CHAPTER 3 THE RECIPE WITH THE SPICY CHILIES

Ironside's Office 11:30 am

"Morning!" Fran Belding called out as she entered the room.

"And what do we owe the honor of a visit from our Homeland Security Division this morning?" the Chief called out.

"That I've missed you?" Fran hugged the Chief and went to the kitchen to pour coffee for herself. She gestured with the pot. Ironside shook his head negatively, as did Eve. Ed waved his mug in her direction, as did Mark. Grinning, she walked over and filled them.

Just like old times," she said, sitting down after replacing the pot, carefully crossing her legs so that her skirt wouldn't wrinkle.

"You miss my coffee that much?" Mark asked.

"I keep telling you, Mark, it's the company more than anything else I miss," Fran replied.

"I've played poker with you before, Sergeant Belding," the Chief said, "and you were never good with a poker face. You want something badly. Spit it out, Fran."

"I see you're not on your computers, so you know what happened."

"Someone hacked our files last night or early this morning," Eve said angrily. "They got all our case notes."

"The entire SFPD system was hacked late last night or early this morning. They broke through the firewalls and have looked at and possibly copied department files."

Ironside looked at his former assistant. "That explains why you're here. More than one investigation may have been compromised."

"Uh-huh. It's very possible."

"Well, what and who do you need?"

"Can't I have stopped by just to have had a cup of coffee with my former co-workers?" Fran replied.

"No. You need someone or something."

"Eve"

Eve looked at her. "What do you mean you need me? I'm not a hacker. I barely understand computers enough to turn it on and type a report."

"You've probably got a heck of a story if you need Eve to work for Homeland Security," Ed said

"Whoever hacked the department last night has access to a great deal of information about us and our cases. Fortunately, my office, Homeland Security, got spared because the Feds provide our server, technology, and storage." Fran opened a manila file taking out a picture of a fit-looking thirtysomething man with dark hair swept back from a widow's peak hairline and a definite Slavic look about him.

"This is Rezko Lenard. He's an art collector and tech aficionado currently listed as the science and culture attaché for the Romanian Government."

Eve looked closely at the picture. "Good-looking guy."

"And this is what he really does for a living." Fran slid a sheet of paper out of the folder onto the round oak table.

Mark picked it up and read it aloud. "Works for SRI, which is?"

"The Romanian Secret Service," the Chief finished. "Fran, how did you find this out?"

"I've been undercover for the past eight months Chief, working in an art gallery in the Dogpatch District that Mr. Lenard frequents. He has a dropbox there. FBI's been stretched thin doing surveillance since 9/11, one reason local departments are getting more involved. We know the turf better than they do, and the money and equipment they give us doesn't hurt either. Lenard's main job for the consulate has been money laundering which he does mainly through art sales at the gallery. He also is their main technology person."

"That would explain why he's in town." Mark chimed in

"The Fed's want to bust the guy at the gallery, but we discovered that Rezko has some bank accounts that aren't connected to the Romanian Government. Lenard's been selling malware, spyware, software, viruses, and Trojans to the highest bidder for their own purposes. I think he likes it here and doesn't have plans to return to Bucharest when he's done with his tour of duty.

"Graduated top of his class in computer science at the University," Ed mused, looking at Eve.

He's very, very good at hacking." Fran continued. "It's possible that he's responsible for the recent spate of cyber-attacks at several boutique banks in the city in past months. Last month, we got the authority and planted a bug in his apartment. The information we've gotten has been useful. With this morning's attack, Commissioner Randall wants to make sure that he is our man, and if he isn't, maybe he'll lead us to the actual hacker." Department of Homeland Security was ready to step in and take the case over, but now with this, Chief Hernandez and Commissioner Randall feel it's personal and needs to be in-house. We need to step up the pressure, which means I need to step out of the relationship I've developed with Mr. Lenard, and that's where Eve comes in."

"How personal was this relationship?"

"Aww, you still care about who I go out with, Chief? You're sweet. It was personal, but not that kind of personal."

"What kind of danger would Eve be in?"

"He doesn't have a reputation for violence, but I suspect he's got the training."

"Who would her handler be?" asked Ed.

"The Chief"

"Why me? What else is going on, Fran? Why can't you use your team? Tell me everything, and don't leave out any detail, no matter how small." Ironside demanded.

"We may have a secure computer system, but someone in the department is telling tales out of work. I'm concerned that Lenard might find out who I really am. That's one reason I have to find someone different to step in before my cover's blown because it will be if it hasn't already. His game is information gathering, and I've worked too hard to blow this case because of some damn idiot looking for a payday. " She shook her head angrily.

The Chief looked at his team. "Ok, so you think we can help you find Lenard, stop the money laundering operation, and help you find the mole."

"I've got a bottle of Woodford Reserve Bourbon riding on it."

"I want that and more."

"Not that, Chief. Anything but that…"

"I want your dad's recipe for poker night chili."

She paused a moment. "Ok, it's yours."

And I want that bottle of bourbon, regardless." Ironside smiled broadly, sensing the victory he'd achieved.

"Done." She pulled the bottle out of her huge purse and handed it to him. "Consider this a down payment." Fran laughed. "You get the chili recipe when this is over."

"You taught her well, Chief," Eve grinned. "So Fran, tell me why this gentleman will prefer blondes.