Mer and I thought we were completely protected by the RCMP detail outside our houses but were dismayed to hear a robotic warning on our phone from Pollock's goons trying to intimidate us.
Of course we both were shocked and horrified to find out our so-called protective cover had been so easily violated.
"How could this happen?" Mer moaned, "I thought the RCMP officers assured us that our electronics were free of malware."
"They did say that," I told her, "but maybe there's another explanation for how this happened. When we get home I'll phone the emergency number Martin Withers gave me and talk to him directly. I'm sure there's a plausible explanation."
Mer nodded and clung protectively to Ginger, her cat, whom we had just retrieved from her townhouse. I felt totally helpless at that moment which was the exact effect our enemies wanted to create.
Withers was apologetic and a bit surprised that Pollock's militia so quickly found a way to penetrate our shield.
"In rare instances I've seen this happen, but it usually occurs in international espionage and it's rare to see in a domestic context, however, leave it to me and we'll scope out what happened and remedy it."
"Should we stay off our electronics until we hear back from you?"
"I think that would be wise, Logan, but not to worry, I'll contact you early in the morning and let you know what we've discovered and how we're going to remedy it. Again, I'm sorry you had to experience this but it indicates how sophisticated your harassers are and we'll just have to use more powerful methods to prevent a recurrence."
Mer had been listening to our conversation and still seemed anxious and concerned.
"What if Pollock has access to methods that the RCMP can' t match? After all, we're dealing with the local police and they might not be equipped to deal with this level of technology."
I shrugged and held up my empty palms to gesture I had no idea how the militia members were able to penetrate our protective measures.
We went to bed shortly after and I couldn't sleep because I was worried about Mer. I got up and checked in on her to see if she was all right and found her lying exhausted on the bed in the guest bedroom with Ginger curled up beside her.
The sight was touching. We had been under real stress with the bullet fired at her house as well as Pollock's veiled threats, and now, our phone hacked by using Ai to impersonate my editor's voice.
It was all too much. I prayed Martin Withers would have an answer for us when he calls in the morning.
But morning brought more harassment and psychologically targeted attacks all designed to rob our peace of mind and undermine our trust in the police to protect us.
Overnight, devices turned off or on that we hadn't programmed. The furnace had shut off when the temperature was set to come on if the room temperature fell to 68F. It was a chilly night and the low temps made sleeping uncomfortable.
The coffee maker turned on by itself overnight and we had to make a fresh batch in the morning.
But what disturbed us the most was the morning paper delivered inside our house when the front door was locked and police were stationed outside.
How was any of this possible?
Martin Withers phoned at 9 am with some answers.
Apparently, he was able to trace all the attacks back to matters under the purview of the local police which indicated that there was a rogue faction inside the RCMP, a cadre of officers who were compromised and talking orders from Pollock.
Withers decided to replace the local police with CSIS operatives and begin an investigation to root out the disloyal faction and prosecute them.
He also had another idea he proposed to us.
"Have you ever heard of a scif ?" he asked.
We both were unaware of the term.
"it's a safe room within your home that we'll build for you today if you want. It's a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility designed to protect your phones and computers and conversations from outside hacking or electronic surveillance. It's a 9x12' room where you and Mer can carry out the most sensitive activities and confidential conversations free from snoopers and hackers."
"That sounds reassuring," Mer enthused, I'd certainly be in favour of that, but it's Logan's house."
"I'm in favour too," I chimed in, "provided the facility doesn't damage the house and can be removed by you when the crisis is past."
Withers laughed, "Our technicians can build and take it down in a few hours and you'd never know it had been there. Do you have a place you can go while we do the work?"
"We can work at my office at The Toronto Telegraph. How long will it take?"
"If you can be out by 11 am you can get back in by 3 pm. One of our technicians will be there to assist you and show you how the various safeguards work."
After we got off the phone with Martin we immediately began making plans to quickly vacate the house.
"I'll take Ginger to the Pet Retreat for the day," Mer suggested, "and we'll start putting our stuff in the car."
"Sounds like a plan," I smiled, "it'll be reassuring to know what we say in future won't be overheard."
Mer nodded but in a sober tone added, "the only caveat I have is that we don’t know which cops are our real allies. Until that gets sorted out, CSIS operatives will have to walk back the cat."
I laughed at the phrase, "what the hell does that mean?"
"It means Withers will have to get his agents to retrace their steps to find out who did what and the where and when and figure out who the bad cops are."
It was a sobering thought
