Computer security -- Fiction; Didactic fiction; Privacy, Right of -- Fiction; Records -- Access control -- Fiction
Rosie's Diner was one of the better Greasy Spoons near the Hudson
River docks on Manhattan's West Side. The silver interior and
exterior was not a cliche when this diner was built. Rosie, all
280 pounds of her, kept the UPS truckers coming back for over
thirty years. A lot of the staff at the paper ate here, too.
For the best tasting cholesterol in New York, saturated fats,
bacon and sausage grease flavored starches, Rosie's was the
place. Once a month at Rosie's would guarantee a reading of over
300.
Scott recognized Hugh from a distance. No one came in there
dressed. Had to be an accountant. Hugh hugged his briefcase
while nervously looking around the diner. Scott called the short
pale man over to the faded white formica and dull chrome booth.
Hugh ordered a glass of water, while Scott tried to make a light
dinner of it.
"So, Hugh, please continue with what you were telling me on the
phone." Scott tried to sound empathetic.
"It's like I said, I don't know how you got them or they found
out. It's impossible." The voice was uncannily like Pebbles
Flintstone in person.
"Who found out? Does someone else know . . .?"
"OK," Hugh sighed. "I work for First State, right? I work right
with McMillan although nobody except a few people know it. They
think I do market analysis and research. What I'm really doing
is helping shelter money in offshore investment accounts. There
are some tax benefits, I'm not a tax accountant so I don't know
the reasons, but I manage the offshore investments."
"Did you think that was illegal?"
"Only a little. Until recently that is."
"Sorry, continue." Scott nibbled from the sandwich on his plate.
"Well there was only one set of books to track the offshore
investments. They wanted them to be kept secret for various
reasons. McMillan and the others made the deals, not me. I just
moved the money for them." Again Hugh was feeling paranoid.
"Hugh, you moved some money around illegally, maybe. So what?
What's the big deal?" Scott gulped some hot black coffee to
chase the pastrami that almost went down the wrong pipe.
Sidneys continued after sipping his water and wetting his lips.
"Four days ago I got this call, from some Englishman who I'd
never spoken to before. He said he has all the same figures and
facts you said you have. He starts reading enough to me and I
know he's got what he says he got. Then he says he wants me to
cooperate or he'll go public with everything and blow it right
out of the water." Hugh was perspiring with tension. His fists
were clenched and knuckles white.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account