The Yellow Hibiscus

Tempest in Under 1000

The security guards were asked to leave. Detective Fong’s eyes asked why?

Joyce Miller sighed and answered his unasked question. “Because they don’t know this. Every day at 12:04 PM, for 5 seconds the laser would dim and then turn off, but the lights would remain on. The guards would be watching the screen, but they would think the alarm was still on.”

“Why?” Sgt. Booker pumped.

“The entire system needed that time to recharge itself.” Joyce Miller disclosed.

“Would the guards be able to see if anyone entered the room?” Sgt. Booker quizzed.

“No. It takes only five seconds.”

“Any other cameras?” Sgt. Booker continued his interrogation.

“No. We don’t install cameras in the employee’s area or the library. The cameras are in the museum pointing at the arts.”

“How many persons know about the security system protecting the books?”

“No one but myself and the curator, and he’s in Egypt. But it would be virtually impossible for anyone to enter the room and walk out without being seen.”

“That’s what you think,” Sgt. Booker alerted with raised brows. “How about the technicians that programmed the security system?”