intel out of it so consider this a big thank you for all your hard work in the face of adversity!

I'd like to remind you that we were planning to meet on alternate Fridays, could that start on the 19th please? 10am.

Now, we have an interest in a firm that's just gone into voluntary receivership. You'll go in as one of the receivers, we'll have your accreditation ready by Monday, expect a package that morning with the documents, everything else is on the server. Phone me if you have any questions, I'm told you have a secure phone.

Regards

Dave

Heather was pleased she could dispense with the Hamiz Fourani investigation, but what was this company that the spooks were interested in? How would she explain Sophie's presence? She accessed the team's secure files and found a new folder within her own area, she read the summary.

Syrrah Imports Ltd

Syrrah Imports Ltd is believed to be involved in the import of arms into the UK and had done business with the late Hamiz Fourani as well as various al-Qaeda affiliates in Europe. More recently it had been linked to ISIS. Their bank, Arab Commercial Bank, has called in a substantial overdraft. The company has entered voluntary administration while they restructure their finances. The bank's deadline is two weeks from this morning.

Gail read the short text twice, she wasn't free of the Fourani files at all. She looked elsewhere in her area and found that the Iranian's accounts were still there, so she could at least cross-reference, but a two week deadline? Great, not! She wanted to have a rant about it but her briefings had been clear, no-one other than Dave Brown himself was cleared to discuss the work with Heather, unless he said otherwise. That meant she couldn't talk it through with Sophie but still had to include her in the work. Great, again.

She now turned her attention to the secure phone, the one she'd used in the library back at the other house had a thing sticking out of the side, this phone, although it looked the same, had a slot instead. There were no instructions with the phone and no phone book she could find.

Heather went back to the files and looked in the general folder for telephones, finally she found the instructions - there was supposed to be a plastic key, although the instructions said the key should be removed when the user left their desk. The key should then be locked in an approved container. That must mean the safe, Heather realised.

She opened the safe and started to empty out the contents, including everything she'd put in there the previous day. Her weapon was put to one side, she would get a plastic box for it, perhaps get a few boxes so she could stack them? One of the last items to come out of the safe was an envelope containing the plastic key, there was a receipt that needed to be returned to someone, somewhere. She inserted the key, or tried as it was upside down first attempt. The phone then started doing things and several lights came on. She removed the key and it went back to a quiet state.

She also found a pack of electronic updates for the internet encryptor. These were in the form of a USB memory stick that needed to be inserted at the appropriate time, well she couldn't get that wrong could she?

In amongst the paperwork she did find a phone directory, although Helen's and Emily's secure landline numbers were missing, unfortunately it wasn't the kind of information a public directory service could give you. Heather did have their mobile numbers and was seeing Helen the following day so it wasn't imperative. Satisfied she was mostly organised she started to put everything back in the safe, making a note to obtain some clear plastic boxes.

Heather next started a list of the stationary items she would need, this was not a short list and she felt the best way to deal with it was a little online shopping. Of course all the main shopping websites were blocked, damn she did need that second laptop. She gave up, locked up and walked back downstairs.

Sophie wasn't in the kitchen, nor the lounge. The kitchen door out into the garden was open wide but, as Heather noted, at least the side gate was secured. She thought she could hear something at the far end of the garden, in a wooden shed. Where was Sophie? Heather crept towards the shed and was now convinced someone was in there, but there was no window in the side panel to confirm.

There was a loud noise, the sound of metal hitting metal, causing Heater to jump. She wanted to call out for Sophie but didn't want to alert anyone who might be in there, now she regretted leaving her weapon in the safe. There was another noise, almost a bang and a small dark shape dashed out of the shed. Damn, it was a cat all along.

"You finished already Heather?"

She span around, Sophie was walking from the kitchen.

"Where were you?"

"Having a wee, why?"

"I heard noises from down here."

"I left the shed door open to get some air in there, did that cat come back?"

"Yes, we'll have to keep the shed shut. How's the report going?"

"I'll finish it later, but I reckon my expenses claim will take longer."

***

"Have you found one you like yet?"

"Not yet, but there's several on the maybe list."

"Come on Heather, you've been at this fifteen minutes already!"

"Give me a chance, I don't want to get a laptop that I can't use. I really want Windows 7 anyway, and these all have the lousy 8."

"Does that matter?"

"Yes, it's a question of what I'm used to."

Five minutes later Heather walked to the cashdesk having found an acceptable laptop in the discount section, the last one. Of course, now she had the problem of the added optional extras.

"Our proven anti-virus product is on special offer, only £50 for a year for total protection."

"No thanks, I'll install my own."

"Are you sure, the cost of virus removal isn't covered under the warranty, so that £50 could be much cheaper than fixing it afterwards?"

"No thanks."

"Okay, the extended warranty is £80 for three years."

"No."

"But this for peace of mind."

"No, I don't want it."

"I can give you a special price of £60 just for today."

"No."

Sophie was stood trying to look bored, but in reality was scanning the area. Heather was stood too long in any one place and the conversation with the assistant was attracting the attention of other shoppers. Sophie was not impressed. Heather was tempted to ask for the store manager but the cashier gave up his fight and processed the payment then handed over the boxed device, meaning that Heather and Sophie could leave.

Unfortunately the cashier hadn't deactivated the security tag so the doorway alarm sounded, security staff immediately appeared.

"You'll have to come with us."

"No."

"You don't have a choice."

"I'm not the one here who's in the wrong. That cashier," she pointed, "is either stupid enough not to deal with the security tag or decided this is retribution for my refusal to take the extended warranty."

"I will have to place you under a citizens arrest whilst we summon the police, we have a strict policy when dealing with shoplifters."

"I still have the bloody receipt in my hand, are you blind?"

Sophie was even less impressed by these circumstances but too no action until one of the security guards made a grab at Heather, causing her to drop the box. Sophie in turn grabbed the guard, produced her warrant and a set of cuffs.

"Now you have your wish, get the manager here NOW!"

***

Heather and Sophie eventually left the store fifteen minutes later after the manager reviewed the camera footage from the sales desk and the doorway. He struggled to concede that the store was in the wrong but was apparently taking this line to avoid admitting fault. Sophie had decided that this was one of those occasions when Heather's special warrant might come in useful and this swayed the manager, or was it the threat of legal action plus some promised immigration checks on his staff?

The laptop had been damaged when dropped so Heather no longer wanted it, although at first the manager had alleged that it was dropped deliberately, a pointless line of argument when the video said otherwise. When she was offered a replacement laptop, despite the improved specification, it was installed with Windows 8. Heather refused and demanded a refund, although a credit voucher was first offered, and declined.

"Heather, we are not going to another computer store, you can use my laptop to do an online order."

"I suppose so."

The headed back to the car but before they left the carpark Heather spotted a discount home furnishings store. In the space of twenty minutes she had three rugs, a full length mirror, cushions, bedding, kitchenwares and loads of other bits. The cash desk was simple and swift, the complete antithesis of the warehouse electrical store.

They were leaving the store when a member of staff approached, Sophie feared the worst.

"Hello Ladies, you've won a free meal in our coffee shop for being the 250th customer so far today."

"Is there a catch?" Sophie asked.

"None at all, here's the voucher."

"Heather, what do you think?"

"I was going to suggest we had lunch before we headed back."

"Okay, let's stow this in the car then we'll take up the offer."

***

It was half three in the afternoon when they arrived back at the house and it took a few trips to the car so that all of their purchases could be carried in. Both of the main bedrooms gained a rug, as did the living room. Heather had been pleased to find the plastic storage boxes she wanted, some for the kitchen and some for the safe. There was also a stack of stationary items for the office and a desk organiser, considering they'd only been in the house for two days Heather was definitely organising things her way.

They had also managed a quick visit to a supermarket for food, although a wander through the clothing section was needed plus industrial quantities of laundry supplies to clear the mountain of washing that was still outstanding.

It was Heather's turn to cook dinner so she made a start on that as soon as the other tasks were dealt with, however that meant she was still preparing vegetables when the doorbell rang. Heather looked at the monitor in the kitchen and saw it was Helen, superimposed on the image was the date & time as well as the registration number of Helen's car plus an automatic lookup on the stolen or suspicious vehicles database, although this aspect of the security system hadn't been mentioned before.

Sophie reached the door before Heather had even left the kitchen and had one hand on her concealed weapon as she looked through the spyglass at Helen's face then carefully opened the door checking that no-one else was nearby.

"Thank you Sophie, but if you had taken any longer I would have used my set of keys. Now, where's Heather?"

"Right here, Helen."

Heather was dressed in an apron and was holding a wooden spoon, although she'd just forgotten what she was using it for. She gave Helen a hug then retreated to the cookery department, Helen followed and sat down at the kitchen table.

"I have some more bits for you that I forgot on Friday."

"Okay, I hope you don't mind if you're talking to my rear while I'm getting dinner organised?"

"Not at all, nice skirt by the way."

"Thanks, I bought it in Salisbury but today was the first time I've worn it."

"How are the two of you coping so far?"

"Pretty good, although we haven't had a major falling out yet."

"So I don't need to find yet another bodyguard for you?"

"Not yet, not today anyway."

"I have had all your certificates re-issued in your current name, I had an email from Dave Brown asking that you had everything by the end of this weekend."

"Yes, I've had an email from him."

"He didn't tell me what the urgency was, but I suspect you know?"

"I might do but I'm waiting for further information."

"Right." Helen might have known what the deal was but was also pleased that Heather hadn't blabbed to her. "I'll let you get on with dinner, I'm going to speak to Sophie."

-----------------------------------------------------------
To be continued

Unaccounted Gains Books 3 & 4 are also available on Kindle