James

Adam is safely born. Beth is asleep. Richard too…

Nervous exhaustion?

Lol!

It’s quiet. And it’s dark.

And it’s the first real chance I’ve had to sit quietly. To think…

… To consider what Charlotte said.

But… but… you sent me an email, with the link to the site and that photo. I went right through it. They had some lovely things. But I knew you liked that corset so I bought it.

I turn the words over in my head.

Not like her to fall for something like that… Way too canny…

Too suspicious…

So it must have been good.

?

It seemed to come from me…

So, someone had my email address…

And baited the message with something so perfect Charlotte had no reason to doubt it…

And they… they…

… they what?

They sold her a corset…

?

?

Weird or what…

Yes… What?

How could they know her that well? To target her so well?

*****

“Charlotte, do you still have that email? The one you said I sent you. Or have you wiped it?”

She glances up from her laptop. “I was just about to wipe it. Why?”

“I’d like to see it. And the invoice for the corset if you still have it. And the packing slip.”

then her face clears. “Sure.

couple of A4 sheets. “Invoice and delivery note.” Shaking her head slightly, “Why the interest,

say I’m taking offence at your being targeted. The thing is, this has all the hallmarks of a scam, except that all it appears to have achieved is to sell

“I’ve not done

great deal of trouble if the only intention was to sell you expensive underwear.” I snap my fingers at the sheets in her

for, but somewhere in the back of my head, alarm

*****

be a perfectly legitimate business. It’s been trading for nigh-on thirty years and the only thing that’s changed in that time is

reveals that the company listed on the paperwork is the same one as is connected with the website. A further search shows that the directors are authentic, actually exist as people and, judging by the string of company accounts I’ve looked over, are doing solid

alarm bells are still

has a newsletter. So, making a couple of adjustments to my online security first, I sign up

inbox within two minutes. Welcome to Arcadia Lingerie! We’re thrilled to

I read on…

stuff. Not inspired, but since they’re selling a quality product that speaks for

my seat, fingers drumming

if I join

in my chair, but it’s only

surprised. Yes, of

my desk, slides a glass across to me.

“Beth alright? And Adam?”

catching up on their sleep.” He leans in peering at my face. “What’s

Charlotte gave me to him, along with some

then shrugs. “What’s so exciting

the malt, then take a gulp.

sell her this or that:

arrive in Beth’s in-box purporting to come from

sits back in his seat. “No, they don’t.” He pulls at his chin. “If I’m mentioned, it’s because the ad comes from one of the How To Spend It outlets. Usually trying to persuade her

email professed to

“Personal email address?”

“No, work address.”

information. Anyone taking a ten-second look at a Haswell corporation

case, why the personal connection

What did that email lead Charlotte to do? It purported to advertise a lingerie website. What exactly did she do when

a link. Click-baiting is a common enough tactic with hackers, but this link

enough of a tech man to know but, just because a company is legitimate… It’s website too, perhaps… Does

it

watches my face closely. “Why don’t you take a close look at the link and page together? Perhaps I can ask some numbskull questions that

email onto the screen,

browse this site. Find something you like. Life’s getting back

corset is there: a very attractive redhead wearing an emerald green corset. The model can’t match Charlotte for looks, but the suggestion is there:

whoever they are. This is no random spam. It’s targeted…

again… I already know what I’ll find, I’ve done it three times already. The

home page of the target website. There’s not even that attached tagging that tells the more alert reader

page, looking for anything

“Alright, so Charlotte’s on the Home Page. Where would she go next? How about the

lead her…” And

doesn’t lead

have sent her a request

Christ!

find it, scoured the

would have

on the knuckles of one hand, with the other I mouse through menus

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255