Royally Flushed: Tech Billionaires

by Ainsley St Claire

Me: I’m at the office. Jeremy just walked in and is copying the presentation, patent ap, and research file from your new venture to a private cloud drive.

  I send the text and take a picture of my screen that shows the download.

  Jackson: Is Brian with you?

  Me: Yes.

  Jackson: Make sure Jeremy doesn’t leave. I’m on my way.

  Me: OK

  I look at Brian. “Mr. Graham doesn’t want Jeremy to leave.”

  He nods and takes his cell phone from his pocket. It must have vibrated because he looks at it.

  I continue to watch what Jeremy is doing. He opens up File Explorer and begins deleting files from his computer and the server.

  I frantically start writing the file names down. They’ll be in the backup on the server, but this will at least let us know what Jeremy’s erased. When I can’t keep up, I do the only thing I can think of and begin recording a video from my cell phone, watching as the files disappear.

  A few minutes later, the elevator pings its arrival, and Jim walks in with two big, burly men and Jackson behind them.

  Silently I point out what Jeremy is doing and continue to write the file names down.

  Jeremy’s office door opens suddenly, and he seems stunned to see so many people standing with me.

  “What’s going on?” He tries to play it cool and puts his hand in his pocket, but then pulls it out.

  The elevator pings again and four policemen step out with a man with disheveled dark hair dressed in rust-colored corduroy pants and a green plaid shirt under a khaki overcoat.

  “Detective,” Jim says.

  Jeremy’s eyes grow big.

  “Do you want to tell us why you copied all the research, the patent application, and the presentation for funding for the solar film?” Jackson asks.

  Jeremy pushes his shoulders back. “What are you talking about? I didn’t do anything like that.” He gives me a look that would make most people wither.

  I smile because not only did I watch him do it and report it, but I took pictures and video. I hand my cell phone to Jackson.

  Jackson’s eyebrows rise. “Why were you deleting files from the server?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Here’s a list of most of what he deleted.” I hand a piece of paper to Jackson.

  He looks at the list and shows it to the detective. “The files you deleted are all the research on the new venture that was just funded this week.”

  “I clean up my files all the time,” Jeremy rants. “There’s nothing wrong going on here.”

  “Why don’t we go down to the station to clear this up,” the detective offers.

  “I’m not going with you,” Jeremy says.

  The detective shrugs. “I can take you in handcuffs, if you prefer.” Jeremy’s shoulders fall. “Don’t worry. You can call your attorney after we get there and you’ve been processed.”

  Jeremy is escorted out by the four policemen, and the detective remains behind.

  “What else did you find?” Jackson asks me.

  “I’m not sure of anything.”

  I open the cloud drive and begin to look at my notes. I explain the football-baseball issue. “Some things seem off. Here’s an email that says, ‘Benchmark will meet with us on Thursday morning.’ Didn’t he say he had a breakfast that morning?”

  Jackson looks at Jim. “Would Benchmark Capital fund something like this?”

  Jim shrugs. “I know Stephanie, the founder. Let me do some checking.” He turns to me. “Can I get the link for the cloud drive?”

  I look at Jackson, and he nods. “Of course.”

  “I’m going to have Gage in my office check this out,” Jim says. “He’ll need to look through his computer.”

  Jackson seems distracted by all his hard work running out the door. “That’s fine,” he says absently.

  “What about Heather?” I ask. “She may have more incriminating things on her computer.”

  “We can have Gage go through that too,” Jim suggests.

  “I also found that when they were late and supposed to be at a meeting with the accountants, it looks like they had a meeting with Hydro Energy Partners.”

  Jackson turns white, then beet red. I’ve seen him upset, but never this angry.

  “I’ll nail the son of a bitch.”

  “Do you want me to continue looking?” I ask quietly.

  “I’ll have Gage work with you.” Jim turns and looks at Jackson. “I have a contact at FBI Cybercrimes if we need her and her team. She’s solid.”

  Suddenly there’s an enormous amount of activity going on. I sit back and watch, and when someone asks for my help, I respond.

  Jackson goes in and sits alone in his office. He’s been working for months on this invention, and if it’s out there now, that’s all toast.

  “Brian, I know you’re not an errand boy, but if I order coffee for everyone, would you be willing to help me pick it up?” I ask.

  He nods. I ask everyone what they want and go on my mission. It’s almost lunchtime, so I also order an assortment of sandwiches. I need to do what I can to help.

  Chapter 7

  Jackson

  After Saturday morning’s discovery, my weekend was completely absorbed by what Jeremy has been doing. I’ve made statements to the police and worked with Jim’s team to root out what I both feared and expected: Jeremy has pitched the plan for our new solar film panels to a variety of competitors.

  Now it’s Monday morning, and even as we come up with a plan, I can hardly believe this is happening.

  Morning traffic is dense everywhere in San Francisco. I miss the days of working from my apartment. Thankfully, Ben drives me into the office, giving me the chance to talk to Jim on the phone.

  “I’m meeting with Stephanie Pierce at Benchmark,” Jim tells me. “And I think you and Mason Sullivan should join me.”

  “When and where?” I ask.

  “Let’s meet on neutral ground. How about the private room at the Waterfront Café? Noon?”

  “That works,” I tell him, stifling a yawn.

  I haven’t been sleeping worth shit. I can’t believe Jeremy Knowles tried to steal from Soleil Energy and from me. When I spoke with Mason, he was sure the repercussions were significant enough that we could fire Jeremy without paying any severance or even compensating him for the stock options, which we will claw back.

  We’ll meet with Benchmark and try Hydro Energy Partners. I have my lawyers preparing letters explaining that any material they’ve seen is stolen and we’ll go after any like materials, if they choose to produce them, vigorously. I’m confident Benchmark will walk away, but Hydro is Chinese owned, and we’re in a race with them for this technology. It’s difficult for non-Chinese officials to prosecute theft in China, and they don’t recognize US patents.

  My mind wanders to Corrine. She’s definitely not fat. She has some curves, but she’s a natural beauty, very sexy in a girl-next-door kind of way. And, I’m not sure Bobby Sanders knows how to enjoy a woman. It’s much more satisfying to give a woman so much pleasure that getting your own becomes unnecessary. What a full-blown ass. I can tell Corrine believes what he said, but it isn’t my place to tell her she’s beautiful and probably great in bed. That has lawsuit written all over it.

  The elevator from the garage stops at the lobby. When the doors open, Corrine appears, looking stunning in her dark dress. Her blond hair is piled on top of her head, and she’s holding our coffee order.

  “You’re earlier than usual,” I say.

  “I figured after my mess on Wednesday, and then all the activity on Saturday, it would be a long day.”

  “Good thinking. The FBI will be by this morning to deal with Heather. They’ll call you when they arrive.”

  “Do you think she knows?” she asks.

  I shrug. “I have a lunch at noon today with one of the firms Jeremy solicited. I’ll meet with SHN before that at eleven.”

  She nods. We arrive at our floo
r, and she takes off her coat and hangs it up. I watch her pick up my calendar and follow me into my office with my coffee.

  “I’ll move your twelve-thirty appointment to next week. Would you like me to cancel going to Cecelia’s service tomorrow? With so much going on, it’s hard to fit everything in.”

  Corrine is always so good at supplying me with the rationale to politely excuse myself, but I like Nate. This must be terribly hard. I saw them together, and they were almost one person. I need to go to the service for him. “No, let’s still go. “

  She nods. “Do you want a copy of your presentation to go with you to your afternoon meetings?”

  “No, I think we’ll be fine without it.”

  I watch her turn and leave. God, she has a great ass. It would sit well in my hands. How pink would it become if I spanked it?

  Why is it that we worked together for months and I never had a less-than-pure thought, but now when she leaves it’s imprinted on my brain?

  Her luscious tits. Are the areolas light pink? What sounds does she make when they’re sucked? What if I were to pinch, pull, bite, and play with them?

  What about those long legs wrapped around me, pushing me deeper inside her—or holding them open as my tongue dives for her honey.

  I shake myself out of this utterly inappropriate daze. I try to concentrate on my work, not what my cock wants.

  My phone rings, and it’s Corrine. “Why are you calling me?”

  “I’m in the lobby. The FBI has arrived for Heather, and she just walked into the building. They’re arresting her here. Do you want to come down?”

  “I’m on my way.”

  I can hear her screeches before the elevator doors open.

  “You can’t detain me! I know my rights! Let me go!”

  She’s struggling with the two FBI agents holding her back as she lunges at Corrine. “You bitch! I’ll make sure your beloved Jackson knows all about you!”

  I step into her line of sight.

  “Mr. Graham, Corrine is behind this mess to get me arrested. She sent the box to herself. I saw her do it.”

  Corrine stiffens, but before she can deny it, I speak. “Heather, Jeremy was arrested on Saturday for theft and corporate espionage. Your emails indicate you were helping him. I suggest that rather than lobbing lies about Ms. Woods, you use this time to consider who you’re going to hire to represent you. Because if the solar films are produced by anyone other than Soleil, I promise I’ll do my best to take every penny you earn for the rest of your life.”

  Her eyes grow wide. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. You can’t arrest me. I only did what my boss told me to do.”

  She’s still kicking and screaming as they lead her out of the lobby and place her in the back of a black government vehicle.

  I turn around, and a large crowd has accumulated behind me. “Okay, everyone, show’s over. Get back to work.”

  The crowd disperses, and I walk over to Corrine and the agent in charge.

  “I’ll go as soon as she lets me,” Corrine says, motioning to the blond woman next to her.

  “I’m not worried,” I assure her.

  The female agent extends her hand. “I’m Agent in Charge Cora Perry.”

  I nod. “Jackson Graham.”

  “There are some things we’re investigating. Heather won’t be back today.”

  “Keep her as long as you need. I’ll work with my HR team to make sure she never comes back.”

  I don’t notice Corrine leave, but after a moment she returns with my coat. “You need to be at SHN in twenty minutes.”

  “Thank you.”

  Ben walks me to my car at the curb. When I spoke with Mason about the theft over the weekend, he wasn’t happy. But he knows we’re pursuing this through all possible avenues. That still doesn’t mean my meeting this morning is going to be enjoyable. I’m thinking it’s more akin to a root canal.

  ***

  When I arrive at SHN’s offices, I’m shown to a conference room. The office is open and all glass, so I watch the receptionist go to Mason’s office, and he must send her to Sara’s office. She’s SHN’s attorney. Sara stands, and I see a noticeable baby bump. Good for her and her husband.

  Mason arrives and brings me a cup of coffee. “We have whiskey, Bailey’s, or Kahlúa if you need it.”

  “Today I’ll be fine. Saturday I nearly lost my shit,” I tell him.

  “I don’t blame you. What a fucking mess. But I think Sara has some good news for us.”

  “That would be outstanding.”

  Almost as if on cue, Sara steps into the conference room. I stand and give her a hug. “You’re glowing.”

  “Thank you. I am six months along, and the paparazzi is just figuring it out.” Sara’s husband is an Arnault. They’re old money, and Mason is engaged to her husband’s twin sister, Caroline.

  “Well, I have good news.” She slides a piece of paper across the table. “This is Jeremy’s employment agreement. It includes an inventions clause that covers theft, and he can’t compete in the alternative energy sector if he leaves Soleil Energy for five years.”

  “Great. What about the payout and his options?”

  “I believe you’re in the clear. Even if he can make a case that he didn’t steal the information, his behavior is a violation of the ethics clause.”

  “Now, let’s talk about an exit strategy,” Mason says.

  “He isn’t allowed in the building,” I inform him. As far as I’m concerned Jeremy’s dead to me.

  “That’s good, but we don’t know what he’s stolen at this point,” Mason reminds me.

  “We think it’s just our proposal and the patent application, which unfortunately has a lot of research—significant data and design work—but it could be more. Jim’s tech team is looking into it.”

  “I hate to say it, but this isn’t the first time we’ve seen this happen,” Sara says. “It’s our investment, too, so we want to be sure we do what we can to protect it.”

  She leaves with our thanks, and Mason and I prepare for our lunch.

  “How well do you know Stephanie?” I ask him.

  “We went to grad school at Stanford together.”

  “Okay, so more than just simple knowledge of her.”

  He nods.

  When we arrive at the Waterfront Café, we’re shown to a private room. Rumor has it a wealthy patron wanted a place to meet his mistress, but I’m not sure that’s the case. Private rooms like this are perfect for this kind of lunch, and they make good money. We don’t have to worry about being overheard or interrupted.

  Jim is waiting for us, and we order drinks just as Stephanie arrives with a flourish.

  “Jim…“ She leans in and gives him an air kiss on his cheek.

  Turning to me, she extends her hand. “I’m Stephanie Pierce.”

  She looks Mason up and down. “Good to see you, Mase.”

  “Stephanie.” He gives her a curt nod.

  Based on the tension between them, I realize they’re former lovers. This is going to be interesting.

  “Marriage agrees with you,” Stephanie assesses.

  “Caroline and I will marry next spring,” he corrects her.

  “How lucky for you,” she snarks. “So, what’s going on that’s so urgent?”

  Jim gives me a nod to go ahead.

  “It’s my understanding that you met with Jeremy Knowles regarding the funding of a solar film for windows last week.”

  She looks at me. “Maybe.”

  I pull Jeremy’s employment agreement from a file in front of me. “Jeremy has been an employee of Soleil Energy for over five years as our CFO. Not only has he stolen the information he presented to you, but he was arrested on Saturday for that theft.”

  “Now that’s unfortunate. It’s a brilliant idea,” she murmurs.

  “Thank you,” I say. That’s quite a compliment coming from a venture capitalist.

  She eyes me carefully. “I don’t suppose you’re
looking for funding?”

  “No, we’ve already funded it,” Mason jumps in.

  “No need to get bitchy,” she snaps. Turning to me she asks, “Are you willing to hear our offer?”

  “Only in the context of understanding what he was peddling.”

  “We offered twenty million for a forty-percent share of a solar film startup.”

  That’s a shitty deal compared to what I got from Mason, but he knows I can deliver.

  “There’s a good chance FBI will be reaching out to you regarding this,” Jim informs her.

  “We have contact sheets. We’ve been down this road before with someone shopping technology that wasn’t theirs,” Stephanie says.

  “Do you mind telling me who he was partnered with?” Jim asks.

  “Two gentlemen from China.” Stephanie shrugs.

  “I see.”

  My gut clenches. I’ll need to act quickly with this, or I may lose my idea to some thief.

  Lunch is served, and our conversation becomes more congenial.

  “Will you all be attending Cecilia Lancaster’s funeral tomorrow?” Stephanie asks.

  “Absolutely,” Mason says. “So tragic.”

  I nod. “We were in Las Vegas when she disappeared.”

  “I’ve heard about this mysterious card game,” Stephanie says. “Who gets to play?”

  “Nate actually organized it,” Mason tells her. “We met in Vegas at the Shangri-la. One of the partners at my firm grew up with Jonathan Best, the owner.”

  Looking at Jim she asks, “Do any women play?”

  I snort. “Mia Couture and Viviana Prentis are regulars. I recently won a beach house on Maui from Viviana. I’m going to check it out next week.”

  “Wow. You guys play for some serious dollars.” She looks at Jim. “Are you playing, too?”

  He shakes his head. “I go with clients. We also help with security at the Shangri-la.”

  “Well, if Mason can hang, I’m sure I can, so if you end up needing another player, I hope you’ll call.”

  We finish our lunch, and as we walk out of the Waterfront Café, Stephanie pulls me aside. “I’ll beat whatever Mason has offered you.”