Free The iFactor by R.W. Van Sant Page B

was being followed, and then of course there was the note. Someone was trying to warn him, or scare him. A cold chill went up his spine. “Yes. What's this about?”
“It’s complicated. You'll find out in the briefing. I will give you this heads up. We have a situation that requires real earth style detecting. You've got the training and the experience.” the chief slunk into his chair.
“What about my current case?” Matt asked.
“I was under the impression that the case was closed.” the chief said. “Is there any further information?”
“Yes, sir. Officer Perry found a large monetary transfer from the dock supervisor to an unknown individual. He was unable to pursue it because the warrant stipulated a level three contact web. He was refused an augmented warrant.” Matt said.
“I'm taking you off that case. I will look into it personally when I have the time. Matt what I need you for is much more important. Matt, do well on this and there will be few who will care what happened in Dallas, understand?” the chief said.
“Yes Sir.”
“Good,” The chief stood, whipped the sweat from his head and paced toward the room. “The others are waiting for us in the briefing room. Let's get to it.”
Matt trailed after.

Chapter 13
The small conference room was filled. Matt was unacquainted with many of the people in attendance. Chairs and tables were lined up facing a podium and large monitor screen, which filled the far wall. Officer Perry was occupying one of the chairs. Detective Zimmerman, he noticed was nowhere to be seen. He tried to suppress his delight. Matt took a chair as the chief walked to the front of the room and stood behind the podium. The atmosphere was tense. The air felt as though it would fragment if anyone spoke.
“Okay boys and girls.” the chief broke the silence. “Nothing, and I cannot say this strongly enough, nothing of what is brought up here is to leave this room. Most of what you are about to hear is classified ‘Top Secret’.” Vanderhaar shifted his weight. “Before today only a small number of people have been privy to certain facts. This case is going to be a tough one. I would very much like to give each of you the option to leave now before you learn something that might disturb you, but I won't do that. Each of you is here because each of you possesses certain skills. In short, I need each and every one of you too badly to let you off the hook.” He cleared his throat. “You will have daily meetings and I will review all data. This case has top priority. Until it is finished all others are to be put on the back burner because boys and girls.” He took two deep breaths and then said something extraordinary. “We have a serial killer on Sirius Primary.”
“That's impossible.” Perry muttered. “No crime goes unpunished, certainly not murder. The tracking system guarantees it.”
“Everything will be made clear, or at least as clear as is possible under the circumstances. I want no one to say anything in public or give any impression that the system has in anyway broken down. We must above all maintain or and protect belief in the system. Don’t fool your selves; it is that belief more than anything else that keeps the peace on this colony. It would be chaos if the people lost faith in it.” The chief continued, “In this case Perry, I'm afraid you are incorrect. We have tried to keep it quiet to avoid a general panic, but some person, as of yet unknown, has committed three separate murders.”
The gasp was audible.
“I know it’s a bit much to take in, so we'll start with the detective who has been on this case from the beginning. Step forward and fill us in Richards.
A tall, thin, dark-skinned woman sitting to the left of Matt stood and moved deliberately toward the podium. The chief surrendered his position and took a seat.
“I hardly know where to begin. I’m sorry but this will not be very pleasant. I haven’t had a sound night sleep in two weeks.”