Chapter 4

We had agreed to meet in a neutral zone; he didn't want me knowing where he was staying and thought he was better off not knowing my address. I agreed with him on that one. Andy had looked perplexed when I returned to my desk, I had just shrugged and said it was computer stuff. He didn't press the issue; whatever I was about to do I was pretty sure it was going to break a few laws and I didn't want to drag my friend into it.

Speaking of friends Mark had disappeared off the radar, I had been messaging him all day on my app but he wasn't online or responding. Knowing Tobias was involved I made a mental note to ask him, tactfully, later. He had tasked me with trying to get hold of my boss' personal emails, it was a trivial thing on the face of it. However, attacking the system and disguising my IP wouldn't be that easy in my place of work.

Usually I used a brute force method to hack into systems, it was quick and the easiest way, but it meant leaving myself open for detection. This was a much more delicate job, I wanted to slip in and out without anyone knowing. I had told Tobias as much when he had informed me what he wanted; he had nodded clearly taking in everything I was saying. It was kind of nice to have someone value your knowledge on something, not just glaze over and demand it to be done.

The 'neutral zone' Tobias had suggested was a small restaurant in Shoreditch. I had joked that if I didn't know better I'd think it was some elaborate way to get me to go on a date. He had stared his usual impassive stare, and then casually stated that it would be a good cover story for us meeting. For some reason, I had blushed so hard that I was glad we were in the dark room.

"We'll meet at 7." He had said stiffly before leaving, thus ending our conversation.

I was now finding it really hard to concentrate on what I had been doing before that bizarre encounter had happened. The day crept by slowly, I could feel the nervous tension building in my stomach. Finally, at a quarter to 5 Mark messaged back.

Mark89: Hi Morgs, sorry I haven't replied. Can't meet tonight I have left the country. Only just got Internet back. Sorry I couldn't say goodbye, but I thought it best not to risk your safety in this. Just trust me when I say the people responsible for me leaving are dangerous and I can't tell anyone where I have gone or why. Hope you understand, have a good life. M x

A cold sensation washed through me, what had I got myself into? I started packing away my things when, horror of horrors, I saw Dom making his way over to me. Not right now you bastard, I thought panic starting to grip me. I could see Tobias out of the corner of my eye watching my boss' progress towards me.

Dom had a fake smile plastered on his face; he waddled up to me and gripped my arm in what should have been a friendly way but made me want to punch him full in the face.

"Morgan, I just wanted to say how proud I am of you for yesterday." I could hear the forced praise in his voice, this was unnatural for him. "If it's okay, I'd like to have a little chat with you tomorrow morning." I nodded slowly, his hand was still painfully gripping my arm.

"Sure Mr Johnson." His smile widened into what I could only describe as a grimace, he looked like he was in pain.

"Great, see you tomorrow girl." He released me and waddled back off into the office. Some of the journos were watching me; he could never do anything quietly. I shouldered my rucksack and made a quick exit before anything else could happen today. As I passed him Tobias gave me a small nod, I just stared back. I wasn't sure how this evening was going to go, but I already just wanted to curl up in my tiny apartment and forget the past two days.

...

The restaurant was posh. Well, it wasn't super posh but it was posh by my standards. It was down a narrow side alley off Old Street in Shoreditch, I could hear the busy street but it was slightly muffled by the buildings hemming me in. The restaurant had a modern, minimalist look; the sign just read 'Grass' in gold lettering. I felt massively under dressed, I had switched my jeans and checked shirt for a simple navy blue lace dress. The word dress was very foreign to me, and I still refused to wear heels; I had flats on. Heels could go to hell as far as I was concerned.

I walked up to the large wooden door and opened it reluctantly. The inside was worse than the outside, it was all dark wood and low mood lighting. A man in a very smart suit welcomed me at a podium near the door.

"Good evening madam." He looked me up and down as he spoke; yeah, yeah, I don't belong here. Get on with it.

"Do you have a…reservation?" He asked me this as if I couldn't possibly have a reservation and I narrowed my eyes at him.

"I'm meeting someone, name of Rieper." He straightened up and looked a little flustered at this point.

"Oh, I'm terribly sorry madam. Of course, this way." So Tobias was already here and making an impression obviously. I couldn't help giving a smug smile as I watched the waiter flap about trying to get me to the table.

He lead me through the very well dressed patrons of the restaurant, I coloured a little as I tugged at the hem of my dress. The waiter stopped by a booth in the corner of the restaurant. It was fairly private, but had a good view of the doorway I noted as I sat down opposite my partner in crime for the evening.

"You're guest Mr Rieper, let me know if you need anything." The waiter had a nervous edge to his voice.

"Thank you." Tobias's low voice was unmistakable, but as I turned my head away from the departing waiter to look at him I had to do a double take. He looked very different from his casual IT persona. He was wearing a black, expensive looking suit that fitted him perfectly; he looked like someone who could lift the table over his head if he wanted. He had on a white shirt and a vivid red tie; the red made his blue eyes even more intense as he watched me collect myself.

"You look…different." I eventually managed to stammer. He raised one eyebrow at me, the quiet, careful man he had been pretending to be had completely melted away. It was the first time I felt like I was seeing the real him.

"You look nice too." He was making small talk, clearly trying not to freak me out anymore than he already had.

"Yeah, ok. I don't do dresses so count yourself lucky I even tried tonight. Keeping up the pretence and all." I put handbag that was big enough to house my laptop next to me on the seat. I could thank Helen for coming to my rescue on that one, even though deflecting her nosy questions had been the consequence.

"I don't usually do this," He began, he spoke every word like he was choosing it carefully, "but under the circumstances I find myself needing a person with your skills."

"I'll take that as a compliment." I said dryly. I leant on the table, clasping my hands together. "Look, this isn't going to be a hard and fast thing like I said before. I would really like to keep my job after this so I'm going to need a few days to find a good way in."

The corner of his mouth lifted in the beginnings of a smile, "I understand."

I leant back in my seat again, "I'm guessing Tobias Rieper isn't your real name."

"No." He said evenly, the half smile still there. "But for the sake of keeping your job I think it's best if you don't know my name, or who I work for, for that matter." It seemed a reasonable enough suggestion; I couldn't help being curious though.

"Fair point. For the sake of the job you want me to do however, are you going to tell me why you're interested in Dom Johnson?" I folded my arms, unwilling to budge on this request.

Tobias sighed, "Your boss is believed to be involved with illegal hacking of personal information."

I snorted, "Kind of ironic that, don't you think?" He didn't laugh, instead he continued in his slow, monotone way.

"My clients think your boss is responsible for the death of a close family member, due to him harassing them and invading their privacy." I raised my eyebrows.

"Anything else?"

Tobias frowned at me, "Yes, he is also potentially selling the information he gets to under-ground criminal groups."

I gave a low whistle, "Jeez, that is something. I mean most tabloids are guilty of the first thing but only Dom could push it that far."

Tobias watched me carefully, gauging my reaction.

"So you're a private investigator, looking to expose him as revenge for whatever your client thinks he did?" He tilted his head to the side, the half smile returning.

"You could say that."

I looked down at my folded arms. "Ok, I can work with that. At least I know what I'm looking for now."

He suddenly changed his hard demeanor and the mask back up. I was still trying to process what was going on when the waiter returned to our table. How had even seen him coming?

Tobias ignored my shell-shocked expression and faced the waiter; he gave him a charming but reserved smile. God this guy was good at acting.

"Are you ready to order sir?" The waiter groveled. I rolled my eyes, I really had no time for these suck-up types.

"Yes thank you." I flashed a look at Tobias, I hadn't even seen a menu and wasn't sure I could afford whatever this place served anyway. He continued without a pause.

"We'll have the pan-fried duck with the '79 Pinot Noir." The waiter looked impressed and bowed his head slightly as he retreated.

"Very good sir."

Tobias turned back to me, his mask gone once more. I raised an eyebrow at him.

"Keeping up the pretence." He said flatly, but I saw a glint of amusement in his eyes.

"Sure, pretence. I'm more of a burger and chips kind of girl, but I'll go along with it."

He smiled, not the fake smile he had given the waiter or anyone at work the past two days, but a small, genuine smile. I couldn't help but grin back at him.

As quickly as it had appeared the smile vanished and he was back to business.

"How long do you think it will take you to get into the system?"

I thought for a moment, "All going well, around three days. Two days to find a way round the security without setting off any alarms, then I'll probably go for the break at night. Less eyes on the system then."

He nodded at me, satisfied.

"How do you want me to get the info to you? I don't really want to just hand you a hard drive in work."

"Don't send it, we'll meet back here and you can show it to me. Less chance of interception."

A thrill of excitement shot through me. I kind of liked this cloak and dagger stuff, especially as it was focused on my arse-hole of a boss.

...

My alarm screeched at me angrily. Groaning I reached around for it until finally silencing the offensive noise. Two times in a week I had woken with a hangover, this was becoming a habit. I stretched, waking up my limbs as I clambered out of bed. My brain was foggy but not hurting at least, I began by trying to piece together what had happened last night.

Wine didn't agree with me, obviously. I couldn't say I really drank that much, but it had a strong effect. I vaguely remembered finishing the 'pretence' meal; he had paid for it the smooth bastard, then leaving the restaurant a bit wobbly. He had insisted on dropping me at the nearby tube station, not wanting to know my address but at the same time uncertain about leaving me staggering about Shoreditch.

The first thought I had had was who drives in central London? But nothing Tobias had done so far made much sense to me, and I had accepted gratefully. The sleek, black Audi didn't stand out in the car park as only the rich parked in London, but I still looked at appreciatively.

"Pays well this detective work does it?"

"Yes." He gave me his half smile, opening the door and gently pushing me into the passenger seat. The ride had been quick and quiet, I remembered attempting to order my thoughts through the alcoholic haze.

He had pulled up by Old Street station and leant over me to open the door. I had got a good look at the tattoo on the back of his head, it had a serial number on it and everything.

"Bit of an unusual tattoo choice there." I stated, the wine giving me a rush of Dutch courage. He had slowly sat up and looked at me coldly.

"I didn't choose it." The tone of his voice made my blood run cold, I felt myself sober a little too.

"I'll see you tomorrow." I mumbled, really wanting to exit the car all of a sudden.

"Morgan." His voice was warmer but still monotone, "Try and sober up for your meeting with Johnson tomorrow." His face was expressionless, but his eyes still held an unsaid threat. I nodded mutely and clambered out not too gracefully, then made my slow way home.

I rubbed my face, cringing internally at my stupid prying. I needed to be more careful, this man was dangerous and still wasn't telling me everything. My curiosity would have to remain unsatisfied. I got washed and dressed, then putting my laptop in my work rucksack I left to get the tube.

My stomach was a mass of wriggling worms as I swayed uneasily on the train. I wasn't sure why my boss wanted to meet with me, but with recent events unfolding as they were I was reluctant to spend any time alone with him. Keeping my mouth shut and remaining clam was the key priority, Dom finding out would be disastrous but I had the feeling Tobias would be the one to watch if I revealed anything to my boss.

I was just waking up as I entered my office; Tobias was already at his desk back in his IT outfit of shirt with rolled up sleeves. I felt his eyes lock onto me as I walked towards Dom's office. It felt like a walk on death row, although I wasn't certain who was the one executing me. I knocked tentatively on the door and heard my boss' brash bark from within.

"Come in!"

With a backwards glance at Tobias I entered.