Mark Pryor - Cyberian Affair

“I’m not sure.” Niko turned his head away from Ivan and mouthed the word money to Vyper.

She nodded. “Ivan knows about Sokolov’s money. He knows about the computers I have illegally broken into. Marko always trusted him. We can, too.”

Niko faced the lawyer. “What happens if they listen to everything we tell them? Suppose they actually believe us. Would they let us go free? Or would they send us to prison for financial crimes and computer hacking anyway?”

Ivan looked at Vyper and back to Niko. “Marko always said you were smart. You should be a lawyer. The Justice Department would be inclined to charge you with your crimes and send you to prison—unless we negotiate a deal, which would probably take a month or more. It’s quite possible that the best deal they’ll accept will result in some prison time for each of you.”

Vyper took Niko’s hand. “We have no choice. We should negotiate a deal.”

Ivan took a glossy flier out of his folder. The seal of Homeland Security was emblazoned on the top. “Negotiating a deal is the best legal alternative. But I’d like you to consider something that has nothing to do with the legal system.”

Niko glanced at the paper in front of Ivan. “We know Homeland’s still fighting off Russian cyber-attacks. That’s what got us into this mess.”

The lawyer turned the flier around so they could read it better. “Do you know what the government does with talented hackers after they’re caught?” When no one responded, he continued. “They hire them.”

Standing on a ladder outside the front door, Niko disconnected the camera from its mount. None of the wireless surveillance equipment outside worked since the FBI confiscated the equipment that controlled them. One wired camera would have to be enough for now.

He fished a video cable into the laundry room, following the same hole used to supply power, then he refastened the camera and brought the ladder inside.

Vyper sat in the dining room. She looked up from the computer and waved silently. It wasn’t safe to speak unless they both wore their soundproof socks.

Niko took the small TV out of his bedroom. It would make a good video monitor. He carried it to the laundry room where he connected it to the camera’s cable. When he turned it on and switched the video source, a live image from the front door appeared. Then he carried the TV out and set it on the dining room table.

Vyper smiled and gave a thumbs up. She grabbed one of the socks Bodnar had given them and slipped it over her ankle monitor.

Niko fitted the other sock over his foot and took a seat. “What are you doing?”

She pointed to the screen. “Testing the program I wrote. It logs information about software installed by the police—their internet monitoring, too.”

“But the internet’s disabled.”

“The police will turn on the internet and install their software when they arrive. I need to know what they are doing.”

“I’m sure this is a silly question, but won’t they notice your program?”

“It is a silly question.” She pushed the laptop aside and replaced it with the second one. “Can you hook us up to the network?”

Niko went to the spare bedroom and returned with two network cables. Once the laptops were connected, they played computer games. No sex, though—not until after the police visit.

In the early afternoon, Niko spotted movement on the surveillance camera. A dark blue Ford Taurus was travelling along the driveway.

They removed their “socks of silence” and put them inside a kitchen cabinet.

Niko carried the TV into the laundry room and returned to follow Vyper to the front door.

When the bell rang, she opened the door.

A smiling woman stood before them wearing a loose-fitting blue shirt with matching slacks. Her short-cut red hair was fringed with a hint of gray. “I believe you’re expecting me.” She reached for the handle of her wheeled travel bag. “My name is Lieutenant Green.”

“Come in, Lieutenant.” Vyper moved aside. “I am Lydia, but I prefer the name Vyper.”

Green stepped inside, pulling her bag behind her, as Niko closed the door.

“I’m Adam, but please call me Niko.” He waved his arm toward the dining room. “Have a seat.”

The lieutenant glanced at the table. “Are those the only computers in the house?”

“Yes,” said Vyper. “The FBI confiscated all our equipment. These laptops are brand new.”

Niko offered Green a seat at one of the computers. Vyper sat next to her and Niko sat across the table.

The lieutenant reached into her bag, removing a folder and a USB thumb drive. She opened the folder and handed each of them a document. “This explains the details of what I’m about to tell you. Since you haven’t been convicted—not yet, anyway—you have the right to use computers and access the internet—but there are restrictions.” She paused briefly. “Let me see your phones.”

Vyper and Niko pushed their flip phones across the table to the lieutenant.

Green opened one of them. “Good. You can’t use smart phones. Do you have any more?”

Niko shook his head. “The FBI took the other ones.”

The lieutenant nudged the laptop toward Vyper. “I’m going to install the software required by the court. I understand you’re the computer expert. Please unlock this laptop and sign in as the administrator.”

Vyper complied.

Green inserted her thumb drive into the side of the laptop. “We’ll monitor your activity remotely. We can see all internet activity, email, chat—everything. And you won’t know when we’ll be checking.”

While Green installed the software on both computers, Vyper’s eyes never left the screen.

The lieutenant made a call on her cell phone. “It’s Lieutenant Green. The computers are ready… The internet cables are connected… Okay, turn it on… Good… Just a minute.” She typed a command on one laptop. “Okay.” She typed on the other. “Thanks. We’re all set.” She ended the call.

It happened so quickly, Niko had to ask, “Does this mean we can use the internet now?”

“Yes, but wait until I leave. You’re forbidden to use encryption. You also can’t use any private networks. We’ll monitor every site you visit—and don’t access any dark websites.” Green opened each phone and inspected it. “These must be brand new—no contacts, no calls. Don’t use another phone without contacting us first.”

The lieutenant returned the folder and thumb drive to her bag. “We monitor all calls and internet access from your service providers. If you violate the rules or break any laws, we’ll know.” She stood and grabbed the handle of her roll-behind bag. “A colleague of mine might pay you a surprise visit to inspect your equipment. You won’t be warned in advance.”

Vyper stood. “We will follow the rules. Let me see you out.”

Once Green left, Niko carried the small TV back out to the dining room and watched the surveillance video as the lieutenant’s Taurus pulled away from the house.

Vyper took the socks from the cabinet and sat at the table while she fitted one over her ankle bracelet. She pulled a laptop toward her and started typing.

Niko took a seat next to her and put on the other sock. “You checking out Green’s program?”

“I am familiar with this software. I know what data it collects. If they install any updates, I will know.” Vyper navigated her way through the computer configuration to turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

“What about the camera and microphone. The FBI could turn them on remotely.”

Vyper smiled. “Now you are thinking like I do. I will get my tools.” She went to the garage and returned with a small black case. She sat down and opened it, selecting a metal tool with a thin, flat end that curved a little. She used the tool to separate the top of the laptop screen from the lid. When she laid the screen down, she pointed to a small circuit board. “It is the camera and microphone.”