Scratch Deeper by Chris Simms Read Free Book Online

Can you take me through it?’
    â€˜Right,’ Cropped-hair said. ‘We’re really careful about taking on new members. Unless it’s someone we already know, initial contact usually comes through the forum. I keep a Gmail address up there and he started PMing me about two months ago.’
    Private message, Iona thought, scribbling away.
    â€˜Stuff about wanting to join, how into what we were doing he was. I ignored him, waited for him to actually read the process of getting in.’
    â€˜Which is?’ Iona asked, glancing up.
    â€˜Posting a few explorations of your own.’
    â€˜People can do that – put details of their own trips straight on to your site?’
    â€˜â€™Course. Anyone can join the forum. Loads do just to read and comment on what we do. Doesn’t mean you’re an actual member of the Sub-Urban Explorers. Post reports of your own trips – preferably ones not been done before – and we’ll consider letting you in.’
    â€˜OK – so this newcomer. He had an email address for you to reply to?’ Iona’s pen was ready.
    â€˜Did,’ Cropped-hair stated. ‘It’s no longer active.’
    Doesn’t matter, Iona thought. I’m sure our tech guys can still trace it. ‘What was it, anyway?’
    â€˜A darkmail address. You won’t get anywhere with it.’
    A good part of her CTU training had covered the use of the Internet for covert communication. Still, she thought, no harm making out I don’t know what on earth they’re on about. ‘Darkmail?’
    â€˜You do much on the Net?’ This from Toby, now sitting forward.
    â€˜Of course. Google, mainly. BBC News. Facebook and Twitter, when I get a chance. Plus,’ she gave a wink, ‘Streetmap is good for when we need to raid an address. Have a good look from all angles online first, far more subtle.’
    Toby sighed like that was so yesterday. ‘You and half the burglars in this city. OK, when you do one of your Google searches, think of it like dragging a net across the surface of a very deep lake. What you catch is the stuff designed to float – to get caught. There’s so much more deep down that doesn’t come up. That’s the darknet, including email addresses that will lead you absolutely nowhere.’
    Iona raised her eyebrows, feigning surprise. ‘Do you have it anyway? I know my boss will only ask.’
    With a sigh, Cropped-hair took out an iPhone and brushed his way through a few screens. ‘Ready?’
    Iona nodded and copied down what seemed to be just a random sequence of numbers and letters. She searched in vain for anything that might even indicate which country the address belonged to. Nothing.
    â€˜Good luck with it,’ Cropped-hair said, putting the device away.
    â€˜Cheers,’ Iona replied. ‘So, what can you tell me about this guy?’

SIX
    I ona took another sip of her gin and tonic. The alcohol was definitely hitting home, countering the feelings of discomfort caused by the confines of the bar.
    â€˜What can we tell you about this guy?’ Hidden Shadow repeated, as he thought for a moment. ‘Well, he then posts a couple of trips he’s done on his own. Nothing impressive – just a couple of the better-known sewerage tunnels, like the Amory Street storm drain.’
    â€˜Yeah,’ Cropped-hair interjected. ‘Like that’s a big deal. Not.’
    They’re loosening up, too, Iona thought. Amazing what a bit of booze can do. ‘Why didn’t that impress you?’ she asked.
    Hidden Shadow looked at her like she was an alien. ‘Been done to death. That’s why. Anyone can get in.’ He put on an American accent. ‘It ain’t no thing.’
    â€˜Too right,’ Toby agreed forcefully.
    Iona glanced at him. You’re chucking your opinions in now, too. That’s good. ‘So he’s not doing so well at making an