Chapter 73

Alan Groosjean transmitted the latest batch of data to his patron. He received an acknowledgement. It would take a few days for analysis before payment. He did not receive a fixed stipend. Rather, the payment depended on the value of the information given.

Wearily, he sent the same batch of data to Simon. Unlike Trenchard, he did not have physical packages to send ,so everything was done electronically. He was not happy to double his exposure risk but accepted the additional income. Girlfriends and strip clubs cost money, and there was no way he could afford that on his government salary.

He was juggling a lot of balls in the air at the same time, and the pressure was getting to him. But he had no choice but to continue. Fortunately, his wife was busy with the kids and her other social engagements. As long as he paid the bills and kept her in style, she left him alone for the most part.

After Groosjean transmitted the first batch of data, Simon had assured him there would be no more robberies. Even so, Alan had the floor safe replaced with a more sophisticated wall model and had the door and window alarms upgraded as well.

Now those tasks were completed, and he was ready for another weekend getaway. This time, he would go to Las Vegas, covering things with his wife with the usual business trip excuse.

36 hours later, he woke up in a Las Vegas jail.

“What are the charges?”

“Drug possession and sex with underage females,” said his public defender.

“I was partying hard. How can I know who they put me with after I passed out?”

“It doesn’t look good. I’ll do what I can to get you out on bail.”

Media outlets had their top story. A local government official was arrested in Las Vegas. Groosjean made it home to face the music with his wife, who promptly kicked him out of the house.

***

Detective Jones received his own briefing.

“Electronic media is on its way to your task force.”

“From where?”

“Alan Groosjean’s home computer.”

“The city official arrested in Las Vegas?”

“Yes.”

“How does that connect to us?”

“As part of the investigation into underage sexual relations, the police confiscated his hard drive to search for child pornography. They didn’t find any. However, they did find other information that might be of interest to you.”

“Such as?”

“Communication portals to unknown parties. Seems like Groosjean was transmitting information, but not to his superiors at the government agency.”

“You think he is on the organization’s payroll?”

“Maybe. Analysis and encryption of data continues.”

“Thanks.”