343016692
295617833
178932515
236987521
492016755
516332578
“What do you think they are?” he asked.
Brent studied them for a moment. “Couldn’t be phone numbers, too many digits. Might be zip codes. The new ones are longer.” Brent counted. “There are enough numbers for a zip code. Where’d you get these?”
“Off the company computer.”
“They just dropped into your lap?”
“Actually, that’s exactly what happened. Fluke of nature.”
Brent smiled. “In another words, don’t ask, don’t tell.”
“Something like that.”
“In that case they could be company ID numbers, file numbers, computer access codes, even passwords. God knows they changethem enough. I was told that happens once a week.” Brent looked at the list again. “They also could be Social Security numbers? But no hyphens. Social Security numbers are always broken apart. So are the new zip codes.”
He came to the point. “Can you do me a favor and see what you can find on ’em?”
“Hank, you’re putting me in a bad place. I owe the company loyalty. And confidentiality. You know that.”
He held up his hands. “I know. I know. But you have access to personnel records, medical records, all sorts of things. It’s probably nothing. But could you take a look so I can be sure.” He paused. “For old times’ sake.”
He could see that Brent knew he was holding back. Just asking for this level of favor was enough of an indication that there was more involved.
“Tell me the truth,” Brent said. “How did you get these numbers?”
“Or else?” he asked.
“Or else.”
He had no choice. But there was no one he trusted more. “They were behind a firewall in an ultra-secure file. It was a fluke my person got in. They’d been trying for weeks, without success. So you can see why I’m so curious.”
“Marlene?”
He nodded. “It could cost her job, if she’s caught.”
“Then why put her in that position?”
“It’s her way. She loves the intrigue.”
“And she’s a little sweet on you too?”
“Has my daughter been tellin’ you things?”
“Her and others. You’re quite the topic of the local gossip.”
Always in the past they’d been a team, delivering a solid one-two punch. One leading, the other following, depending on the fight. But things had changed. Brent worked for the other side now. And no matter how much he hated that fact, he had to respect it.
