Not a fool this time….. Chapter 4
Walter's timeline was pretty accurate. By four-thirty in the morning his program was loaded and he was scrolling through countless files to ensure nothing was hidden, Simone was still amazed at his ability to be so zero'd in on his work to the total exclusion of everything but what was on the computer screen, yet when completed return to the real world completely aware of everything. She sat at one of the tech stations, elbow on table, chin on fist and just watched him with the laser focused intensity for hours without let up. He is a rare on, indeed, she thought.
Walter finally sat back and stretched his arms. "Been a long night, but everyone should be happy with the results. All is right, secure, and functioning as it should. Surgery performed; demons excised- a very rewarding exercise. A good night's work."
"You are sure?" Simone asked. "Amazing that the whole mess is cleaned up and functioning in such a short time span."
"Makes a difference when you have a machine that can commune with the machinery," Walter said smiling.
"Ah, Walter, you can profess to being a machine, but I certainly know better." Simone said, "how about some breakfast if you are done."
"Yes, done. You do understand there will be necessary static security monitoring- for any false positives my dynamic security system may pop up. The turnover should be seamless, and breakfast would be welcome- man cannot live by coffee alone, though I keep trying."
Simone rose, "breakfast it is, then I am sure you could use some sleep- been a very long day."
"Maybe a bit of attention to your souvenir then ten, twelve hours sleep time sounds like a good program schedule."
Simone slept a few hours, but it looked like Walter was totally dead to the world- not a move, not a snore, no turn to get comfortable- just total unconsciousness like an off switch. Between the hours of mental focus with the computer then the 'physical exertion' after breakfast he very well may be down for hours. Remarkable man, she thought. She gave him another long look then rose, showered, dressed and left for the office after putting a note where she was going beside the coffee pot.
"Well, per the tech staff, the whole system is faster, there have been several…. What they call them… 'path transversals'… geek speak for stopping questionable outside sources from gaining access. They were going on and on, babbling a whole computer geek dictionary of terms only they understand," Chief Gerard said to Simone when she knocked and entered his office. "What normal person can understand these computer people and their language? Easier to understand Russians."
"Fortunately O'Brien is the perfect conduit between man and machine and fully capable of fixing things." Simone moved to the chair before the chief's desk and sat down. "I do want to tell you O'Brien said it was evident there are people within Interpol who don't have the organizations 'best interests in mind', as he put it."
"Has he any proof?" the chief asked. "Maybe he just wants to sow distrust in the ranks."
"Why? Of what value would that be to him?" Simone asked. "Remember, American law enforcement agencies work hand in hand with us when needed. We certainly call on the expertise of the FBI quite often. Plus, I was over there working with them on the European criminal gang trying to get a foothold over there when I was told of the problems we were having. When I told them they took the time to research and give me the solution- O'Brien. Looks like it worked out, huh?"
"So far," Chief Gerard said reluctantly. "We shall see how it goes."
"I'm going to the server facilities and talk to the techs, see what they have to say." Simone said getting up to leave.
Entering the server room, the techs were talking quietly between themselves while monitoring the system.
"So, how are things looking this morning, guys?" Simone asked.
"A lot better than it was, that is for sure." Tech Tom said. "That guy sure worked wonders to put it mildly. While his cleaning out a lot of malware and other space eating stuff, he did free up a lot of storage space, but it is evident we need to add a lot more before the segmentation faults start showing up- just a matter of time- a short time. Upstairs is going to have to loosen those purse strings and allocate funds."
Tech Greg added, "There is a lot of traffic- moving much faster with all the garbage he cleaned out. What is surprising is not one call from anyone about a system bugger."
Tech Paul who had been closely watching the screen piped up, "Did you guys see this data file he added? I've never seen this before." The other two techs leaned over to watch the screen. "All the freed up storage allowed him to add this. An 'anomaly Detected' file… check this out, guys! The coding for the parameters it uses is crazy complex, but once the criteria met, it dumps the detected anomaly into this protected file."
Tech Greg asked, "What are the parameters?"
"The coding is way too complex for me to decipher quickly- how the hell did he do all this so damned fast?" Tech Paul said. "Amazing."
"So I take it the problems are resolved?" Simone asked. "Keep monitoring, check that anomaly file periodically, put the requisition for more data storage, and add an extra 50% just in case- send me a copy so I can nudge it along if they don't move on it upstairs. Better safe than a crashed system. Let me know how things progress so I can pass it on to O'Brien." Simone rose and headed for the door. "Thanks guys. See you later."
"Hey, Simone," Paul called before she got to the door. "Tell O'Brien he did some impressive work." She waved and left.
In her office she went over some of the cases on her desk of the Eastern Bloc tech farms. The financial sector was especially hard hit and the losses were tremendous. She wondered why the European enterprises didn't consult with the American business CEO and CFO's on how they were handling similar issues. Maybe Walter was right- the human interaction was the problem- biases, manners, bull-headedness. Americans can be brash, loud, overwhelming. There were a number of Americans she did not particularly like being around, but there were a number of Germans she did not like being around, and the snobby upper crust English- ugh. But it was not a matter of nationality, it was the individuals she disliked. Some were obnoxious because of her being a woman in a typically man's law enforcement job, some were just plain obnoxious for the gods know whatever reason. She looked at her watch= time to head home and spend time with one American she was particularly fond of.
Simone quietly let herself in her apartment and relocked the door. She went to the bedroom to check on Walter. He did not appear to have moved a muscle since she left- same position, just dead to the world. Has only been ten hours, he really is like a computer that has been disconnected from its power source she thought, but so very non-computer like is so many ways even he does not see in himself. .
She showered and changed for a quiet evening at home while Walter slept. Periodically she got up to check on him- his breathing deep and regular but never moving from how he was laying when he first went to sleep. She returned to her case files in the living room. Another hour passed and she again got up to check on him. She stood for some minutes just looking at him- visual stimuli- he had that in spades. Add in the intense personality and the incredible intellect and he was quite a unique man.
"You going to join me or just keep staring," Walter murmured turning onto his side, his dark eyes gazing at her.
"Thought you were still asleep- have not moved in hours and I did not want to disturb you," she said sitting down on the side of the bed.
Walter chuckled, "You do disturb me."
"You up to some disturbance or want to sleep more?"
Walter raised his arm for her to settle in next to him. "Yes, I am certainly up for some disturbance."
"I would like to spend some time in the server facility this morning- monitor a few things," Walter said sitting at the kitchen table sipping coffee. "And you certainly can scramble eggs as well as any fine French chef. Thank you, better breakfast than any restaurant."
"I popped in and talked with the techs yesterday while you were sleeping. Paul said you did, and I quote, 'impressive work'. He also said more data storage was needed and entered a requisition for the funding….. I told him to add 50% to what he thinks is needed."
"Probably a good idea," Walter agreed, "can't have too much storage for an organization as large as it Interpol…. and with so many computer crimes added to the usual crime base, it will certainly be needed."
"The guys were also looking at an 'anomaly detection' file- Paul said the coding was too complex for him to decipher. What is that? I took it from what they were saying they had not run into such a file and data dump before."
"With as complex and large an organization as your system is, looking for and recognizing a true anomaly and identifying it as such took a lot of code to set parameters. But, periodically checking for what is captured there can give you insight on what is a deviation from normal traffic in data streams. May help to identify what untrustworthy outside operations your personnel are getting into which in turn gives you an outside source to look into for possible security risks."
"So you also are looking to go after the baddies? Thought you just looked after the machinery."
"Maybe I am widening my horizons. Ready to go? Would like to check the system operation and discuss a few things with your tech staff. And I would get on that extra storage space- the space I freed up and cleaned out will be filled quickly." He grabbed his laptop and left with Simone.
For the next two weeks Walter joined Simone at the Interpol complex. He spent most of his time with the techs in the server facilities. He found it enjoyable spending time with people using and understanding the language. In short order the techs kept him from fielding the distress calls of the office workers- their forgetting passwords, not being able to open files, having trouble getting a program up and running.
"How do you deal with the incessant stupidity?" Walter finally asked Paul who seemed to handle such calls the most.
Paul laughed, "every time I get one of those calls, especially from the upstairs bunch I appreciate my computer more. Ever notice I go out of my way to use the computer terms just to confuse them- you know what is running through their minds- gotta' get your jollies where you can at work."
Greg, usually not given to talk much, piped up: "You have to be careful, though. Tom kept getting calls about a problem computer. Over and over, week after week until he finally went to the office to get a hands on look at it and a possible remove and replace the unit. That's problem caller ended up his wife- 'hands on' Tom said," Greg laughed pointing at Tom. "How long has it been, now, Tom?"
"Eleven years and two kids." Tom said, "and looking forward to another eleven."
"And was her computer actually a problem unit?" Walter asked.
All three techs looked at Walter then burst out laughing. "I have told that story countless times in eleven years and you are the FIRST person to ask about the computer. You are really something, O'Brien."
In the now four weeks Walter has been in Paris with Simone, the security system Interpol now uses has been talked about between executives over dinners, conference tables and calls. And inquiries are being made. One small concern owned by the brother-in-law of an Interpol executive who approached Walter one after noon in the server facility.
"I can check out his system and see what is needed, then work something up," Walter said. "I will need access, and would prefer Simone with me. My French is quite limited."
"Saturday at this address," he said and handed Walter a business card. "He will be there from nine in the morning on so at your convenience. And thank you for your time."
Friday night Walter and Simone were relaxing in bed when he turned to her. "You sure you don't mind spending your Saturday with me while I look over this system? It is going to be quite an experiment for me."
"Experiment? How so? You do this kind of work all the time."
"You remember before we left LA I said I would have to do a bit of set up with my equipment. That it would take some time to program my servers for outside access? I will find out if my own security is good enough. Should be interesting."
"Wait, you worry about your own security system," Simone asked incredulously. "I did not think you had any worries when it comes to computers- especially your own."
"As the saying goes, 'crap happens'. I have back up hard drives of everything in my servers in safe storage if/when any recovery may be necessary. I am not exactly 'worried'. It is the first time access outside the garage for data transfer. Firsts are always interesting. Over the years I knew sooner or later I would have to make my servers accessible. You have no idea the hypotheticals I have written into the system, the 'just in case' scenarios. After working with Homeland and a couple military cases I think I have covered everything imaginable- but people never cease to amaze me with their illogical machinations, so there is always a possibility of being surprised."