‘WE KNOW WHAT THE GHOSTS’ device was for.’

I walked into the meeting room to find Hattie in front of the whiteboard; a black screen with an ‘Error’ message was projected onto it. Pixie and Geraint were at the table, fingers flying across their laptops. Next to them was a large plastic box of what looked like toys. Robin was in front of it holding a Thomas the Tank Engine.

‘All the files that the WhatsApp worm downloaded off the women’s phones have been corrupted.’

The Ghosts, despite their ineptitude, had succeeded in their mission after all.

Geraint handed me an iPad with a report on the device loaded onto it. I scanned it.

It turned out I was the one inside the room who activated the device.

By sending the women the WhatsApp invite.

As soon as the device was plugged in it wirelessly logged onto the network and corrupted all file transfers occurring in a thirty-foot radius.

‘The Snake must have known that one of the women had something on their phone that would incriminate them. But how did they know we were even going for their phones?’ I asked.

Pixie looked up at me. ‘The Snake would know our protocols. Initial contact with targets usually involves some kinda worm or bug to get to grips with their hardware. It wouldn’t be a stretch to work out we would start with downloading their phone records and that the WAF meeting was the likeliest time.’

‘Jake and Cameron are interrogating the two Ghosts now. Doesn’t look like they know anything but they seemed keen to try,’ said Hattie.

There was a clunk as Thomas the Tank Engine fell out of Robin’s hands and back into the box of toys. We all turned to look at him.

‘Sorry,’ Robin offered. He picked up a fluffy bunny rabbit and started squeezing its stomach.

‘How quickly can we get another go at their phones?’ I asked.

Pixie frowned. ‘The worm needs around twenty minutes to download everything off the phone. Our best chance is to install an update to their home wireless network.’

‘Get the tech ready,’ said Hattie. ‘Robin can install it while he’s at their houses.’

‘I’m just checking all the kit.’ Robin motioned towards the box in front of him. I glanced over at the assortment of Lego pieces, Barbie dolls, small cars, fluffy bunnies and a few elves. ‘I’m breaking into the Pigs’ houses and leaving toys there. I’m Father Christmas.’ He grinned.