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“Do they know each other?” I asked.
“Probably, but that doesn’t prove a connection. And that doesn’t fix our SEC problem, or the proxy timing with Cartwright.”
“You could confront her.”
“That won’t work. A picture of her picking up a package? That doesn’t tie her to Cartwright, or prove the emails on your computer were planted.”
I slumped in my chair. He was right. “I could email her and ask for a meeting.”
“She won’t fall for that. Tell me how she contacted you.”
I sat up. “She would email me at home at nemesis666 using her HYDRA157 account. Her messages were file numbers, and nothing more. I’d email back when I put copies in the park, and then when I’d replaced the file where I’d gotten it.”
He stroked his chin. “Do you have a list of the file numbers?”
“The most recent ones are on a Post-it in my purse.”
“Were they all used in the articles, or are there still some left to publish?”
“A few were business plans that didn’t fit with the articles, but everything else got published.” I cringed, remembering the damage I’d caused the company with those articles, and all of it unwarranted.
Dennis closed his eyes and nodded, then opened them again. “Syd was more helpful than he realized.” He pulled out his wallet and rummaged through it.
* * *
Dennis
“I’ve got an idea,”I told Jennifer. After pulling the card I was looking for from my wallet, I dialed the number.
“Parsons,” she answered.
“Agent Parsons. This is Dennis Benson.”
“Dennis, I don’t have anything further for you on Deborah.”
“That’s not why I was calling. I want to report that I’ve been the victim of a federal crime.”
“Go ahead.”
“Trade secrets have been stolen from my company.”
“That’s not my area, but I can put you in touch with the section head who handles that.”
“I really want you on the case.”
“Like I said, it’s not my area.”
I pulled out my trump card. “Do you remember Kirk Willey?”
She was quiet for a second. “This must be very important to you. How can I help?”
I let out a relieved sigh. “We performed a sting. A woman who works here was contacted by email to steal trade secrets.”
Jennifer sent me a quizzical look.
“And?” Parsons asked.
“She dropped them off, and we have photographs of the thief picking them up.”
