Chapter 13 #2
“Great.” My answer sounds way too eager—at least to my ears. Sure, last week not a single person asked me to lunch, but that’s probably only because when I wasn’t in meetings I remained cloistered away in my office, digging away at the network.
Back in my office, I close the door and lean against it for a moment. The rumors, the speculation—it’s all noise. I need facts. I need data.
Ned’s explanation explains why my mother wasn’t targeted, even though she lives in the same shitty apartment complex. My mother doesn’t have an investment account. I know because I’ve been paying her bills since I was fifteen years old.
It also explains why Uncle Alvin was targeted.
I was thinking it was his presence at a Gamblers Anonymous meeting.
But it might not be that sinister. He may have simply been targeted for the size of his investment accounts.
And maybe his age. Now I wonder how much money he lost. His bank statements weren’t in the pile of collection notices.
I could totally see him sitting on a sweet nest egg and staying in the same run-down apartment under the belief he didn’t need anything ritzy.
In my encrypted, secure messaging app, I do a quick Google search but come up empty, so I message Jake. KOAN has access to official law enforcement channels I can’t easily access.
Can you search for any official communications that have gone out about Jocelyn? Someone at the office believed she’d committed suicide. That doesn’t match with what Quinn found.
Then I click into the Sterling system. I want to learn what data points they’re buying.
My job here is to create a system that better forecasts crypto trends, winners, and losers.
Although, it looks to me that what he’s really doing is buying meme stocks when they’re new and hot, banking on the rise, and dumping before they crash.
And he wants me to build an algorithm that better tells him when to buy and sell.
It’s a stretch to argue that I need to know the basics of how they are selling funds to investors, but it’s all data.
If Toby can convince a woman in Arkansas who probably has no idea what crypto is to buy into a crypto fund, then I can convince the powers that be that in order to build that magic money-making tool, I need access to all their data.
Jake
On it. Lunch? Text me the time and I’ll meet you outside the lobby.
No can do. I’ve got plans.
I hate having to text him that. I’d invite him to join us, but we just kissed and things might be weird between us.
The gossipers invited me to lunch.
Do I need to text an explanation? Obviously, no.
But I’m a decent human being and not a jerk.
My lips tingle at the memory of the kiss, of his solid muscle beneath my fingers.
I blink the memory away. I’ll need to talk to him later to clear the air.
We shouldn’t be blurring lines. Besides, I need to focus on learning what I can about Jocelyn and Sterling Financial, then get out of here and back to my place in Chicago.
Just because Rhodes turned down my resignation letter doesn’t mean that’s a forever scenario.
I’m midway through my morning, studying a string of code used to monitor fluctuations in markets, when my phone screen flashes.
Rhodes MacMillan
Bored playing Sherlock Holmes yet?
Like almost always, he has me smiling. He’s not a typical boss. Nope. And that’s why he’s never fired my ass. He’s a friend.
Order and method take time.
It took Holmes at least sixty minutes to solve every crime and that was his career.
Rhodes MacMillan
What do you do all day?
Do I hear a whine in that question?
Same shit I did when I worked for you
Rhodes MacMillan
You still work for me
Well, I still take his paychecks. I’d return the money, except I’m still feeling a little burned by not taking the partnership offer and then watching the value of the company skyrocket exponentially. Of course, I’m the one who struck that match, but…
Shit. I’m a shit. Rhodes is paying me and paying whatever fee KOAN is charging to sit tight and babysit. I don’t mean to undermine Jake’s cushy gig, but I have to say something.
You don’t need to be paying for a protective detail. You know that, right?
Rhodes MacMillan
Oh, absolutely. The dead body is a sure sign all is groovy.
I’m not winning this, mainly because I might be wrong. If I tell him it’s conceivable Reed was murdered he’ll come here himself and pluck me from the office kicking and screaming.
How are things there?
Rhodes MacMillan
U still care?
(eye roll emoji)
Rhodes MacMillan
Miles’s court date was delayed. As expected. I’m looking at moving our headquarters.
Miles is the cofounder of ARGUS, and a friend who cooked up a harebrained scheme to smoke Rhodes out of the company.
If I’d known about it, I would’ve totally been Team Rhodes, which I suppose is the reason Miles kept me in the dark and later attempted to use me to force Rhodes’ hand.
That kidnapping charge is the one that the DA says he won’t walk away from.
A lot of the other evidence against him—working to blackmail Rhodes—won’t stick.
HQ where? And—no—I don’t care. I shall always remain a remote work gal. Just curious.
Rhodes MacMillan
NC
You are so in love.
I grin because he fell so fucking hard, just like I told him he would. He met his new love in his home state. She works for KOAN, actually. Jake knows her. Actually, that project is how I met Jake.
Rhodes MacMillan
True. But she travels a lot. She had some things to finish up here. We’re headed back to SF on Wednesday.
I’ll have to check this NC out.
Rhodes MacMillan
Are you making headway? Do you need anything?
He hasn’t blocked my access to ARGUS, so right there, I have a gold mine at my fingertips—if I know what questions to ask.
While targeting veterans and retirees with high-risk investments is morally reprehensible, it’s not illegal.
But laws were broken. The murder proves it. Why else kill an employee?
Can you find out for me if Jocelyn Faribault made contact with anyone with the SEC or any other group that might have been unofficially investigating Sterling? I’m wondering if maybe she was going to whistleblow.
Obviously, it could be a team is unofficially investigating, and they haven’t yet concluded if an official investigation is warranted. It could also be a situation where a connection of Sterling’s squashed any investigation.
Rhodes MacMillan
I’ll check around. The law firm that was building a class action lawsuit against Sterling Financial dropped the case. I’m not sure the SEC has jurisdiction over financial products based outside of the US.
When did the class action suit get dropped?
Rhodes MacMillan
Noah found out yesterday. I shouldn’t say dropped. They never filed it. What I meant is, they are no longer pursuing it. Noah’s still trying to track down the sales guy who met with these people and sold them on the fund.
“Knock, knock.” I look up to find Sterling in the doorway, hand resting on the stainless-steel handle to my office.
“Hi,” I say, and click to close out of the message app. The app will display a message to Rhodes that I’m no longer online.
“You have a minute?”
“For the boss? Of course.”
He takes a seat across from my desk. For an older man, he’s handsome, charismatic even, with piercing blue eyes and a consuming presence, factors that I’m certain contributed to his success.
“Are you making headway?”
“I am,” I say, answering honestly, glancing at the screensaver of dancing bears.
“I have some ideas on how to construct what you’re looking for.
I think it can be done. Of course, I feel like a broken record, but I have to repeat myself.
There’s no way any algorithm can predict the future with certainty.
There will always be risk.” His lips spread into a slow smile that injects ick through my veins. “No man can be god.”
“Are you certain about that?” Then he laughs.
Yes, he laughs like a maniacal devil straight out of a comic.
“Come now, I’m joking. No, I came in because I wanted to talk with you.
The work you’re doing, it’s a game changer.
You might be one of the most important hires I’ve ever made. I’m curious. What motivates you?”
I’m taken aback by the question and shift in the chair, crossing my legs to buy time to get my thoughts in a row.
“We’re developing five-year rewards, as employee incentives. And it got me thinking, what could we offer you? Is it stock? A bonus? Company car? Condo? What will motivate you?”
Is this a trap? But no, his expression is intent. The man’s serious. And he expects an answer.
“What’s the saying? Cash is king?”
“So a bonus. And you prefer a financial incentive in cash over, say, crypto?” He rests his elbows on the armrest and taps the tips of his widespread fingers together. “I just want to get a feel for you.”
Again, ick.
“I suppose I’m not that different from any other employee.”
“Oh, that’s not true.” His expression can only be described as a leer. “Rhodes MacMillan couldn’t keep you on staff, and he’s got a reputation for running an employee-friendly ship. Unless maybe you got caught up in the partnership discord?”
He’s referring to the underhanded dealings that will ultimately land Miles Johnson in prison. Connections can only go so far, at least, unless Miles can score a presidential pardon—which, unfortunately, isn’t inconceivable.
“No, I wasn’t involved,” I say, lying, as I played a role in uncovering Mile’s deceit. Greedy fucker.
“Well, then, please consider my door always open. If there’s something you want, come talk to me.” His lips spread into a slow smile that slithers through my veins like ice water. I grip the arm of my chair to steady myself.
“Will do. Thank you,” I say, hoping that the conversation has concluded and he’ll exit my office.
“You mentioned your first step is to understand our current systems and to design the architecture, or framework, for the system you want to build.”
“That’s right.”
“Well, then…I also wanted to ask if you’d care to join me at an event in DC. A tech symposium. I thought it might be good for you to network. Do you think you can get away?”
“When is it?”
“Tomorrow.”
“Sure. You’re the boss. I can spend my time however you like.”
“Oh, Ms. Jonas. You are definitely my favorite employee. I love your attitude. Plan on dinner, too.”