Page 17 of Mann Hunt
He returned to find Charlie hunched over the keyboard, typing wildly away. He stood, watching.Did I ever look that young?Charlie was only eleven years younger than him.
Declan saw Charlie for the first time in his natural environment, where he felt most at ease. His slender fingers sailed across the keys without hesitation.He’s kinda cute.
“Declan?”
“What?” Declan was startled to find Charlie staring at him.
“I’m done,” he said, his mouth in a lopsided smile as he turned the computer screen towards Declan. “The files were encrypted but whoever did this really didn’t know too much about data security. The files are all in a folder labelled ‘Monarch’.”
“Excellent. Now copy all of the other data folders over to… Where could you copy them that would be safe?”
“I have a secure cloud server available, if that would help?”
Declan didn’t even try to understand him. “Sounds good. Transfer all of the folders to your…”
“Cloud server?”
“To your cloud server, then completely wipe them from the laptop. I want no one to be able to find them. ‘Monarch’ should be the only data folder left.”
“Got it.”
As Charlie worked, Declan texted Mrs Attwal that the laptop was ready for pick up. In a matter of seconds he received a response.
They will be there to pick up the computer soon. Make sure it has only their files on it!
“That woman doesn’t believe in wasting time,” he said.
He looked up from his phone as Charlie sat back with a satisfied look on his face.
“All done?” Declan asked.
Charlie nodded.
“Now, since you’re in computer mode, can you have a look at my laptop? If it runs any slower, I’m going to have to throw it through a wall.”
Chapter Eight
Charlie returned to his desk and got to work on Declan’s laptop. When he was working on a computer, he felt in control. Two hours, and a few of Gwen’spains au chocolatlater, Charlie finished with the computer. He was about to return it when the outer door opened. A man entered. He was short, had slicked-back hair, a greasy moustache and a face only a boxer’s mother could love. He stood with his hands in his pockets, his eyes scanning the room.
“May I help you…sir?” Charlie enquired.
“I was told to come here and pick up a computer and the contents of a box that was delivered this morning. When you give me that, I’ll give you the location of the target,” he said.
A momentary rush of fear passed through Charlie’s body, then he reminded himself that it was broad daylight outside, and this wasn’t a movie. No one was going to take a machine gun from under their trench coat and fill him full of lead.
“If you would care to take a seat, I’ll get Mr Hunt for you. In the meantime, would you care for a coffee or a pastry? I can promise they’ll change your life.”
A few moments later, Charlie knocked on Declan’s door before inching it open. Declan was busy reading a thick dossier, and photographs covered the surface of his desk.
“Hi?” the detective said, turning the two-letter word into a paragraph.
Charlie squeezed himself through the partly opened door, then closed it behind him. “Uh, sorry to disturb you,” Charlie said in a hushed tone, “but there’s a rather rough-looking man out there asking to retrieve the computer and the package we received this morning. He said something about having the location of the target… Whatever that means…”
Declan smiled. “Excellent. Follow me.”
As he moved to the door, Declan grabbed Mr Attwal’s laptop. “And get the box out of the freezer.”
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