The Two Sided Coin: Log 5: Help me Obi-Warren Kenobi, you're my only hope

[x-invisiblegirl.livejournal.com]

Julian approaches XFI for their help with Hope's situation

"So that's basically it, someone managed to sneak into Keller Industries and use Hope's laptop to break into their mainframe so she's the scapegoat," Sue summarized nodding at the young woman, "We don't really want that to happen so I thought maybe you guys could help us find out what really happened."

"I'm in. No way someones taking one of us down, especially if they didn't do it." Jessica replied as she gave Hope a empathetic look. "Where do we start?" She asked.

"With the beginning of course," Warren added. The story was an interesting one, and definitely made him wonder what exactly was going on. "Hope, I know that Sue has given us the summary, but could you fill us in a bit on this? I don't want to go into this blind."

"I am afraid it's pretty much what Ms. Storm has told you, Mr. Worthington. The only issue I cannot figure out is how he got hold of my authenticator. I keep that in my bag, except when I use it to log on."

Quentin was only half paying attention. He could not find it in him to muster much concern over the failures of some corporation. But a job was a job. "So someone stole or picked through your bag," he said, lounging back in his seat and staring up at the ceiling. "You sure someone broke it and took it? It's not someone already from the inside who hates you?"

"It's a possibility," Sue allowed with a nod, "You did come in and jump right to Julian's Assistant, there is bound to be some people who are envious of your position. It'd be easy for one of them to sneak your authenticator out of your office."

"Guess one of the first things to do would be to make a list of people like that. Hope, can you think of anyone in particular who resents you or has been upset with you? Anything would be helpful." Jessica asked.

"I can think of some people who expressed envy, but I find it hard to imagine that anyone would stoop so low..." Hope shook her head. "But I will make a list and give it to you."

"That'll give us a starting point at least," Bobbi chimed in. Even if it didn't reveal the culprit off the bat who knew what the investigation might uncover? "When you get us the names we can get to work on surveillance and see what turns up."

"Well," Arthur chimed in, "That is a great idea and I like it, but I'm not positive that Hope is that useful to this person anymore? They already got what they wanted. What's the real target? I do not see how Hope could have someone who hates her this much. Look at her. She's adorable."

"I was probably just a means to an end." Hope conceded sadly. "A means to whatever information they wanted. I have considered that thought myself."

"Well we will find out who did these means and bring them justice." Lorna told Hope with a reassuring smile.

Julian had remained silent as the investigators interviewed Hope, finally, he cleared his throat. "I appreciate, as does Keller Industries, you taking on this case- however..." he paused and stepped forward slightly. "You are not on their payroll; I'll be covering your operating expenses out-of-pocket. While that does give you some leash, it won't give you access to, hmm, more sensitive areas of the company." He looked right at Sue, "I trust that won't be a problem," it was not a question.

The blonde shook her head, "We don't need to see them to get the job done and find out whoever was behind this." Sue cocked her head to the side, "I've never really been into alternative energy sources anyway, besides we switched all our effort over to nuclear a while ago. As long as we can get the personnel information we need that should be good enough, we'd just need to make sure that Hope wasn't being targeted as someone inside the company. The security video did show someone dressed in Keller Industries overalls working on Hope's computer, we'd need to make sure he doesn't actually work there."

"Maybe I could just go to every floor of your building and take the answers out of people's heads myself," Quentin offered. "I mean, I can't promise you'll have any sane employees left after that, but it'll solve the mystery..."


"Let's call that plan C, okay?" Julian tried to read the room, looking from person to person, to tell if Quentin was being serious. "Or plan D maybe," he shook his head, "for now, you'll have to settle for approaching persons of interest outside of their work hours."

Warren gave a Swift nod of approval. "Sounds like we have at least a start and an agreement. In case we haven't officially said it, we'll take the case. Be prepared for the strangest expense invoice you've ever seen."