Honeypot (WAYHAUGHT)

Chapter 7 - Coffee

Nicole sat in Costa Coffee in Islington. She stirred a cappuccino, letting it cool. She was early. Just gone 1pm. They arranged to meet at 1.15pm. A woman had answered the phone. She sounded young. Younger than Nicole. Whoever she was, Nicole was keen to talk to her. Any lead, however small, might prove helpful. Even if it proved to be a wasted journey at least she was out of the office, during daylight.

A welcome break.

A woman entered. Looking around. Looking for someone. Pretty. Definitely younger than Nicole. Brunette. Toned. Nicole sat watching her. Look for a woman with red hair. Easy to spot. If this was her contact, she would recognise her. Their eyes met. Waverly looked nervous. Nicole raised her hand. Suddenly feeling nervous too. A flutter in her stomach. The first sign. Always the first sign.

Waverly approached. "Hi. Sorry, are you Nicole?"

"Yes. Can I get you a coffee?"

"No. Thanks. I can't stay long."

"You have some information on who was involved in the attacks."

"I think I know who was behind them. I'm not in direct contact, but I might be able to get details. I can't say anything. Not yet. You understand."

Nicole looked at Waverly. A wasted journey afterall. "OK. Whatever you can find out, if it stops the sick bastard doing this."

Waverly stared back at Nicole. That was the side she wanted to be on. The right side. The side helping people. Not the side she now knew had the potential, the ability, to put lives at risk.

"What part of America are you from?"

"New York. Why?"

"Oh, nothing. I quite like your accent."

Waverly got up. "I'll call you when I have more information."

Nicole sat watching Waverly as she left. Perhaps this wasn't a wasted journey afterall.

She couldn't get her out of her head. Whoever this woman was, Nicole was interested. To know who she was, what she knew, who she knew. She would ask her to go for a drink when she called next. No, bad move. She didn't know her. What if she was caught up in the hacking? What if she didn't make contact again? Risky. Great body. Risky. Probably had a boyfriend. Or, maybe a girlfriend. Too good looking to be single.

Waverly sat at her desk. Champ was busy typing, head down, listening to music, unaware of her presence. She sent him an email telling him she would go to Robin's afterall. He looked up, smiled, giving her a thumbs up.

She needed to get to Bobo. If he was the one behind the attacks, he needed stopping, his activities neutralised. She would need to talk to Robin. Get him to put her in contact with Bobo. Risky. Definitely. But, what was the alternative? Walk away, pretend nothing bad was happening.

With, or without her the attacks would continue. Her gut was telling her they would escalate. Edging towards something that would really hurt people. A lot of people. She couldn't have that on her conscience. She had crossed the line. She couldn't walk away. The only way of redeeming herself.

Bring down Bobo.

But how?

Waverly called Nicole. "Can we meet? A drink this evening, perhaps."

"Sure. Any place in mind?"

"There's a bar, The Narrowboat, corner of Wharf Road, Islington. I can meet you there. 6.30pm."

"OK. Got it. See you later."

Nicole sat looking at her phone. OK, so this was interesting. She wanted to ask her for a drink. Now, she was the one being asked. Keep this strictly business, she thought. She let Dolls know what was going on. He agreed. Any information on who was behind the attacks would help. He asked if she wanted company. She declined. She wanted to keep Waverly to herself. For now, at least.

The bar was quiet. She couldn't see Waverly when she entered. She ordered a whiskey, sitting at one of the tables by the window. Waverly entered shortly after 6.30pm. Out of breath. Still as attractive. Nicole sat watching her. She didn't even know her name. Waverly joined her at the table. She still looked nervous. Nicole smiled, wanting to reassure her it was OK what she was doing."

"Can I get you a drink?"

"Thanks. Gin and tonic."

Nicole returned with the drink. "Good choice."

"Cheers. I have a name you might want to check out. Bobo. He's the one behind the attacks. I know someone who is in contact with him. He's taking orders from Bobo. I don't like what's happening. It's wrong."

Nicole sat listening. She hadn't come across the name Bobo before. Who was Bobo?

Waverly sat nursing her drink. "The Dark Web is a scary place. There are things I wish I didn't know."

"I wish I didn't know either. What are you doing there? Someone like you. You don't strike me as the sort of person who would be playing in that part of the Internet. It's a dangerous place if you don't know what you're doing."

"I work in computers. I fell into it by accident. I'm beginning to realise it's not somewhere I want to be?"

"I'm in computers too. I'm a White hat. Someone who stops the Black hats."

"Sorry, White hat. Black hat?"

"The good guys and the bad guys. Black hats break into systems for money or to do harm. The ones who sell drugs, guns, people. Those kinds. My job is to catch them."

Waverly was fast realising she wanted to be a White hat.

"I think Bobo is a Black hat. Whatever he's up to, he's putting people's lives at risk. He's becoming more daring. It'll only stop when he's stopped."

Nicole sat gazing at Waverly. She could tell she was clever. Naïve to have ventured into the darkness. Earnest. Sincere. Great body.

Waverly caught Nicole looking at her. She smiled. She felt relaxed talking with Nicole.

"Who do you work for?"

"GCHQ. Have you heard of them?"

"Wow. Yes, I didn't realise. That's amazing. But, you're American."

"I've been brought in from CIA."

"Even more impressive. So, you really know your stuff."

"I guess so."

Waverly checked her watch. "Crap, sorry. I need to go. If I find out anything I'll call you."

She made to leave, finishing her drink as she stood.

Nicole felt a pang of disappointment their meeting was over so soon. "I don't know your name."

"It's Waverly."

Nicole sat staring into her glass reviewing what she now knew. So, I need to check out this Bobo. More importantly, Waverly. She's impressed. She's clever. Into computers. Great body.

Maybe, I'll call her.