Dead Man Code: A Jarvis Mann Detective Novel

by R Weir

  The day was winding down and I needed food. I picked up some dinner at a local BBQ and brought it over to Mandy’s. She was there working away on her computer, it appeared. With a couple of bags in hand I placed them on the dining room table, while she grabbed plates, silverware and glasses. I had chicken, ribs, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, and even some apple pie for dessert. I dished up a plate for her before filling mine. She was having ice water, so I had some as well. As we ate, the quietness bothered me. After I savored the tender pork off the bone, I spoke.

  “I’m so sorry about Wilmar,” I said. “Was he married?”

  “No, not anymore,” she replied, after finishing off a drumstick. “Once was, but divorced for many years now. No kids either. He lived for his work.”

  “So he was good at what he did?”

  “He was sharp at finding security holes in business networks. Had some good tools he’d developed. Leaned on me for some of the tougher tasks.”

  “How did you meet?”

  “At a security seminar here in Denver. He was doing a speech on intrusion protection. Afterwards Aaron and I both went up to talk with him. Really hit it off. Went out for drinks and have been friends ever since. He was the first to call me after Aaron was killed. Came right over and offered whatever help he could provide.””

  “Which included continuing the work you were doing trying to expose WANN?”

  “Yes. What ultimately got them both killed. All my fault.”

  I wanted to argue it wasn’t, but I couldn’t make a solid case. If she had been upfront with me, maybe Wilmar’s death could have been prevented. Rubbing it in was not prudent. For now I needed to make sure she lived through it.

  “We will find out who is involved and they will go to jail,” I said. “It’s a matter of putting all the pieces together.”

  “I know it’s them. Someone at WANN is orchestrating this. And it all starts at the top.”

  “No argument from me. But we need something more solid. Getting inside their network again would be helpful.”

  “I’ve been trying, but with little luck. They must have discovered the backdoors we were using and closed them. The only way in is via someone’s login. And someone high up that will give me unfettered access.”

  “Would one of the founders of the company have the access you need?”

  “Absolutely. Do you think you can get it?”

  “Yes. Or at least a good idea of what it could be. Though I may have to hand over my virtue and provide services to get it.”

  “Who?”

  “Ex-wife.”

  “Users are creatures of habits. They often use the same passwords or variations. She could give you a clue of what it might be.”

  I thought so as well. And if I had to provide pleasure to get the information, I was willing to sacrifice myself physically. One minute I was talking about trying to get away from casual sexual encounters, and the next I was willing to do so to advance my case. It was all part of the job and one I might not mind all that much. I smiled as I enjoyed some more pork, my happy thoughts on the nicely tanned bathing suit body, what lay underneath and how best to explore it. At times I really was an enigma that I didn’t truly understand.

  Chapter 42

  I had done a thorough job of going over the house inch by inch last evening, learning all about it, its weaknesses, blind spots and vulnerable entry locations to try and minimize attack points. But I was doing it again, now with Adam King, making sure he understood it as well as I did. I don’t think he cared to be told things, since like me he was used to working alone. But he endured and soon knew everything about the house I did.

  When Mandy learned who was going to be guarding her during the daytime, she was not thrilled. But I guaranteed her she’d be alright and that King would act nothing but professional while around her—something I’d spelled out to him in no uncertain terms. If there was even a whiff of anything from him that was beyond the job at hand, sexual innuendo, comments about me, or slacking on the job in any way, I would be knocking him on his ass and finding someone else. Afterwards, turning him into the police for leaving the scene of a murder. I knew he needed the job and couldn’t afford any issues with the cops. So he agreed, and I felt pretty good he would do the job needed.

  I wanted Mandy to have the ability to protect herself, as a last resort. I’d finally gotten back both my .38 revolvers. One from the Cong and Lok incident, since I’d dropped the charges; the other from the April shooting, since the case had been cleared as being self-defense. I showed it to Mandy, but she wasn’t thrilled about using it.

  “I hate guns,” she said defiantly.

  “I’m not a huge fan myself,” I answered. “Especially when they are pointed at me. But when they are I’d prefer to have one to even the odds. It will only be as a last resort. But you need to understand how to use it.”

  She huffed and puffed, but finally gave in. I went over all the basics: how to hold it, how to aim, and how to fire, all with an empty gun. We spent twenty minutes until she was at least marginally comfortable, before I loaded it.

  “Do I need to know how to load it as well?” she asked.

  “No. If you need more than the six bullets inside, then it probably won’t matter. If you shoot, don’t hesitate if in danger. I’ve done that enough to know it won’t end up well for you. Point, aim center mass, and squeeze the trigger. Make the shot count. Of course, be aware of what you are shooting at. King and I would prefer not to be shot, if at all possible, by you accidentally.”

  She presented a rare and brief smile of comprehension. I left the gun in a safe place where she could get it. During the day it would be left downstairs, and at night she would take it upstairs in her bedroom. We would cover using the gun again each day we were there until this was over.

  “She’s all yours, King,” I said, preparing to leave. “You have my number. Don’t hesitate to call if I’m needed. Call 911 if you sense any danger.”

  “I brought some books to read to pass the time,” he said, pointing to his backpack. “Spare gun and ammo, too.”

  “Hopefully you won’t need it. I’ll be back at six.”

  It had been a rocky night of sleep, but that was fine, so I went back home with a few BBQ leftovers, and took a quick shower. Once I knew it was not too early in California, I sent a text to see what type of response I would get. It wasn’t long before I had an answer and Lyndi asked if we could do a Skype call. Not being a total tech illiterate, I understood what that meant, got her ID and connected with her via webcam. She was sitting in what would appear to be the same location where we first met, at her outside table next to the pool. She was wearing something soft around her shoulders, showing chest skin, the bathing suit top covering enough to want more. Lyndi Albers leaned back into her chair, giving me more of her to look at, a view I certainly was admiring.

  “Jarvis Mann,” she said, almost out of breath. “I didn’t think I’d hear from you again. To what do I owe the pleasure?”

  “I wanted to say hi and see how you are doing,” I said. “So good to see you in all your digital glory.”

  As was usual with the Internet the picture and sound would be good one minute and bad the next. So far it was holding up, though not the same as being up close and personal.

  “I must say you look good too. Though I’d prefer you sitting in the chair next to me, but this is a start.”

  “Once this case is over, and the check is cashed, I will see what flights and hotels are available to come see you.”

  “Oh, you probably can skip the hotel. I’m sure we can find you a bed to sleep in here.”

  Her right hand slid down her front and disappeared from the camera, doing who knows what. But her eyes closed and her mouth opened, as her tongue rolled around her lips.

  “Easy now,” I stated. “Don’t get yourself too riled up. I’m not sure I’m into virtual sex. Save yourself for when I come to visit.”

  “Well, I’d much rather have your
hands where mine are now, but a lady has to tend to her needs.”

  “Tend to them later. I have a question to ask, and I need your undivided attention.”

  Her eyes opened and her mouth closed. She seemed a little put off, but I’d make it up to her someday, maybe.

  “You are no fun. But go ahead, ask away. I’m listening.”

  “It’s about your ex-husband, Logan. How much do you know about him these days? You mentioned his trips to Vegas and his taste in younger women and men. What about his computer habits? Does he fall into patterns?”

  Lyndi thought for a minute before responding.

  “I would say yes, he does. What are you hoping to find out?”

  “Well, we need to gather some information, and get inside WANN’s network. We, that is one of my sources, had a backdoor, but it’s been closed off to them. We need to find another way in. So I was wondering if maybe Logan uses the same passwords, even when accessing his own network.”

  “And what is in it for me?”

  “A night of carnal, animal pleasure with me.”

  “How do I know you’ll come through?”

  “Because my word is gold. And how could a full-blooded male like me turn down a beauty like yourself.”

  “A few have through the years. I’m not sure what to believe.”

  “Let me tell you what I’d do to you once I got there…”

  I went into a long detailed, graphic description of several sexual acts I would perform on her and would allow her to perform on me. It felt odd, yet rather exciting reciting the words across the Internet. When I finished I noticed her hand had disappeared again, and her face was flush with excitement.

  “Oh my, Jarvis, that was hot. I may have to wrap my legs around the pool man now once he arrives so I can relieve this burning desire you’ve instilled in me.”

  “I’m sure he’d be more than willing. So you believe me and will help?”

  “Oh my, yes. But if you don’t come to me, I will come to you and take you right where I find you.”

  “Deal.”

  Her hand returned and she grabbed a glass from the table that looked like some type of fruit smoothie and sipped from her straw.

  “One other promise you have to make,” Lyndi said. “Don’t damage him too much. He needs to still pay me my monthly check from our settlement. I’d rather not have to get a job. I prefer lounging around, working out to keep my bod of sin in shape, and then use it on studs like yourself.”

  I wasn’t sure I could make that promise, but I took my index finger and made an X on my chest and held up three fingers, as if I was a boy scout.

  “Logan loves sports. His favorite teams are always part of his password. He is a huge Giants, 49ers and Warriors fan. Something like Sanfrangiants or Sanfranniners, I know he used a lot.”

  “Did he substitute numbers for some of the letters? Use special characters? Capitalize some of them?”

  “Sure he did. I know they wouldn’t let him reuse his password right away. I believe five changes or more before he could use it again. So he’d change little things here and there. And he almost always capitalized the first letter. He was a bright man but he hated trying to remember passwords. So he made it as simple as possible.”

  Most users did. I often would take shortcuts on my passwords as well. After this case I would have to go through and change them all, trying to find better ones to use. Of course I’d see if I’d actually do it.

  “Thank you. That will be most helpful.”

  “Thank me by following through on your promise. It pains me to have my ex getting more action on his twice monthly, long weekend trips to Vegas. The man is a sex addict, if you ask me.”

  I was beginning to think she was as well. Maybe what had brought them together in the first place, other than the money.

  “So how many days a month is he in Vegas?”

  “Anywhere from six to ten, from what I’ve heard. And he’ll have anywhere from two to four women or men, in combos, on those trips with him. Gambling and screwing his brains out. He lives a decadent life, if you ask me.”

  It was something else for me to keep in mind. Something I might be able to use against him. Who knows, maybe I’d dial up a trip to Vegas myself and check on him.

  “So do you know when he is out of town?”

  “Yes, my daughter tells me. She lives with him part of the time. When he is gone, she gets free rein of his house. Normally throws a party with her college friends. Why?”

  “Let me know the next time he is in Vegas. I might have to pay him a visit.”

  “Only if you promise to take me with you. Otherwise, no deal.”

  “OK, I can do that. Though I will be working, so I don’t know who much time I’ll get to spend with you.”

  “Oh you’ll be working all right and it will be all over my body, from head to toe, as you described earlier. Once you’ve satisfied me, then you can go chasing after him.”

  “I guess I’ll need to schedule an extra day.”

  “At least!” Lyndi replied.

  How could I refuse such an offer.

  “Then we have a deal. I would shake your hand, but it’s hard to do via Skype, and who knows where it’s been.”

  “Oh, I can tell you where…!”

  She then proceeded to heat up the Internet with her own explicit description.

  Chapter 43

  I was on my way down to Denver Police headquarters to talk with Mallard. I’d been working out, relieving the stress after my call with Lyndi, when he called in a huff, wanting me down there ASAP. It didn’t appear to be good news, so I called my lawyer Barry Anders to see if he was available. He agreed to meet me down there just in case, though he was on the other side of town and it would take some time. When I arrived I was sent to Mallard’s office. I felt like a student in trouble with the principal.

  “So we’ve reopened the Aaron Bailey case,” he said after I’d taken a seat. “Thought you’d like to know.”

  “Glad to hear. I’d lay 100-to-1 odds it wasn’t a robbery.”

  “We will be digging in deeper, talking with parties at WANN. See what we can come up with. Though I doubt we’ll scare them any.”

  “I’m sure you didn’t call me all the way down here just to tell me that,” I replied.

  Mallard had a clipboard in hand and flipped through several of the pages.

  “No. We’ve done some digging into phone records. Found Wilmar texted you to come on up. As if you were outside waiting.”

  “I was supposed to be, but got hung up. That is why I tried to call him, but got no answer.”

  He looked down at the sheet again, then at another.

  “No record of it.”

  I looked him square in the eye. I’d gotten good at lying.

  “Must be a technical mistake. Can’t trust these computers running these phone companies.”

  “Can’t trust pain in the ass gumshoes, is what I’d say. Come on Jarvis, tell the truth for once. I know there is more to this.”

  “I’m working with Adam King now. He is helping protect my client. That is new, though I doubt it’s important for you to know.”

  “King the PI? I thought you hated him?”

  “All I could get on short notice. Beggars can’t be choosers.”

  “So she is in danger?”

  The chair was uncomfortable. Probably that way on purpose to make who was being questioned squirm.

  “Yes. She actually was Wilmar’s partner in their business.”

  “So this is something new that you hadn’t told me.”

  “Just found out myself. My clients like to withhold facts.”

  “So you figure you can withhold as well.”

  “Been busy. I would have told you eventually.”

  He shook his head and let out a long sigh, while leaning back in his chair. His chair you could probably fall asleep in. No reason he should squirm.

  “I’ve let you slide too long. Cummings keeps going to the Captain
telling him I do you favors, which is a load of crap. But I do give you more leeway than I should at times. I have no choice but to lock you up for withholding evidence.”

  “Are you serious?” I said.

  “Yes. Give me your gun and ID.”

  He picked up the phone and made a call, asking for someone to come down and process me. As he hung up, in the door walked Barry.

  “Shit!” said Mallard.

  “Good to see you too, Detective.”

  Mallard looked over at me and I shrugged.

  “So, you knew?”

  “Suspected,” I replied. “When you called the tone didn’t sound positive. I wanted to be prepared.”

  “Do I need to post bail?” asked Barry.

  “Soon.”

  “What are the charges?”

  “Withholding evidence in a murder investigation.”

  “A murder I believe he pointed you in the direction of.”

  I had informed Barry on my earlier call of the circumstances.

  “And that they now are reopening thanks to me,” I added.

  “Yes. But you haven’t been forthcoming about how you came about this information.”

  “Much of which I can claim as client privilege.”

  All Mallard could do was sigh.

  “Let’s walk down and get this taken care of,” said Barry. “Of course you are wasting valuable time and money, as you know this charge has no merit. But hey, I don’t care. I’m paid by the hour.”

  I laughed as I got out of my chair, holding out my hands, as if I needed to be cuffed. Mallard swore at me for the gesture and soon I was escorted by another officer to be processed. It took around ninety minutes, but I was out the door with Barry, his nose buried in his phone already logging his bill to me.

  “Easy money,” he commented. “I suspect they will drop the charges in a day or so. This will never make it to a judge.”

  “I agree. Mallard said he needed to prove a point to his captain. I guess I’m not as popular as I once was.”

  “Oh my. Sometimes you are a hoot,” said Barry. “When have you ever been popular? Hell, I can barely stand you, yet I’m always there to save your ass. Which is odd because you always are slow to pay my bill.”