One of my colleagues brought me out of my meditation. He was in charge of identifying the staff who had master keys and access codes. He had not handed me his conclusions yet.
"Boss, I’ve got some news!"
We went out of the building where an unbearable noise and confusion reigned. He set out the results of his wanderings. We already knew how the offender had entered the building: through the building’s main entrance and through the only door of the room where the crime took place. There was no other solution. My assistant had identified all the persons who had at least one of the two access codes. The majority were computer engineers and some executives such as the CEO and the security officer. There was also the staff from the security company which monitored the site remotely on weekends and at nights. In the event of an unauthorized intrusion, the volumetric alarm would trigger at the surveillance company headquarters without arousing the intruders’ suspicions so they could be caught during the break-in. There was a possibility of deactivating the alarm to let in employees outside regular work hours. The alarm had been disconnected by the offender.
"Let’s sum up, Fred", I said to my assistant. “25 people have the access code to enter the building and have been trained to disconnect the alarm. 16 employees can enter the computer room. They all know how to disconnect the alarm. There are 12 persons who have both codes. Is that right?"
"Right. I’ve questioned these 12 employees".
They all had a more or less reliable alibi. It was discouraging.
"Did any employees from the companies recently acquired by Dun have this access authorization? “, I asked.
"Not that I know of", said Fred looking through the list of names and titles.
"Good. That means that we can momentarily rule out suspects in the acquired businesses. That is today’s first good piece of news."
"Detective, all this time, we have been reasoning as if the intruder worked alone. Maybe there were several, each with one access code? In which case we have 29 suspects and not 12."
"We finally get some positive news and here you come raining on my parade. You would make a great psychologist Fred!".

He was getting on my nerves. He was a conscientious investigator, but he was getting on my nerves. I got up and decided to return to the crime scene. My assistant followed me without a word. The hallway was like a powder keg just about to explode. I worked my way through the crowd. Fred, who got lost for a short moment, met me at the entrance of the computer room. He closed the door behind us as I was turning on the ceiling lights. Peace, at last! I looked around: the room had changed since the last time I came. Most of the equipment was gone, probably to be repaired or installed in another room. Only cables and two Dunpets remained on a bookshelf. I was walking around the room trying to collect my thoughts. How is it possible to identify the guilty party or parties when some many people were suspect?
I was mumbling when I suddenly had a flash of inspiration.
"Fred, I’ve got an idea!"


Tuesday, 11 a.m., at the police station (up)

"I just read you your rights, now let’s start from the beginning. I remind you that this questioning is being taped. What’s your name?"
"Vincent Prez."
"Mr. Prez, what’s your position at Dun?"
"I’m a computer engineer. I work in the MIS maintenance department."
"Since when?"
"I’ve worked there for eight years."
"Did you cut the cables over the weekend?"
"… Yes"
“Was that a deliberate act on your part?"
"Yes"
"Tell me how you went about it."
"All the computer engineers have the access codes so we can work days and nights in case of an MIS failure. I used the codes Saturday night to enter the building."
"What time was it?"
"About 11 p.m."
"Then what happened?"
"I went to disconnect the alarm, then I went in the computer room. I took a pair of wire cutters and cut the wires."
"Why did you cut them?"
"So nobody would think that an engineer did it of course!"
"Was that your idea?"
"Yes. I acted all by myself, on an impulse."
"Alright. Let’s talk about the mobile. Why a break-in?"
Vincent Prez raised his eyes and looked at us one after the other. He was crying.
"You cannot understand", he whispered lowering his head.
"Try anyway."
He took a deep breath.
"Life at Dun has become impossible. It goes back to the acquisition of L3E, then of Svet and SWA. For nine months, my team has been in charge of modifying the computer systems of the three companies to make them compatible with Dun’s own system. It’s a real headache that requires ten people working full time and endless hours. When we started studying each company’s system, we realized that L3E had very efficient computer architecture much better than Dun’s. So we decided to design new architecture by using the assets of each company’s system. Unfortunately, we ran into technical difficulties and the project got delayed. Dun’s executives put pressure on us to finish on time. When we asked for financial compensation for the overtime spent on this project, they refused on the grounds that we were inefficient. The situation grew more bitter. The morale was becoming terrible within the team. Some even went on sick leave to get away from the pressure. You know, for a month now, every day we are asked for a progress report. And I can tell you that everyone did their utmost to overcome the technical problems."
"I believe you. Go on."
"The last straw was when Pierre Dunet decided to take a tough line at L3E. The objective was to first standardize practices between both companies while keeping them independent. Then, their attitude changed and they began talking about merging both organizations. Rumors of lay-offs at L3E started to spread. Since the company had a good team of MIS engineers and because we were not making any progress on our project, the rumors began to focus on us. If they were to consolidate Dun and L3E into one single company, only one MIS team was going to stay, and that would be L3E’s. For us, this was unbelievable. We were giving all our heart and hard work, without a bonus or a thank you, and we were going to get laid-off! They were not going to get away with that!
With these last words, Vincent Prez broke in tears. I knew enough to understand.


Tuesday, 6 p.m., at Dun (up)

Pierre Dunet had canceled all his appointments to meet with me. We were comfortably seated in his office leather chairs.
"It’s one of your Dunpets that gave me the answer."
"Really?"
"My son has one, and I remembered that these toys can record the audio and video when they sense movement. So I examined both Dunpets that were stored in the computer room and all those that decorate the hallway. You had just exhibited the last generation of your toys. With a little bit of luck, their batteries would still be working. Well, we were lucky indeed. Most of the Dunpets’ batteries were down, except for one located in the hallway. We watched all the sequences recorded by the toy. It went on that Saturday and recorded the moves in the hallway. He was so used to these pets that Vincent Prez did not realized he was being taped. Anyone can identify him on the film. By the way, I congratulate you for the quality of your built-in video system. The picture is clear and the motions are smooth. Once I got the film, I called Loïc Renaut who, through your Human Resources Department, helped me identify the author of the offence."
"I am very sad, Detective. Vincent Prez is not a bad guy. He is usually quiet and keeps to himself. I am hurt that he could have been the author of this break-in because I am really the guilty one."
"What do you mean?"
"I cannot deny that the acquisition problems have upset many employees. The ambience has become ghastly in some departments. Rumors are spreading and it’s difficult to face all these issues. I must quickly implement a communication plan to explain the strategy behind these acquisitions. Employees must determine where their place will be in the new organization and choose freely to stay or leave the company".
"Actually, Mr. Dunet, your problem is more complex than mine."
"Believe me, my situation is becoming a bit delicate. I’m under the pressure of the shareholders who want Dun’s image restored quickly, inside and outside. In fact, my situation can be compared to that of Vincent Prez, that poor man. I will not let him down, even if his action is unforgivable."
Then he invited me for dinner. I was no longer on duty, but I declined the invitation. My son was waiting for me at home with his Dunpet. Tonight, I will hug this funny pet who had helped me greatly.