Part 13:
That doesn’t make him qualified to I hired him because he’s right. Clara’s voice could have frozen flame. Every vulnerability he’s identified is real. Every breach he’s found happened under our watch. We’ve been lucky, not secure. That ends now. Daniel spent the rest of the meeting outlining new protocols, mandatory password changes, biometric scanning for secure areas, regular polygraph tests for employees with classified access psychological evaluations for anyone showing unusual behavior patterns.
It was invasive and uncomfortable and absolutely necessary. This will cost millions, Wright protested. A security breach will cost billions, Daniel countered. Ask Loheed how much the F-35 hack cost them. By the time the meeting ended, Daniel had made 12 enemies and zero friends. But Clara nodded approval as the executives filed out, and that was what mattered.
“Wright’s going to be a problem,” she said when they were alone. “Wright’s already a problem. He accessed the personnel system 16 times last month. That’s unusual for a CFO. You think he’s the leak? I think he’s worth watching, but it could be anyone. That’s why I need full access emails, phone records, financial transactions, everything.
That’s a significant privacy invasion. You hired me to keep your company safe. I can’t do that with one hand tied behind my back. Clara studied him for a long moment. Do it. But Daniel, be careful. If someone realizes you’re hunting them, they’ll come after me. I’m counting on it. That’s not reassuring. It’s not meant to be. This is what I do, Clara.
I make myself a target so others don’t have to be. She looked like she wanted to argue, but her assistant knocked, announcing her next meeting. As Daniel turned to leave, Clara called after him. Sunday dinner. Don’t forget. I won’t. Walking back to his office, Daniel felt the familiar sensation of being watched. He’d felt it in Afghanistan, that prickle on the back of the neck.
That meant someone had you in their sights. Someone in this building was tracking his movements, reporting to whoever was trying to penetrate Donovan Technologies defenses. Good, he thought. Let them watch. Let them worry. Let them make a mistake. In his office, Janet had left more files, 5 years of security reports, all signed by Marcus, all showing perfect safety records that Daniel now knew were fiction.
He settled in to read his injured arm, protesting the angle of his desk chair. By evening, he’d identified 17 more vulnerabilities and three employees whose access patterns suggested they were doing something they shouldn’t be. One was right. One was a programmer in the development department. The third made Daniel’s blood run cold.
It was someone in Clara’s personal assistant pool, someone with access to her schedule, her communications, her daughter’s school information. He called Clara immediately. Don’t react, he said as soon as she answered. Just listen. Is Miranda Chen with you? Yes, we’re reviewing tomorrow’s schedule. Ask her to step out. Make an excuse.
There was a pause. Then Clara’s voice professional and calm. Miranda, could you check with catering about tomorrow’s board lunch? I want to make sure they have the dietary restrictions correct. Daniel heard footsteps, a door closing. What’s going on? Claire’s voice was tight with control.
Miranda’s been accessing Lily’s school records three times in the last week. There’s no legitimate reason for that. Maybe she was arranging pickup schedules at 2:00 a.m. from her home computer. Silence. Clara, I need you to think. Has Miranda asked any unusual questions lately? Shown interest in Lily beyond what’s normal? She She asked if Lily had recovered from the mall incident.
said she looked tired. Offered to pick her up from school a few times when I was in meetings. Has she been alone with Lily recently? No, not since the mall. Good. Don’t let her be. Act normal tomorrow, but keep Miranda at a distance. I’m going to dig deeper tonight. Daniel, if she’s a threat to Lily, we don’t know that yet. Could be innocent.
But until we’re sure, assume everyone is a potential threat. Everyone. Everyone except me. Why should I trust you? The question wasn’t accusatory, just curious. You’ve been here less than a week. Because I already took a bullet for your daughter. If I wanted to hurt either of you, I had the perfect opportunity at the mall.
Unless this is a long game, save Lily to gain access to the company. Daniel laughed, short and humorless. Clara, if I was playing a long game, I wouldn’t be living in a ratinfested apartment driving a car held together with duct tape. I’m many things, but I’m not that good an actor. The apartment has rats. Had Ethan named one of them Fred before I could get rid of it.
Despite the tension, Clara laughed. Only your son would name a rat. He has too much empathy. Gets it from his mother and from his father who can’t see a child in danger without acting. They were quiet for a moment, the weight of trust and suspicion balanced on a knife’s edge. I’ll be careful with Miranda, Clara said finally.
But Daniel, find out what’s happening fast. After hanging up, Daniel dove deep into Miranda Chen’s digital footprint. Not Mrs. Chen who watched Ethan. Thank God for that small mercy, but a different Chen. One whose background was almost too perfect. Stanford MBA previous experience at three Fortune 500 companies. Glowing recommendations from all of them.
