Shadows of Golstar by Terrence Scott Read Free Book Online Page A

suspect’s terminal was accessed a number of times but with no indication of
an illicit transfer of material. Owens waited another week and noted the
suspect had stopped accessing the product materials for three days. Under
surveillance, the suspect was observed at a public cyber café using one of the
in-house terminals. Owens knew then that the trap was sprung.
    He notified the authorities and accompanied them on
the search of the SynthEnGen research department. The search warrant provided
authority to freeze all R&D files and required that data located in those
files be decrypted for a technical audit. Searching SynthEnGen’s R&D files,
it didn’t take long to locate the SolGen product research data and the hidden
markers unique to the suspect’s terminal access. At first, SynthEnGen
vigorously denied the data belonged to SolGen but the protests were abruptly
silenced when the nature of the trap was explained.    
    The suspected vice-president in-charge of SolGen
product marketing was then confronted with the evidence. The tearful company
officer immediately confessed and implicated a number of SynthEnGen employees.
He was promptly arrested. The now ex-SolGen officer, along with the accused
SynthEnGen employees, was residing in the only jail on the planet,
awaiting a lengthy trial. The daughter was committed to a long-term recovery
hospice.    
    The planetary authorities, as a result of information
provided by Owens, were attempting to continue the investigation. Other than
uncovering how the terminal’s security was breached, Owens was doubtful
anything further could be achieved. He believed all guilty parties had been
apprehended. Now, it was only a matter of determining the damages SynthEnGen
would have to pay SolGen.  The local courts could easily handle that.
    All in all, it had been one of the simplest cases he
had ever investigated. In their inexperience and naiveté, the SolGen officers
and security had not followed basic investigation principles and overlooked
many obvious clues. He was almost ashamed to accept his fee, well almost.
    Smiling at this thought, Owens asked Santee, “Have
your people reviewed the recommendations that I included in my report? Some key
changes in the way you internally disseminate information on product
development would be helpful in preventing any reoccurrences of the corporate
espionage you experienced. I’ve also included a few suggestions on how you can
improve your personnel background and security clearance procedures. I know my
recommendations are unsolicited, but I thought they might be helpful... no
additional fee of course, all part of the service.”
    Santee nodded energetically, “Yes indeed. The Board of
Directors and Security have reviewed your suggestions and saw the merit in
them.”
    “Good, I’m glad that they think so.”
    “Absolutely, and I extend to you their sincere thanks.
Corporate staff has been working with Security, and I’m happy to say we’ve
already begun to implement a number of your improvements. With this breach
uncovered, the corporation is now focused on improving our security procedures
and I fully expect we’ll have most, if not all of them in place by the end of
the year.”
    His voice lowered in a conspiratorial tone said, “I
admit to you that I was a little surprised we didn’t think of several of them
ourselves, but having little experience with this kind of...” He trailed off
with a slight frown crossing his brow. Then, his expression clearing, he said,
“In any case, with the information we’ve already found through your recommended
changes in our employee background screening process, there will be few
personnel changes in the very near future.”    
    He paused and smiled, “Not to change the subject, but
I wanted you to know the final installment of your fee was transferred to your
account this morning and…” his smile widened, “with the unanimous approval of
the Board, along with your fee, we added a