Mirage: 2040 ...Part 18 ...Sending a Message

Citizen Security Patrol

The experience of being stalked while out on a hike was upsetting. Creed tried to take it in stride but I could see she was shaken. There was no doubt we were being surveilled but by whom and for what purpose?

Much as I wanted to comfort and reassure her, we had to be realistic and analyze our present situation and carry out what amounted to a risk assessment.

I made us both steaming mugs of rum hot chocolate, heavy on the rum, and sat with her by the fire until I was sure she was calm enough to talk through the problem.

I was about to discuss the threat when there was a knock on the door. Creed gazed anxiously at me, eyes wide with fear.

I motioned for her to wait while I checked the camera and saw it was Walt Cameron from the neighbourhood watch.

"It's okay—it's Walt. Let's see what he wants."

Walt was alone on the verandah but a cluster of men were gathered on the pavement near my house restraining a man.

"Sorry to disturb you Professor, but we spotted this man tailing you and followed him to your house. We interrogated him and found in his wallet cards indicating he's affiliated with The National Party. He was also carrying a tazer and a police billy. We think he intended to assault you."

"Good work, Walter. I think you've got enough grounds to lay a criminal charge. heve you contacted the police?"

Walter shook his head. "Not yet, Professor—frankly, we weren't sure we could trust them."

"I have a contact with the Metro Police," Creed interjected, "a detective I've worked with in the past. She's well-respected and trusted in law enforcement. I can call her and have her handle this."

Walt seemed relieved. "That would be excellent, Ms. Williams, It will prevent the men from taking matters into their own hands. For the moment we'll hold him at our headquarters in the church."

I patted the man on the back as he turned to leave, "Good work, Walt—you handled this perfectly."

I returned to the den just as Creed was hanging up the landline.

"I just spoke to Wren Thomas, the detective I mentioned. She's on her way and will touch base with us after she processes the suspect. She figures she'll be by just before 11pm."

I smiled, "I guess being an investigative reporter has its peeks."

She laughed, "Actually, I worked the crime beat for a year when I started out. It was pretty dreary work, but you're right—I did make some valuable contacts. Wren is a straight-shooter—she's someone I can rely upon completely."

As I sat and thought about it, I realized the stalking incident may have been a god-send. It will send a message to the National Party that our neighbourhood is patrolled and equipped with cameras—not an easy target to harass.

The best outcome here would be a jail sentence for our would-be attacker, but more important, it would send a message that we weren't a soft target.