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“It’s not uncommon for competitors to turn to underhanded methods to get a leg up against their competition. You’re both using Guardian one-oh, right? What if Edward here hires one of these hackers to take a peek into your up-and-coming developments, Marissa? What if he were to find out you were having an affair with a woman in the marketing department? What if he were to discover the associated payoff and cover-up to avoid a sexual harassment lawsuit?”
“I’ve never—“ Marissa interrupts, but I hold up my hand.
“I have no doubt, Marissa. But there are skeletons to be discovered in all of your locked closets.” I scan around the table, pausing to catch the eye of each one in the room, one after the other. Each of them shifts uncomfortably in their seat when I stop at them. “And there are countless hackers every bit as smart as me out there who could potentially find the key.”
Several of the attendees shoot suspicious glances at each other as the tension in the room ratchets up. People like the ones in this room value their privacy above all else, even more than their wealth. This is a fact. I know that Guardian one-point-zero has vulnerabilities. And these will eventually be exposed. It’s only a matter of time.
“Guardian two-point-oh puts the keys back in your hands.” I click the button again and the screen changes, showing a comparison between the specs of the old Guardian and Guardian two-point-zero.
“With two-point-oh, the keys to your kingdoms, and your skeleton closets, will be held tight to the chest. The new version enables continuous security updates that were not possible with Guardian One. Our tech team will be continuously monitoring for new threats and will send real-time updates to your system. This means that no matter how hard or how long the bad guys hurl themselves at your walls, they can never get in.”
The meeting breaks up after I secure commitments from everyone in the room that they’ll be buying the updated version of Guardian. Even George capitulates, though he spits out the words like every letter is costing him his own personal money. But I know George is happy to let his company spend its money to make sure his skeletons don’t become exposed.
As the room empties, I lean back in my chair and kick my feet up on the table, breathing out the adrenaline that pumps through my veins.
Even after all these years and all my success in the corporate business world, at heart I’m still just the nerdy adolescent kid from high school. It’s hard to believe I’ve made it to where I am today. As powerful as it makes me feel to have the respect of everyone in the room, having to be “on” like that is exhausting, and makes me want to retreat home to my computer or to hit the gym to re energize. It’s been a long agonizing journey, climbing up from my start as a programmer, sitting alone in my office for hours, to becoming the head of a multi billion-dollar internet security company.
A knock at the door shakes me from my thoughts. My assistant, Rebecca, steps in. Her heels click against the hardwood floor as she approaches the table.
“Tyson? You’ve got a phone call on line one.” She sounds tired, and I can see the faint purple shadows beneath her eyes from all of her extra hours of loyal support. Even her impeccable makeup can’t hide them.
“Thank you, Rebecca. Why don’t you head home early tonight? I can handle things from here. Take yourself out to dinner and use the company card.”
She flashes me a grateful smile. “Thank you, Tyson. I think I’ll take you up on that. Maybe just some takeout, though. I’m dying for a TV binge and a glass of Chardonnay.”
I wait for her to leave my office to pack up her things, thinking it’s about time to give her a raise, before pulling the phone off its receiver and lifting it to my ear.
“Hello?”
I listen in silence to the voice on the other end. After I hang up, I sit staring out the window in a daze, watching the cars fly by on the street below. No fucking way. I do not want to do this.
“Rebecca.” I shout from my office. “Did you leave yet?”
“No, Ty,” she replies from across the hall. “I’m on my way out now.”
“I am so sorry. I just told you to cut out early, but I need your help before you go. Forgive me?”
“Of course, boss. I didn’t make any plans yet. What do you need?”
“Can you call the property management company and have them get my penthouse ready? Have them stock the fridge for a week. They have my grocery list on file. I’ll probably only be gone for a couple of days, but just in case.”
“Sure. No problem. The one in South Beach?” she asks.
”Iwish. I could use some sunshine to burn off the haze from this crappy weather. No. The one in Chicago.”
“You’re going home?” she asks. “I thought you hated it there.”
“No choice. There’s a situation. And have them send somebody in to give it a dusting, will you? I haven’t been there in over a year.”
“Got it, Ty. Do you want me to schedule the jet, too?”
“Thanks, Rebecca. Yes. Tell them I’d like to leave tomorrow morning at seven. I owe you one.”
Chapter 3
Jordan
Iclutchthepaddingof the door as Cole speeds through a yellow light. My stomach is somewhere in my throat and only a fraction of my anxiety is from Cole’s driving.
