Page 45 of No Time Off

“It a company called Supra Vision Technology, LLC. It’s a pretty popular brand here on the island. Chinese-made…like everything else. Not the highest end, but reliable. We use them on most of our government buildings.”

“Good to know. Stand by for a minute.” I pressed Lexi’s number on my phone, and after two rings, she picked up.

“Hi. How’s it going?”

“Fine. I need you to stop what you’re doing and pull up everything you can find on a Chinese security camera company called Supra Vision Technology, LLC, and their products. The compound is using them as their security camera of choice. It would be a big help if we could take them down at the right time.”

“Ok. Any indication if they are wired or Wi-Fi?”

“Can’t tell from this distance, but I’m hoping your research will let us know. Probably wireless.”

“Definitely wireless,” Manny interjected. “Sorry to eavesdrop, but while the cameras are powered by cords, the communications are wireless.”

“That checks with what their product catalog shows,” Lexi added. “I just pulled them up. Almost all their models are Wi-Fi enabled, though a few of the high-end models can be configured wired or wireless.”

“That helps, thanks. I just need to know if we can detect their network from outside the fence. Lexi, I’m going to get closer to the compound and see if I can detect their network. If so, I’m going to connect you to my laptop so you can see what the system looks like.”

“Remind me again why you need the cameras down?” she asked.

“I’d like to get inside the compound to plant some recording devices.”

She was silent for a moment. “Inside the grounds or inside the compound?” Her voice was cautious.

“Potentially both. We can discuss in greater detail when I get back, okay?”

She was silent, which meant she wasn’t necessarily in agreement, but she hadn’t said no, either. I wasn’t sure if that was progress or not in terms of shared operational and marital decision-making. For now, she said, “We’ll discuss. Ping me when you’re ready to network.” She clicked off.

I slipped my phone in my pocket and looked up to see Manny staring at me. “What?” I asked.

“So, what did you do?”

I was baffled by his question. “What do you mean?”

“Her voice was tight. That’s the tone my missus used when I was in trouble.”

“I’m not in trouble,” I said. At least, I hoped I wasn’t.

“If you say so,” Manny replied. “But I’d be prepared if I were you.”

“Prepared for what?”

“The talk.”

I lifted an eyebrow, feeling slightly attacked. “You said your missususedthat tone on you,” I said. “So, she doesn’t use it anymore?”

“No, she doesn’t.” Manny looked down at the ground, scuffed his foot a bit. “She, ah, passed seven years ago. Cancer.”

It hit me like a fist in the gut, making me feel like an idiot. “I’m sorry to hear that, Manny.”

“It’s okay. She went out on her own terms. But here’s some unsolicited advice from an old married guy: Don’t ignore or wish that tone away. Face it like a man. You didn’t tell her you’d decided to break into the compound itself, did you?”

I had to give it to him, he got straight to the point. I wavered between telling him to mind his own business and listening to him, and finally decided on the latter. “Not exactly…I needed to surveil the outside first,” I admitted. “But I appreciate the advice. This married thing is new for me…for us.”

He clapped a hand on my shoulder. “There’s no actual playbook, son. It’s a dance for the rest of your life. But your particular situation takes the relationship to another level. It must be tough working in the field with someone you love.”

“We’re not working in the field,” I said and then amended. “Well, maybe in this case…we are.”

“You are.” Manny stared at me thoughtfully. “And you might do it again in the future. So, work it out now. Are you guys really hackers? I thought it was a cover story and you’re just CIA.”

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