Lisa Stone - Stalker

That would explain it. ‘Why was it changed, do you know?’

‘No idea. I’ve just come on duty. Everything is working. Is that all you want?’

‘Yes. Thank you.’ He said goodbye and replaced the receiver.

The change in password had locked him out just like it had with the Khumalos. It wasn’t a big problem; he’d pay them a routine maintenance visit and learn the new password. Firms were happy to tell him their login details for everyone trusted their security firm. Yet while this explained why he hadn’t been able to access the cameras at U-Beat nightclub, it didn’t explain the other nine systems that were down. Too much of coincidence that those clients had suddenly decided to change their passwords all on the same day! He’d once had two changes within twenty-fours after a television programme about hacking, but ten at the same time was unheard of.

He now brought up the Osmans’ file – another one that was missing and whose contract he’d been lucky to keep after the last break-in – and keyed in the telephone number for their shop. It was answered on the third ring by Mr Osman in his usual brusque manner.

‘Osman speaking.’

‘Good evening, Mr Osman,’ Derek said, at his most conciliatory. ‘Derek Flint from Home Security here. Sorry to disturb you but are your cameras running?’

‘As far as I know. Why shouldn’t they be? You haven’t got another system error, have you?’

‘I don’t know. Could I ask you to check please?’

‘My wife will do it. She’s on the laptop now.’ Derek then heard him say, ‘It’s the bloke from the security firm. He wants you to check the cameras are working.’ He waited. Mr Osman came back on the line. ‘Yes, they’re working,’ he confirmed.

‘Good. Have you changed your password?’ He knew he couldn’t ask too many questions as it would start to sound suspicious and further undermine his efficiency.

More muffled voices and then Mr Osman again. ‘My wife changed the password after the policewoman phoned. They haven’t caught anyone yet for the break-ins but she advised us to change all our passwords. She said it was good practice to change them every few months.’

‘Yes, indeed, thank you. I’m pleased everything is functioning as it should be.’ He said goodbye and ended the call.

Derek sat back for a moment and thought. Another change of password but with a reasonable explanation. Even so that still left eight unaccounted for. He’d have to contact them all, go through them alphabetically, starting with Mr and Mrs Abbot.

He tried their landline and got no reply, then both their mobile numbers went through to voicemail. He didn’t leave a message. Curtis was next and thankfully, he answered.

‘Mr Curtis, Derek Flint from Home Security. Sorry to disturb you. I’m checking to make sure your CCTV is working. We’ve experienced a few minor technical problems today. I wanted to make sure your system was fully operational.’

‘Yes, it’s fine, thank you, but it’s a coincidence you’ve phoned now.’

‘Is it?’ Derek asked, trying to keep the edge of anxiety out of his voice. ‘Why?’

‘The police phoned earlier about the break-in we had last year. While we were talking, the officer mentioned that we should change our passwords, so I did. I thought that’s why you were calling, to check I had.’

‘Yes, that’s right. I was. Good. Thank you. Glad everything is as it should be.’

Saying a quick goodbye he hung up and tried to settle his racing heart. Coincidence yes, but not in the way Mr Curtis had thought. Three passwords changed on the same day, two after a call from the police. There was something going on here, but what? A knot formed in his stomach and he took a sip of water. There was nothing else for it: he’d have to try to contact all those whose cameras were down to see if they had changed their passwords too. Mary Grey was next and he knew he needed to tread carefully as understandably she’d become very nervous since her abduction.

He entered the number of her landline and it rang a couple of times before she picked it up. A pause, and then her timid voice: ‘Hello? Who is it?’

‘Miss Grey, it’s Derek Flint from Home Security.’

‘Who?’

‘Derek Flint. I fitted your alarm system.’

‘Yes, what do you want?’

‘This is a courtesy call to check that your system is working.’

‘Yes, it is. I’m watching it on my television now.’ She hadn’t been able to afford a separate monitor so he’d connected the cameras to a channel on her television. ‘And you can see all the cameras?’

‘Yes.’

‘Have you changed your password today?’

‘Yes. Did the police tell you?’

Derek felt an icy chill run down his spine. ‘About your change of password?’

‘Yes – Beth, that nice lady detective, phoned me about the investigation into my kidnap and said I should change the password on my surveillance system.’

‘That’s right.’

‘Can you tell her I have done so?’

‘I will. Why were you viewing your cameras just now when I phoned? Is there a problem?’

‘No. I often look at them, it makes me feel safe.’

‘That’s fine then. That’s what they’re for. Take care.’

He said goodbye, set down the phone and stared straight ahead, trying to calm his thoughts. Was he overreacting? Becoming paranoid? Or was there something going on he didn’t know about? Another password had been changed after a call from the police. This time he knew it was Beth Mayes who’d phoned. He hadn’t thought to ask the others who had called them. Could it simply be a police initiative to keep people safe online? It was feasible, he supposed. The police ran crime prevention drives every so often – road safety, keeping children safe, saying no to strangers and so on. Was that what was happening? He sincerely hoped so.

The next client he phoned didn’t answer but the next two did. Twenty minutes later he had succeeded in contacting another six and all had said they’d received a phone call from DC Beth Mayes updating them on the police’s investigation and recommending that they change their passwords. He was now struggling to know what exactly to make of this.

It was perfectly reasonable that she should be updating the victims about their investigations into the crimes against them, and if they were running a campaign for online safety then it made sense to tell them to change their passwords at the same time. Yet it still seemed a coincidence – a big one – that this was all happening now. Perhaps this was the end of it and no more of his clients would change their passwords and disappear from view. Even so Mayes had created a lot of extra work for him; he’d have to visit all these clients now to gain their new passwords on the grounds of a routine maintenance check.

While he’d been making the phone calls a couple of emails had arrived in his inbox. The first was from a new customer thanking him for the ‘great job’ he’d done, which was always good to receive. The second had the subject as security update and he opened it.

Dear Mr Flint,

Have you thought about updating your security?

His delight at receiving the first email vanished as his indignation and his anger flared. The bastards were still targeting him and telling him of all people to update his security! There was no unsubscribe link, which he knew was illegal. He closed the email but didn’t delete it. When he had more time he’d examine the code behind the email and hopefully get to the bottom of it. But not now. Now he needed to spend time with his extended family and friends. It had been a stressful week and he needed their reassurance and comfort more than ever.