“So what was it exactly? Come on, tell me!”
I sighed. “It wasn’t an attack really,” I found myself saying.
“What then? Don’t leave me in suspense.” Kyle stuffed a handful of chips in his mouth, crumbs flying everywhere.
“Whoever it is isn’t stealing data. They aren’t trying to crash our system. They’re just…there.”
Kyle frowned. “They’re just there? What do you mean?”
“Like I said, the hacker didn’t really do anything except read a few emails.”
I wouldn’t tell him exactly whose emails were being read. I still wasn’t sure what I was going to do about it.
“Like a stalker,” Kyle said with a chuckle. I tried to smile, having a hard time finding the humor in the situation.
“Yeah, like a stalker.”
“They must be looking for something. Come on, Super IT Girl, you can figure out what they want.” Kyle nudged me affectionately with his bony shoulder.
“Well, I’m looking into it.”
“Chuck must be ready to have a coronary. It won’t look good to the board if an IT security company gets breached.” Kyle cackled in delight. “I bet he’s going to get in so much trouble.”
“None of us are too happy about it.”
“Keep me posted. I’ll want to know all the dirt.” Kyle nudged me again and I tried to smile, but it was stiff and didn’t quite come off.
“Is that what’s bothering you? Because I thought anything that makes Chuck look bad would put a giant grin on that pretty face of yours.” Kyle poked my cheek with his finger and I swatted his hand away.
“It just means extra work. Not my favorite thing in the world.”
Kyle looked a little crestfallen. “But if Chuck looks bad—”
“Then it’s pretty awesome,” I admitted.
“So maybe our little hacker is really a caped crusader come to take Chuck down!” Kyle fist-pumped the air.
“Keep your voice down,” I scolded. “And yeah, if that’s all he’s after, then more power to him.”
As if on cue, Chuck walked through the courtyard, Todd and a few other IT minions on his heels. He looked pissed off, with a tinge of worry. Todd appeared flustered, his fleshy cheeks bright red as he tried to keep up with our boss. I had to admit the whole thing had a certain ring of delayed justice. Maybe, finally, Chuck would get the bitter taste of karma.
Kyle and I returned to our lunch, eating in silence. I wished I could look at it like Kyle did. But I knew better. I had seen the virtual footprint left behind. I could tell that Chuck’s disgrace wasn’t the bottom line.
I knew there was another motive.
I had to be vigilant. Careful about what I did at work, about emails I sent. Even if they were from my encrypted account. No more IRC on company time.
I would watch the watcher and see what they were after.
If it really was me, then I’d be ready.
I put the remains of my lunch in my bag just as my phone dinged with an incoming message.
“Someone’s popular today,” Kyle teased as I pulled my phone out of my pocket.
“Every day, Kyle,” I joked back, glancing down at my screen.
I can’t wait until the weekend. Can I see you tonight?
