CHAPTER 40


 

LAWRENCE BILLINGS had just concluded a meeting with several African diplomats and was returning to his office when he was intercepted by one of his senior security agents.

"Excuse me, Mr. Billings, but can I have a word with you?" the tall, burly man asked in a low voice. Several people glanced in their direction, obviously curious but reluctant to appear overly so.

"What is it, Harley?"

Leaning close he whispered something in the V.P's ear and then straightened. The blood drained from Billing's face, leaving him with a ghostly pallor.

"When?" he demanded, trying to control his anger.

"About an hour ago."

"Are you sure about this?"

"Yes sir. I was there when it happened. Mr. Lawton gave the order."

"Lawton? Why is he giving orders now?"

"Mr. Stalling put him in charge of security."

"What? No one told me!" Billings hissed, barely able to keep his voice under control.

"I don't know why you weren't informed but I was sure you weren't aware of this."

"I most certainly wasn't. Follow me!" He ordered and stomped off.

Once they were secluded in the privacy of Billing's office, he paced back and forth, wondering what had gotten into Stalling. Every now and then he glanced at Harley, wondering just how much he could trust the agent.

"Harley, what do you make of this?"

"I'm not sure what you're asking, sir. I'm not paid to think."

"Cut the bullshit and answer my question. Why would Stalling want Finton dead?"

"I..." Harley stopped and then sighed. "Rumor has it that Finton was going to leave Future Dynamicon."

"The fool! I'd have never believed he could be that stupid. Still, it should have been handled differently."

Harley didn't say anything. He had always found Finton and Billings to be reasonable men, even if they were extremely demanding. Stalling, however, was a nutcase. Everyone in security either knew or suspected the man was a zealot with grand ambitions.

"Stalling has gone too far this time. First it was the Sheik. That was fucked up when his daughter got shot. Now he orders Finton's death. He's obviously lost it. At this point he's liable to kill anyone he thinks is a threat... anyone. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

Harley nodded. He understood perfectly. With the CEO's power and money, he could always find people to do his dirty work. No one would be immune or out of his reach.

"Have Lawton report to me immediately... and Harley, make sure this doesn't go any further. I also want Dr. Phillips detained until I decide what to do with him."

"Yes sir."

*  *  *

Twenty minutes later Lawton was standing at attention in Billing's office, listening to the chief operations officer's tirade. When it was over, the newly appointed chief of security left the room, sweat pouring down his cheeks. What had started as a good day was quickly turning to crap and now he had a huge problem.

Returning to his newly acquired office, he plopped down in the chair and swiveled it around to look out the window. He was now going to have to decide where his loyalties lay. When the phone rang, he was surprised to hear a woman's voice on the other end of the line. It had come in on Finton's private line.

"Mr. Lawton, this is Betta reporting as you have instructed."

"Betta?"

"Yes sir."

"Oh, yeah! I didn't really think you'd do it," Lawton replied, unsure about what he should do now.

"I don't understand why you would think that. I am required to obey the Company's directives."

"Well, yes, that's what I thought, but you never came back even when Finton ordered you to."

"Mr. Finton's directive was to guard the other Hubot. At no time did he ever instruct me to call him. All communication was by email."

"I know, but he did tell you to come back to be refitted for a new transceiver."

"That directive was received yesterday. I was unable to obey it because it was in direct opposition to the original directive."

Lawton wasn't sure about what Betta was talking about.

"Original directive? You mean about guarding the other Hubot?"

"Yes. Until the first directive was accomplished or rescinded, I was unable to complete the second."

"Oh. Yeah, that makes sense, I guess. Okay, I'm canceling the first. I have new orders for you before you report back here. Afterward, you're to return here immediately."

"Am I to understand you no long wish me to guard the Hubot?"

"Guard? Ummm... do you know where it is?"

"Yes. It is standing next to me. Should I release it?"

"Good lord, no! I mean... not yet, after your next assignment," Lawton was beginning to feel out of his element. "Umm, are you able to restrain or control it?"

"It is experiencing a minor malfunction in one of the processors. I should have it repaired by tomorrow afternoon."

"Good," Lawton replied feeling relieved. "I'm sending you an email outlining your next job. Make sure you understand it clearly because it will self-destruct thirty seconds after it's opened. You're to make sure no one else knows about it. Do you understand?"

"I understand. I'll check my messages in fifteen minutes and thirty-one seconds."

The phone line went dead.

Looking at his watch, Lawton grimaced. It was already almost five-thirty and he didn't feel like staying late. It had been a strange day. Picking up the phone he made two more calls, one to Stalling's senior security officer and the other to the human resources department.

"If this doesn't make the boss happy, nothing will," Lawton murmured, feeling smug. After only one day in charge of security, he had not only completed his first assignment, but was about to complete his second, as well as retrieve the two Hubots. No matter who he chose, he had performed his duties well and provided the cover he would need if something went wrong. The day had turned out pretty well after all.

I'll call him tomorrow just in case something goes wrong.

Picking up his briefcase, he whistled softly. This job wasn't going to be as hard as he thought.