Free Genius Squad by Catherine Jinks Page B

the tags will be like route-markers.’
    ‘No.’
    ‘But you can’t!’ Cadel cried. The horrible truth was finally beginning to sink in. ‘You can’t stop me using the computer !’
    ‘I have to.’ Saul moved his hand to the top of Cadel’s head, and bent down until they were eye to eye. ‘My first priority is to keep you safe,’ he said firmly. ‘That’s my job. We don’t know who we’re dealing with right now, so we can’t be too careful. There’s no saying what might happen if I let you wander about on-line unprotected.’
    ‘But I can protect myself on-line! Way better than anyone else could!’ Cadel found it hard to believe that Saul was unable to grasp this fact. ‘Don’t you understand? It’s what I do!’
    ‘Listen to me.’ Saul’s grip tightened on Cadel’s scalp. ‘There are people I can bring in here to conduct an on-line investigation. They can turn that machine inside-out in a couple of hours. They’re experts.’
    ‘So am I!’
    ‘Yes, I know. But you’re also the target.’ Saul’s tone was grave. ‘Your safety is paramount. Paramount . I don’t want Prosper English messing with your head.’
    Cadel tried to speak, but he couldn’t. There was a lump in his throat. Something of the anguish that he felt must have shown in his face, because Saul’s own expression changed slightly. Before the detective could say anything, however, Hazel addressed him from beside the hot-water system.
    ‘Mr Greeniaus?’ she said, and he swung around.
    ‘Good morning, Mrs Donkin.’
    ‘Thomas told me you were here, but . . .’
    ‘It’s a little early, I know.’
    ‘Isn’t Miss Currey with you?’
    ‘No. I’m afraid we have a problem.’ Saul’s tone was very formal. Very official-sounding. ‘I’m afraid we’re gonna have to confiscate your computer for a short time.’
    Hazel’s mouth formed a perfect ‘O’.
    ‘We may not have to remove it from this site, but it will be out of bounds to all the occupants of your home,’ Saul went on. ‘Until such a time as we’re satisfied that it’s safe to use.’
    ‘But – but why?’ Hazel asked. Her glance shifted towards Cadel, who stiffened.
    ‘This isn’t Cadel’s fault,’ the detective quickly assured her. ‘On the contrary. He’s the one who uncovered the problem.’
    ‘But – ’
    ‘Let’s go inside, shall we? I need to make some calls.’
    So they went inside, where Saul immediately took over the whole house. He dispatched a sullen Mace to the bus stop. He sent Hazel off to school with Janan, and left a message on Fiona’s voicemail. He put through a request for some kind of forensic information-technology team. Then he made a full report to his superior, using his own mobile phone.
    When he’d finished, he settled in front of the computer and addressed Cadel, who was slumped on the living-room couch, fiddling with the TV remote.
    ‘Am I correct in thinking that Mr Donkin has already left for work?’ the detective asked.
    ‘He leaves early,’ Cadel replied, without glancing in Saul’s direction. ‘He works a morning shift.’
    ‘Then I’m out of order.’ Saul clicked his tongue. ‘I shouldn’t have sent Mrs Donkin away until Ms Currey arrived.’ After a moment he added, ‘I’m sorry, Cadel, I really am.’
    Cadel said nothing. He stared straight ahead, glum and embittered, wondering why he had ever opened his big, fat, stupid mouth. It was all so insulting . First they’d taken away his computer. Now they were going to take over his trace. And what was he supposed to do in the meantime? Sit in front of the TV?
    Slowly he became aware of the lengthening silence, and turned his head. Had Saul left the room? No; he was still perched on the typist’s chair, his clasped hands hanging between his knees. Quietly watching Cadel.
    After a moment, Cadel discovered that he could no longer contain himself.
    ‘I’ve got to email Sonja,’ he insisted. ‘I’ve got to. And I can’t use the phone, because she