Page 10 of Mann Hunt
“Mr Hunt,” she said, as if he had been the one to call her.
“I haven’t found him yet. I looked into one possibility Friday night,” he said, “but there was no sign of your husband. Have they been in contact with you since we last spoke?”
“They have,” she answered coldly. “They called last night before supper. They said that if I didn’t turn over all of the files my husband had relating to them, that their relationship with him would be terminated—”
Declan suspected that the business relationship would not be the only thing that was terminated.
“—and that if they found out that I had withheld or copied any files, they would make sure that my whole family would bedisappeared.”
“That’s the word they used? Disappeared?”
“Disappeared. That is what the man said.”
“And do you know where the files are?” Declan asked.
“On his computer, of course. Did you think he would keep records like that on paper?”
“If they just require the computer files, why don’t you just turn over your husband’s computer to them?”
“Becauseallof Palvinder’s client files are on that computer. Really, Mr Hunt, I’m beginning to doubt that I chose the right man for the job.”
Declan hated being treated like a child.
Saanvi continued, “The computer contains accounts of a number of his clients, some of whom are undoubtedly competitors of the men who are holding Palvinder. My husband and his clients would prefer not to have these files turned over to them. It would not be good for…business…or Palvinder.”
“I can understand that. Can you access the contents of the computer and remove the other accounts?”
“Do you think I wouldn’t have already done that if I could? The computer is protected.”
Declan thought for a moment. “Mrs Attwal,” he said, “I believe I can get in touch with people who can break into that computer and remove all but the kidnappers’ files. Would you be able to get it here to my office?”
From the pause on the line Declan could sense her weighing her options.
“It would be best if I didn’t come to your office,” she said. “And you shouldn’t come here, just in case my house is being watched. I will have the computer brought to you by someone I trust. You will have it in the next few hours.”
“Good. Now, how would I recognise the files that belong to the kidnappers?”
There was another pause on the line. “Search for the word ‘Monarch’.”
She hung up. Now, all that he had to do was find someone who could crack the security on the computer.
He pondered his options and searched through contacts he could trust, but none were suitable for thejob. Two hours had passed when Declan heard the ground floor door open then light footsteps coming up the stairs. There was a gentle knock.
When Declan opened the office door, there was a young girl, no more than ten, standing in front of him. She wore a backpack emblazoned with a ladybug. She walked past Declan, over to the couch and removed her pack.
“Mr Hunt?” she asked.
“Yes. That’s me.”
“Thought so.”
She opened up her pack and pulled out a very heavy laptop and power adaptor, which she placed on the coffee table. Then she zipped up her pack, put it back on and left the office, closing the door behind her.
Declan smiled, took the laptop into his office and plugged it in. He looked it over. Declan was not a technical person, but even he could tell that this was no off-the-shelf machine. There were no identifying maker marks on the matte-grey chassis. This was a custom-built job. Military grade.
He opened it and immediately spotted a problem. He picked up the phone and placed a call.
“You got the computer?” Mrs Attwal said as soon as she answered.
