Love,
Your Shepherd
A rage-filled scream builds in my chest, and I release it. I knock the box off the counter, sending it flying across my apartment.
Nothing I’m doing satisfies the need to make him hurt—to watch him bleed.
Only one thing makes me feel better, but I have to wait. I just went out the other night. The time between kills needs to be longer, but I don’t know if I can last.
Even with the risks, I know I don’t have another choice.
I go through my routine, grab the papers I need from my bag, then sit on my bed, facing the balcony.
The sun will set in about ten minutes, and God help the man who meets my blade tonight.
CHAPTER 6
LUKE
Strolling through the cybersecurity department of RHL Solutions, I discreetly scan the screens of over a dozen analysts.
Most of the employees are working on updating our compliance document to give to our clients, informing them of our procedures that keep us in compliance with federal laws. It’s a boring task, but it has to be done.
Some others are performing security audits, and a few are investigating the latest phishing scam. I swear those things are like flies. No matter how much you prepare and do your best to keep them out, one always slips through, and they’re annoying as hell.
I think one guy in the corner is playing Super Mario World. It appears he has just reached the part where Mario meets Yoshi.
I should tell him to get back to work, but I’m not in the mood to deal with that shit first thing in the morning.
Entering the office at the end of the room, I wave even though its occupant’s back is facing me. “Hey, Shawn. Do you have those audit reports yet?”
I know he doesn’t, but I needed to come down here and do a little snooping.
Shawn Winthrop is the Cybersecurity Operations Manager here at RHL. We hired him fresh out of MIT, and he quickly rose to his position. He’s been with us for over two decades now.
His office is crammed, filled to the brim with old computers and computer parts. The blinds are closed, making the space feel even smaller. He has two desks, both containing multiple monitors. Shawn is currently working on the desktop, giving me his back.
If the hack on our deals didn’t come from outside the building, then I’m willing to bet it’s someone in this department. We hire the best and brightest, and sometimes we hire those who are a little on the morally gray side, especially since not all our security practices are legal.
Shawn spins in his chair toward me. His tawny hair looks haggard, and his eyes are bloodshot. His facial hair isn’t groomed, and his tie hangs loose around his neck.
“No,” Shawn answers with a frown. “I will email them to you when they’re ready.” He turns away, dismissing me, more waspish than I’ve ever seen him.
“Do we need to coordinate with legal or HR for any part of the audit or compliance document?” I sit in one of the chairs on the other side of his desk, despite his slight.
I slip my hand into my pocket, searching for the minuscule jump drive. I uploaded a keylogger program on them that will track each keystroke Shawn makes.
Shawn rolls his eyes, turning his chair back around to face me. “No.” He drags out the word, conveying his annoyance.
“What are you working on there?” I nod toward the monitor behind him.
He squints at me, then moves back, diving into an explanation that I don’t care for. I can see what he’s doing.
I “ahh” and “hmm” as Shawn speaks, feigning interest. Standing, I lean over his desk between us, positioning myself closer to the monitor closest to me.
Removing the jump drive from my pocket, I insert it into the USB port on the back of the computer screen.
“And this right here?—”
