commanders, two men with whom he’d worked for decades. The three of them had talked it through at length, and they’d agreed it could be done. And they were prepared to let Bandeira do it, providing cover as needed. If one gang was preying on another, it was possible that the media would accept it as a positive outcome and for once divert attention from law enforcement’s own failure. But both men had cautioned that only a sustained campaign of terror and violence could succeed. In the end, the gangs would have to be brought to heel. These were vicious men who lived violent lives, so nothing less than absolute dominance would work. A half effort would only bring on a war of greater ferocity, which they did not want.
“What we need,” the city chief of police had said through his cigar smoke, “is a period of civil unrest. A time of street demonstrations, assassinations, vendettas, and murders to serve as cover for your operation. Who would know? And when all was over, you’d be in control.”
The general smiled. “This is Brazil. We all know such a time is inevitable. If I were you, I’d plan accordingly. You can count on us,” he’d said reassuringly.
So the plan was in place. The police and army fed information to NL every week, and one of Bandeira’s trusted captains kept the plan updated with names and addresses. When the time came, Bandeira’s organization would act. The consequence would be an end to random kidnappings and the return of greater safety to the streets. Targeted kidnappings would become the norm, quiet ones that would still be lucrative. The wealthy of the city could breathe a little easier, and foreign investment would not be so timid.
Bandeira contemplated the numerous ways he’d profit with a sense of satisfaction. The helicopter banked, righted, then began a gentle approach toward the round landing pad atop the gleaming Banco do Novo Brasil building. Bankers, Bandeira thought as he mentally reviewed that morning’s agenda, they should all be shot.
14
MULBERRY STREET
NEW YORK CITY
11:33 A.M.
Now that Jeff and Frank had penetrated the NYSE engines and had free access to the core of the trading processes, they were in the final phase of their engagement. They continued employing the specialized tools that Jeff had devised over the years and which he guarded closely. They were the key to what he did and made his work not only less tedious but also more effective. The hardest part of the decision in hiring an outsider, even a friend like Frank, was granting access to these jewels.
He had other tools, which he made commonly available at his presentations in order to spread his brand and facilitate better computer security. They were accordingly closely identified with his name and that of his company.
At this point, the pair was mapping the extent of their success while also searching for other ways and paths to more deeply penetrate the system’s cyberdefenses. Having succeeded at their primary task, they took a more leisurely pace now, less intense. The pentest was essentially complete; what they did now was icing on the cake.
Jeff could simply have informed Stenton of their success, but he had a reputation for going a step further and typically did something harmless to the system that persuaded even the most dubious company executive that he’d accomplished what he said he had. He reviewed things he’d done in the past, wanting to pull something clever and distinctive from his bag of tricks. He decided to ask Frank for ideas.
Taking an early lunch, they’d stretched their legs and walked up to Chinatown. After selecting a restaurant at random, they sat in as quiet a corner as was possible in Manhattan at midmorning.
“You know,” Frank said, eyeing his pair of chopsticks dubiously, “we haven’t been spotted yet. At first I kept thinking an alarm’s going to go off, but instead we’ve got the run of the place. I understand why the antivirus programs don’t know
“What we need,” the city chief of police had said through his cigar smoke, “is a period of civil unrest. A time of street demonstrations, assassinations, vendettas, and murders to serve as cover for your operation. Who would know? And when all was over, you’d be in control.”
The general smiled. “This is Brazil. We all know such a time is inevitable. If I were you, I’d plan accordingly. You can count on us,” he’d said reassuringly.
So the plan was in place. The police and army fed information to NL every week, and one of Bandeira’s trusted captains kept the plan updated with names and addresses. When the time came, Bandeira’s organization would act. The consequence would be an end to random kidnappings and the return of greater safety to the streets. Targeted kidnappings would become the norm, quiet ones that would still be lucrative. The wealthy of the city could breathe a little easier, and foreign investment would not be so timid.
Bandeira contemplated the numerous ways he’d profit with a sense of satisfaction. The helicopter banked, righted, then began a gentle approach toward the round landing pad atop the gleaming Banco do Novo Brasil building. Bankers, Bandeira thought as he mentally reviewed that morning’s agenda, they should all be shot.
14
MULBERRY STREET
NEW YORK CITY
11:33 A.M.
Now that Jeff and Frank had penetrated the NYSE engines and had free access to the core of the trading processes, they were in the final phase of their engagement. They continued employing the specialized tools that Jeff had devised over the years and which he guarded closely. They were the key to what he did and made his work not only less tedious but also more effective. The hardest part of the decision in hiring an outsider, even a friend like Frank, was granting access to these jewels.
He had other tools, which he made commonly available at his presentations in order to spread his brand and facilitate better computer security. They were accordingly closely identified with his name and that of his company.
At this point, the pair was mapping the extent of their success while also searching for other ways and paths to more deeply penetrate the system’s cyberdefenses. Having succeeded at their primary task, they took a more leisurely pace now, less intense. The pentest was essentially complete; what they did now was icing on the cake.
Jeff could simply have informed Stenton of their success, but he had a reputation for going a step further and typically did something harmless to the system that persuaded even the most dubious company executive that he’d accomplished what he said he had. He reviewed things he’d done in the past, wanting to pull something clever and distinctive from his bag of tricks. He decided to ask Frank for ideas.
Taking an early lunch, they’d stretched their legs and walked up to Chinatown. After selecting a restaurant at random, they sat in as quiet a corner as was possible in Manhattan at midmorning.
“You know,” Frank said, eyeing his pair of chopsticks dubiously, “we haven’t been spotted yet. At first I kept thinking an alarm’s going to go off, but instead we’ve got the run of the place. I understand why the antivirus programs don’t know
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