Part 18:
Not the full evacuation, just the executive protection protocol. The boardroom doors locked automatically. The security guards looked to Daniel for instruction. Potential threat identified, he said loudly enough to be heard inside. Executive protection protocol in effect until cleared. Wright’s face appeared at the glass, furious. This is ridiculous.
You can’t lock us in here. I can and I will, Mr. Wright. Your safety is my responsibility. Daniel held up his phone, showing the message from the unknown number. We received a credible threat against senior leadership. Until I can verify everyone’s safety, you stay put. This is obviously a ploy to Mr. Right.
Daniel interrupted his voice carrying the authority of someone who’d commanded soldiers in combat. Are you suggesting I ignore a potential threat to board members lives? Should I note that in my security report that you prioritized a vote over safety? Wright’s face went purple, but he stepped back from the door.
Daniel used the lockdown to run rapid background checks on all board members, present his phone connected to databases Jake had provided. Most came back clean, but two had anomalies, recent large deposits to offshore accounts that corresponded with the timing of the cyber attacks. He forwarded the information to Clara, who received it on her phone inside the locked boardroom.
He watched through the glass as her expression shifted from concern to cold fury. “Ladies and gentlemen,” she said, her voice carrying despite the closed doors. “I’ve just received some interesting information about unusual financial transactions involving board members.” “Mr. Patterson, Mr. Reeves, would you care to explain the recent deposits to your Cayman Island accounts?” The two men went white.
Wright started to protest, but Clara raised her hand. The FBI is already aware of these transactions. Agent Foster is in fact waiting in the parking garage. Now, we can handle this quietly with resignations and cooperation, or we can handle it publicly with handcuffs and per walks. Your choice, gentlemen. Patterson broke first.
It wasn’t supposed to be like this. They They said it was just competitive intelligence, nothing treasonous. They Clara’s voice was dangerously soft. We don’t know names. Everything went through right. All eyes turned to the CFO who was backing toward the wall. “This is entrament. You can’t prove anything.” “Actually,” Daniel said through the intercom. “We can.
Your computer’s been monitored for the last 48 hours, Mr. Wright. Every email, every file transfer, every communication with your handlers, it’s all documented.” It was a bluff they’d only been monitoring for 24 hours. But Wright didn’t know that. His shoulders sagged in defeat. I needed the money, he said quietly.
My divorce, the market crash, I was underwater on everything. They offered a solution. Who’s they? Clare demanded. I don’t know. Everything was anonymous cryptocurrency payments, encrypted communications, but they wanted access to the quantum encryption project. Claire’s face went white. The quantum encryption project was their most classified work worth billions to the defense department and priceless to foreign governments.
When she asked tomorrow night during the security upgrade, they knew the systems would be cycling vulnerabilities exposed. Daniel felt the pieces click into place. Tomorrow night’s trap had just become real. I’ll call the FBI, Clara said. No. Daniel’s voice was firm. Let them come. But now we know exactly what they’re after and when they’ll strike.
We can be ready. You want to let foreign agents infiltrate my building? I want to catch them in the act with evidence that will stand up in court and send a message to anyone else thinking about trying this. Clara looked at him through the glass. A dozen arguments visible in her eyes. Then she nodded.
Clear the lock down, Mr. Hayes. We have preparations to make. Daniel released the locks, watching as security escorted Wright Patterson and Reeves out in handcuffs. Agent Foster had been happy to accept his call. The remaining board members sat in shocked silence. “I believe,” Clara said calmly. “That concludes our discussion about security protocols, all in favor of Mr.
Hayes’s recommendations.” Every hand rose. As the boardroom emptied, Clara approached Daniel in the hallway. “Tomorrow night. Tomorrow night. You’ll need backup. I’ll have it. Professional backup, not just your army buddies. Clara, I know what I’m doing. Do you? Do you? Because from where I’m standing, you’re planning to face an unknown number of foreign agents with what? Your winning personality and a fire extinguisher.
Despite the tension, Daniel smiled. Worked last time. This isn’t funny. I’m not laughing. He grew serious. But this is what you hired me for. Trust me to do my job. She wanted to argue he could see it in every line of her body. But she nodded. Just come back alive. Ethan needs his father. Just Ethan.
The question hung between them again. That dangerous territory they kept approaching but never entering. We all need you to come back, Clara said finally. The company needs its security director. That night, Daniel prepared meticulously. He called Jake and two other veterans he trusted, men who’d faced worse odds in Afghanistan and come home walking.
