Page 45 of The Smart Killer
“You’d be surprised what dumb shit ex-cons do,” Porter said.
Noah studied Alejandro for a moment before speaking. “We’ll have to verify your story. If everything checks out, you’ll be fine. But if we find out you’ve been up to your old tricks, you’ll be in trouble.”
Alejandro nodded vigorously, desperation in his eyes. “I understand. All I want is to put all that behind me and move on with my life.”
Porter exchanged a glance with Noah, communicating his doubts. Neither of them was stupid. They had dealt with theirfair share of criminals claiming to have changed, only to fall back into their old habits. But they would have to take him at his word and investigate further.
“Tell me something,” Noah said. “You installed the security systems that are in the Lakeridge homes. You’re familiar with them, right?”
“I am.”
“You hacked into the system because you had access to their accounts. If you didn’t have access, could you have still taken control?”
“It wouldn’t have been as easy, but yeah.” He nodded.
“How?”
Alejandro didn’t immediately reply. He stared back at Noah. “Are you setting me up or something?”
“No. I just want to know how.”
Alejandro grimaced. “I could tell you, but it would be a lot easier if I was more comfortable,” he said, shifting around. Noah studied him for a second, then motioned to Porter.
“Uncuff him.”
“And I could use a smoke, maybe a bite to eat. I haven’t had dinner yet.”
“You’re a pushy little prick, aren’t you,” Porter said.
“And you’re an asshole,” Alejandro said. Porter narrowed his eyes. Noah tapped him and motioned.
“You’re not serious, are you?”
“Uncuff him.”
With a nod, Porter got out, cursing under his breath. He came around reluctantly and removed the cuffs.
Ten minutes later,after letting Alejandro smoke, they sat inside the Deer’s Head Inn, watching him tuck into a 12-ounce New York strip steak, fries, and chimichurri. His cutlery clattered. Noah sat with a cup of coffee in front of him. Porter waited outside on the phone, talking to his wife. Every few minutes, he would look in and glare.
“Your partner sure seems pissed,” Alejandro said through a mouthful of food before he reached for a large glass of Coke to wash it down.
“He likes to do things by the book.”
“And you don’t?”
Noah never replied to that, so Alejandro continued, slopping food in his mouth and taking large swigs of his drink. “These families who died in their homes, why do you believe it’s caused by someone and not just an accident?”
“Let’s say I have my reasons.” Noah leaned forward. “So, how could you take control of someone’s home system without having access to their account?”
He stopped eating. “You ever heard of the phrase — wardriving?”
Noah shook his head.
“It’s when someone exploits a WiFi network from a moving vehicle using a smartphone or a laptop. You see, that’s the problem with smart homes. They are fancy, convenient, and full of all these devices that communicate with each other and share data over the internet. Today, the number of devices and services is increasing by the month, letting folks have locks, security cameras, virtual assistance, thermostats, kitchen appliances, lighting systems, baby monitors — you name it, there is a device that exists — and all of it works through IoT.”
“IoT?”
“Internet of Things. The fancy word was coined to explain the network of objects that were connected to the internet thatgathered and shared information. Smart homes are part of that. Yet the reality is they have been around a long time. Society has been using IoT sensors in roadways to manage traffic and detect floods, earthquakes, and exposure to dangerous materials. Corporations have been using them to monitor shipping container locations, fuel consumption, and vehicle operation. In a home, if there are more than two devices connected to the internet sharing information around the clock, it’s considered a smart home. A simple one, nothing like what Lakeridge creates, but a smart home, nonetheless.” He shoveled a few more pieces of steak into his mouth and closed his eyes. “I’ve always wanted to come here. The steak is out of this world.”
