Criminal Minds (Fox Meridian Book 4) (4 page)

‘The private policing regulations. We’re having a meeting on it first thing and it would be interesting to hear an international perspective on the subject. Don’t tell me you guys aren’t watching this pretty closely.’

‘We are observing, obviously.’ His expression became thoughtful. ‘I will tell the office I will be in late. Inter-agency relations.’

‘I thought that was what we’ve been doing.’

He chuckled. ‘Move, before I make us late for your meeting.’

~~~

‘Okay, guys,’ Fox began as she sat down in the virtual conference room which now occupied her office, ‘no embarrassing releases of sensitive information while our guest is at the table. Alice, roll your tongue back up.’

Vaughn’s image showed no signs of her tongue hanging out, but she shot Fox a mock glare. ‘I was only drooling a little.’

‘She never drools at me,’ Jarvis commented, affecting an over-dramatic, sad tone.

‘That’s because I got to know you.’ Vaughn was one of those people Naomi had been talking about when she had mentioned controlled people who liked to give it up to relax, except in reverse, sort of. She was naturally a bit shy and submissive, but had learned to overcome it by letting her temper out, a little bit at a time. Fox had heard that all her members of staff were terrified of a real dressing down because then she let her temper out all the way and strong men quaked in their boots. ‘Shall we proceed?’

‘Quite,’ Eaves said. ‘Since we have Captain Deveraux–’

‘Jason,’ Jason said. ‘I am only semi-officially here and it will take twice as long if we keep up this formality.’

‘Jason, then. Since you’re here, perhaps we can kick off with matters likely to concern international law enforcement.’

A text window appeared in Fox’s vision field, tagged with Alice’s ID and image.
That accent is dreamy. How do you keep your hands off him?

Keeping the smirk off her face, Fox replied.
Who says I do?

‘Our main concern,’ Jason said, oblivious to the text conversation, ‘is the amendment Wayden Executive Services have tendered concerning communications security.’

‘Interesting,’ Fox said. ‘Why?’

‘Because it is quite clear that NIX are behind it. The original regulation proposal states that communications should be “encrypted using suitable means,” which I believe to be a little vague and does need tightening. Wayden have specified a set of specific encryption mechanisms. For real-time communications, NIXRTE version six or seven, and for store and forward messages and file systems, they propose NIXES version nine. These are all good standards–’

‘But it’s widely believed that NIX have backdoor mechanisms into both,’ Jarvis said.

‘At least it’s not just me being paranoid,’ Fox added.

‘It is also more than a wide belief,’ Jason went on. ‘We have evidence suggesting that it is true of NIXRTE. It is unlikely that they would release a solid algorithm without such a vulnerability. The fact that all of these mechanisms are released as encrypted, black box software modules with little or no outside verification of the contents is another black mark against them.’

‘Shouldn’t be difficult to counter if we have an alternative,’ Eaves commented. ‘The National Intelligence Executive does not have an especially high public image.’

‘Which is why they have Wayden doing the work,’ Jarvis added. ‘What if we put in an alternative amendment calling for an internationally accepted encryption algorithm? It fixes the quality level, but not in such a narrow manner.’

‘And precludes the NIX protocols,’ Fox said. ‘They’ve refused a number of times to put their code through vetting. They say that it’s a security risk. Anyone who relies on “security through obscurity” is not doing their job and I’m sure the memetics department can work that kind of thing into the countermemes.’

‘I believe that would be a good counterproposal,’ Jason said. ‘More generally, and this is more of an undercurrent to our analysis than a real issue, we see too much involvement in the legislation from NIX.
I
think that they are attempting to gain heavy influence over internal policing in America.’

‘Oh, that’s more or less a certainty. We think they’ve got their claws in Wayden and they
must
have people embedded in NAPA.’

‘Which is worrying,’ Eaves continued, ‘given that NAPA will be responsible for monitoring the contracts and enforcing standards.’

Jason nodded. ‘Again this is
my
opinion, not that of the UNTPP, but I believe that profiling your auditors for NIX involvement may be a requirement. They have a, probably reasonable, right to ensure that national security is covered, but covert manipulation of the rules is outside their remit, as I understand it.’

‘It is, but they tend to come up with “operational reasons” for a number of actions which are likely more to do with politics. And oversight of their activities is insufficient.’

‘What if we try to change that?’ Fox said.

Eaves looked at her, frowning. ‘How?’

‘What if we put in an amendment to have NAPA’s regulatory function include policing activities carried out by NIX?’

‘We would never get it through.’

‘Maybe not. This time. Though I bet it’ll get strong public support. But it puts down a marker and we see about getting it put through as part of the metro policing resolution. If it’s put to public vote, they’ll have no choice but to accept it
when
it’s voted in, and the public doesn’t like NIX, so it will be.’

‘I thought you hated politics,’ Vaughn said, grinning.

‘I do, but bulldozing it is one of my only talents in that direction.’

‘If that’s your idea of bulldozing,’ Eaves said, ‘your idea of surgical must be verging on the Machiavellian. I’ll see to it.’

~~~

‘Above average health, no physical defects,’ Sister Anne said, her eyes on a virtual display. ‘You may wish to work on your stamina a little, but it’s not poor. Quite good physical flexibility. You’d make a good professional.’

Marie flashed her a grin while working her way into her white-and-red uniform. ‘Thanks. I’m not sure I have the mindset, but it’s nice to know I have something to fall back on if the acting doesn’t work.’ She paused in the middle of pulling her skirt on. ‘To be honest, there was a time when it was looking likely. I moved to New York expecting it all to be easy… Kind of stupid. I was lucky and got a job before I had to sell myself to get food.’

Settling her tunic over the skirt, Marie picked up the wimple and peered at it. ‘How does this work?’

‘There’s a clip under the brim. Settle it where you want it, and then clip it into your hair.’

‘Oh.’ Marie fiddled to get the headdress in place and said, ‘So, not that I should be shocked, but… no panties?’

Anne smirked. ‘It’s thematic. Just remember how short the skirt is at the back when you need to bend over.
Not
flashing the room when you do is part of the training. Teaches an element of deportment. And we do make exceptions for various reasons; we’re not stupid.’

Marie fixed the wimple and turned to Anne for approval. It was Naomi who spoke, however, as she walked into the clinic. ‘You look perfect, Marie. A proper novice. You read the briefing material I sent?’

‘Yes, Sister Naomi,’ Marie replied.

Naomi smiled. ‘Very good. I have to admit I’ll be fascinated to see how you get on. Now, you have your class schedule for the morning. Sister Demeter will find you at lunch and introduce herself and the other members of your dorm. You’ll have a chance to settle in with them a little during chores.’

‘And then it’s back to classes before the evening meal, right?’

‘Classes and then evening prayers, then you get to eat and then you’re free until midnight prayers and bed.’

‘And up at eight for morning prayers,’ Anne said. ‘Be thankful this isn’t a classic nunnery. It’s hard work here, but it’s not killing.’

Naomi nodded. ‘Come, Marie, I’ll walk you to your first class. That way you won’t get glared at by the instructor.’

Marie checked her schedule: etiquette was first on the list. It would not hurt to learn some since she knew a lot more about how to behave on the street than in high society. She waited to get outside the clinic before she spoke. ‘How much does it cost to do your basic course if you aren’t a novice, Sister Superior?’

‘It’s a thirty-two week, full-time course, five days a week, and we charge four thousand dollars.’

‘Thirty-two weeks?’

‘We cover a number of skills aside from sexual technique and professional behaviour. You can get more specific courses from other agencies which are shorter, but would require later study if you wish to progress in the profession. A graduate from our school can generally go into any aspect of sex work they wish rather than starting out at the bottom and working up.’

‘I think it’s more the other skills that I’d be interested in, like etiquette, and I’ve got the money, but thirty-two weeks…’

‘Talk to Sam. He
is
a good instructor and he could certainly help.’

Marie smiled. ‘That’s a great idea. Thank you, Sister Naomi.’

Naomi smiled back, more of a grin. ‘I am, as they say, here to help.’ And for some reason the comment made Marie’s cheeks flare red.

~~~

Fox squeezed the bridge of her nose as the conference room faded around her and she was left at her desk in her office. There was a mild headache digging itself in behind her eyes, but she did not want to take anything for it unless it got worse.

‘Belle has some very mild painkillers,’ Kit said, appearing as Fox got to her feet.

‘No, I’m going to change and go out for a run. The air will clear my head.’

Fifteen minutes later, circling around the northern side of The Lake, the headache was not shifting. Fox was beginning to think that either the air in the metro was not as clean as the air quality indicators said or it was down to all the legalese floating around in her head.

There was so much of it! Some of it was actually pretty good, even some of the things put in by Wayden. They had filed an amendment which would require NAPA to give access to live case information when requested. Fox thought it was a little unlikely to pass given that the reasoning was dubious, but the board had agreed to press for it and come up with some stronger reasoning. For once, the request looked like something Wayden wanted, rather than something Wayden were doing for NIX, but it was one of the few.

Of course, there was no way to know just how deep Wayden was in things with NIX. They were certainly being influenced, but Fox got the impression it was more than that. She was wondering about looking into Wayden’s financials and history when she heard the scream.

Up ahead of her on the track she was running along, a man in a hoodie was charging toward her with a bag in his arms. The hoodie was grey and dirty, but the bag was new, in cream leather, and it really did not go with the outfit. Fox slowed, waited for the man to get within striking distance, and snapped her arm out, clotheslining him into a crumpled heap at her feet. She put her foot down on his chest before he could move.

‘Hey! What the fuck?!’

‘Yeah, just lie there and shut up, asshole,’ Fox told him. Inside her head, she added, ‘Kit, get NAPA here on the double, would you?’

‘Emergency call made and acknowledged,’ Kit replied almost immediately: the joy of digital transmission. ‘That was very impressive.’

‘Thanks.’ Fox pressed her foot down a little harder as the victim rushed over. Fox suspected there was about to be some gushing. She smiled. ‘Now
that
got rid of the damn headache.’

~~~

Marie worked her jaw, trying to get the ache out of the muscles which felt as though it was likely there for life. It was time for chores, specifically for cleaning the dorm room, but that was easy, almost therapeutic. Classes were another matter.

‘You okay?’ Marie looked up at the other white-clad figure in the room, Sister Gilly, a bright, perky blonde who was helping with the common area set between the two blocks of beds. ‘The work’s not too much?’

‘This?’ Marie lifted the minivac she was using to clean over surfaces. ‘Oh no. This is my day job, though my skirt isn’t usually this short when I’m cleaning.’

Gilly frowned a little. ‘They told us you were an actress…’

Marie did not classify herself as the greatest of people-readers, but suddenly some of the tension she had noticed on meeting her dorm-sisters leaped into sharp focus. ‘More like “aspiring actress,” though I guess I should stop calling myself that. This is going to be my first role and until we start filming, I’m really just a maid with aspirations.’

‘Oh!’ Gilly’s eyes widened a little. ‘But Sister Naomi herself came to tell us you’d be joining us, so we figured you knew her, and… um…’

‘My friend knows her. Sam Clarion?’ From the slightly dreamy smile Gilly developed, Marie figured that the novice knew Sam. ‘And when I got the part and asked him about the profession, he introduced me to Sister Naomi. Just lucky, but this is a really great opportunity to make the role work.’

‘Wow, yeah, I bet. So, if it’s not the work, why the faces?’

‘Period three.’

Gilly giggled. ‘Oh, yeah. I’d kind of forgotten what it does to your face. I’d say it gets easier, but you’re only here for the week.’

‘Huh. Chewing lunch was a real chore, but at least I’m learning something.’

‘Well, a lot of the beginners’ classes are theory and role play, so you’ll just have a headache, but watch out for period six on Friday. That one’s a real, um, pain in the ass.’

Marie winced. ‘Can’t wait.’

~~~

Fox watched the two men in uniforms approaching her and her captive. Her captive noticed them too and she felt him shift under her foot. She pressed down a little harder to remind him that he was to stay put. The victim had given her ID to Fox and left, happily, with her bag, but NAPA had not turned up yet.

‘Kit, ID requests on those two?’

‘I don’t need one,’ Kit replied, ‘though interestingly enough, they are denying the request. They are, or were, members of Augustine Property Services. The uniform is different, however. Mister August wound down Augustine, but it seems someone else has taken up the slack.’