#RFID Key Cards

[rfidcard]

RFID Hotel Key Cards: 7 Reasons They Stop Working & How to Avoid It

In today’s hotels, RFID key cards have become a popular access system. They rely on radio wave technology to offer guests a convenient and secure way to unlock their doors. Unlike traditional magnetic stripe cards, RFID keys are not only safer but also easier to use—guests just need to hold the card near the door to unlock it automatically.

However, many guests may find themselves in the awkward situation of having a non-working key card when they check in. Whether it’s due to card damage, signal interference, or issues with the hotel’s system, a malfunctioning key card can create quite a hassle during your stay. By understanding how RFID key cards work and what causes them to fail, we can better avoid these problems and ensure a smooth check-in experience.

This article will outline the seven common reasons why hotel key cards stop working, along with practical preventive measures to help make your next hotel stay as smooth as possible.

What Is An RFID Hotel Key Card?

RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology is a method of communication using radio waves that’s widely used in various electronic devices. In hotels, RFID key cards interact with the door lock system's card reader through a built-in chip and antenna to perform tasks like unlocking doors and verifying identities.

Here’s how an RFID key card works:

Reading chip information: When the key card gets close to the door lock, the lock’s card reader sends out radio waves that activate the chip inside the key card.

Verifying identity: The chip in the key card transmits its unique ID information, which is then compared with the hotel management system.

Unlocking the door: If the verification is successful, the door lock receives a signal to unlock, allowing the guest to enter the room.

The main advantage of RFID technology is that it enables data exchange without needing direct contact, making it more durable and user-friendly than traditional magnetic stripe cards.

7 Common Reasons for RFID Key Failures and Their Solutions

Magnetic Field Interference (Mobile Phones, Credit Cards, etc.)

❌ Failure Cause:

In daily life, a lot of people tend to keep their key cards stored with electronic devices like smartphones and credit cards in their bags or wallets. Unfortunately, these devices often produce magnetic fields or electromagnetic interference that can affect the antenna or chip in the RFID card, causing it to stop working.

✅ How to Avoid It:

Don’t store your key card with your smartphone, credit cards, or any other cards that have magnetic stripes. Be especially cautious with smartphones, credit cards, or electronic wallets that can interfere with RFID signals.

Use a dedicated card protector: Many hotels provide specific holders that effectively isolate magnetic interference and help ensure that your key card functions properly.

Physical Damage to the Key Card (Bends, Scratches, Cracks)

❌ Failure Cause:

RFID key cards have sensitive electronic chips and antennas. If a key card is bent, scratched, pressed, or cracked too hard, it could damage the chip and antenna. This often happens when the card gets stuffed in a pocket or wallet, making it susceptible to damage.

✅ How to Avoid It:

Don’t bend or apply pressure to your key card. Make sure it’s not packed in a tight pocket or squeezed by anything else.

Avoid Scratching: If your key card is stored with items like keys or coins in a bag, it can easily get scratched, which can affect its performance.

Use a Key Card Protector: Keeping your key card in a protective case can effectively prevent scratches and bends, helping to extend the card’s lifespan.

key Card Data Cancelled by Hotel System

❌ Cause of Failure:

Sometimes, a key card can get deactivated in the hotel system, making it unusable. Possible reasons include:

A glitch in the hotel system may accidentally cancel the key card’s authorization.

The key card's authorization automatically expires after your check-out time.

The key card doesn’t match your room number, causing it to not be recognized.

✅ How to Avoid It:

Make sure to check that your key card matches your room number at check-in. Confirm that the key card is correctly assigned to your room.

When extending your stay, check that your key card is still valid. If there’s an issue with the system, contact the front desk right away for reactivation.

Regularly verify your key card’s authorization; if you have any questions, reach out to the front desk for clarification right away.

key Card Not Used for Too Long

❌ Cause of Failure:

Some hotels use RFID cards that automatically deactivate if they’re not used for an extended period. For example, if a card hasn’t been used for more than 24 hours, the system will cancel its authorization. This is meant to enhance security and prevent any unauthorized use of the key cards.

✅ How to Avoid It:

Make sure to check the validity of your key card when you check in. It’s a good idea to try using the card right after you check in to confirm that it unlocks your door without any issues.

If you haven’t used your key card for a long time, be sure to head to the front desk to get it reactivated promptly to avoid expiration.

Hotel Door Lock Battery Low or System Malfunction

❌ Cause of Failure:

Sometimes, the problem isn’t with the key card but with the hotel door lock itself. For instance:

The door lock’s battery might be low, which can prevent it from receiving the signal from the key card.

The lock’s system or software could be malfunctioning and may not recognize the RFID key card at all.

✅ How to Avoid It:

If your key card isn’t working, try swiping it a few times before giving up hope.

If there’s an issue with the door lock, don’t hesitate to contact the front desk to report it and ask for a repair. Most hotels will usually provide you with a backup room or another alternative.

Using the Wrong Room Card or Restricted Access

❌ Cause of Failure:

Sometimes guests accidentally grab the room card for a different room, or their card might have restricted access. For instance, it could only allow entry to the room and not to other places like the gym or pool.

✅ How to Avoid It:

When you check in, double-check the room number on your key card.

If you need access to other areas (like the gym, parking lot, etc.), ask the front desk for the necessary permissions.

Make sure your card has access rights for all the areas you've booked, and let the front desk know right away if you run into any problems.

Static Electricity or Extreme Environmental Impact

❌ Cause of Failure:

In dry environments, static electricity can interfere with the room card's sensing ability. Super hot or humid conditions (like leaving the room card in a hot car or in a damp place for a long time) can also damage the card.

✅ How to Avoid It:

Don’t leave the room card in super hot or humid places, like on your car's dashboard or in the bathroom.

When using the room card in a dry environment, try touching a metal object first to discharge any static electricity. This keeps it from messing with the card’s normal function.

How to Effectively Protect Your Hotel Room Card?

To make sure your RFID hotel room card works properly at all times, here are some tips:

Keep it away from items like your phone and credit cards to minimize magnetic interference.

Don’t fold or scratch the card; use a card protector to boost its durability.

Check the room card right after you check in to make sure it’s working.

If your room card stops working, let the front desk know right away, and the hotel staff will fix the issue as quickly as they can.

Conclusion

The issue of RFID hotel room cards not working can usually be fixed with some simple troubleshooting steps. Most problems with room cards are not irreparable, so don’t freak out. Just check off each of the steps mentioned above, and you’re likely to find and fix the issue.

If you run into something that you can’t solve, reach out to the hotel front desk right away; the staff is typically ready to help you out quickly.

If you’d like to learn more about hotel key cards, check out RFIDCard.com. They’ve been in the industry for over a decade, producing 100 million cards each year and providing key card products and services to more than 2,000 hotels worldwide.

[cards-mart-card-printing]

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[zdcardtech-blog]

Innovative NFC bracelet by ZDCardtech - Style meets functionality

At zdcardtech, we specialize in the construction of innovative NFC Bracelets Manufacturer designed to combine functionality and style. Our bracelets are perfect for safe contact -free payment, access control and event management. With reliable performance and smooth design, these wearballs provide the best of both technology and aesthetics. Choose ZDCardtech as your reliable NFC bracelet manufacturer and elevate your NFC wearing experience.

[shamnadt]

QUBO Smart Door Lock Elite from Hero Group | 5-Way Unlocking | Fingerprint | Pincode | RFID Access Card | Bluetooth Mobile App | Mechanical Key | OTP Access | (Black)

5- WAY UNLOCKING: Unlock using Fingerprint, Passcode, Bluetooth Mobile APP, RFID Access card or Emergency keys.Register upto 50 Fingerprints. Get 2 RFID Access Cards. Keep a tab with Activity logs via BLE Qubo Mobile App. Use Pincode with decoy digits to keep your code spy safeShare Access OTP via WhastApp, SMS or Email for Unexpected Guests/housekeepers : Give Permanent, One time or timed…

[reasonsforhope]

"Clothing tags, travel cards, hotel room key cards, parcel labels … a whole host of components in supply chains of everything from cars to clothes. What do they have in common? RFID tags.  

Every RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag contains a microchip and a tiny metal strip of an antenna. A cool 18bn of these are made – and disposed of – each year. And with demands for product traceability increasing, ironically in part because of concerns for the social and environmental health of the supply chain, that’s set to soar. 

And guess where most of these tags end up? Yup, landfill – adding to the burgeoning volumes of e-waste polluting our soils, rivers and skies. It’s a sorry tale, but it’s one in which two young graduates of Imperial College London and Royal College of Art are putting a great big green twist. Under the name of PulpaTronics, Chloe So and Barna Soma Biro reckon they’ve hit on a beguilingly simple sounding solution: make the tags out of paper. No plastic, no chips, no metal strips. Just paper, pure and … simple … ? Well, not quite, as we shall see. 

The apparent simplicity is achieved by some pretty cutting-edge technical innovation, aimed at stripping away both the metal antennae and the chips. If you can get rid of those, as Biro explains, you solve the e-waste problem at a stroke. But getting rid of things isn’t the typical approach to technical solutions, he adds. “I read a paper in Nature that set out how humans have a bias for solving problems through addition – by adding something new, rather than removing complexity, even if that’s the best approach.”   

And adding stuff to a world already stuffed, as it were, can create more problems than it solves. “So that became one of the guiding principles of PulpaTronics”, he says: stripping things down “to the bare minimum, where they are still functional, but have as low an environmental impact as possible”.  

...how did they achieve this magical simplification? The answer lies in lasers: these turn the paper into a conductive material, Biro explains, printing a pattern on the surface that can be ‘read’ by a scanner, rather like a QR code. It sounds like frontier technology, but it works, and PulpaTronics have patents pending to protect it. 

The resulting tag comes in two forms: in one, there is still a microchip, so that it can be read by existing scanners of the sort common within retailers, for example. The more advanced version does away with the chip altogether. This will need a different kind of scanner, currently in development, which PulpaTronics envisages issuing licences for others to manufacture. 

Crucially, the cost of both versions is significantly cheaper than existing RFID kit – making this a highly viable proposition. Then there are the carbon savings: up to 70% for the chipless version – so a no-brainer from a sustainability viewpoint too. All the same, industry interest was slow to start with but when PulpaTronics won a coveted Dezeen magazine award in late 2023, it snowballed, says So. Big brands such as UPS, DHL, Marks & Spencer and Decathlon came calling. “We were just bombarded.” Brands were fascinated by the innovation, she says, but even more by the price point, “because, like any business, they knew that green products can’t come with a premium”."

-via Positive.News, April 29, 2024

--

Note: I know it's still in the very early stages, but this is such a relief to see in the context of the environmental and human rights catastrophes associated with lithium mining and mining for rare earth metals, and the way that EVs and other green infrastructure are massively increasing the demand for those materials.

I'll take a future with paper-based, more humane alternatives for sure! Fingers crossed this keeps developing and develops well (and quickly).

[herkonular]

TORONATA - DEVASA+

Toronata's iPhone 15 cases are designed to be compatible with the iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Plus, and iPhone 15 case. This means that you can enjoy the benefits of Toronata's high-quality leather wallet case regardless of which model you own. Whether you're looking for a sleek and stylish case for your iPhone 15 Pro Max or a functional and practical wallet case for you iPhone 15 plus case, Toronata has you covered. One of the standout features of Toronata's iPhone 15 pro max case , iPhone 15 pro case is the high-quality leather material used in their construction. This premium leather not only looks and feels great, but it also provides excellent protection for your phone. The case is reinforced with geometric air pockets and elastomer to provide shock absorption, helping to prevent damage to your device in the event of a fall. Additionally, the wallet case features a unique raised edge around the screen and camera to provide added protection against scratches and other damage. The wallet design of Toronata's iPhone 15 cases is another key selling point. With four card slots and a cash pocket, these cases offer plenty of storage space for your essential items, iPhone 15 pro max leather wallet case also features RFID protection, which helps to prevent unauthorized access to your credit card information. Additionally, the case is MagSafe-compatible, allowing you to easily attach and detach your phone from the case. Finally, the kickstand feature of the case allows you to prop up your phone for hands-free viewing, making it an excellent choice for watching videos or taking video calls.

[nareshkumartech]

The Evolution of Secure ID Features in Canadian Licenses

Canadian driver’s licenses have come a long way from being simple paper documents to highly sophisticated forms of identification. Today, they serve not just as proof of driving privileges but also as trusted government-issued IDs for everything from boarding a plane to opening a bank account. One of the key reasons they are so widely accepted is the constant evolution of security features built into them. Let’s take a look at how Canadian licenses have evolved to become some of the most secure forms of ID in the world.

1. Early Days: Basic Paper Licenses

In the early days, Canadian licenses were simple paper documents that included basic information: name, address, date of birth, and a photograph (sometimes stapled separately!). Security was minimal, making licenses easy to forge. At that time, the main concern was just proving that the holder was legally allowed to drive — not preventing identity theft or fraud.

However, as technology advanced and cases of fraud increased, governments realized the need for more sophisticated licenses.

2. Introduction of Plastic Cards and Photos

By the late 20th century, provinces began issuing plastic (PVC) cards with embedded photographs and magnetic strips. This change greatly improved durability and made it harder to tamper with licenses. Adding photographs was a major step toward making the license a true piece of personal identification, as it allowed authorities and businesses to visually verify the holder’s identity.

3. Holograms, Microprinting, and Barcodes

To combat forgery, licenses began to feature holographic overlays, microprinting, and 2D barcodes that store critical information digitally. Holograms, visible when tilted under light, are very difficult to replicate. Microprinting — tiny text only readable with magnification — added another layer of hidden security. Barcodes allowed fast electronic scanning by police and government agencies, making it easier to verify the validity of a license on the spot.

4. Enhanced Driver’s Licenses (EDLs)

Some provinces, such as Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec, introduced Enhanced Driver’s Licenses (EDLs). These contain radio-frequency identification (RFID) chips to allow secure land and sea border crossings between Canada and the U.S. An EDL functions both as a driver’s license and a limited travel document, meeting specific international security standards.

5. Smart Technology and Future Innovations

Today, discussions are underway about digital driver’s licenses — licenses you can store on your smartphone with enhanced encryption to prevent misuse. Provinces like Quebec and Ontario are exploring pilot programs for digital ID systems that would tie your license into a broader network of secure government services. Biometric authentication (such as facial recognition) is also being explored to further bolster license security in the future.

The evolution of secure ID features in Canadian licenses shows a commitment to protecting personal identity while enabling smooth access to government and private services. As new technologies emerge, you can expect even more innovation in the years ahead.

Want to stay ahead and understand everything about Canadian licensing? Whether you're applying for your first license or updating an existing one, LicensePrep.ca is your go-to source for detailed guides, practice tests, and the latest updates on ID requirements across Canada!

[clareguilty]

STILES obviously duh

LOL THE BESTEST BOY our favoritest little guy

Sexuality Headcanon: BISEXUAL like cmooooon bro this guy is so bisexual i love him for it. you're doing amazing sweetie keep asking ur boy best friends to make out i promise it will work eventually

Gender Headcanon: I mostly write cis!Stiles BUT i am so in love with the trans authors on AO3 that write Stiles as a transman bc the headcanon works so so well and it really adds a lot to him also thanku for sharing ur experiences its so interesting to read

A ship I have with said character: i think more accurately the question is ships I don't have bc this man has chemistry with the whole cast but my faves are Steter, Stargent, Stetopher, and Sciles oh wait and Scisaac but only in rly specific ways oh wait Stalion DUH

A BROTP I have with said character: Sciles obvs they are a Bonded Pair Do Not Separate but also Stallison! and Sterek. Stisaac but as frenemies?

A NOTP I have with said character: this actually has nothing to do with the Stiles aspect of the ship but i dont like Peter/Stiles/Derek. Thats more bc i don't ship Derek and Peter it just doesn't work for me like 80% of the time. I like reading it as a V and not a Triangle.

A random headcanon: i've been thinking a lot about Stiles' mild klepto tendencies bc i think he carries a little mold to press keys into that he then uses later when he makes copies, and he probably has a little RFID type cloning device for key cards and electric readers. Also he probably has a little lockpicking multitool as well? i love this boy and his crimes

General Opinion over said character: 14 years later and I'm still mentally unwell about one boy from an MTV teen supernatural romance drama and by god was that show BAD but now i'm seven years into a professional writing career and I spend most of my free time trying to get this guy railed by werewolves in my little internet stories that somehow thousands of people read so i guess things are going pretty well all things considered. I'm pretty sure my mom and I used to just called Teen Wolf the "Stiles Show"

[marchzheng]

What is the mechanism behind RFID hotel key cards?

In the modern hospitality industry, enhancing guest experience and operational efficiency is a core goal for every hotel manager. With advancements in technology, RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) has become an essential tool in hotel management. Particularly in the application of hotel key cards, RFID technology has brought unprecedented transformations. RFID hotel key cards not only simplify the check-in and check-out processes but also provide enhanced security, significantly improving guest convenience and overall satisfaction. How does RFID technology make all this possible? What is its working principle? This is a common curiosity among hotel managers, and today, we will explore this topic.

1. The Working Principle of RFID Hotel Key Cards

Before delving into how RFID hotel key cards work, let’s briefly introduce what RFID technology is.

What is RFID Technology?

RFID technology facilitates the exchange of information between objects through radio waves. It employs a tag and a reader for contactless data transmission, eliminating the need for physical contact. Users can simply bring an RFID card close to the reading device, and data will automatically transfer to complete authorization, authentication, or operations.

RFID hotel key cards are a type of RFID tag that connects with the hotel lock system via an RFID reader installed on the door lock, enabling contactless identity authentication and unlocking functions. Each card contains a tiny embedded chip that can store encrypted data such as the guest's room number, validity period, and access permissions. When a guest approaches the door lock with their card, the RFID reader communicates with the card via electromagnetic waves, retrieves the stored information, and decides whether to unlock the door based on pre-set security rules.

How RFID Cards Interact with Hotel Lock Systems

The interaction between RFID cards and hotel lock systems is grounded in simple, efficient wireless communication. In this process, the embedded chip within the RFID card contains a unique ID number, which is decoded by the RFID reader upon receiving a signal. Here’s a breakdown of the specific workflow:

Signal Emission: When the RFID card nears the lock system, the RFID reader within the lock emits an electromagnetic signal, activating the chip in the card.

Data Transmission: The chip in the card transmits its stored ID information to the reader, which then compares this information against the hotel management system.

Authentication and Authorization: If the card information matches the records in the system and the access validation is successful, the door lock will unlock, granting the guest entrance to their room.

The contactless feature of RFID technology makes the hotel check-in process smoother and more convenient, as guests don’t have to insert the card or physically manipulate a key, significantly enhancing the overall fluidity and experience of entering the hotel room.

Additionally, RFID cards offer heightened security. Compared to traditional magnetic stripe cards, the data transmission of RFID cards employs more complex encryption algorithms, making it harder to copy or tamper with information, thus providing greater security for hotels.

Through this series of simple and efficient operations, RFID hotel key cards not only ensure guest convenience but also significantly enhance hotel operational efficiency and security.

2. Advantages of RFID Hotel Key Cards

The introduction of RFID hotel key cards offers significant advantages to hotels, enhancing not only security but also customer experience and operational efficiency.

Enhanced Security

RFID cards utilize encrypted data transmission and unique chip designs to prevent card information from being copied or hacked. They can also be configured with specific validity periods and access permissions, ensuring that rooms can only be accessed within authorized times, thereby reducing the risk of unauthorized entry. Many five-star hotels have effectively improved room security and protected customer privacy through such solutions.

Improved Customer Experience

RFID cards streamline the check-in and check-out processes, allowing guests to simply hold the card near their room door to unlock it automatically. This contactless operation not only enhances convenience but also reduces the risk of contact transmission, increasing guests' peace of mind.

Cost Savings in Operations

RFID technology aids hotels in automating management tasks related to rooms and keys, minimizing human errors and wasted time. The system can monitor card usage in real time, alerting staff to lost or unauthorized use of cards promptly, which improves management efficiency and lowers operational costs.

Increased Management Flexibility and Scalability

RFID technology can seamlessly integrate with other management systems, enabling hotels to expand functionality on demand, such as automated climate control or lock management. This flexibility allows hotels to respond quickly to changing demands and easily upgrade their systems.

Enhanced Brand Image and Customer Loyalty

The use of RFID cards boosts the technological appeal of the hotel, enhancing its brand image. Additionally, through RFID cards, hotels can offer personalized services, which helps increase customer loyalty.

In summary, RFID hotel key cards provide a range of advantages that contribute to a safer, more efficient, and more enjoyable experience for both guests and hotel staff. This technology is not just a trend but a valuable asset in modern hotel management.

3. Future Development of RFID Hotel Key Cards

As technology continues to advance, the application of RFID technology in the hotel industry is expected to become more widespread and intelligent.

Smarter Integrated Systems

Future RFID systems will be more tightly integrated with other intelligent systems within hotels, such as Internet of Things (IoT) devices, smart room controls, and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems. Through this integration, hotels can offer more personalized services, such as automatically adjusting room temperature, lighting, and other amenities based on guest preferences, thereby enhancing the customer experience and reducing energy consumption.

Enhanced Security and Encryption Technologies

As security requirements continue to grow, future RFID hotel key cards will employ more advanced encryption technologies to ensure the safety of guests' personal information and room security. With dynamic encryption and multi-factor authentication mechanisms, RFID cards will effectively defend against various cyber attacks and forgery attempts, further strengthening the security of hotel management.

Data Analytics and Personalized Services

RFID systems will evolve beyond being simple door lock management tools. In the future, they will integrate with data analytics tools to help hotels analyze guest behavior and preferences, thereby enabling more personalized services. For example, hotels could automatically push tailored offers and services based on guests’ check-in history and spending habits, enhancing customer engagement and loyalty.

In summary, the future of RFID hotel key cards promises to be more intelligent, secure, and personalized, transforming the hospitality experience and paving the way for a new era in hotel management. As these technologies develop, they will not only improve operational efficiency but also create a more satisfying experience for guests.

4. RFID Hotel Key Cards: The Key to Enhanced Hotel Management Efficiency and Customer Experience

Through contactless, efficient, and secure solutions, RFID hotel key cards not only provide guests with a more convenient and safe check-in experience but also enhance operational efficiency and reduce costs for hotels.

As technology continues to advance, RFID systems will become increasingly intelligent and integrated, with a stronger focus on security and data analytics functions. Whether through integration with smart room control systems or the fusion of mobile devices with RFID cards, future RFID technology will bring even more innovative opportunities to the hospitality industry.

However, to ensure the successful deployment of RFID systems and maximize business value, choosing an appropriate RFID vendor is crucial. With over a decade of deep experience in RFID technology, many hotel managers have achieved intelligent upgrades and heightened management efficiency through our customized RFID solutions, providing guests with an unparalleled stay.

If you are interested in the RFID hotel key card system or want to know more about solutions for improving hotel management efficiency, please feel free to contact us. Our RFIDCard.com professional team is ready to provide you with free consultation and testing services to ensure you select the RFID products and systems that best meet your needs. Take action now, and let us help you offer your guests a safer, more convenient check-in experience while driving your hotel towards future success!

[mydisenchantedeulogy]

In The Deep Woods [Chapter One] Propensity [Mello/Mihael Keehl]

Summary: Eliana Moore, an anxious forensic photographer with an eye for details, catches the attention of the third L who sends her to a rural mountain town in Tennessee to investigate a series of unexplained disappearances. Together with Mello, an unconventional detective, and his companion Matt, the three must uncover what dark secrets the town of Misty Pines hides, including what might be lurking in the nearby woods.

Warning(s): AU, supernatural elements, forensics, murder, cryptid, OC, anxiety attacks, slight gore.

No Minors Allowed!!

This was the part of her job that Eliana Moore hated the most; the part where her anxiety threatened to impair her. Murder was, to her dismay, ubiquitous. She could not control the propensity for violence in humans, just as she could not control her fear when thrown into a situation that triggered it. The former, she could at least do something about. That was why, even though she was on the verge of tears, she pressed on. After all, she agreed to take on the job, didn't she?

"Are you sure you don't mind?" Gianna Barella asked, raising a curious brow.

She was the lead photographer within the department, a woman well in her mid-forties. While she was hopeful to pass the torch onto Eliana this time, she was also uncertain. The call came in at noon, a body had been found inside the laundry room of a residential apartment building in the heart of "the Big Apple." There was not much else the team knew, but Gianna unfortunately was on her way to another crime scene and Eliana was the first eager face she had come across.

"Of course, I don't mind," Eliana retorted.

It did not take a genius to know that Eliana had an issue with tight spaces; the entire team could see how uncomfortable she was with them. Her trauma was not overlooked, but it was the reason she was snubbed by some of her peers. 

The look on Gianna's face slightly irritated her; she felt pitied by her superior. 

"I've got this."

Eliana left the department shortly after. It took her fifteen minutes to drive into the city and find a place to park that was close enough to the scene. Law enforcement stationed outside gave her no problems, letting her cross the barrier once she presented her laminated badge to them; she was one of the last of the team to arrive. Even the coroner was already there, waiting. 

After she redressed in a pair of white Tyvek coveralls, she followed an officer whose name tag read ‘T. Philips’ into the building; a key card was the only way to open the doors; each was locked at all times with a door lock that used RFID (radio frequency identification) technology, he explained. If she left the building at any time, she would have to find him to let her back in. He only spoke once more to her, to show her where the basement was. Eliana was on her own after that. She took a set of narrow stairs down into a shoebox of a room that in her opinion was straight out of a horror movie. It gave her a bad vibe. The overabundance of investigators only made matters worse. Why were there still so many people? The team should have almost been done. 

Eliana waited for a moment by the stairs for them to finish, but she was starting to feel uneasy. It was hot for some reason. She tapped her foot to distract herself, but the stagnant air was starting to suffocate her. As much as she tried to ignore it, the sensations brought back the memory of something she wished that never happened; the onset of her fear. It was all coming back to her, replaying like a film reel in her head; the fear of death and the sound of her panicked screams. Her heart started to race and she realized that she might have a panic attack. She had to quickly step away.

–

It was on her, Eliana admitted. She said yes to Gianna when she knew there was a possibility this would happen. But it was fine, she would be fine. She just needed a moment alone. 

Her warm sweet-scented breath, due to the dust mask she wore, wafted against her face as she took a series of deep breaths. Eliana was embarrassed for having to tuck tail and run, hiding at the end of the hall near the stairs, and while no one batted an eye, she was certain that they would talk; they always did. 

One half-assed pep talk later, she was as ready as she was ever going to be.

As she walked down into the basement again, Eliana was relieved to see that a few of the team had left. It was time to get to work. She clutched her Digital SLR against her chest and recalled the 3-3-3 rule that her therapist taught her. It was not necessarily meant to be used to do her job, but it helped her focus.

At a glance, what do you see?

Eliana carefully scanned the scene, noting how cluttered the laundry room was; a jumble of empty detergent dispensers and wads of lint were strewn about as though whoever left them there expected someone else to clean up after them. It was as one would expect the basement of a cheap residential apartment building to look.

At least there ain't any fuzzy creatures from outer space wanderin' about.

Just her team. Investigators in matching coveralls walked the grid. It was not required, since the crime scene was small, but there was a lot that could be overlooked, especially amongst the cobweb-covered boxes and rusted tools that added to the mess. It was a hoarder's paradise, and if not for the pungent scent that filled the stagnant air, the polyester suitcase, the one hiding the dismembered body that the police had yet to identify, would not have been found.

The deceased was discovered, to her knowledge, by a young man. She did not know much about him aside from the fact he had come down to find out what the overwhelming smell was that had come up through the vents into his mother's apartment. That led Eliana to the next detail. What did she smell?

Death was apparent, but based on the scent alone, she was able to determine how long the deceased had been dead. It was not pleasant, sometime after the decay phase. The fluids in the body after death are released through the orifices, a nasty process. In this case, the fluids had leaked from the suitcase and stained the concrete floor a dark greenish-brown; she could see it from the stairs where she stood. It was a cocktail of rotting flesh that she could not mistake for anything else.

Among that, however, she could smell the musty scent of mildew and something that was out of place; sharp and minty like peppermint. It was odd and a bit unexpected. Eliana ignored it for now and moved on to the next step. Movement. 

Her footsteps, muffled by the booties she wore, were slow and deliberate as she walked the grid; one step at a time. Eliana approached the first number tag, marking the evidence that was found, and raised her camera to snap a picture. She had to bend to one knee to get a better angle the second time, due to her boss, Henry Conners walking into the frame. He was the crime scene leader, a man who was as strict as he was full of himself.

"You took your time getting here. The coroner is pressing me about collecting the body," he mentioned.

Eliana frowned behind her mask. She had no excuse other than how uncomfortable she felt in such a cramped room. Redirecting was her only choice to avoid being scolded. 

"Are these the only scuff marks found?"

"Yeah, which is odd considering who we are dealing with," Henry answered.

Eliana raised a curious brow. She did not expect the person they were dealing with to be a seasoned killer. 

“Who?”

Henry's eyes narrowed in elation, an action that made Eliana feel uneasy. 

“The Artist.”

A few things came to light at that moment. The reason there were so many investigators in the room was because ‘the Artist’ or as the media coined them, ‘the KDD (Kill. Dismember. Display) Killer’, was elusive. They hardly ever left evidence at a scene and when they did, there was nothing much to go on. Her team ran through each of the crime scenes with a fine tooth comb but to no avail. Then there was the scent.

It was peppermint oil. 

‘The Artist’ used it on the bodies. No one knew exactly why, but theories were that it masked the scent of decay to an extent. Each of the victims, both men and women typically between the ages of twenty-five and forty had traces of the liquid on them when they were displayed to the public; a macabre form of art. There were similarities, but some of the details made no sense to Eliana. 

“Why here though? This isn't their–”

Before she finished the sentence, her eyes widened in realization. There could only be one explanation. In the half year that ‘the Artist’ operated, they had never made a mistake. Until now. 

“They were in a hurry and got sloppy,” Eliana uttered. 

Henry shook his head. 

“Which leads me to believe that whoever is in that suitcase is a tenant in this building.”

She had the same thought. How else would the killer be able to gain access to the building? It required a key. But did that mean he was forced to kill them in the building? An air of excitement washed over her. This could be it. What sort of evidence did ‘the Artist’ leave behind for them?

Eliana stood with a grunt and strode past Henry to the next numbered tag. He followed, spouting off his theories, but she ignored him. Without the rest of the evidence, she could not paint an accurate enough picture of the crime scene. What it came down to was identifying the deceased, then she was hopeful that new leads would surface.

Bending to her knee near the final evidence tag before the body, Eliana snapped a series of pictures. The scent of peppermint oil was strong, making her nose itch. She sneezed, a cute ‘choo’ that made her eyes water and her cheeks burn in embarrassment. As she stood and approached the body, she vulgarly sniffed in the snot that began to seep from her nose, unintentionally taking in the pungent scent permeating the air. It made her stomach churn, but something was odd about it. The peppermint oil was not quite as strong near the body as it was away from it. 

Eliana narrowed her eyes in question, then backtracked, earning a look from Henry. 

“What are you doing?” 

She did not answer him, leaning down to take in another sniff. It was just as she thought, the minty scent was stronger near the third tag; the colored glass.

“Any idea what sort of glass this is?” Eliana asked. 

“No idea,” Henry answered. “Could be a multitude of things, but there's just not much of it to say at a glance.” 

She frowned. He was right. Forensics would be able to identify it. Leaning down as if she were about to press her nose to the floor, she took a 3rd sniff.

“It smells like peppermint oil.” 

Could the shards have been from the bottle the oil was in? Eliana sat up and looked around the tag. There was no sign of it, unfortunately. To her right was a blank open space, and to her left there were four machines shoved against the furthest wall; two washers and two dryers, cheap and old; one of them even had a handwritten note taped to it that claimed it was ‘out of order’.

I wonder.

“Do you have a light?” Eliana asked, directing her question to Henry.

He called over an investigator with an aluminum case, Sally was her name. She handed Eliana a slim pocket flashlight, then the latter turned it on and directed the beam under the broken dryer. At first, she did not see anything of importance, but then the light caught the glare of an amber-colored bottle and her heart began to race. 

“There's somethin’ under here.”

It took two investigators to move the dryer out, but what was collected made it worth the effort; a broken glass bottle of peppermint oil with a dropper attached to the lid. She knew not to get her hopes up, but Eliana could not contain her smile.

–

“At noon today, the New York Police Department, headed by Officer Kenneth Woodrow, arrested thirty-five-year-old Joseph Carter, the man seen here, for the gruesome murders of–”

“Look at him,” Gianna Berella interrupted. “He looks so…normal.” 

Eliana agreed. She stared at the screen of the TV in the breakroom as reporters escorted ‘The Artist’ in handcuffs to a police cruiser outside his studio apartment. He was, in all manner of the word, normal. There was absolutely nothing odd about him aside from the self-centered disposition he displayed while in custody. 

Carter was a Caucasian man with dark hair, wearing square-shaped frames over his dull eyes. He stared at the cameras as he passed, smiling and nodding his head as though he had just been awarded ‘the National Medal of Arts’. It was nauseating.

“Why do you suppose a guy like that decides to just wake up one day and kill people?” Gianna asked. 

Eliana had no idea. There were a multitude of different reasons murderers did the things they did; sometimes because of a Traumatic past, or simply because they wanted to reenact a dark fantasy of theirs. What she did know was that all of them felt their reasons were justified. 

“I guess we'll have to wait until the trial to find out. What matters is that we helped catch him.”

Gianna could not mistake the look of disappointment in her blue eyes. She rested a comforting hand on Eliana’s shoulder. 

“It was you who found that bottle. That's something to be proud of. Don't let your thoughts get you down.”

It was, but it did not make her feel any better that Henry Fucking Conners took full credit for the find. The bottle had a partial fingerprint on it, a fourteen-point similarity to Carter's on-record fingerprints from a B&E felony when he was in his twenties. When the police searched his apartment, they found his sketchbook with drawings of the victims before and after the murders, a metamorphosis into something significant, he claimed. It was a huge success for the forensics team, and while they were credited in general for their effort, Henry was the only one named. 

Eliana honestly felt snubbed again. She forced a smile. 

“I am proud.”

There was some truth to her statement. After all, she helped catch a serial killer, but she hardly felt appreciated. Henry could take the credit, for all she cared, but he could have at least told her that she did good. Approbation was all she wanted. 

It shouldn't matter though. 

But it did.

The sound of her name being called suddenly and loudly brought her out of her brooding thoughts. Eliana raised her brow as Captain Dani Perez of the New York Police Department (NYPD) waved her over. She spared Gianna one final, curious look, then stood and approached him.

“There is someone who wants to see you in my office,” he mentioned in a thick Spanish accent. 

Who? She raised a brow, but Dani did not offer her a name. He motioned for her to follow and led her through the bullpen to a narrow room at the top of the stairs. 

“Leave it like you found it,” Dani stated. A polite way to say ‘Don't touch a damn thing’. 

He waited outside, shutting the door behind him after she walked in. Eliana had been in Dani's office before. It had not changed a bit, devoid of personality aside from a picture of him and his husband the day he was awarded his position as captain; a title he took pride in. 

The only thing that stood out to her was the man standing behind the desk. An open laptop sat on the tabletop in front of him, though she could not see the screen. He smiled kindly at her and motioned to the chair in front of the desk.

“Have a seat, miss.”

Eliana was hesitant but did so. She had no idea what was going on. 

“How are you feeling?” The man asked. His blue eyes studied her as she shifted uncomfortably. 

“Concerned,” Eliana admitted. 

He hummed. 

“You're honest,” he pointed out. “That is good. I only have one question then.”

Eliana raised a brow, waiting for him to continue. 

“Why did you not confront your superior when he took the credit for your find? Henry Conners I mean.” 

She narrowed her eyes in question. What sort of question was that? Her first thought was to counter his question and ask who he was and what business it was of his, but in the end, she opted not to. Eliana sighed. 

“Because despite my feelings, it would have done no good to argue with him. It's the justice that matters.”

Her feelings hardly mattered in her line of work. That was the sad truth. She was ignorant for being hopeful that it did. 

“That is a rather selfless answer,” claimed an androgynous voice. 

The man stepped forward and turned the laptop toward Eliana. There was not a person on the screen staring back at her, but an ‘L’ written in old English text; a thick black letter resting center screen on a white background. 

“Ignore the question,” the voice ordered. “It's not important; just a bout of curiosity. My second in command, Anthony Rester, was instructed to ask on my behalf, but I have to admit, your answer, whether impaired by emotion or not, would not have changed my mind.”

Changed their mind? Eliana raised a brow. 

“If you could fill me in, I'd appreciate it. And maybe tell me who the hell you are.”

“Of course,” the voice agreed. “For now, you may call me L. I'll be hearing from you soon. Rester will fill you in now.”

The screen went black. Eliana stared at it for a moment as if she thought that L would return, but Anthony closed the lid. 

“Are you familiar with the Joint Task Force (JTF)?” 

She could not say she was. Eliana shook her head. 

“It's not a memorable name, I know,” Anthony admitted. “But L chose to trivialize it because of past incidents. We used to be called the Special Provision for Kira.”

The SPK. Eliana had heard of them before. They had an eventful year in 2009. First the disbandment in November, then the mob attack in Manhattan six days later. She saw it on the news, a large amount of money floating from the sky, taking attention from the group. She always wondered what became of them.

“The Kira case was solved in 2010, wasn't it? Were the SPK involved?” Eliana asked. 

“I'm not at liberty to say, but I can assure you that L was involved,” Anthony answered. 

She knew all she needed to know about them.

“What does the JTF want with me? I'm not a detective.” 

“You have an eye for crime scenes. L was…intrigued. He wants to offer you a chance that the department won't; a chance to give you the recognition that you crave,” Anthony answered. 

Recognition. As much as she hated to admit it, the word buried itself beneath her skin. How could she say no to that? Eliana tightened her jaw. There was still so much she was unsure about. 

“I just…I don't know if I can meet his expectations.” 

“I can't offer you any semblance of assurance for your worries, but not taking this chance will indeed mean you won't,” Anthony pressed. “You won't be alone. There are already two detectives on the case, but L wants a fresh set of eyes involved.” 

Sinking back into the chair, Eliana sighed. What should she do? On one hand, she wanted to offer her help. But on the other hand, she was not certain she would benefit the other two detectives. 

“Where is the case?” 

Anthony Rester grinned. 

“What do you know about Misty Pines, Tennessee?”

[rfidcard]

How Hotel Key Cards Know Your Room?

When you check into a hotel, you typically get a little room card that opens your door with just a swipe. But have you ever thought about why this card only works for your room and not for others? How does the hotel make sure that each guest can only enter their own room and doesn’t accidentally walk into someone else’s?

This relies on the utilization of modern RFID and magnetic stripe technology, along with security encryption and dynamic authentication systems. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how hotel room cards function and uncover how they protect guests' privacy and security.

How Hotel Room Keys Work

The core function of a hotel room key is to store and transmit room information, allowing the hotel lock to identify the correct guest and unlock the door. Currently, hotels primarily use two types of room keys:

Magnetic Stripe Cards

Magnetic stripe cards are similar to credit cards and store a set of encoded information on their black magnetic strip. This information usually includes:

Room number

Access permissions (such as whether you can enter the gym or business center)

Guest validation information (like check-in date, expiration date, etc.)

When you swipe a magnetic stripe card at the door lock, the card reader in the lock reads this information and compares it with the hotel management system (PMS, Property Management System). If the information matches, the lock will unlock.

Disadvantages: Magnetic stripe cards are easily affected by magnetic fields, leading to data corruption. Additionally, their security is relatively low, making them susceptible to cloning or tampering.

RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) Cards

RFID technology has gradually replaced magnetic stripe cards and has become the mainstream choice for modern hotels. These cards have RFID chips and antennas embedded inside that communicate with the door lock via radio waves.

When you bring an RFID card close to the door lock, the following process happens automatically:

Card Signals: The RFID chip in the card sends a unique identity code to the lock.

Lock Reads and Verifies: The lock receives the signal wirelessly and checks if the identity code matches the authorized information for that room.

Lock Unlocks: If the identity code is correct, the lock automatically unlocks and allows you to enter.

Advantages:

No contact needed; just bring the card close to the lock to unlock it.

Higher security, using encryption technology to prevent cloning and tampering.

Can integrate additional features, like elevator access control and permissions for hotel facilities.

How Does a Room Key Ensure It Only Opens Your Room?

You might wonder: if every room key can send a signal, why can’t one key unlock all the rooms? In fact, multiple security mechanisms are in place to ensure that a room key can only match a specific door.

How Does the Hotel Front Desk Encode Room Keys?

When you check in, the hotel management system performs the following steps:

It generates a unique code (Unique Identifier) that links your room number and access privileges.

This code gets written to your room key (either magnetic stripe or RFID chip).

It sets a validity period, typically from your check-in time to your check-out time.

This process ensures that the key is bound to a specific room and won’t be confused with other rooms.

Validation Mechanisms for Room Keys and Door Locks

Each smart door lock at a hotel room stores the corresponding authorization information for room keys. When you swipe your key, the lock will:

Read the Key Information: Gather the room number, encrypted key, and validity period.

Match Against Internal Data: Check if the room number on the key matches the settings of the current door lock.

Check Time Restrictions: Ensure the key is valid within the set time; expired keys will automatically become invalid.

Verify Access Privileges: Advanced hotel systems might even log the entry time to prevent unauthorized access.

Only if all conditions match will the lock unlock; otherwise, it will refuse to open.

Why Can’t Other Keys Open Your Door?

Unique Encryption Key: Each room key’s code is unique and encrypted, making it unusable by other keys.

Time Limitations: Even if someone duplicates your key data, once the check-in time has expired, the key will automatically become invalid.

Dynamic Encoding: Some higher-end hotels use dynamic encryption to prevent hackers from unlocking doors by copying RFID signals.

Common Issues with Room Keys and Solutions

Why Did My Room Key Stop Working?

Exposure to strong magnetic fields (like from your phone or credit cards) can corrupt the data.

The system automatically deactivates the key once you go past your check-out time.

If the key is bent or damaged, the chip won't be readable.

What Should I Do if I Lose My Room Key?

Notify the front desk immediately so they can deactivate the old key and issue you a new one.

The new key will generate a fresh access code, ensuring that the old key becomes invalid for security reasons.

Conclusion: How Do Hotel Room Keys Ensure Safety?

Hotel room keys are not just plastic cards; they are part of a sophisticated security system that relies on unique coding technology, time limits, and encryption algorithms to ensure that each card can only open specific doors.

With the development of RFID, mobile keys, and biometric technology, hotel access systems are becoming more intelligent and secure, further enhancing guests' experiences and privacy protection. If you want to learn more about hotel key cards, visit RFIDCard.com. This is a seasoned RFID supplier that has been in the industry for over a decade, producing 100 million cards annually and providing key card products and services to over 2,000 hotels worldwide.

[spookyspaghettisundae]

None the Wiser

With walls so white that fluorescent lights made them blinding, Chloe Grant soon started seeing bright spots everywhere. Ghostly echoes danced about her field of vision, around her own reflection in the bulletproof glass surface. Instead of bars, clear windows separated visitors from the inmates in their cells, with thick glass plates reaching from floor to ceiling, and tiny breathing holes that wouldn’t even permit anybody to poke as much as a finger through.

Automatic lights turned on everywhere they wandered. Stern-faced and square-jawed guards kept close watch, sporting glossy body armor, and electric stun batons hooked onto their belts. Doors here never opened to traditional keys, their magnetic locks only yielded to plastic cards with RFID chips. Electric buzzing came muted and quiet from those devices, with tiny red lights turning green, and dim touchscreen interfaces flanking the sides of every cell.

Low ceilings swallowed all echoes and suggested floors upon floors of other tracts, and the overall oppressive atmosphere made it less inviting to say anything than in a church during a sermon.

Though security here was as high as it got, this whole place felt less like a prison, and more like a strange sanitarium, transported from a dark past into an even weirder future.

On the way in, Chloe Grant had half-expected to see a real-life Hannibal Lecter standing inside one of the bright chambers, bound in a straitjacket, goading them to step closer.

Instead, Singh paced back and forth inside his cell. Dark rings underlined his haunted eyes, and every joke the thin man cracked to lighten the mood felt forced.

Grant recognized this brand of despair. Their former colleague was on the brink of a nervous breakdown.

“I’d love to tell you more,” said Doctor Solomon. The corners of his lips twitched with a hint of a smile, like a child who could barely contain himself. “But I believe everything we say here is recorded and gathered, and for the sake of our continued paychecks, I must keep our upcoming innovations confidential.”

The eccentric doctor and lead engineer in their company was doing his best to cheer up Rida Singh. It wasn’t working. Still, Singh’s face featured a brief flash of recognition over Solomon’s noble effort.

Ruiz scratched his five o’clock shadow and nodded. They all knew what Solomon was trying, so Ruiz offered his best attempt towards the same end.

“Can we get you anything in here? Everybody’s being sketchy about visiting times, and rules, and the likes.”

Singh shook his head and coughed.

“No. This place is only temporary anyway. Lawyer said, uh, I’m being transferred to some other facility next. Before the trial, yeah?”

Grant hedged so many unspoken questions for Singh. Why he had pulled the move he had to land himself here, what he had hoped to accomplish, and if he realized that his stunt had effectively gotten Carter killed.

It wasn’t the time nor place. She held her tongue.

She had almost expected Ruiz to pose those questions, anyway given he seemed to have been closer to Carter and Singh and a spy for… another agency? Company? Who knew? Bennett was still digging.

Ruiz was playing it cool. Playing the concerned colleague all the way.

Or maybe he wasn’t even playing at all.

The most convincing liars rarely lied. They drew their confidence from the naked truth, letting deceptions fall unnoticed through the cracks.

She had been watching him for the past days. She had noticed the shake in his hand. At Carter’s funeral, Ruiz had tried to hide the shaking. Not even smoking could do it.

And the man’s eyes had welled with tears at the funeral. His loss appeared profound and honest. Carter and Ruiz had been working closely together for over a year.

Grant’s inner monologue drowned out whatever superficial things the three men were talking about now.

Singh’s eyes wandered her way and she felt pressured to say something again. So she did.

“Whatever you do, don’t say anything without Spencer’s legion of lawyers to sand it down.”

He smirked. Scoffed.

“Man, I am really,” Singh started. Pausing, he ran a hand through his frazzled hair and sighed. “I don’t know, I’m just really disappointed in Spencer. He’s leavin’ me hanging here, man.”

Grant sympathized. With both Singh and Spencer.

The CEO needed to keep the ship running. The lights on, the bills paid, the progress made.

Meanwhile, Singh had only been doing his job, and if things had worked out, he might have been celebrated for his actions. Instead, Carter was dead, the US government’s team had killed the T-Rex and taken its remains, and Singh, their former head of IT, now sat in federal prison, awaiting a trial that could put him in a cell for life.

“Yeah,” she replied. Sighed. She hated that this was the best she could muster in response. “Wish we could do more.”

Singh cracked another feeble smile. He appreciated her own miserable attempt at giving him any shred of courage.

He continued pacing back and forth in his cell.

“Don’t worry old chap,” Doctor Solomon told his junior colleague. Despite the oppressive gloom of this brightly-lit prison, the elderly man beamed. “Chin up. Spencer’s a cold fish when you shine a light on him, but he rewards your loyalty when you least expect it. And speaking of fish, Bernie’s taken care of—I have him in my lab and he’s only being fed the best money could buy.”

Solomon tapped the window between them twice and gave Singh a reassuring nod.

Singh exhaled sharply and he smiled the first honest smile since their arrival.

“Thanks. Owe you one, Doc. Just, uh, don’t do anything funny with Bernie, okay?”

“I would never dream of it,” said Solomon. Then he tilted his head. “Unless you give me consent to experiment on him? See, his species would make him a good specimen for tests relating to the Devonian—”

“No. N. O,” Singh said, spelling out his denial and emitting a nervous chuckle.

None of them were sure when Solomon said things like that.

“In all seriousness,” Ruiz said, “I bet you, Spencer got Bennett and whoever else diggin’ on what really happened out over in Midland. You’ll be out in no time, then the first drink’s on me, amigo.”

Grant wasn’t convinced.

How much did Ruiz know? How much of it was in his hands? Could something he knew set Singh free?

She flashed Singh a smile so feeble that they may as well have been looking into a mirror, rather than through a glass window.

“Stay frosty and see you soon,” she said. A deep breath, and part of her composure returned. She winked at him. “And don’t bite too hard when you get any cake, might just be a file hidden in there.”

His smile widened, replete with warmth.

The three visitors remained quiet on their way out. Down the claustrophobic corridors, past the tiny blinking lights, and doors that only guards could open with their mag-lock keycards. Before long, the trio found themselves back out on the parking lot of the Carrington Federal Correctional Institute.

High fences topped with razor wire surrounded them. Only few other vehicles stood parked on the visitor’s lot.

The shadows of visors concealed the watchful eyes of prison guards, all observing their every move as the trio shuffled about on the parking lot.

The three stopped and stood in silence, all grappling with what to say next, before they inevitably scattered in the winds.

Uncomfortable in this environment, Solomon was first to speak and first to leave. He straightened the collar of his gray jacket. “Oh, well, don’t let any of this eat at you. I’m confident Spencer can pull some strings and get Singh released soon enough. He’ll be back to annoying you on comms before you know it. On a lighter note, I’m excited to share with you the details on our newest achievement. Not here, of course. I’ll see you two back at the office. Bring beverages, the briefing might take a while.”

The head engineer disappeared into his old blue Charger and drove off, leaving Ruiz and Grant behind.

Ruiz was smoking a cigarette, leaning against his motorcycle. Grant hadn’t even noticed him light up his cancer stick.

His eyes narrowed, studying one of the fence’s watchtowers. Like a sharpshooter, observing his mark, staring back at a guard up there. When he spoke, it almost looked like he was talking to the faraway guard, but the words were aimed at Grant.

“Why did you come here, anyway?”

Her heart started pounding like a huge drum. It wasn’t even like she felt caught—the question offended her somehow.

“Excuse me?”

Ruiz took a long drag from his cigarette. “You’re still pretty new to FP. I never figured you and Singh to have been close.”

This left her speechless. He must have known how his words would hit. But why? And why now?

He answered unspoken questions, answering for his offense unprompted. “Sorry. Just curious. Trying to get to know you better. You know what, though? I ain’t one to look a gift horse in the mouth. ‘Preciate you’ve been here—been to Carter’s funeral, now, this—good having you… havin��� you on the team.”

Ruiz’s gaze wandered from the watchtower to Grant, locking onto her eyes with a burning stare. He took another drag. His eyes glittered something strange. His model shape looked stunning in this sunlight.

She swept her hair back, stewing on his speech, looking for the right words to counter it with.

“Don’t mention it. Least I can do.” She bit her lip. Maybe the easiest way to keep tabs on him would be to… “I know you offered Singh a drink when he’s out, but how about you offer me one sometime?”

She got into her car while he stood there, staring after her, smoking.

“Careful,” he said. Every syllable billowed out like smoke. “Don’t wanna get us into hot water for fraternizing too closely outside of work.”

Ruiz nodded, as if agreeing with himself on what he had just said. He stood still where he leaned against his motorcycle, posed like the languid statue of a post-modern deity, rivaling famous underwear models in his attractive poise.

She shot back. “Hold them horses cowboy, it’s a just a drink or two.”

His lips curled into a smile. He performed a mock salute with two fingers.

She took off, pulling the car around and driving away.

Grant shot furtive glances in her rearview mirror as she left the prison’s parking lot behind. Ruiz continued staring after her as she drove away. Then he stamped out his cigarette on the Tarmac, mounted his bike, and slipped the black helmet over his head, visor flapped down.

Then, as Grant’s car trailed around the curving road, lines of tall trees swallowed Ruiz and the prison whole.

She had a lot to think about, and she had a long drive ahead of her. Visiting Singh here was quite out of the way, and he would be transferred even farther for the trial.

Things weren’t looking good for Singh, and she wondered if she could get him off the hook… if only she gathered enough evidence on Ruiz’s espionage, and the mystery redhead he worked with—that suspicious suit he had been meeting at the café in Austin.

He had met with that redhead more than once since Grant started following him around. Grant had been stalking Ruiz, always careful not to tip him off to his tail.

She used rentals, taxis, and even set up in any inconspicuous locales where she could watch the roads he frequented throughout the city.

Grant even knew where Ruiz lived now. Downtown, fifth story of an old building that looked fit for gentrification in the near future. She wondered what his place looked like inside.

Endless minutes later, her phone buzzed, piercing the mind fog. Danielle Bennett was calling.

Grant plugged in an earbud and tapped her phone to take the call.

“What’s up, Danielle?” she asked Bennett.

“Where are you? Driving?”

“Mhm. On my way back from visiting Singh in Carrington.”

“Did he—you know what, tell me later. You’ll have to step on the gas, we got another incursion to deal with. The operative C2A is about to go out any minute now.”

Grant clicked her tongue. “Where?”

Bennett’s fingers hammered away at a keyboard with incredible speed.

“Kentucky. Appalachian mountains.”

Grant sighed. “Guess my book needs to wait. Again. I’m on my way.”

Her finger hovered near the button to hang up. More words from Danielle followed, stopping her from pressing it.

“What are you… you know what? Tell me later? Uhm,” Bennett paused for a long beat. More click-clacking at her keyboard followed. “I didn’t just call about the incursion, I, uhm, I got more on… you-know-who.”

She sounded as mousy as she usually looked. Grant knew exactly who Bennett meant.

The redhead Ruiz had been holding his clandestine meetings with.

Grant kept her eyes on the road. Traffic on the highway drifted in slow motion despite her car accelerating. “You sure this is the right channel to talk about it? The walls have ears, and all that?”

Bennett gasped. A frustrated gasp. Grant immediately regretted posing that question.

“Hey, I’m no newbie here. If I don’t want to be seen or heard, then I won’t be seen or heard.”

Grant smiled, stifling a laugh. “Okay, okay. I know. Just… we gotta be careful, okay?”

They still hadn’t informed anybody yet. As far as Grant knew, nobody knew that she and Bennett knew about Ruiz’s espionage on Spencer’s boardroom meeting. Or about the redhead.

“Do you wanna hear it, or not?” Bennett asked.

“Sure thang. Hit me.”

Bennett simmered in another long pause. The furious typing at her keyboard stayed absent for several beats, for so long that Grant almost asked if everything was alright, just before Bennett started hacking away again.

“Her name is Loretta Corsino. She is in no shape or form affiliated with the American government. She’s a consultant in the private sector. Harvard, attorney, squeaky-clean record, can’t find dirt on her anywhere.”

Grant snorted. This surprised her. Another private firm, butting into FP’s business?

It made enough sense. For now. Still, some pieces of the puzzle were missing. Frustratingly so.

“Huh.”

“She works part-time in cybersecurity at a US branch of a British company named Celava Semi-Conductors.”

“Huh,” Grant said again. “So they’re IT?”

“A little bit more than that. Get a load of this,” Bennett said. “They’re kind of a pioneer in the field of high-energy physics, developing new forms of semi-conductors, shielding, and other components for use in nuclear reactors, particle accelerators, and other high-tech projects.”

Grant’s heart started racing again. Celava sounded like competition. A rival for Future Proof. This wasn’t good.

They knew. The had to know what Future Proof was dealing in.

“The plot thickens…”

“No kidding! CEO’s a guy named Malcolm Wright, a real Conan the Barbarian-looking guy in a suit,” Bennett’s typing ceased. Her syllables drawled out as she was reading something off a screen before continuing. “Celava used to be trumpeted by the British government as an example of how their national industry was ‘moving into the future’, but then Wright caused a rift between the government and his company.”

Now, Grant was intrigued. She said nothing. Bennett continued uninterrupted.

“A year ago, there was an accident at Celava’s main research facility. Two scientists died. According to official accounts, there was some kind of explosion of super-heated steam when a faulty valve blew. The families of the two dead scientists there were given generous compensation—and, curiously, made to sign an agreement that both funerals would be held immediately, with closed coffins and no viewing of the bodies.”

“Shit.”

“Yeah. You thinking what I’m thinking? This also sound very cover-uppy to you?”

“Yeah.” They knew. The Anomalies, the dinosaurs from the past, the mutants from the future, and the secret operations to keep these things from the public. “Yeah, they sure as hell know.”

“Good, glad we’re on the same page. You gotta be careful, okay? No telling how deep this rabbit hole really goes. It’s a whole other can of worms if the spy’s working for someone else in the private sector.”

“I know, I—”

“I mean it. I know you know. I know you’re going to tell me that this is the kind of rabbit hole where people disappear and wind up dead, or in closed coffins with no viewing of the bodies. I know you want to tell me to be careful, too. I know.”

“Okay. Yeah, let’s just,” Grant took a deep breath. “Let’s just play it cool, keep our cool. Keep working like we’re none the wiser. I’m starting to think we need to go to Spencer about all this, sooner than later. We, uhm. Speak soon, Danielle, I’m stopping at home before hitting the HQ for airlift. I’ll be a few minutes late.”

“You… call me Dan.”

Grant smiled.

“Okay, Dan. See you soon.”

They hung up.

Half an hour later, Grant pulled into her new driveway. Gravel crunched underneath her sneakers on the short way from the garage to her front door. The fresh coat of paint looked good.

It was a nice place.

Even with all the cardboard boxes inside, cluttering the entrance foyer, and the living room, and the kitchen, and the—

The doorbell rang. It startled her. She froze, heart racing again, in the middle of packing a bag to exchange her laundry at Future Proof’s city HQ. Just as she zipped up her duffel bag, the doorbell rang a second time.

A shadow awaited her outside. Still, calm, and looming, the tiny windows obscured everything about her visitor but the shadow.

She opened the front door.

The shadow turned out to have been Ruiz. He was standing out there.

Ruiz thumbed his lip as their gazes met.

How did he know where she lived?

“Hey,” he said. Husky, smoky, and stern. “I needed to see you. Speak to you. It’s urgent.”

What? About what? How—

She almost voiced her doubts unfiltered, then found her cool, thinking back to what she had told Danielle earlier—to keep their cool. “Is this about the incursion, or about the drink?”

Ruiz smirked. His eyes glittered something strange again. Flashing with something seductive.

“No. Getting to HQ for the job needs to wait, too. I need to speak to you. Alone.”

Taken off-guard, Grant rubbed the back of her neck, and considered her options.

He gave her no space to think.

“Can I come inside? Talk in there?”

“It’s… quite a mess. I’m still moving in,” she fired back.

“I ain’t fussy,” he said. His eyes flashed again. Narrowed. Drilling into her, scanning her up and down.

Did he know? Did he know what they knew?

“Okay, sure. Don’t say I didn’t warn ya. Let’s chat.” She stepped aside and invited him in with a sweeping gesture.

He stepped inside, swerving past the stacks of cardboard boxes, looking for a place to talk.

Grant licked her lips.

Her gun was upstairs.

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[yetanotherthriftblog]

Recent thrift store find is this lock that works by bluetooth or RFID. 1/10th its list price! It works great and comes with key cards and fobs; the only complaint is that when it was created eight years ago you could download an app so you can open it with your phone and it was for free, but the company has changed names and possibly owners so now using the app is a $15 a month subscription?!

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