Chapter 8
At the beginning of the second week, Frederick brought in some of the interactive parts of the project. There would be links to IQ tests and personality tests interspersed into the various sections where they’d fit. There would be interactive spreadsheets to set up a mock business and see how it would work under various scenarios and levels of sales. Andre liked most of them. He especially liked the aptitude tests that supposedly showed you where your strengths were and what a person would be good at.
Frederick insisted Andre try several and that the results made public as part of the project. People would want an example of how close they actually came to matching Andre. Reluctantly Andre agreed with the proviso that he could veto any and all tests he took if he wanted.
That was fine, Frederick assured. He took more video clips.
Next they got back to the questions. Frederick brought up the subject of his senior project and how that all came about. It was his first foray into chip design and enhancing speed and performance. Frederick wanted to know what he was thinking at the time and how he approached the project. Did he work with an outline? Did he just work from the seat of his pants?
The questions flowed and Andre was really comfortable here. Frederick pressed on how he came up with his unusual ideas. Asked if he had a method, or system to solve thorny problems. He had to be careful not to be too technical in his language. Frederick was good to tone him down and to have him explain in plain English. 1:00pm came all too quickly. Andre was surprised at how fast the time had gone.
"You know, I feel we're on a roll," Frederick said. How about you get your work done here then we meet for dinner and continue?"
Andre hesitated a little then thought what the heck. It was a business dinner. He did it all the time.
If Krissy asked about why he wasn’t coming home as usual, what would he tell her? Then he remembered she had a charity board meeting tonight and Allie was going to be at a friend's home. Andre had already planned to be working late anyway so his plans weren't changing after all. No need to tell Krissy anything. It was just work.
Andre said, "Sure. I'll get us reservations and text you with the time and place. It'll be close to your hotel."
“See you then," Frederick said putting his phone and micro recorder into his satchel and left.
Chapter 9
Andre was at the table he'd reserved at Rochelle's. It was the finest restaurant in Hartford. Krissy and he came here a lot. It was the 'go to' place for business dinners and wooing investors. It was elegant and comfortable. Also it was two blocks away from Frederick’s downtown hotel.
He was at the table when Frederick was brought over by the Maître de. Andre stood and they shook hands. Frederick was dressed in a dinner jacket and black tie. Andre was in his usual work clothes. He felt a bit awkward.
“Sorry, Frederick. I should have told you to be casual. It’s a nice restaurant, but it doesn’t have a dress code.”
“Nonsense,” Frederick said, sitting down. I enjoy dressing for dinner. And don’t worry about a thing. I like dressing up. Goes with the PR Territory, you might say.” He snapped his cloth napkin and spread it across his lap.
Andre was saved by the waiter coming forward with two menus.
"Why don't you order for both of us?” Frederick said. “You've been here before and I trust your judgment. If you'll permit me, I'll order the wine. I'm sort of an expert at that."
"By all means," Andre said and set down his menu. "I think I have the perfect meal in mind." He turned to the waiter and ordered his and Krissy's favorite plates.
"Very good, sir," the waiter said then turned to Frederick.
"I pulled up the wine list on the internet once I found out where we were going. It was excellent, and I just have to try something I discovered on that list." He ordered and the waiter nodded, impressed.
"A very unusual but excellent choice. It is clear you know your wines. Hardly anyone knows how special that vintage is. My compliments." He bowed, took their menus and left.
"This is a very fine choice of restaurants," Frederick said. "It's unique and stylish, but not pretentious like so many others."
A few moments later the sommelier came with the wine. He held the bottle out to Frederick to view the label then carefully opened it with ceremony befitting such a glorious wine. He poured a trifle into the glass for Frederick. He held it to his nose, swishing is slightly to arouse the aroma and sipped.
"Mmmmm, very good!" The sommelier grinned; pleased someone appreciated such a fine wine. Then he filled Frederick's glass and a glass for Andre. He left the bottle on the table and bowed again. "Enjoy," he said with a professional smile and left.
Andre took a cautious sip. He was no wine aficionado. The flavor took him by surprise. It was just a touch bitter at first then a fuller flavor blossomed and he was astonished. "Wow!" was all he could think to say. It was a poor exclamation to what he'd just experienced.
"You like?" Frederick said taking another, savoring sip. "I've been dying to try this. Most establishments don't carry this depth of wines. It was almost a fluke I found it."
"How did you know about it?"
"I spend a lot of time on jets and in hotel rooms. I eat in a lot of restaurants. I have to be careful what I eat or I'll balloon out. I've taken to studying about food and wines. A silly hobby really but our bodies are temples as they say.
“Now let’s get down to business while we wait for our dinners to arrive. You’ve told me about how you achieved the first big breakthrough. Now I want to talk to you about your latest and greatest breakthrough.”
Andre took a deep breath. Frederick raised his hands. “Relax, no secrets will be pried. I’m talking about what you were thinking, how did you even think of the idea of using Space-Time as a place for processing? And only talk about what you’re comfortable with.”
This would require some thinking and Andre was silent for a moment trying to figure out a way to give him something.
“Just consider the first question,” Frederick said. “Let me phrase it a different way. Why did you want to try and speed up computer processing?”
That was an easier question. Andre could answer that, and did. Which led to another innocuous question, “Why were you thinking about Space Time?” And so Andre answered that. So it went as dinner arrived and they ate and talked. Andre was amazed at how talented Frederick was at asking sensitive questions in a form that wouldn’t betray secrets, but still provide insight into his thinking and mindset and the reasons behind it. Andre was feeling comfortable with the questions and answers as he was talking about his inner thought processes. People aren’t often interested in that type of thing. Usually that would bore people to tears – especially as he was explaining things. He was enjoying it enough he was letting down some of his normal barriers. Frederick wasn’t even close to getting into anything proprietary. Still Frederick assured him people would be very interested in his thoughts. Then from out of the blue . . .
"Tell me about information security. You've got this new process you invented and everyone wants it. How do you keep it safe and secret? Did you file patents? Do you lock the magic formula in a vault every night? "
"Nothing like that," Andre stuttered a bit surprised at the sudden switch. He wanted to help Frederick but what could he do? He instinctively put up the guards again. He would only reveal what he’d said previously in a press conference or in the recent articles. "We didn't file any patents because it would require us to give away too much of the process. In fact, the labs at work don't know the full process. I've designed the system to be produced in closed cells with each portion being done by a separate team and it's all locked into modules and transferred between labs to assemble. Also, it's mostly in the software. The beauty of the system is the hardware is pretty generic. It's the software which can't be reverse engineered. I designed it so if someone starts to hack any part of a module the software erases itself." All of that was public knowledge. Part of the pres
s package in fact designed to warn people against tampering with the modules.
"That's interesting." Frederick said. "Can you really do that? I mean, there's nothing hack proof is there?"
"I'm sure many have tried," Andre said. "But the system seems pretty foolproof for now. I don't think even our own labs could do it. I know I've made my board very nervous . . .” Andre stopped himself from continuing. He was about to tell Frederick he hadn’t even give the 'magic formula' as Frederick called it, to his board. He and Krissy had decided to control the process and sell the modules through the company they’d formed to others who put it into their computing platforms. The modules where constructed at the factory in a 3 staged process, and then Andre himself controlled the final insertion of the critical software and set the safeguards. It was pretty automatic, but only he controlled it.
Frederick noticed Andre’s catching himself.
“Oops. Sorry. Too close?”
Andre nodded.
"You truly do need to be close with security on this. Is it all up here?" Frederick tapped his forehead. "You know, the image of a mad scientist plotting to take over the world? Now that would be a riveting angle for the project!"
"Sorry to disappoint you,” Andre said. Again he searched for something to say, but couldn’t think of anything that wouldn’t give too much away, and fell silent. It made him mentally review his security precautions and wondered if he was doing it right. The final stage notes weren’t kept in his head. They were too detailed to trust to his memory though much of it actually was he’d worked with it so much. He kept his notes on a camouflaged thumb drive he kept with him at all times. He never did any work related to his method on any system connected to the nets. He never left those notes on any computer even when he performed tweaks and improvements. There was one backup thumb drive he switched out monthly to refresh with his updates. He kept that hidden at his house in a place no one would ever suspect. That security had worked so far.
"I'm afraid I better not say anything else . . . or I'd have to kill you." Andre smiled at his cliché.
“Have you at least thought more about your family's personal security?”
“We have done that,” Andre said. “That’s being handled. I wanted to thank you for bringing that up, by the way. It was something we hadn’t addressed. Your mentioning it prodded Krissy and me to get on top of that.”
“Of course, you can’t say anything about that either. And of course, I’m not going to pry, because it’s dealing with your family’s safety. I won’t mess with that. In fact, how about we just leave security completely out of the project?”
Andre sighed with relief and noticed that Frederick was watching him closely, and smiled too.
The waiter brought the check.
"Saved by the bill," Andre joked pulling out his wallet and car keys from his front pocket and set them on the table while he pulled out a credit card.
"What's this?" Frederick reached over and picked up his keys. Andre's breath caught.
"Relax," Frederick said, looking at the locket that was attached to the keys. "I'm not going to steal your car. I just wanted to look at your locket."
Andre tried to relax and breathe normally, fixing a smile on his face as he put the credit card with the bill and gave it to the waiter.
Frederick opened the locket. "It's a picture of Allie and Krissy. How sweet! You keep it with you at all times? We've got to get that in the book. Shows you truly are a family man at heart."
He closed the locket and handed back the keychain. Andre tried to nonchalantly put it back into his pocket. Frederick didn't seem to realize what he'd been holding.
"Thanks for a wonderful evening, though I think I've made you a bit nervous talking about security." Frederick smiled. "Sorry. I’ll steer clear of that from now on." He stood and Andre stood, putting the wallet back in his pocket. They shook hands.
“See you tomorrow, same time same place? We’re just about done. We should be able to wrap up on Friday.”
With that he turned and strode out of the restaurant. Andre watched him go, waiting for his pulse rate to get back to normal. “That was close,” he said to himself. It was the first time ever his secret files had been in someone else’s hands. Luckily Frederick hadn’t realized what he’d held.
Frederick strolled casually back to his hotel suite. The night was pleasant and he was content. He’d finally discovered where the secret was kept. Now all he needed to do was formulate a plan to gain access in a way Andre didn’t realize it had been taken. That should be fairly easy, though. Several ways came to mind based on previous experience.
He felt somewhat bad at what he was going to do to the poor sod. Contrary to his normal marks, Andre really did seem to be a good guy. He truly loved his family and he didn’t seem to be changed much by his accomplishment and wealth. Well, the huge payout he was getting from this job would help salve the guilt. He’d scorch the guilt away sitting on the sunny beach he’d already arranged as his ‘hideout’ until the heat blew over. Besides, since this was his last job, it had to be his master work. Even though no one else would know who had done it, he would know. That would be enough.
He got back into his room, sat on the bed, pulled out his special phone and touched out a number. No speed dial, and the number would be erased from his system the moment the connection was broken. Frederick was very careful with security. He smiled at his little joke, thinking of Andre’s worry about security and how easily he’d breached the most important security Andre had.
“Yes?” came the flat, electronically masked answer.
“Scramble,” Frederick said, pushing his own scramble button.
“Scrambled.”
“I know where the files are. Be ready to transfer the funds to the accounts I’ve designated.”
“Okay. We're set on our end. Just give the word and it’ll be done.”
“Good. It’ll probably be late Friday. But don’t do it until I confirm. “
“Got it. Anything else?”
“No.”
Frederick cut the connection.
Chapter 10
It was Thursday. Andre sat in his office. He was trying to work but his mind kept drifting to last night with Frederick. Of him holding the thumb drive in his hands without realizing what he’d held. He shivered involuntarily and actually started to sweat.
It was a relief when 11:00am ticked over and Frederick came in as he usually did; two coffees in a carrier and his customary satchel. This time, though, he was dressed in a lavender polo shirt, tan khakis and loafers.
Frederick noticed Andre’s surprise because before he could comment he said, “I wanted to do something a bit different today to change things up.” He set the coffee on the desk and the satchel beside him and crossed his arms on Andre’s desk like it was his.
“We’ve talked about your life and business. Now we need to talk about what you do for fun.”
Andre laughed.
“Look,” Frederick reached across the desk and put a hand on his arm. “I’m sorry about last night. I realize I pushed too much. It was just old habits from lots of interviewing coming out is all. Can we just forget about it? We’ve got enough of the business materials. Today let’s have you show me what you do for fun, to break from the stress of your life.”
Andre nodded. “Sure,” he said. “It’s forgotten. As for what I do to break the stress, I think you’re going to laugh. It isn’t what you’d think a computer nerd would do.”
“Come on. Spit it out. It’s for the project!”
“It’s bowling. I like bowling. There’s something about it I just get a kick out of, especially when I’ve spent too much time behind the computer screen.”
“That’s great!” Frederick said. “Let’s go bowling for our meeting today. I’ll get some video clips.”
And so they went bowling.
The lanes weren’t far away, and Andre always kept a change of clothing at the office for just such an occasion. It wasn’t th
e first time he’d ducked out to go bowling. In fact, he did it quite often. It helped him relax from a thorny problem and take his mind away for a rest. When he came back he was ready to tackle things again, and almost always it worked. It helped him bust through.
He said as much during their first game. Frederick had never bowled before. Andre had to show him how to hold the ball, how to approach and then roll. After the first game they ordered lunch. Hot dogs.
“You’ve got to be kidding,” Frederick had said when he realized what Andre had ordered.
“To get the true bowling experience you have to have hot dogs. It’s a requirement.”
“If you say so, but do you know how long it’s been since I’ve even come close to a hot dog?”
“Don’t worry. One isn’t going to kill you. In fact, it has enough preservatives it will probably add years to your life.”
Frederick was shaking the mustard container. “How do you get this stuff out? It’s plugged. “He squeezed hard and it spurted . . . all over Andre’s lap.
“Oh! I’m so sorry!” He gasped, and then got napkins to help him clean up. “That’s going to stain.” He said, and then started laughing.
Andre joined in. It was pretty funny.
Frederick threw the last shredded napkin on the tray. “Let’s get back to my hotel room. I have something that will take the stain out. I always travel with some of the best stain remover.”
“Oh, it’s no problem,” Andre assured. “I have my other clothes at my office and I can send these to the cleaner.”
“No, I insist,” Frederick said.
“Really. It’s okay,” Andre said. “It’s about time I get back to the office anyway. “
For Andre, it wasn’t about the stain. He just didn’t want anyone to be close to what he carried in his pants pocket. Last night at the restaurant had taught him a lesson.
“Look, I’ll drop you off and the hotel. Then we can start again tomorrow at the office as usual?”
Message From Tomorrow Page 3