She Left Me Breathless

by Trin Denise

  “You got it. That’s exactly how it works. Slicing off pennies like you slice salami to make a sandwich,” Caitlyn smiled. “That’s also why this doesn’t have to be a public relations nightmare for us as you say. Our customers don’t need to know anything about it because they were invoiced the correct amount and they paid the correct amount. The money is being stolen from Welsh, not our customers.”

  “How did you figure this out?”

  “I told you that I made a mirror image of the system. On one side, I had our old system records and on the other was the new program. It just so happened that several customers happened to pay their invoices in between the time it took me to load up the new software.”

  Sydney grinned from ear to ear. “You compared the same invoices from the old and new software?”

  Caitlyn smiled with satisfaction. “That is exactly what I did. I had to make sure that all the data fields on the invoices were the same and they were except for the invoice amount. Do you know why that is?” Caitlyn asked.

  “Testing me again, aren’t you?” Sydney chuckled.

  “Just want to see how your logic is doing, that’s all,” Caitlyn teased.

  “It wasn’t the same because the new software you loaded does not have the same logic code to change the values,” Sydney answered triumphantly.

  Caitlyn clapped her hands together and smiled at Sydney. “Bravo, bravo. You are correct and you just won a new Dirt Devil vacuum cleaner.”

  “Why a Dirt Devil?” Sydney asked, frowning.

  “Because they suck better,” Caitlyn said, her expression serious.

  “I’m gonna ask although I probably shouldn’t. How do you know they suck better?”

  “It’s a matter of creating the correct formula in order to make calculations based on the pull of gravity, how quickly what’s being sucked in is pulled into the hose, and how many inches it travels over time once it’s entered into—”

  Sydney held her hand up to stop Caitlyn’s explanation. She shook her head and smiled. “I knew I was gonna regret asking.”

  Caitlyn laughed. “What’s the problem? I was explaining it in very simple terms.”

  “Okay then ... how about we forget I asked and in that case, I would like one in candy-apple red please,” Sydney said with a laugh.

  Caitlyn chuckled. “I’ll get right on that.”

  “Now that we’ve got the vacuum settled, do you have an estimate on how long this code has been active in our system?”

  “Around seven years.”

  “Holy shit. You have any thoughts on the person or persons who would be able to do this?” Sydney asked.

  “Yes ... but you’re not going to like it,” Caitlyn said, shaking her head.

  “Try me.”

  “It has to be someone here at Welsh and I say that because whoever has done this had to have access to our system, our password protected system.”

  “Executives are the only ones with that type of authorization,” Sydney said, thinking of the implications.

  “Exactly, and to narrow it down further, this person has to have programming abilities, which means it could be anyone on the executive floor.” Caitlyn smiled. “I took the liberty to pull all of the executive’s résumés and eighty percent of them have programming experience although that is not their primary job function here at Welsh. Most have secondary Computer Science degrees, even the Marketing VP.”

  “Eighty percent, huh? That’s leaves us with what, six, seven people?”

  Caitlyn nodded in agreement.

  “How many people know about this?” Sydney asked.

  “No one except for you and me,” Caitlyn said with a shake of her head.

  “Good. For two reasons I would like to keep it that way. The first is that if it is someone here, we don’t want them to know we are onto what they’ve been doing, otherwise they may stop, and we’ll never catch them. The second reason is that this is dangerous as hell. We’re talking millions of dollars and people have killed for much less.”

  “And since no one but the two of us know I’ve been testing out this new system billing program, I think we should keep that to ourselves as well.”

  “I agree. Do you have any idea where the money is going or how we can catch whoever is doing this?”

  “I’m working on that. I have spent the last twenty-four hours trying to find the account where the funds have been dumped but it’s too tedious to do by hand seeing that we have over two million customers worldwide,” Caitlyn said, massaging the sides of her temples with her fingertips. “I decided to write a new logic program where I can input the monies that have been rounded down from several invoices and have the system search for an account or accounts that match a deposit for those amounts. It shouldn’t take long once I finish writing the code.”

  Sydney leaned against the corner of the desk. “What about catching them?”

  Caitlyn smiled. “I have in my possession several pages of code written by all the programmers at Welsh. I will compare those samples with the code in our system. Programmer codes can be like fingerprints and all programmers have their own nuances, kind of like their own signatures in the way they write the code.”

  “Interesting, I didn’t know that,” Sydney said, thinking that every time she was around Caitlyn, she learned something new.

  Caitlyn shrugged. “It’s a long shot considering that the person may not directly be in a position where they have written code for Welsh. There is also a chance that they have changed their programming fingerprint to throw anyone off the trail just in case the code is discovered.”

  “It’s better than nothing at this point,” Sydney said.

  “I did something else as well. Last night when no one else was in the building, I loaded spyware as well as keystroke logging software on all of the executive’s desktops. I need to get my hands on their laptops as well.”

  “Very sneaky! I like it,” Sydney laughed. “I have a meeting to attend when I’m done here. Several of the execs on your list will be in that meeting and it might be a good time for you to try to load your software onto their laptops.”

  “I’m not sure they would be happy if they knew. I hate doing those kinds of things but I’m also not keen on knowing that someone I work with has a problem with ethics,” Caitlyn said, frowning.

  “I agree but when you use company equipment, you’re fair game and it clearly states that in fine print on the application for employment. Will they have any idea that the software is running?”

  “No, only you and I will know and I will be able to see and track everything they do from my computer, Caitlyn said, shaking her head.”

  Sydney glanced at her watch and stood up. “I need to get ready for the meeting. Please keep me updated on your progress.”

  Caitlyn nodded. “You will be the first to know.”

  “Are you coming to my Christmas party tonight?”

  Caitlyn shrugged and said, “I don’t know. I really haven’t given it much thought.”

  “Ah, come on. It’ll do you some good. You spend too many hours here as it is,” Sydney said and it was true. Next to her, Caitlyn put in almost as many hours as she did.

  “I don’t have a date,” Caitlyn frowned.

  “You don’t need one.” Sydney saw the hesitation on Caitlyn’s face and said, “Why don’t you bring your parents along.”

  Caitlyn thought about it for a second or two. “I don’t think you’ve ever met my mom,” she said.

  “I don’t believe I have either,” Sydney agreed with a shake of her head as butterflies began to dance around in her stomach.

  Caitlyn snorted. “You’re not missing much with my stepdad.”

  “You two don’t get along?” Sydney asked.

  “He’s a class-A jerk,” Caitlyn said and did not elaborate and Sydney did not ask.

  “I insist you take the time off and come to my party tonight. I’m sure my house is big enough that you might only see your stepfather once or twice in passing,
” Sydney said with a smile.

  Caitlyn sighed. “Is that an order?

  Sydney grinned at her. “Yes it is.”

  “Dress or casual?” Caitlyn asked in resignation.

  “Dress or casual, whatever feels most comfortable to you. You can come in jeans if you like,” Sydney smiled. “By the way, after I’m done with my meeting, I will be taking the rest of the day off. Party starts at seven. Maureen can give you the address if you don’t have it. I’ll chat with you later tonight.”

  Caitlyn smiled. “I’ll see you later then.”

  Sydney went back to her office and closed the door behind her. She had a few minutes until the big meeting. She pulled open her desk drawer and grabbed the file folder marked William Amos. She didn’t bother to look up at the knock on her door. “Come in,” she said, pulling out several sheets from the folder.

  “Good morning,” Meredith said.

  Sydney looked at Meredith and wondered how she could have ever been in love with the woman. “Good morning, Meredith. How are you?” she asked, then realized that maybe the feelings she’d had for Meredith bordered more on lust than love.

  Meredith was definitely pulling out all the stops. She was wearing a fiery red skirt suit, black silk stockings, and a sexy pair of black stilettos. The ensemble just so happened to be one of Sydney’s favorites and Meredith knew it. She looked fantastic.

  Meredith sashayed over to Sydney’s desk. “I was scheduled to be in the meeting with Bill Amos this morning and in lieu of what has happened between us, I wanted to know if you still required my attendance?”

  “Yes, Meredith,” Sydney sighed. “I haven’t told anyone about our breakup and I would appreciate it if you did the same. We don’t need any more gossip floating around here than what already does,” Sydney said, trying like hell to keep the annoyance out of her voice.

  Meredith’s cheeks flushed red. “Don’t you think they will fucking know when I’m no longer working here? Don’t you think people will start talking as soon as they see me packing up my office?”

  Sydney shot Meredith a look that said she had just about had enough of her attitude. “Keep your voice down for crying out loud. I thought by doing it this way, you could at least save some face when you left and you can pack your things in the evening when everyone else is gone,” Sydney said through clenched teeth.

  “I’m sorry, babe, I didn’t mean to snap at you,” Meredith said, her voice softening.

  Just like Jekyll and Hyde, Sydney thought as she picked up the file folder. “Since you will only be here for one more week, I want you to tie up all your loose ends. That means I want a list on my desk by end of day detailing all the projects you’ve been working on.”

  Meredith put her hands on her hips. “Fine. You’ll have the list. What about the Computer Logistics Vice President position that’s still open in the IT department?”

  “What about it?” Sydney asked, thinking it really wasn’t any of Meredith’s business.

  “Thomas Sosia has been gone for almost three weeks now, Sydney. I’ve been interviewing personnel for it but I assume you will take over that job now. Do you have any idea who you’re going to hire for the position?”

  She brushed past Meredith. “Not that it’s any of your concern, but yes I do. I’ve already interviewed several people and have a candidate in mind for the job. I will be making the announcement soon. We have a meeting to attend,” she said over her shoulder and went out the door. Meredith, with her mouth gaping open stared at Sydney’s back. After a few seconds, she regained her composure and followed suit.

  Sydney walked the short distance to the conference room. She could hear the buzzing sound of multiple conversations coming through the door. She pushed the door open and the room went silent. “Can you close the door, please?” she asked Meredith who came in a few seconds behind her.

  She waited for Meredith to close the door then took her place at the end of the long table. Bill Amos sat in a chair to her right. He looked considerably older than Sydney remembered. His hair seemed whiter, his eyes were not as lively, and it was obvious that he had lost a considerable amount of weight based on the way his suit jacket hung loosely around his shoulders. The stress of his fledgling company had taken its toll on him. Andrew Amos, Bill’s grandson sat on her left, directly across from his grandfather.

  “Ms. Welsh,” the older Amos said as he stood. His hand shook as he took her hand in his.

  “Mr. Amos,” Sydney nodded then turned to shake Andrews’s hand. “Please be seated,” she said as she laid the file folder on the table. She picked up a carafe, and poured herself a cup of coffee. “Mr. Amos, can I get you something to drink?” she asked, offering the carafe.

  “I’m good, thank you,” he said, shaking his head.

  She looked at his grandson, who declined her offer with a shake of his head as well. Sydney pulled out the chair and sat down. She glanced around the table. Allen Carmichael, the Assistant VP of Computer Logistics sat at the far end of the table, Virgil Parsons, VP of Acquisitions sat directly to his left, Kenneth Worthington, the Computer Design Manufacturing Manager sat on his right. Robert VanDersmote, the Sr. Manager over Computer Manufacturing sat next to Andrew with Meredith directly on his left.

  The conference room door opened. “Good morning, sorry I’m late,” Bev Andrews, VP of Marketing, said apologetically as she took the empty seat next to Meredith.

  “Good morning, Bev, no biggie, we’re just getting started,” Sydney said, flipping open the file folder. “If everyone’s ready, let’s begin,” she said, looking at Bill Amos and then his grandson.

  Bill Amos cleared his throat. “With all due respect, Ms. Welsh, I think your behavior is reprehensible concerning my company.”

  He certainly doesn’t beat around the bush, Sydney thought as she met the older man’s steely gaze. “With all due respect, Mr. Amos, I find it just as appalling that your company has basically been run into the ground.”

  Andrew Amos stood up from his chair. He glared at Sydney. “How dare you speak to my grandfather with such disrespect? He built that company from the ground up with his own two hands.”

  “It’s okay, Andrew,” Bill said soothingly to his grandson.

  “I do not owe either of you an explanation. I only called this meeting out of courtesy. Welsh Enterprises has done nothing wrong. Your shareholders sold their stock freely.”

  Andrew’s look was incredulous. “What did you expect they would do when you offered them twice as much as the stock was worth?”

  “Greed can make the most honest person think irrationally,” Sydney said with a shrug of her shoulders.

  “If your actions were above board, then why did you use separate Welsh holding companies to secure the stock?” Bill Amos asked.

  Sydney looked at Virgil Parsons. “I’ll let our VP of acquisitions answer that question for you.”

  The grey-headed older man pushed his glasses up on his nose. His voice shook slightly as he spoke. “Um, well yes, it’s true. We did use three of our smaller holding companies to purchase the stock but that is a regular practice of ours. Depending on where the company we are interested in acquiring is located, we decide which of our holding companies offer the best tax incentives in those areas.”

  Bill Amos shook his head. “I don’t care how you try to justify it, Ms. Welsh. You went beneath the radar to secure the majority share of my company’s stock.”

  “We’re not even sure that buying up your stock is in the best interest of Welsh. At least I’m not,” Allen said from the end of the table.

  “I tend to agree with Allen,” Robert offered, adding his two cents.

  Sydney looked at Robert and then at Allen. She could not believe what she was hearing. She would put both of them in their place later. How dare they undermine her decisions. She looked at Bev. “Have you had time to review the financials I sent you?” she asked.

  “I sure have,” Bev said with a smile and pulled out several documents.

&
nbsp; “What do you think about it, Bev? Your honest opinion,” Sydney said, knowing that Bev would support whatever decisions she made. If she had a problem, she would talk to Sydney privately about her concerns. She would never undermine Sydney’s decisions as Allen and Robert had just done.

  “I think it’s a wise investment. Coupled with our manufacturing division, a computer oriented design firm that specializes in office renovations and custom architecture design offers Welsh a large market share that we would never have been able to get otherwise. We will be a one-stop shopping avenue for our business customer division.”

  “Thanks, Bev. I understand that you have an important meeting yourself so if you have nothing else to add, you’re free to go.”

  Bev stood and gathered her things. “No, I’m good,” she said and left the room.

  Sydney looked at Kenneth, who had been quiet the whole time. “What are your thoughts, Kenneth?” Sydney knew what his answer would be before she even asked. Kenneth was a follower, a man who could not think on his own, and a man who had never had an original thought in his life.

  Kenneth looked at Allen before turning to look at Sydney. “I hate to say it, Sydney, but I’m not sure how I will fit office design into our business model,” Kenneth answered, confirming Sydney’s opinion about him.

  Sydney looked at Meredith who immediately averted her eyes. Sydney had told Meredith that she thought she was making a mistake when she had hired Allen, Robert, and Kenneth. Their comments today only cemented what Sydney already knew. “You can be excused,” she said finally, when Meredith looked at her. “I want the documents we discussed earlier on my desk before you leave for the day.”

  Without a word, Meredith gathered her things and left the room.

  Sydney felt the heat rise up her neck all the way to her ears. “Can someone please explain to me how I can be in a room that’s overflowing with male testosterone, yet I’m the only one who has any God damn balls?” she asked, her voice rising several octaves.