The Killing Code by Craig Hurren

Industrial espionage can be a major problem in our business.”
    “ I see. Well then, just her team will be fine – unless she had any friends outside that group.”
    “ As far as I know, Helen was pleasant and courteous to everyone she encountered but she was extremely dedicated to her work and aside from getting her lunch from the cafeteria, she was always in her secure laboratory. In fact, her keycard records show that quite clearly. I can make those available for you if you like?”
    “ I would appreciate that Mr. Finch. Will I be able to access Dr. Benson’s laboratory?”
    “ Certainly. We have removed all sensitive materials so that will not be a problem but I will need you to sign a strict confidentiality agreement to cover us in case you inadvertently see anything you shouldn’t in the labs.”
    “ You flatter me Mr. Finch. I’m quite sure I wouldn’t have a clue what I was looking at even if I did see something of that nature. Anyway, I will have to ask my lieutenant if I am permitted to sign such a document. Can you please email me a copy for him to examine?”
    Finch took Ala n’s email address and the meeting was set to start at noon the next day to minimize disruption of the team’s work. Alan began to jot down some details about the investigation in pencil so he could reference them when he wrote his final report. Fifteen minutes later, Richard Collier came into the office and made a beeline for Beach’s desk. His face was red with anger and Alan steeled himself for the coming onslaught. Just as Collier reached the desk, Lieutenant Walker’s voice bellowed from his office doorway.
    “ Collier! Get in here – now!”
    Collier looked at his bos s and hissed at the interruption. “I’ll be there in a minute - just need to deal with something first.”
    “ What part of ‘now’ don’t you understand detective. Get your ass in here!”
    Collier, seething with anger, directed his glare at Alan. “This ain’t over Beach - not by a long shot.”
    He begrudgingly turned and went into Walker’s office . Walker stood as he passed then shut the door heavily. Vigorous argument erupted momentarily until suddenly, one side died down. The voices were severely muffled by Walker’s thick windows and well sealed door but Alan got the distinct impression that things were not going Richard Collier’s way. A moment later, Collier emerged from the office with the look of a caged animal trying to find a way out. He caught Alan’s gaze, gave him a quick snarl and briskly left the office. Alan watched bemused as he disappeared into the hall and turned back to see Walker standing right in front of his desk.
    “ Have you got the confidentiality agreement from Blue Sky yet?”
    “ Uh…um…just checking my email.” Alan fumbled, slightly disoriented by what he’d witnessed. “Yes, it’s just come in. Should I forward it to you?”
    “ Do that. I’ll send it on to the State’s Attorney for his OK before you sign it.”
    With that, he turned and went back into his office without a word about Co llier. Alan knew full well, his lieutenant’s personal and positional power but had no idea he could have such an effect on Collier. Richard was a long term veteran of the squad and before Walker was promoted to Lieutenant, the two men had been partners. He was known for being somewhat difficult to reign in and the outcome of this interaction had Alan wondering if Walker had something over him aside from the chain of command. Alan shook himself away from these thoughts to forward the agreement to his boss and continued on his notes. Running out of details to record, he retrieved the file he was working on before the Benson case came up and began to type the final report into his computer.
    A few hours later, Alan was still tying up loose ends when Walker came out again and said, “The S.A. says you can go ahead and sign the agreement.”
    “ OK but won’t that restrict me from using anything I find at Blue