Trevor R. Corbett
Trevor R Corbett joined the National Intelligence Service in 1985 and worked on organised crime and corruption as an investigator. At present, he is a counter-intelligence strategist for the NIA. He holds an honours degree in Criminology and is also a volunteer paramedic, musician and amateur filmmaker. He lives near Pietermaritzburg with his wife and two children.
Extract from An Ordinary Day (2010)
Being a housebreaker is more challenging than most people realise, thought Kevin Durant as he hoisted himself onto the first-floor balcony of the house and a rusty nail on the outside of the balustrade punched a hole in his forearm, instantly spilling blood onto the lining of his jacket. Resisting the urge to swear loudly, Durant quickly ducked into the shadows and waited for the pain to subside. After thirty seconds it had got worse, but it was time to move; he could already hear his partner’s quick breaths below. Breaking into a house in South Africa was particularly demanding. Layer upon layer of physical protection was supposed to deter housebreakers by breaking down their resolve as each barrier presented a new challenge. To Durant, the nail had proven to be the greatest deterrent. Durant had overcome the perimeter fences, the dogs, the passive sensors and beams and the alarm system, and climbed eight metres vertically to reach the entry point. The owner obviously had a lot to protect.
Bibliography
2010. An Ordinary Day. Cape Town: Penguin Random House.
2012. Allegiance. Johannesburg: Umuzi.
Being a housebreaker is more challenging than most people realise, thought Kevin Durant as he hoisted himself onto the first-floor balcony of the house and a rusty nail on the outside of the balustrade punched a hole in his forearm, instantly spilling blood onto the lining of his jacket. Resisting the urge to swear loudly, Durant quickly ducked into the shadows and waited for the pain to subside. After thirty seconds it had got worse, but it was time to move; he could already hear his partner’s quick breaths below. Breaking into a house in South Africa was particularly demanding. Layer upon layer of physical protection was supposed to deter housebreakers by breaking down their resolve as each barrier presented a new challenge. To Durant, the nail had proven to be the greatest deterrent. Durant had overcome the perimeter fences, the dogs, the passive sensors and beams and the alarm system, and climbed eight metres vertically to reach the entry point. The owner obviously had a lot to protect.
Bibliography
2010. An Ordinary Day. Cape Town: Penguin Random House.
2012. Allegiance. Johannesburg: Umuzi.