Page 45 of Say Nothing
"The one in my office?"Thomas asked.
Derek nodded.
"Anyone could have gained access to that computer.I don't lock my office.A member of the public could have walked in, used my office, and walked back out again without anyone noticing.There’s CCTV outside the community hall.Check that.Someone’s obviously trying to frame me."
"They used your login all three times," Derek said."Your login information was used, the information was requested and downloaded onto your computer, and then the workstation was logged out of.Who has your login details, Mr.Bennet?"
"I…" Thomas sighed and gritted his teeth."I don't know who has it.I don't share that information with anyone.They could have hacked the system."
"There was no sign of that," Derek said."We’ll check the CCTV, but that doesn’t give us anything, does it?That only shows people going in and out of the community center, not your office.Will you be on the CCTV?"
"What?"Thomas replied.
"Do you know when the information was requested?"Derek asked.
The room felt very quiet.All of the charisma and confidence Thomas Bennet once had were gone.
"When?"he asked.
"Monday the third, Tuesday the fourth, and Wednesday the fifth.All at exactly nine-thirty in the morning.You normally arrive at the office at nine on those days, don't you?"
"I do," Thomas replied."And I know I was in the office on all three of those days, but I didn't download that information."
"Was there anyone else in the office with you?"Derek asked."I mean, if you can prove that you left the office unattended or that someone else might have used your office, then that’s a conversation we can have.Can you tell me that, Mr.Bennet?"
Thomas was quiet again, and Alison watched him.She hadn’t seen worry once in his office or the interview room until that moment.He looked very worried indeed.
"I need to talk with my lawyer," Thomas said.
"I think that’s a good idea," Derek said."Take all the time you need."
Derek collated his information once again and placed it back in the folder.He placed the folder before the lawyer."Take your time going through that, and when you’re ready to talk, I'll be here."
No one said another word as Derek and Alison got up from the table and left the room.
Once the door was closed, he asked, "Do we have him here?It feels like a slam dunk."
"The evidence is compelling, but so is he," Alison said."I think we have to wait and see what he says after talking to his lawyer.While we’re waiting, can you accompany me home?"
"What for?"Derek asked.
"I need to pick up some stuff.I’m taking Victoria’s suggestion and staying in a hotel for now.I don't want to be hounded by reporters."
"Or targeted," Derek said.
"Yeah," Alison admitted.
She pulled out her phone to check her messages, and when she opened the one message that had come through since entering the interview room, her brow furrowed.It was the most curious text message she’d ever received, but something at the back of her mind told her it meant something.
CHAPTER TWENTY
TPHUBT PH-RD BAOURD
Alison stared at the text message as Derek drove her back to her home in the hills.She read the words over and over and couldn’t make sense of them.It felt like something she should understand, but it was gobbledegook at the same time.
"Thubt fird bawurd," she read phonetically.
"I’m sure it’s just a wrong number," Derek said as they drove up toward the house.
