by Terry Schott
“I’m never setting foot in that place again, Glen.”
“Never is a long time.”
She stared at him and said nothing.
“I could have come to your office, instead.”
“Don’t have an office.”
“That’s unorthodox.”
Loredana shrugged. “We seem to be doing okay.”
Glen laughed. He opened his mouth to speak, but the waiter approached. “Drinks for anyone?”
“Coffee, please,”
“Same for me.”
The waiter nodded and left. Glen brushed at the table again, and then adjusted the cuff of his shirt. “Congratulations on your success.”
“Thanks.”
“My number crunchers tell me that you’re near the four billion dollar mark in sales.”
Loredana remained silent.
“You’re not very talkative today, are ya?”
“I didn’t call this meeting.” She blinked and gave him her best deadpan stare. “I have nothing to say to you.”
The waiter brought the drinks. Glen pushed the sugar toward Loredana. She poured some onto her spoon and then placed it back on the table. She took a sip of coffee and stared at him while he poured cream and stirred it in. “I expect you wanted to meet for one of two reasons.”
“And what would those be?”
“To threaten me, or offer to buy me out.”
Glen smiled and took a drink from his mug. “Which of the two are you convinced it is?”
“Have you tried sOar out?”
He shook his head.
“Then you likely want to buy me out. If you had flown, you would be less concerned with money and more worried about the future.” One corner of her lip twitched. “A shrewd business person who understood what I have created would be frightened for the future of their own company.”
“Is that a threat?”
She shook her head. “Not at all.”
He rotated his cup slowly on the table. “I didn’t come here to do either of those things.”
“Then what?”
“The board would like you to join the company.”
Loredana snorted and looked away.
“It’s a generous offer.”
“Not interested.”
“You might be. Like I said, it’s a ver—”
“I know it was you who screwed me over, Glen.”
He blinked, then shook his head. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
She laughed. “I still have friends inside Cyber Inc. You pretended to help me, but you always intended to push me out.”
“You’re mistaken.”
“Don’t insult me. It doesn’t even matter anymore. The company is yours. You can have it.”
Glen pushed his coffee away and straightened his tie. “It was never personal, Loredana. This is business and you were not ready to take over. It would have been a disaster for everyone if I hadn’t steered things in a better direction.”
“Oh, it’s personal, Glen.”
“Loredana—”
“Maybe it’s ‘only business’ for you, but the name on the top of that skyscraper came from somewhere. To the Cyber family, to me, it was always personal.”
Glen sighed. “Then I guess you aren’t interested in accepting my offer?”
She pushed her coffee away and stood, glaring down at him. She opened her mouth to speak, then shook her head and walked to the front door, exiting without looking back.
Glen looked at his watch and then finished his coffee. The waiter returned to the table. “I assume that did not go well?”
“That’s right.” Glen looked down at the table top.
The waiter tore the top bill from his pad and placed it in front of Glen. “So? What do you want me to do about her?”
Glen rubbed his face and shook his head. “Take care of it.”
The waiter chuckled. “Oh no you don’t. You were vague like that about her father and look how that turned out. Say the words.”
Glen scowled and looked into the waiter’s eyes. “Kill her.”
#10
Glen stalked down the hall, ignoring people as they looked at him and then quickly turned away. His stare remained fixed on the door to the glass-walled boardroom at the end of the hallway. He entered and took his seat at the head of the long table.
The room was empty except for one man sitting opposite him at the far end.
“Good morning, Yuri.”
“Glen.” The older man nodded without looking up from the piles of paper spread out and sorted into neat piles in front of him. “How much of your time do I have this morning?”
“As much as you need.”
Yuri’s lips pressed together into a tight smile. “I will not need long. The board meeting that you missed was fairly standard with only a few items worth mentioning.”
Glen nodded.
“Third quarter sales exceed projections.” Yuri reached for a sheet of paper to his right and looked up. “Amusement park admissions grow in North America at the standard rate, with the newest park pulling the highest traffic.”
“Good.”
“Of note, European park attendance is up by twelve percent.”
Glen’s eyes flicked toward the ceiling, then he frowned and looked down the table. “Six was projected?”
Yuri scanned the page and nodded. “Correct.”
“Do we know why the number is so good?”
“No.”
“Note it, chalk it up to anomaly, and keep an eye on it over the next quarter.”
Yuri clicked his pen and wrote something on the paper before placing it to his left. “Done.”
“Next?”
“Competition.”
“sOar?” Glen leaned forward to rest his elbows on the table.
“sOar doesn’t fall into the category of competition, Glen. Their sales do not affect ours in any way, shape, or form. sOar customers pay for their tickets and still have plenty of money to come visit our parks.”
Glen shook his head. “I disagree with that assessment, but it seems no one else shares my viewpoint. Fine then. Has any ‘legitimate competition’ appeared to make a threat to any of our divisions?”
“No.”
Glen leaned back in his chair and waved one hand. “Then skip them and tell me what you have on sOar.”
“What’s the point? You heard the news about sOar on the television, I assume?”
Glen frowned. “No.”
“It is disappearing.”
“What do you mean?”
“Starting next Monday, tickets for sOar will no longer be available for purchase.”
Glen laughed. “Why?”
“Loredana will be doing interviews with the major internet personalities to explain the decision later today.”
Glen scowled as Yuri reached for another piece of paper. “On the subject of satellite offices—”
“No, no.” Glen shook his head. “We stay on this topic.”
“What’s to stay on? sOar was never a threat to our business, and now it is no longer for sale.” Yuri shrugged his shoulders. “Topic closed.”
“She made billions of dollars.”
“Correct.”
“Selling a little piece of tape.” Glen’s eyes narrowed. “For twenty bucks.”
“That’s nothing new. Over the years there have been many novelty items that make people wealthy. Maybe not billions, but certainly millions of dollars. We’ve all seen it. They come. They go. This one is done.”
“What’s she going to do with that money?”
Yuri paused. “I’m sure I have no idea.”
“That could be a problem, don’t you think?”
“Can I speak frankly for a minute, Glen?”
“Okay.”
“Stop it.”
Glen frowned. “Stop what?”
“You think the girl is coming to get revenge on you.”
Glen laughed. “Revenge? For what? I have no idea what
you’re talking abo—”
Yuri scowled. “We all know what happened and our silence was our way of saying we agreed. The girl couldn’t take over the company. You did what needed to be done, and things have turned out fine because of it. What we don’t need is our leader feeling guilty about making correct business decisions.”
“That’s not what I’m doing.”
“It seems that way. The girl found a clever way to make some money. That’s a good thing, and no surprise considering her genetics. The Cybers were always a resourceful lot. Her great–great-grandfather would be proud of her.”
“I think she is making a play to regain control of this corporation.”
Yuri sighed and shook his head. “I’ve worked here for a long time, Glen. You keep me in this position for my experience and also for my instincts, am I right?”
“Of course.”
“Then believe me when I say I don’t see a threat from the girl.”
“With the war chest of money she has built, Loredana can develop something to compete with us. My gut tells me that’s exactly what she plans to do, Yuri.”
“Mine doesn’t.”
Glen looked up at the ceiling and placed one hand on the back of his neck.
“Your instincts are excellent as well, Glen. We will keep an eye on her, if that makes you feel better. I can have security put a tail on her and monitor her very closely. That way if she even starts to—”
“No.” Glen looked down the table and shook his head. Yuri frowned, and Glen smiled. “You’re right. We don’t need to watch her that closely. Let’s just keep our ear to the ground in case she happens to emerge with something. Our finger on the pulse will tell us if she makes a move.”
Yuri nodded and looked at the sheet in his hand.
#11
Loredana Cyber has concluded her press conference and left us more confused than ever with her explanation for removing sOar from the market place.
Despite incredible demand and sales, Miss Cyber claims that sOar was an experiment in both economics and technology which has naturally run its course. She said that, in order for new technology to emerge, the public must let go of the old. When asked if she was referring to sOar specifically, her only answer was to smile and say the comment was all-encompassing.
Her parting comments have left everyone wondering if there will be a new virtual reality product coming soon from Loredana and her partner, Ivan Thorne.
One thing is certain, if and when they decide to release something, the world will line up to try it out.
Jan Kansten, Global Entertainment Correspondent.
Ivan and Loredana exited the building by the rear entrance. They walked down the steel-grated steps and stood in the alley, Ivan leaning against the wall as he removed a pack of cigarettes from his coat pocket.
“Want one?” He held the pack towards her.
Loredana shook her head. “Filthy habit.”
He chuckled. “I’ve seen you do it.”
“Not in public, you haven’t.”
He placed a cigarette in his mouth and lit it, squinting as smoke curled up around his face. “Now that you mention it, I have never seen you smoke in public.”
She smiled and curtsied.
“There a reason for that?”
“Tradition. My great-great-grandfather thought it gave a bad impression and so he vowed never to be seen smoking in public. Those family members who joined the business followed suit.”
“That’s all well and good.” He took a drag and tilted his head back, blowing a white puff into the air. “You aren’t part of the family business, though.”
“I’m the only Cyber left.” She scowled. “Whatever business I am in is the family business.”
Ivan laughed and pushed away from the wall. “Want to grab a bite to eat?”
“Nah. I think I’m going to head home. See you tomorrow.”
“I’ll walk you to the street.”
“Stop it.” She laughed. “I can get a cab without your help.”
“Suit yourself.” He took another puff and walked toward the street.
Loredana watched him disappear around the corner. A crash sounded from behind her, accompanied by a darkening of the alley. She looked back and saw tiny sparkles as glass fragments falling to the ground caught the light . The lamp had shattered. Strong hands grabbed her from behind and clamped her arms to her sides. There was a zippering sound as something tightened her wrists together behind her back.
“Scream and I slit your throat.”
Her eyes widened and she looked straight ahead, focusing on a point of the wall beyond. “I won’t scream.” She did her best to speak in a calm tone.
“Good.” Dark material slipped over her head and tightened around her neck, making the world go black. “Now. We are going to take a little walk and you are not going to struggle. Pull any funny business and I will end you right here.”
Loredana staggered but the hands caught her. Her mind raced as she began to walk. They are going to kill me anyway. There is no one to pay a ransom for me. Damn it, why did I tell Ivan I was fine?
She stopped. The hand pushed her gently, then harder. “Come on.”
She straightened and tilted her head in the direction of the voice. “No.”
“Fine. Less work for me this way, anyhow.” She was shoved forward and her head hit the alley wall.
A ringing sounded in her ears as she fell to the ground. She thrashed and flipped over onto her back, raising her foot to fend off the attack she knew was about to come.
There was a loud thunk, followed by a grunt and something heavy landing on her leg. She kicked out, but whatever had fallen on her did not react. She pushed backward until her back was against the wall, turning her head to hear better.
Silence.
She frowned. “Hello? Is anyone there?”
“You’re safe.” A voice different from that of her attacker, deeper with a tone that sounded like—was it amusement?—spoke from a few feet away. “I’m gonna untie you, but I need you to do me a favour.”
Loredana laughed. “Do you a favour? You just saved my life. Name your favour and I’ll do it gladly.”
The voice was right beside her ear and she jolted. “You are safe now. No one else is going to come after you. For tonight, at least. When I free your hands, I need you to count to ten before you take the hood off.”
She waited for further instructions but none came. “That’s it?”
“Mhmm.”
She laughed. “Yeah of course.”
“Good.” There was a tug at her wrists and her hands dropped to her sides. “Don’t go walking into dark alleys again, Loredana. It would be a shame if you ended up dead.”
“I agree.”
There was a crackle of electricity. “Now count.”
She heard footsteps. “One. Two. Three.”
“Slower.” The voice was not as close now.
She slowed her count. When she got to eight, she lifted the corner of the hood and looked down the alley.
A man stood in front of a doorway that looked as if it were created from white light. He was dressed all in black, the material tight against his muscular frame. His white hair was short-cropped and messy but styled, standing up at various angles. He shook his head and smirked. “Didn’t think you would listen.” He raised one hand and touched his eyebrow in an informal salute.
Loredana’s breath caught in her throat. The man’s hand was encased in a thin black glove with seven red bottle caps attached.
He grinned and stepped through the doorway which collapsed and disappeared, taking him with it.
Loredana removed the hood and stood, brushing her hands against her pants and looking around. The still body of her captor lay at her feet, sprawled in what could only be a lifeless posture. She stepped over him and strode toward the street.
#12
Loredana opened the door to the small office and entered. Ivan stood and rushed to embrace her.
; “Ivan, stop it, I—”
“Shh.” He hugged her tighter, holding on for a long moment before letting go and taking a step back. “Lore, I’m so sorry.”
“There’s nothing to be sorry for.”
“I feel horrible. If anything had happened to you.” He shook his head and looked at the floor.
“You had no reason to think I was in danger.”
“It was a back alley!” His gaze met hers before he looked down once more.
“Ivan.” She laughed. “Stop it.” She leaned forward and tried to get him to look up but he refused. “Come on.” She grabbed his chin and lifted it. When he looked up there were tears in his eyes. “Stop that. I told you, I’m all right.”
He wiped his eyes and sighed. “From now on, you have protection.”
“Okay.”
“Listen, Lore, I’m not going to argue with you about this.”
“Hey.” She tugged his sleeve. “I said I agree.”
“Oh.” He nodded. “Okay then.”
“You too.”
He frowned. “Me too, what?”
“Protection.”
“I don’t need it.”
She laughed and slapped him on the shoulder. “You’re kidding, right? Both of us are billionaires. That alone is reason for desperate people to attack us.”
“I guess.”
“You are also the brains behind this outfit.” Ivan opened his mouth and Loredana held up one hand. “At least when it comes to the technical end of things.” He smiled. “We have big things to accomplish, my friend. It would be disastrous if either of us were killed or worse.”
“Okay.”
They sat down at the table “Tell me all about it. What happened?”
She shrugged. “Not much to tell. You left. The light behind me broke. Then someone grabbed me and threw a bag over my head.”
“Oh my god.”
“It was quick. They tried to lead me away, but when I refused—”
“You what?”
“I knew they were gonna kill me. It was the only plan that made sense.”
“Damn.”
“Yeah. Well, I got pushed down and then before anything else could happen, someone saved my life.”
“Did you see who it was?”
Loredana paused.