Catwalk Criminal by Sarah Sky Page B

redhead had led one of the seminars during her training about how to keep up a double life. Celia should know; she’d recently been announced as the new face of Burberry and Thierry Mugler perfume while rising up the ranks of Westwood.
    â€œWe’re examining Henry’s text messages and emails over the last week.” Nathan pushed his glasses up his nose and cracked his knuckles again. He had dark circles under his eyes. When was the last time he’d slept? Probably Friday night, before the hacks started.
    â€œWestwood agents are being drafted in to speak to Henry’s friends under the guise of being volunteers from an anti-bullying charity,” he continued. “His year group’s already been told it’s suspected he was being bullied. You’ll quiz his friends about possible harassment while tapping them for info at the same time.”
    Jessica nodded. It sounded like believable cover, plus her whole day was free now she was banned from lessons. She’d need to fill Nathan in on what had happened at school as soon as the briefing wrapped up.
    â€œWe need to concentrate our efforts on identifying LibertyCrossing and the person who attacked Henry last night,” Nathan said.
    â€œThey could be the same person,” Celia pointed out.
    â€œIt’s possible,” Nathan said. “But why did LibertyCrossing turn on Henry? He’s one of The Collective’s best hackers and most loyal followers. He’s been in direct contact with LibertyCrossing for a considerable period of time.”
    â€œHenry talked about the laptop being his insurance policy,” Jessica said. “He seemed to think it was the only thing that could keep him alive. Perhaps he fell out with the leader of The Collective, or he could have been blackmailing him.”
    â€œIt’s possible LibertyCrossing realized Henry knew too much and would inevitably blab if caught by MI6,” Celia reasoned. “He had to silence him for good and destroy the evidence.”
    â€œWe need to work out what Henry knows ASAP. It’s going to be all hands on deck across MI6. We only have two more days until The Collective’s deadline.”
    Nathan picked up his mobile as it vibrated. “Show him up,” he told the caller. “We’re in briefing room 304D.”
    Jessica raised an eyebrow. “We have company?”
    â€œThe CIA has agreed to help since the US has also been targeted. It’s come across The Collective before. We’ve been loaned an operative who can provide us with further insight into the hacking organization.”
    Nathan was in no mood to wait for the visitor. He scribbled notes as Bree and Sasha ran through their accounts of last night’s mission. Bree conveniently left out the part about how she froze when they were outside Henry’s room and couldn’t come up with an escape plan. Typical. Jessica nibbled her nails; if only she’d managed to stop the attacker or get a proper glimpse of their face. She had only a vague description: five feet and seven or eight inches tall with a slim build, wearing dark clothing and a balaclava. The thread she’d found trapped in the window frame might give a clue, but she hadn’t had chance to hand it in to forensics. She’d meant to ring Lucas, a mate in that department, first thing but had been thrown by the early school meeting. Lucas was cool; he’d arrange for the thread to be picked up from her home and have it analysed by close of play today. With any luck, it came from an unusual material that wasn’t mass-produced. That could help track down its owner.
    Jessica glanced up at the sharp rap on the door. A blonde woman poked her head round.
    Nathan put down his gold fountain pen. “Show him in, Lucy.”
    A dark-haired figure brushed past her, a black rucksack slung over his shoulder. Jessica’s jaw dropped. What on earth…?
    â€œThank you for coming at such short