Chapter One

“So you mean to tell me that the entire shipment is gone and there is no insurance?!” Rachel attempted to control her voice, but she could not stop a shriek from escaping. She closed her eyes and breathed in deeply; realizing that she was being watched, she tried to reign in her temper. The coffee cup on the table shook as she exasperatedly slapped down the confidential file. Pushing back her chair, she walked toward the coat stand. Grabbing her black trench coat she headed for the door.

“Wait! Ms. Donnelly, please let me explain. The company was confident in the security; perhaps if you would—“

“Mr. Anderson, if you were as confident as NTC, we would not be in this problem now, would we? Please leave your resignation paper on my secretary’s desk. I hope you know your way out. Have a good day.” Rachel briskly walked out the door, all the while thinking with disgust at the incompetence of the people she was surrounded with. Snapping open her cell phone, she quickly dialed her secretary.

“Re-schedule the meeting with the Brownings until tomorrow. Cancel all my appointments for tonight. No, just make up the usual excuses. Families, emergencies, you know the routine.” Upon receiving an affirmation, Rachel walked inside the elevator. A man in his late twenties was nervously straightening his suit. Checking the placement of his ties against the poor reflection of the elevator door, he looked up embarrassingly at Rachel’s entrance.

“My first day,” he explained sheepishly. Sticking out his hands, he gave Rachel a smile, “The name’s Pasteur. Ervin Pasteur.”

Rachel looked at his outstretched hand with distain, but she was able to put on a smile and state her name.

“Do you work here? I am very excited to get started. I heard so many good things about the corporation. And it’s my first job; I really hope I’ll fit in.” Ervin smiled at Rachel hesitantly.

“Don’t worry. You’ll fit right in.” Another idiot, she thought. Rachel was relieved to find the door opening and quickly stepped out. Ignoring the wave of farewell by Ervin, she stepped into her new Lexus. Her chauffeur quickly closed her door.

“Where to Ms. Donnelly?”

“Net Technology Corporation. And make the entrance flashy. I’m calling a press conference.” Dialing her phone, she had a quick conversation with Tracy Kim, an upbeat reporter who owed her new position to Rachel.

“Tracy, I’m calling a press conference at NTC in ten minutes. I want the camera and tape rolling by the time I get there.”

“Finally! About time Rachel! Don’t worry; I’ll be out there with a crew in ten flat. Let’s take down Victor for the last time. And this time, let’s make sure he stays down.”

The cameras were rolling by the time Rachel stepped out of the car. Although she tried to keep up her stoic face, she was certain that the reporters could hear her thumping heartbeats. Grabbing her suitcase, she quickly ascended the marble staircase. Seeing Tracy directing the attention of the pedestrians, Rachel tried to maintain her composure. Her phone rang and she brushed aside her hair impatiently.

“Rachel speaking, who is this?” Her heels snapped sharply against the floor, and she quickly managed a causal pose for another photo shot.

“Rachel! Darling, how are you?” Rachel stood stunned momentarily, but seeing as there was no camera focusing in on her at the moment, she lowered her voice. Brushing past the bored door man she headed for the podium.

“Alright, where the hell are you?” Her hushed voice drew the attention of a young female reporter who lazily sent a smirk her way. Rachel bristled but drew in her anger. “Never mind, how long would it take you to get to NTC?”

“I’m watching it live right now. Rachel dear, what have I told you about being hasty? There’s no way you can draw him out like this. You need tactics. Do you honestly think he will take your bait?”

“I doubt that will be a problem if you would just send me the files like I asked you to.” Rachel gestured for Tracy impatiently. Already a crowd was forming. Potential investors in NTC stocks were being interviewed by reporters and curious customers were grabbing the security’s attention. Rachel smiled with satisfaction. It seemed that everything was going according to plan.

“I can’t dear, I lost the paper.”

“So? It’s all saved on the flash drive and there’s a backup CD.” Watching from the corners of her eyes as she began preparing her statements, she noticed Clark Thomson hurrying down the spiral staircase. She gave a brief glance at the elegant water fountain underneath the sun roof and made a mental note to herself to request one for her house. The reporters were now seating themselves, and secretaries were hustling the customers outside the door.

“Everything is gone. Every file, every proof, everything needed for your stupid press conference is gone!” The woman’s voice had lost its earlier control and her frantic breathing now echoed Rachel’s own.

“Arlene Granger, do you have any idea what you are saying? What do you mean they’re gone? It’s locked with the newest technology available and you’re telling me that someone somehow managed to break into it?” Rachel was by now panicking. Turning away from the reporters, who were now becoming restless, she found herself staring at the cool, confident grin of Clark Thomson.

“Find out who did it. I think I know, but double check all security tapes and make sure everything is locked up tight afterward.” Rachel briskly closed her phone and stepped toward Clark. As she walked closer, instead of stepping back like he usually does, Clark stared down at the significantly shorter Rachel Donnelly.

“What brings you here Ms. Donnelly? I’m afraid that Mr. Herman is unavailable at this time. If you felt the need to have a press conference here, you should have warned us ahead of time. Perhaps if you would like to set up an appointment—“

“Cut the bullshit. I don’t know what games you are playing at, but I want to talk to your boss immediately.” Rachel raised an eyebrow, “Unless there is some reason why Mr. Herman is purposely avoiding me. Perhaps it has something to do with file XP3?” Rachel narrowed her eyes as Clark stiffened slightly.

“I don’t know what you are talking about Ms. Donnelly, but I do not appreciate your tone of voice or your implication. Like I said, I’ll be happy to set up an appointment with you,” pulling out the calendar tucked inside his breast pocket, he circled a date, “Why don’t we make it the 15th?”

Rachel stared defiantly up at Clark before promptly plucking the calendar from his hands and tossing it into the floor. “Tell Victor Herman that he is taking things too far. You’ll regret this.” Realizing that she was making a scene, Rachel headed for the door. The reporters that were eying the confrontation with gleaming eyes quickly rushed forward.

“Ms. Donnelly, will you please explain the reasons for this press conference?” Cameras clicked away as Rachel signaled discretely for Tracy to pull back. The pedestrians outside were now rushing in and security was already having a hard time clearing a path. Behind her, she could hear Clark firing away explanation for her earlier words.

“Ms. Donnelly, is it true that the recent shipment that was supposed to be delivered to your company has been stolen? And is it true that the shipment contained valuable technology that is worth millions?” A middle aged reporter with a large mole and a pair of thick-framed glasses placed a microphone in front of her.

“Will you explain the circumstances of the delivery? What is the reason for you coming to NTC today? Is Mr. Herman aware of this press conference?”

“Ms. Donnelly will you please give a response?” The same woman who had smirked at Rachel earlier now controlled the interrogation. Rachel noticed the camera rolling and managed to somehow put on a smile.

“As you can see, Mr. Thomson and I have a bit of a misunderstanding. Please feel assured that everything will soon be out in the open. As for the conference, due to Mr. Herman’s absence, we will have to reschedule. I am sorry to trouble you all today, but I heard that NTC was having a presentation of the new cyber clone microchip so I thought that this would be an excellent chance for a new contract. I’m sure Mr. Thomson will be able to fill you in. He’ll love to explain the current stock crash and the scandals that are not ruining his publicity but poor Mr. Herman’s.” Rachel gave another smile before hurrying out the door. Behind her, she sensed Clark’s growing apprehension. Laughing to her self, she climbed into her car.

“Back to my office.” It seemed as if her appointment with the Brownings would have to be today after all.