Page 27 of Cold Silence
“He could be working with someone who took the device, but he stole the software,” Gage said. “Can he access the network remotely?”
Claire shook her head. “In fact, he insisted on not allowing remote access. The risk would be too great. We don’t allow employees to work from home, and we don’t have workers who travel for the job, so it’s not necessary.”
“A real solid decision.” Nick smiled at her, offering the first praise Travis could recall.
“Glad we finally did something right,” she said.
“Hey,” Nick said. “Your security isn’t bad. Could just be improved.”
“Couldn’t this White fella tell Claire he’s not allowing remote access then access it from outside the building anyway?” Gage asked.
“He could, but I checked it out,” Nick said. “No one has accessed the server remotely.” “I’ll get a full report to you, including all access records and log files by end of day tomorrow.”
“Thanks, Nick.” Claire spun and charged into the hallway. “I just need to grab my purse, and I’m ready to go home for that shower. I’ll meet you at the door.”
She rushed away as if running from Travis. Or did she just need some time alone, even if it was only a few minutes to get her purse? Travis could see that. He’d pretty much been glued to her side since he’d arrived, except for his time in the training session.
Travis walked with Gage toward the exit.
Gage scowled. “Not a lot to go on to find our thief.”
“I was thinking the same thing.” Travis tried not to sound dejected.
“It’s looking like it’ll be harder to find an insider because they know how to hide their tracks. But after seeing the place, I have to say the odds are good that it’s someone who works here. Getting past guards and on campus makes it nearly impossible for an outsider to pull this off.”
“I don’t know.” Travis eyed Gage. “We could both be on campus in the blink of an eye and you know it.”
“But we’re highly trained to breach target locations, and I can’t see any spec ops guy or former spec ops guy wanting to steal and sell a program designed to help train recruits.”
“You’re right. But I still think we should keep our options open. That’s why I’ve already asked my colonel to get the log book and security feed for the front gate for the time of the theft. See who, if anyone, came on campus.”
Gage shook his head. “Well, why didn’t you say so?”
“Because I still think it’s a long shot.”
“How many times did long shots pay off on a mission in-country?”
Too many to count. And too many to be comfortable with because if they had reached the point of needing a long shot, then their plan had been ripped apart and no longer worked for them. Which was when they had to think on their feet, and as the leader on most missions, the team looked to Travis for answers.
“We need to do a deep dive on Mike Robb.” Travis told Gage about his personal connection to Claire. ”With Nick tied up with the network, can you get your IT person to do it? Maybe include a check on Warren White too, but let’s keep that one quiet for now.”
Gage arched a dark brow. “You mean don’t tell Claire?”
Travis nodded.
“Your call, but it could come back to bite you.” Gage got out his phone.
“I figured you’d wait until morning to call.”
“Why? My staff knows to be ready on a moment’s notice. Plus, Eryn’s a night owl.” He tapped the screen. “Eryn, good. I need a deep dive on a Mike Robb and Warren White out of Orlando. I’ll text you their particulars. Need it yesterday.”
Travis heard a female voice on the line but not what she said before Gage ended the call.
Claire marched down the hallway, swinging her purse, her step lighter. Maybe she’d learned something. Or maybe she was pinning all of her hopes on the Mike Robb lead, which Travis thought wasn’t much of a lead at all. Although Nick proved the time of the intrusion by Robb, more likely someone else reissued the card in Robb’s name, but he had nothing to do with it.
“We need Mike Robb’s address and phone number so Gage’s IT person can do a deep dive on him,” he said, thinking about how they might get Warren White’s particulars. Likely Eryn could find him without their help.
“Hold on.” She dug in her purse for her key card and then swiped it over the nearest door. Travis grabbed it before it closed so he could keep an eye on her. She went to the nearest computer and logged in then called out Robb’s personal information.
