Unauthorized Access by Andrew McAllister Read Free Book Online Page B

and said the phone lines are already lighting up with angry customers. We may have to install sooner than we planned. How are you two coming with the code review?”
    “Almost done,” Rob said.
    Tim nodded. “Same with me,” he said.
    “Then keep at it,” Dees said. “In a few minutes we’re getting everyone together for a status check. John wants to know what options he can offer Dysart.”
    Dees strode away in the direction of Kelleher’s office.
    “This bites,” Rob said. “We can forget about going home any time soon.”
    Rob’s worry struck Tim as needless. Before long Rob would have all the idle time he could handle. Tim returned to his computer monitor, where he did his best to keep a satisfied grin off his face.
    * * *
    “There’s one,” Lesley said.
    Shayna pulled the van into the open parking spot.
    Lesley hopped out and waited while Shayna worked her magic in the back, selecting the equipment she needed. Shayna emerged after a few seconds and they hoofed it out of the parking garage.
    “This feels weird,” Lesley said as they emerged onto the sidewalk. “It’s like I’m sneaking around to check out my uncle’s bank.”
    “You’re just doing your job. And you tried calling him. It’s not your fault you couldn’t reach him.”
    “I suppose, and it may turn out to be nothing.”
    They rounded a corner onto Tremont Street and could see the entrance to the main branch of the First Malden Bank.
    “I don’t see any other news crews,” Lesley said.
    Shayna handed Lesley a microphone bearing a WNWB-TV logo.
    “How do you want to handle this?” Shayna asked.
    “Let’s stay outside for now, keep it low key, see what we can find out.”
    “Lead on.”
    Lesley walked over to a young man who had just emerged from the bank. He appeared to be in his twenties, with close-cropped hair and a small gold earring in his left ear.
    “Excuse me. I’m Lesley McGrath with WNWB-TV News. Would you mind if I asked you a few questions?”
    “Uh… I suppose.”
    “We’d like to get it on camera if you don’t mind.”
    He glanced at Shayna. “Sure.”
    Lesley waited for Shayna to shoulder the camera. She positioned herself to one side so Shayna could focus on the young man’s face. At Shayna’s nod, she began.
    “Hi. What’s your name?”
    “Tom Hennebury.”
    “We understand that some customers of the bank might be experiencing difficulties today. Do you know anything about this?”
    “Yeah, it’s unbelievable. The bank lost my money.”
    “How so?”
    “I deposited a couple of thousand dollars this morning but when I came back after lunch for some extra cash it was all gone.”
    “What do mean by ‘gone’?”
    “Just what I said. Gone. The balance was back to what it was this morning before I put the money in. I’m going to college, see, and it was a check from my Dad. I have to live on it until Christmas. Without that money, I’m screwed.”
    Lesley could see Shayna grin from behind the camera.
    “So I got a statement out of the bank machine,” the man continued, “and it didn’t show anything for today.”
    “Do you have any idea what might have caused this?” Lesley asked.
    “I asked one of the tellers,” he said, “but I couldn’t get a straight answer. They put the money back in my account after I showed them my receipts, but what if I had thrown them away? There’s something screwy going on here and I’m not the only one who’s upset about it. You should have seen the guy ahead of me. He was really pissed—started yelling that he was going to take his business elsewhere.”
    “Are you thinking of switching banks?”
    “It’s possible. I’ll wait and see how things pan out.”
    “Okay,” Lesley said. “Thank you for your help, Mr. Hennebury.”
    After the man walked away, Lesley said, “Rob was hauled in last night to deal with an emergency. I wonder if this is related. Maybe their computers messed up or something.”
    “You want to call him?”
    “Good