Chapter 19

                Dorey watched as personal and business flyers zipped by the observation platform where she took her breaks.  She enjoyed the open air and sunlight for those who ventured out on the section of the platform actually outside.  It projected over the edge of the governmental records building, in the heart of the city where she worked.  The mere height of a 38 story high building was not for the faint of heart, which usually gave her the privacy to communicate with her customers.   She loved the freedom of it and was staring out at the city skyline as she keyed in her personal com link encryption code to connect with Kyle Loomis.  Once she closed a contract she did not take additional follow up calls lightly but new she had entered into a contract and now her reputation was on the line.  Additional customer contacts were not safe for her in most cases and they seldom yielded additional worthwhile information.  Sometimes the client just got cold feet and Dorey was not up to baby sitting but she had worked for Loomis in the past and if he called it must be important.

                “You know this is against my business policy.  I explained this clearly to you the first time you contracted to employ my services.  Jeopardizing my position will now add to the price of our arrangement.” Dorey spoke with no emotion and was glad her voice was being disguised using the most sophisticated of software filters set to the voice of an older man with a fake accent.  

                Loomis was obviously under great stress as he spoke. “At this point your fee means nothing to me.  A new development has reared its ugly head and time has become a precious commodity.”

                “Your changed situation is not my concern.  You contracted me to intercept information on a particularly sensitive project and remove said information from records assessable to analysis by Central Records drones.  You said nothing of immediate pressures.” Dorey was beginning to have second thoughts about accepting another contract from Loomis.

                “I just walked out of a briefing with the Centers Directorate Manager and all of my council peers without explanation.  The whole group will be looking for an explanation for my rude behavior upon my return.  I wouldn’t have placed myself in this position, drawing unnecessary attention to myself I might add, if this wasn’t an emergency.” Loomis had raised both the pitch and volume of his voice.

                Noticing this, Dorey decided to hear him out without further references to her standard operating procedure. “My calls are limited in time to prevent traces so please come to the point quickly. My voice com’s will terminate automatically if a trace is sensed”

                Loomis continued, “Directorate Manager Kenfer has more resources than I expected and I have underestimated his abilities.  This will not happen again no matter the cost.  It seems that Kenfer has an assistant that has employed the skills of one of his friends in the communication section to successfully find, by brilliant computer analysis that an Operational Immediate Action code was sent to the very Probe whose records you were hired to clear out.  This OIA code and the data content contained therein simply must be intercepted and deleted or at least corrupted before the incriminating content is discovered.”

                Dorey knew that her position as Information Director for Government Services was the key to her successes in her moonlight job as a gun for hire or private contractor.  She would not risk her anonymity to clients or jeopardize her job even if it meant cancelling a contract.  This was made clear to every new or previous customer at the time a job was agreed to.  On occasion it was necessary to rush to complete an assigned task but when searching this type of sensitive records requiring the necessary clearances at her level of access, even she could draw unwanted attention to her activities. 

                “Mr. Loomis, I’m sure that you have not forgotten the one nonnegotiable criterion that is part of my standard operating policy.  I am extremely carful when I obtain or in your case purge information for clients.  Although I am sensitive to your dilemma, and will proceed without delay, I will not operate carelessly.” Dorey remained emotionless.  It was important to remain in control when dealing with customers under stress.

                “I have a name for you from my own Center confidential informants.” Loomis said, “The communications technician feeding critical information to Kenfer through his personal assistant and close to uncovering the whole sordid business is Corey Benson.  This guy has apparently developed a rouge search program not part of Central’s network grid.  My people have been watching for flags that would indicate Benson is using the Center data base or resource pool.  Nothing has popped up yet and it is believed that he is using private equipment linked but isolated by a powerful firewall.” Loomis was hoping that by providing all the information obtained and then verified himself, he might put his hireling at ease.

                Dorey was impressed that Loomis would go to such extremes in an attempt to expedite actions on her part but had been in this business long enough to be wary of free information.  She knew he had his position and possibly even his freedom at stake.  If not for these facts she might not have decided to pursue the lead Loomis offered and start her own research through long trusted channels.  She would locate and deal with this Benson character.  She suspected Benson would have recruited help and that these coconspirators would be the weak link to stop his interference.  Should one of his friends suffer he would get the message that his personal safety was at risk.

                “I will provide my usual professional services Mr. Loomis without fail but be advised that your information will be considered only in a supportive role until I verify the information myself.  I have your personal com ID code and you should have the translation matrix I provided you.  I will text you updates only, no more voice communications.  Understand that I am aware of your position and intend to live up to your trust in my expertise and judgment.  What I need you to do now is return to the meeting and provide a believable excuse for leaving in such a rush.  I will guarantee that your position is safe, by beginning with our Mr. Benson’s activities.” Dorey ended the call as she walked back to the observation deck lift.  She knew exactly how to ferret out Benson’s sources and his friends were the perfect leverage she would need against him……