Page 14 of Trained In Sin

Seb

The satisfaction is still coursing through my veins as I stride through Hartwell's lobby toward the waiting car. The look on Saphy's face during that meeting, the perfect blend of fury and helplessness, was everything I'd hoped for and more.

She handled it well, I'll give her credit.

Maintained her professionalism even while I systematically dismantled her sense of security.

But I saw the cracks. The way her knuckles went white gripping that pen.

The slight tremor in her voice when I mentioned show home details.

The beautiful terror in her eyes, without her even knowing that I know about her plans tonight.

My security guard is worth his weight in gold.

He overheard Saphy telling a colleague about Fabric, and immediately told me.

Matthew is waiting in the driver's seat, his expression unreadable as I slide into the back.

"How did it go?" he asks, pulling away from the curb.

"Perfectly." I lean back against the leather, allowing myself a moment of genuine pleasure. "She's beginning to understand the futility of resistance."

"And the business side?"

"Hartwell is eager for the investment. Gordon's doing exactly what he's supposed to do." I check my watch. "The riverside development will proceed, and I'll have legitimate reasons to maintain contact with Ms. Jenkins' workplace. "

Matthew nods, navigating through London traffic with his usual efficiency.

His phone rings before we've gone two miles.

He answers with a touch to his earpiece.

“Go ahead.” He frowns. "Tech needs to speak with you," he says, glancing at me in the rearview mirror.

"Something about digital intrusion attempts. "

I gesture for him to put it through. He taps again on his ear-piece and a voice fills the car.

"Mr. Blackwood?" The voice belongs to Danny, my head of digital security. "We've detected someone attempting to access information about you. Nothing sensitive, mostly public business records and financial filings, but someone's definitely digging."

"How deep?"

"Surface level so far. They're very good, but not quite good enough to get past our security measures yet. Whoever it is knows what they're doing, but they're being careful not to trigger any alarms."

Interesting. "Can you trace the source?"

"Already did. The attempts are coming from Phoenix Solutions, an IT consulting firm in Canary Wharf. Specifically from a workstation registered to one Damon Phillips."

"Damon Phillips," I repeat, watching Matthews eyebrows raise in the mirror. "How thorough has Mr. Phillips been in his research?"

"Methodical. He's accessing Companies House records, business registration databases, property holdings. Nothing illegal, nothing that would set off any serious red flags. But he's building a comprehensive picture. "

So Saphy has enlisted her boring boyfriend to investigate me. Clever girl. She's learning to use the resources available to her, even if those resources are pathetically inadequate.

"Danny, I want you to return the favour. But be more thorough than Mr. Phillips has been."

"You want us to look into him?"

"I want you to tear his digital life apart. Work history, financial records, personal communications, browsing history. Everything. And I want to know why a simple IT consultant has access to the kind of search capabilities he's been using."

"On it, Mr. Blackwood. Should we block his access to information about you?"

I consider this. On one hand, letting Damon continue his research gives me insight into what Saphy knows and what she's looking for. On the other hand, there are certain aspects of my business I'd rather remain private.

"Block anything sensitive but let him access the public information. I want to see how far he's willing to go."

"Understood. I'll have a full report on Phillips within twenty-four hours."

After Danny disconnects, I sit back, processing this new development. Saphy's decision to involve Damon shows she's taking the threat seriously. It also shows she's not as isolated as I thought. She has resources, even if they're limited.

But it also presents an opportunity. Every digital search Damon makes leaves traces. Every file he accesses, every database he queries, creates a record of his activities. My people are far better at this game than he is.

"Interesting development," Matthew observes.

"More than interesting. It's useful." I pull out my phone and scroll through my contacts. "She's being strategic, which I respect. But she's also given me another angle to work."

"You're going after the boyfriend directly?"

"I'm gathering intelligence. There's a difference." Though as I say it, I realize the distinction is largely semantic. "Knowledge is power, Matthew. The more I know about Damon Phillips, the better I can understand what Saphy sees in him. And the better I can demonstrate why he's inadequate."

My finger hovers over another contact. Miguel Santos, the general manager of Fabric. I've never had business dealings with the club, but in London's nightlife industry, everyone knows everyone.

"Take me to Syren," I tell Matthew. "I have calls to make."

Back in my office, I pour myself a measure of whisky and dial Miguel's number. He answers on the third ring, his voice carrying the perpetual exhaustion of someone who works nights.

"Miguel? Sebastian Blackwood. I hope I'm not calling at a bad time."

"Mr. Blackwood." The change in his tone is immediate, respectful, slightly nervous. My reputation precedes me. "Not at all. What can I do for you? "

"I'm exploring some business opportunities, and Fabric has caught my attention. I wonder if we might meet to discuss potential collaboration."

There's a pause. Miguel is probably wondering what kind of collaboration I could possibly want with a club that caters to indie music lovers and university students rather than my usual high end clientele.

"Of course," he says eventually. "When were you thinking?"

"Tonight, actually. I know it's short notice, but I'm particularly interested in observing your operations during peak hours. Understanding your crowd, your security protocols, your flow management."

"Tonight is our indie night. Very different atmosphere from your usual venues."

"Exactly why I'm interested. Diversification, you understand. I'm always looking for new market segments."

It's complete bullshit, of course. I have no interest in Fabric as a business opportunity. But Miguel doesn't need to know that.

"We could meet in my office around nine?" he suggests. "That way you can observe the early crowd, see how we handle the transition to peak hours."

"Perfect. And Miguel? I'd prefer to keep this lowkey. I'll be assessing your operations without interfering, so discretion would be appreciated."

"Of course. Will you need anything specific? Access to security feeds, staff briefings? "

"Security feeds would be helpful. I like to understand sight lines, crowd control, potential problem areas." All true, just not for the reasons he thinks. "Perhaps a private area where I can observe without being noticed by your clientele?"

"Absolutely. We have a management booth overlooking the main floor. Tinted glass, full view of the dance floor and bar areas."

Exactly what I need. I'll be able to watch Saphy all evening without her having any idea I'm there. See how she behaves when she thinks she's safe, how she interacts with Beth, whether she shows any signs of the fear I've been carefully cultivating.

"Excellent. I'll see you tonight at nine."

After hanging up, I lean back in my chair, pleased with how quickly the pieces are falling into place. The digital investigation will provide insight into Saphy's state of mind and her boyfriend's capabilities. The Fabric meeting will give me surveillance access to her evening out.

Every move she makes to gain independence or security only creates new opportunities for me to demonstrate the futility of resistance.

My phone buzzes with a text from an unknown number: Thank you for the productive meeting today. Looking forward to our continued professional relationship. - S. Jenkins

I smile. So formal, so carefully worded. She's establishing a paper trail, creating evidence of professional communication in case she needs it later. Smart, but ultimately pointless.

I type back: The pleasure was entirely mine. I'm confident our partnership will be very... rewarding .

I don't expect a response, and I don't get one. But I know she'll understand the message. Professional relationship or not, this is personal between us.

Matthew appears in my doorway. "Wilson's phoned. And Danny wants to speak with you about the Phillips situation."

"Send Danny up. I’ll call Wilson later."

Danny arrives within minutes, a tablet in hand and the eager expression of someone who's found something interesting.

"That was quick," I observe.

"Phillips didn’t make it easy. He’s good. But I’m better.” Danny sets his tablet on my desk, showing me a series of screens filled with data. "Want the executive summary or the full breakdown?"

"Summary first."

"Damon Phillips isn't who he appears to be. The IT consultant job is legitimate, but it's not his only source of income. He's been doing freelance work, for what, I don’t know yet.”

Interesting. The bland, ordinary boyfriend has hidden depths.

“Go on?”

Danny pauses, frowning at his tablet. "His financial records show some irregularities.

Significant debts he's hiding from Ms. Jenkins, student loans, credit cards, a car loan that's underwater.

But there are sections of his system that are locked down tight.

Highest grade of encryption a civilian can have, multiple security layers.

For an IT consultant, he's got some serious digital fortification. "

This is unexpected. "Can you break through it? "

"Eventually. But Phillips knows what he's doing.

These aren't the security measures of someone protecting corporate client data.

This is the kind of setup you use when you're hiding something serious.

" Danny looks up from his tablet. "Whatever's in those protected files, he really doesn't want anyone finding it. "

Perfect. Financial pressure makes people do stupid things, take unnecessary risks. It also makes them vulnerable to the right kind of persuasion.

"Anything else?"

"One more thing. He's been careful about covering his tracks with Ms. Jenkins. Separate bank accounts, no shared financial obligations beyond that savings account. He's keeping his financial problems hidden from her."

So the perfect boyfriend isn't so perfect after all. He's keeping secrets, just like everyone else.

"Excellent work, Danny. Keep monitoring his digital activity, and keep working on those encrypted files. I want to know what he's hiding."

"It might take some time, Mr. Blackwood. This isn't amateur hour, Phillips has some serious digital skills."

"Take whatever time you need. But I want those files cracked eventually. Everyone has secrets, Danny. His are just better hidden than most."

After Danny leaves, I sit alone with this new information. Damon Phillips, the ordinary IT consultant, is more complex than he appears. Financial problems and now encrypted files suggest much deeper secrets .

He's lying to Saphy about multiple aspects of his life. But those protected files. What could an IT consultant need that level of security for?

This changes things. The boring, stable boyfriend Saphy thinks she has doesn't actually exist. She's in love with a carefully constructed facade, just like everyone else who's ever thought they knew the real Sebastian Blackwood.

But unlike my secrets, which are about power and control, Damon's secrets are hidden behind the kind of digital fortress that suggests something much darker. Something worth serious effort to uncover.

The irony. She's trying to escape one man with dangerous secrets by staying with another.