Intentional Consequences

by Charles Harris

  Andy looked across the floor of cubes and out the wall-to-wall windows toward Boston Harbor in the distance. He watched the planes landing at the airport across the water.

  His editor said, “Andy, take the leave.”

  Finally, Andy said, “OK. You’ve been a good mentor.”

  ◆◆◆

  On the Green Line MBTA train to his Brighton apartment, Andy texted the California engineer who had left the voicemail. The engineer called Andy at 4:00 p.m. Pacific. “My name is Joe Porter, the man said. “I’m a senior software engineer at PaprW8 in California. I’m not sure you remember me, but we were in some classes together at UT-A. We also worked on some journalism club projects.”

  “Yes, I remember you. What’s up?”

  “I’ve read some of the articles you’ve done for the Sentinel Observer. I was showing one of them to my girlfriend recently and bragging we were in school together. She’s into politics, right-wing stuff, and she’s always got some conspiracy theory. She’s been in heaven ever since Trump got elected and the press and the liberals have been all over him. God, she loves Fox News.

  “She has this idea some rich political guy who invested in my company is planning to use us to help the Democrats beat Trump in the next election. I don’t pay much attention to her theories, but last weekend I came across a background report on you our COO ran on a new system we’ve licensed from another company. It had all kinds of personal information about you and your family. I noticed it because I’m integrating the new system into our operations. She ran the report on one of our test systems. I recognized your name and mentioned it to my girlfriend. That was all she needed to hear. She was all over me to call you. So, I reached out. This could get me fired, so you have to forget I ever did this.”

  “Did you read the report? Do you know what’s in it?”

  “It was what we call a summary report, but it was larger than most I’ve seen. Maybe 50 pages. I looked through some of it, but I didn’t pay attention to the details.”

  “Do you know what happened to it?”

  “No idea.”

  “Why would I be in your database? I don’t have a PaprW8 account.”

  “This new system has access to amazing amounts of data. Let me just leave it there.”

  “You said PaprW8 is licensing this new system. Can you tell me who you’re licensing it from?”

  “No.”

  “But it’s a Chinese company, right?”

  “Yes. How did you know?”

  “Part of my job. Would you be able to send me a copy of the report?”

  “No way. We have so many security controls, I’d be nailed for sure.”

  They agreed to stay in touch.

  Chapter 36

  That same day, Eva was up before dawn, excited about her first Monday in weeks with Dan at home and no contractors around finishing up some security project. She had already showered, made coffee and set out fruit and granola for breakfast by the pool. Pouring hot coffee into a favorite mug, she walked around her wildflower gardens. The bluebonnets and Indian paintbrush were blooming.

  She was determined to make the day a turning point, a truly happy Monday—something she had struggled with ever since the home invasion. She was wearing white mesh pants cropped to mid-calf and tied low over her hips. She decided to leave her top off for breakfast to help kickstart their day. The weather was doing its part. Sunny and clear, with a high forecast in the low 80’s.

  She was still energized from her trip to San Francisco. Just being out by herself had refueled her self-confidence. The gallery opening had been rewarding financially as well as emotionally, and she was anticipating nice commissions from two of the three couples at the dinner following the opening. The COO from PaprW8 had been an interesting distraction. She’d talk about her today with Steve Cole.

  As she was turning back toward the house from her flowers, Dan stepped out of the house in his grey running shorts and a red and white tee shirt. Calling out to her, he said, “Hey, nice top! Happy Monday!”

  “Happy Monday to you, too! After the weeks of wiring and construction, it’s nice not to have any contractors around. It’s especially nice to have you here for a change.”

  They ate their breakfast by the pool, lingering longer than normal even for a Monday. After they cleared their plates, Eva pulled off her mesh pants and dove naked into the pool for her after-breakfast swim. Dan went to his study.

  Eva climbed out of the water, showered in the pool shower and pulled on white terry short shorts and a white golf shirt with the Daneva Tech logo on it. With a few minutes to spare before her first call of the morning, she made some hot tea in the kitchen.

  Back in her studio, she connected with Steve Cole on a Skype video call. Eva told him about Susan Ward’s interest in their software. “She’s pretty sharp. She noticed how the software aligned the lighting angles and shadows. She was full of questions. I did our usual job of not saying much, although I did finally tell her we were working on some neat enhancements.”

  “How’d you leave it.?”

  “I told her I’d discuss it with you. I also suggested we’re probably not ready to give them a look.”

  “I’d agree with that. Do you want me to call her?”

  Eva said, “Yes. You can probe harder on the technical side of what they might be interested in. I’ll send you her contact info.”

  “Fine. I’ll call her early next week.”

  After the call, Eva returned some emails. She also followed up on some gallery orders and talked to her print framer and a several galleries showing her work. Still enthusiastic about the gallery opening in San Francisco, she typed some ideas about the future shows she had coming up.

  As noon approached, Eva made southwestern chicken salads for lunch. Slipping into their master bedroom, she took off her golf shirt and shorts and wrapped a short sheer flowered sarong around her hips, tying the knot so the opening in the short skirt left most of her right leg exposed. She left her tan breasts bare, smiling as she looked at her reflection in the mirror. They ate on the porch, overlooking the pool.

  As Eva brought the salads to the table, Dan said, “You know you’re spoiling me. If you’re trying to convince me I need to work at home more often, it’s working.”

  She laughed and said, “I know better. We both have too much to do. But it is fun occasionally, and we’re definitely overdue.”

  Dan said, “So, what’s on your discussion list?”

  “Mostly follow ups from the drone and home invasion.” They spent some time discussing the security improvements they’d made to the house and grounds. Eva talked about her progress with Jeet Kune Do and her follow up training at the gun range.

  Then Eva said, “I’m concerned we’re not thinking clearly enough about what happened.”

  “How so?”

  “OK. First, you seem convinced whoever did this was after JPAC’s technology. You’ve never thought they could be after Daneva Tech’s software, yet they hacked into the Daneva Tech network and not JPAC’s. Both JPAC and Daneva Tech are working on some valuable technology. Maybe they were after both of our technologies.”

  “Alright. What else?”

  “I don’t think you’re hearing what I’m saying, Dan. I get the feeling you don’t think Daneva could have any technology anybody would want.”

  “I’m probably guilty on that. In fairness, I’m not current on what your software can do. Maybe you and Steve can do a demo to catch me up.”

  “We can do that, but it would be nice if you’d show some respect for what we’re doing.”

  She stared at him until he looked away. “My second point is who’s trying to get what we have. I think it’s the Chinese. The drone, Li’s little battery pack and the cyber forensics all point that way. Then we have the FBI getting involved, claiming national security and going dark on us.

  “You could be right. But where does that take us?”

  “I’m not sure, but it does say we’re dealing wi
th more than some casual hacker. If it’s the Chinese, the stakes could be high, and we need to recognize that.”

  “Maybe, but the Chinese dabble in a lot of things to see what they can find that might interest them. They cast a broad net.”

  “Well, I think it’s China. If the Chinese are involved, what’s the deal with the drone video? Did the drone just happen upon a topless pool party when it came by to probe our networks? Or did somebody want the video? Personally, I don’t care, but I don’t think Sally and Debbie and the other girls would feel the same way. I’m still concerned about the impact on my girls’ group.”

  “They may just need to get over it,” Dan said. “We may never know for sure. If the Chinese have the video, I still don’t think it will go on the internet. I don’t see a lot of blackmail value.”

  Eva glared at him, but let it go. “Do you know whether the FBI has been able to access whatever video is there?”

  He said, “No idea. The FBI’s good at asking questions but useless in providing answers. It’s frustrating.”

  They talked about summer vacations. Dan brought up the possibility of using Bernbach’s house in the Tetons. Eva suggested going hiking in Banff and Lake Louise in the Canadian Rockies. Dan said, “Wherever we go, we should wall off some time soon. The 2020 election cycle is already upon us. I’m going to have a harder and harder time getting away.”

  Standing up and stretching, Eva said, “Enough of this. Walk with me down to the tram before we get back to work.”

  He happily joined her.

  At the tram, they stopped to look across the lake. A few boats decorated the deep blue water. Turning, she wrapped her arms around him and pressed her body against his. Looking up, she kissed him more passionately than she had in weeks. She felt him grow firm against her. They kissed again, longer, harder. His hands caressed her bare breasts. She pulled the tie on her pareo, letting it fall to the ground. She guided his hand right to the edge of losing control, then cried out softly and shuddered as she gratefully lost it. Once. Twice. Then she held him until her breathing settled. Looking at him, she smiled and said, “Well, I guess I needed that.” She held him for a moment longer, then said, “I haven’t been down this tram since the home invasion.”

  He said, “I know. We need to get back out on the lake. You need to get back on a jet ski.”

  She said, “We do. I do. Today’s the first day I’ve felt comfortable at home in a long time. I’ve been strong and independent my whole life, but I lost that self-confidence after the home invasion. I felt it coming back in San Francisco last week. Slamming that asshole at the Jain’s house on Friday helped, too.

  “I know what I have to do. I have to stop playing defense. I have to get back on offense. I’ve been that way my whole life. It’s who I am. It’s why I’m able to be good at what I do. It’s why I love life so much. I’m sorry I lost that for a while. Thank you for putting up with me and helping me back.”

  “I love you. Besides, if today is an example of what I have to do to help you back, I’m happy to help.” He smiled.

  She picked up her sarong and tied it back around her hips. “Ride down to the boathouse with me. I need to go down there.”

  Scanning the lake, he hesitated.

  “It’s fine,” she said. Today’s Monday. The lake’s pretty empty for the day after Easter. But people or no people, let’s go down.”

  They stepped onto the tram platform and entered the code to start the descent. Arms around each other’s back, they watched the lake as the tram descended. When the platform stopped, she led him across the gangplank to the boathouse. They stood in the sun on the deck, watching the boats out on the lake. She stepped behind him, putting one arm around his chest and sliding the other hand into his shorts. He responded quickly and she kept going.

  She said, “Will you take me out on one of the jet skis? We don’t have to go far. I just want to go out with you.”

  “Like that?”

  “Why not? I’ll be behind you, hugging your back.”

  “OK, but you’re going to need to stop doing what you’re doing if you want me to drive a jet ski.”

  She stopped and they lowered one of the jet skis. Dan took off his shirt and they climbed on. He sped away from the boathouse toward the middle of the lake, steering away from some boats as they approached. The temperature was perfect. The wind and water were calm. Eva pointed to the north side of the lake where the river entered and said, “Head up there, away from the traffic.”

  “I thought we were staying close by,” he said. She pressed her breasts against his back and kissed his neck.

  After a few minutes, she said, “Let’s idle a bit.”

  He swung the jet ski around sharply, cut the engine to idle and faced the nose back toward their boathouse.

  She nuzzled his ear and slid her right hand back into his shorts. “Your turn now,” she said, hardening him almost instantly. “Don’t go away.” Removing her hand, she climbed over him to the storage box and pulled out two huge towels like the one she had used to cover herself when she was chasing the home invader. Dropping both on his lap, she untied the pareo and put it in the storage box. Standing and facing him completely naked, she wrapped one towel around her chest. “You can leave those shorts on if you want, but you’ll be a lot happier with this.” She handed him the other towel. Balancing carefully, he clumsily pulled one leg at a time out of his shorts and sat back on the towel.

  Still facing him, Eva pulled up her towel and sat in his lap, kissing him deeply and arousing him faster than even she expected. He wrapped his arms around her as they kissed again. Pushing herself up with her legs and one arm, she guided him into her. His arms helped support her as they found a rhythm. It didn’t take long, but it was more than enough for them both.

  After a few minutes of holding each other in the afternoon sun, Eva stood up, put the towels back in the storage compartment and tied her pareo back on. This time she arranged the gap in the fabric so it was between her legs, leaving any frontal modesty to come only from the two dangling ends of the fabric. She grinned at Dan. “Don’t want you getting bored,” she said. Dan stepped back into his shorts and drove the jet ski slowly toward the boathouse. Still topless, Eva warmed her breasts against his back.

  Chapter 37

  After dinner at his apartment Monday evening, Andy called Valerie Williams. They talked for almost an hour. Andy told her he’d been put on two-weeks’ paid leave. Building on their earlier conversation, he told her what he was working on, and explained why he was concerned about his job.

  After a while, Andy asked Valerie if she knew David Bernbach. She said, “Yes. I met him a few weeks ago. My husband and I had breakfast with him and another man in New York City.”

  “Are you working with Bernbach on any political projects?”

  “No. Definitely not. I share my thoughts about the political landscape, but I stay away from taking partisan sides.”

  Andy said, “Bernbach is the man at the center of the conspiracy. Please don’t let this out. It could be dangerous for me.”

  Valerie said, “I need to be able to tell my husband about Bernbach. He’ll won’t share it.”

  Andy said, “OK, but please, no one else unless you clear it with me. Do you remember who else was at that breakfast meeting?”

  “He was an older gentleman. A former CEO of a big chemicals company, I think.” She put the call on hold and checked with Rakesh. Back off hold, Valerie said, “It was George Billings.”

  ◆◆◆

  After hanging up with Valerie, Andy sent a text to Dan and Eva. It read: “Thanks for your time on Sunday. Wanted to let you know I’ve been put on two weeks of paid leave, beginning tomorrow.”

  Curious, Eva called Andy’s cell. “I saw your text and wondered what happened,” she said.

  Andy gave her the play-by-play about being put on leave. He also told her about the call he’d received from his UT classmate. Andy said, “I think I’m being followed. Maybe I ne
ed to get out of town for a while.”

  Eva said, “Might be a good idea. If this story is as big as you think it is, you need to watch yourself.”

  ◆◆◆

  Andy walked to the Star Market a few blocks from his building for groceries. As he hit the sidewalk, he passed a young woman in jeans and a brown tee shirt leaning on the building next door to his. Walking down the street, he glanced back. She was following him. He took a detour around a block. She was still there, in plain sight. He went into the market. She followed. He left the market without buying anything. She went out. He went back inside. She was there. After he checked out, she followed him back to his apartment. When he got back to his building, she kept walking to the corner, then paused, watching as he went inside. Whatever she was doing, she made no attempt to hide it.

  ◆◆◆

  Later that evening, Valerie told Rakesh about her call with Andy. “He’s convinced David Bernbach is involved in a business and political conspiracy associated with the 2020 presidential election. He thinks Bernbach is working with the Chinese. Andy’s concerned about confidentiality. I assured him we wouldn’t tell anyone he’s focusing on David.”

  Rakesh said, “Of course we’ll honor that. Those are strong allegations. You sure he’s not hallucinating about the Russians and 2016?”

  “Maybe, but he was a bright student. I probably never told you, but I wrote a blogpost a couple of months ago where I suggested the Chinese may have learned from Russia’s social media successes in 2016. I basically said the Chinese way of copying something, making it better and deploying it en masse could work with political campaigns as well as it has in other areas. Andy told me he had read that piece.”

  “So, you’re the one who put the bee in his bonnet.”