The Enigma Gamers - A CATS Tale

In the precinct the next morning, Tyler and Como reviewed their small victories. Not only had Hector provided them the photo, but after Como arranged for a reduced charge with the DA, he had provided lots of details.

Hector said the guy’s name was Vadim. He described Vadim as tall as Como with dark wavy hair, fierce dark eyes, hands that had seen work with scars, and a funny accent. He had found Hector in a bar and promised him and his buddies, whom Hector refused to name, lots of money if they would partner with him. He’d bought them shots of vodka and related how they would hit several places, and regardless of the alarms the cops wouldn’t find them. It was a sure thing.

Hector had been reluctant but finally agreed, as did his buddies. He detailed all the places they’d hit and most of the goods. Como had been comparing this information to all the reports they had on the robberies. Things were matching up.

When Tyler and Como had persisted with questioning Hector on why no cops would show up, he finally admitted that Vadim had said the cops would have no idea of the addresses as their systems would be messed up. He swore that they would be directed to the wrong address. Hector had been so relieved after the first break-in and the success that the rest were a cake walk.

Hector had helped him fence part of the stuff at a couple of different pawn shops, but Vadim had complained that things were going too slow and that he needed to move the merchandise faster. Hector then recommended that they bulk it out to Vinnie. Vinnie and Vadim had not really seen eye-to-eye on the pricing. Hector said it had been a bit tense until Vadim finally agreed to the price and walked away. Somehow Vadim had switched the package for Vinnie and left a sachet of costume jewelry instead. Vinnie had been so mad at the deception that he turned out all of his two-legged chained dogs to go find Vadim and his money. But no trace was to be had because that guy had simply checked out. It had taken Hector and his buddies until the next morning to realize they’d also been screwed over by Vadim.

Tyler had the information from the Pack’n Box which included the shipping address and the wire transfer account number. He had called in to Julie and updated her with the details as well as completed the detailed report and sent it along.

Tyler and Como had been hard at it for the day and had just left from briefing the Mayor. The Mayor agreed to let Tyler do some remote probing of the PSAP data to help get the root cause for the geolocation misinformation. Como and Tyler had made a good case for relating the robberies and the alert mismatches. But how the process was being manipulated so it could be avoided was critical.

As they walked outside after the meeting with the Mayor, Como commented, “You aren’t bad for such a young pretty face, Tyler.”

Tyler grinned and replied, “Thanks, Como. I’d work with you anytime, old man.”

They both laughed. Then Tyler sobered a bit and said, “I want to go with you on Thursday, don’t forget.”

Como clapped him on the back and replied, “You got it!”