Joe Porrazzo

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PROLOGUE

 

                                       Tucson, Arizona

 

    “Sir, we have a big problem.”

     James Hurley knew better than to barge unannounced into the office of the Chief Financial Officer--especially since he was just a midlevel manager in the Computer Analysis department. But this was big, and Mr. Woods would want to know right away.

     The CFO glared at James while he asked his subordinates in the room to give him a few minutes. As the employees prepared to leave the large office, Woods asked his executive officer to stay behind. Les White quietly obliged and sat back down.

     As soon as the door closed, Woods slammed his right fist on his desk and proclaimed, “Damn it, Hurley, this better be damn important.”

     “Yes Sir, Mr. Woods.” James suddenly had second thoughts about the intrusion. “I wouldn’t even think about bothering you if this matter wasn’t of the utmost importance.”

     Woods waited but James seemed to be through talking for the moment. He looked over at Les. His exec just shrugged—implying again what he had told his boss more than once in the past few weeks: Hurley’s a weasel, but we need his technical expertise on this project.

    Woods looked back at James and then broke the silence.

     “And…”

     Les took the cue. “Sir, I completed that web page you had me design, but, there was a problem.”

      “What…kind…of problem?”

     “Well, I...accidentally uploaded the file to…the server.”

     Woods and White seemed to capture the gravity of the situation simultaneously. Les quickly stood up and waited for his boss to explode.

     “What are you talking about?” the CFO screamed. “Are you telling me that you posted my draft page to our web site?”

     James instinctively took a few steps back. “Yes…, Sir. James stammered. “But I took it back offline as soon as I realized what had happened.”

     Les interrupted to give his boss a breather. “James, how long was the page on the site?”

     James smiled slightly. “I’d say about…6 hours, or less.”

     Woods took a step towards James and Les immediately stepped between the two men.

     “Okay James,” Les could only think damage control at this point. “I have to assume you know what a huge mistake that was, and that you have run an analysis on the situation.”

     James knew better than to smile this time. “Oh sure, I know exactly who accessed the page and when. I don’t think this will be that much of a problem.”

     “You idiot,” said Woods. “This could put the three of us behind bars for twenty years. How’s that for not much of a problem?”

     Before James could respond, Les sounded a disturbing thought. “How many people accessed the site, James?”

     “Five people looked at the draft page, and only once.”

     Woods rolled his eyes.

     Les continued. “How do you know that they didn’t download the page? And worse, how do you know that they didn’t forward it to someone?”

     James was ready for that. “Sirs, I checked and double checked to make sure it was just five people. I traced their IP addresses…” James noticed the dirty look from Mr. Woods. “That’s their locations through their Internet Providers. Then I checked the traffic patterns. I’m convinced the five people didn’t even realize what they had seen.”

     “Not good enough.” Woods had heard enough. “I cannot have five potential witnesses out there that could destroy everything we’ve done. Too much is riding on this project.”

     “What…what do you mean?” James’s throat was suddenly bone dry.

     Les put a hand on James’s right shoulder. “James, let me have a word with Mr. Woods. He’s just a little upset. Why don’t you go back down to your office and get me all the details. Make sure you’ve covered your tracks, okay.”

     “Yes, okay. But, you know…we knew this was wrong. I should have never agreed to be a part of this. If something goes wrong, I’m ready to admit my part…even if it means jail time. But this is as far as I go…I will not be a part of anything more sinister…”

     Woods had had enough. “Look you little chicken shit, you’ve been paid handsomely for your part in this. Don’t get all righteous on us now.”

     “James…take it easy.” Les’ hand was still on his shoulder as he slowly walked him to the door. “No one is talking about anything but cleaning this up and being more careful in the future. Now, go do what I asked and I’ll be down in a minute for those reports.”

     After James left the office, Woods slumped down in his executive chair and let out a sigh. “What do we do now?”

      Les didn’t hesitate. “Steve, we’ve come too far and have too many investors depending on us. Five people are acceptable collateral damage.”

     “I agree.” Woods quickly replied. “Get a hold of Diggs and get this mess cleaned up fast.”

     Les went for the door.

     “Les,” the CFO said. “Make them all accidents.”

 

 

 

 

False Hopes

By Joe Porrazzo

Copyright © 2007

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