The Next Accident - Lisa Gardner [74]
“I’m not,” she said automatically, for the Bureau would never send an agent alone in the field. “There’s Special Agent Montgomery . . .”
Quincy merely looked at her. Then he let his gaze roam the empty rooms.
“Montgomery’s been busy,” she said defensively.
“Why is he on this case? He doesn’t exactly seem the cavalry type.”
“He requested it. You’re one of us. It’s important to get to the bottom of this, so we can all be safe.”
Quincy looked at her again. She was beginning to understand his reputation now. That direct, probing stare. Those hard, compelling eyes. She broke, her gaze skittering away.
“Montgomery . . . Montgomery was on the Sanchez case. First.” She didn’t have to say anything more. It was common knowledge that the first agent had botched the Sanchez case fifteen years ago. He’d insisted that they were looking for a single, charismatic sociopath, à la Ted Bundy, when the police already had evidence that more than one killer was involved. Further, the presence of cement dust had the LAPD wanting to check out blue-collar workers, not the local law schools. The police had finally thrown a fit. Montgomery had been removed. Quincy had come in. The rest was now law enforcement history.
“That would explain his language and dress in front of Everett,” Quincy commented.
She smiled thinly. “No point in auditioning for the Bureau fast track when your career has already been derailed.”
“His mistake. Apparently he’s made a few. Don’t let the next one involve you.”
“I’m fine here. You have a wonderful security system, plus we’ve taken the liberty of upgrading. Let me show you.” She led Quincy to the front door, where a new security box had been installed next to his doorbell. His old system had been a simple four-by-four keypad inside the entry. Now the system entailed a significantly sized plastic case boasting a keypad, scanner, and multicolor digital display located outside the front door.
“It combines a pin code with fingerprint technology,” Glenda explained. “Instead of unlocking the front door, then rushing in to enter the security code, this box controls the front door. You enter in your personal pin number twice, then hold your index finger over the scanner to be read. If you match the print on file, the system automatically disarms and allows you into the house. The minute you close the door, it automatically resets for the next guest. In other words, the house is always protected and it now takes more than a simple sequence of numbers to gain access.”
“It’s set up for multiple people?”
“Yes. We’ve entered your fingerprints, Montgomery’s, and mine into the system. More can be added as necessary. This way, we can come and go as we please. Plus, it eliminates having a key, which frankly poses another security risk as keys can be stolen or copied.”
Quincy nodded. “What about lifting someone’s fingerprint? The UNSUB has already stolen my name. Perhaps he got my fingerprints off a piece of mail I sent to my daughter.”
“No good,” Glenda said. “The scanner not only looks at ridges, but also analyzes the fingerprint for temperature and electrical properties. A lifted print wouldn’t register the right temperature or have electrical properties.” She smiled tightly. “Nor for that matter, would a severed digit.”
Quincy nodded again. She could tell that he liked that. “What about override protection? There must be ways to circumvent the scanner. After all, a homeowner might end up with his hand in a cast, or cut his finger, temporarily altering his own fingerprint. The security company must also consider those things.”
“The security company has thought of them, and is even more devious than you are, Quincy. All ten digits are on file. As long as the homeowner has one available finger, he can enter his home.”
Quincy rocked back on his heels. He finally looked impressed. “Why didn’t I buy this before?” he murmured.
“You weren’t a corporation. It’s just now becoming available for private residences.” Glenda punched in her pin number twice, placed her index finger on the scanner, and opened the