Torn (Jay Gunner, #1) (4 page)

“You should play it smart. With your income and looks you should hang out at expensive places where you’ll meet wealthy men. In your position it would be foolish to settle for some average guy. Hell girl, if you crave occasional excitement you can afford a high class gigolo.”

“Jay you’re insane. If I ever want action I don’t have to pay for it. There’re plenty interesting, good-looking high income, expatriate men in Hong Kong. And many high class wealthy Chinese businessmen. After working 12 to 15 hours a day, who has time to play? On weekends, I just want to do a little shopping and catch up on my sleep. And I mean sleep alone.”

Raising an eyebrow I said, “I assumed you made time for Brian.”

“I only dated Brian a few weeks. We enjoyed seeing a few movies together, but didn’t reach the steamy romance stage. He’s not the romantic type.”

“Come on Joy. He seemed interested in you.”

“He’d rather mess around with computers. Besides, I stay so busy with work. Thanks to you and Global Trading my social life is a big zero. I don’t have time for romance. I’m not complaining. I love what I do.”

“I’m glad. We make a formidable team. After a few years we can retire young and enjoy traveling about the world. We can write books or whatever we choose to do. Screw the idea of working until you’re a tired, dried up old person, and ready to drop.”

“Boss man, you’ve got it figured out. Now don’t mess everything up by getting involved with Brian Andrews. Meeting with him is a bad idea. Once he goes public, all hell will break loose.”

I
loved the Lobby Bar at the Intercontinental Hong Kong Hotel. Located at 18 Salisbury Road, Tsimshatsui East Tsim Sha Tsui the hotel was close to my Kowloon home. From the bar the view across the harbor of the Hong Kong skyline was spectacular. I set up a meeting with Brian.

I arrived at 4:00 PM on Tuesday and saw Brian sitting at a table near the plate glass windows. He appeared to be in deep thought as he stared at the harbor view.

I scanned the expansive lobby before approaching the table. At two tables elderly couples focused on passing ships and looked like tourists. I thought Brain was alone.

“Hi Brian, been waiting long?”

“Hello Jay. I just arrived. Love the view. It’s exciting to watch the ships churn by.”

“So it is. But let’s get right to it. We have a measure of privacy now. Soon tourists will return from sightseeing and the lobby will fill.”

“Sure, what’s on your mind?”

“That depends. When’s your interview?”

“Next week. Wednesday afternoon I’ll meet with one of the financial editors at The South China Post. I expect he’ll call in one or two of his top reporters.”

“Your story will make big news. It’ll get attention from media outlets worldwide. You’ll be famous.”

“Yeah or infamous. But I hope you’re right. Being in the news in a major way will give me some protection.”

“Brian, I’ll be frank with you. Once you’ve gone public I won’t want any direct contact. If we agree to work together, I’ll want secret arrangements.”

“OK and understandable. Anyone in close contact faces investigation. What do you propose?”

“Can you hack into US Federal Reserve Bank and Department of Labor websites?”

“Wow! You’re my kind of guy. Striking at the heart of Big Brother.” Brian looked amused, and then turned poker faced and asked. “Are you serious? If I can get in, how would you benefit?”

“You’re a smart guy. You know for financial markets the US Unemployment Report is the most awaited report of the month. That’s released by the Department of Labor at exactly 8:30 AM on the first Friday of every month. Having access to the details of that report a few minutes early would give me a tremendous trading edge.”

“I see. And having access to Federal Reserve Bank data would ice that cake. Got it.”

“Yeah, having early access to FOMC minutes would be helpful. The FOMC or Federal Open Market Committee conducts eight regular meetings every calendar year.”

“Hacking into the Department of Labor website is doable. The Federal Reserve Bank website would be much tougher. The government worries skilled hackers drool over the challenge of stealing a few trillion dollars. Heck, if hackers could transfer only a few billion that would make them happy. By today’s standards, a few billion would amount to only a rounding error.”

Brian was smiling, but the gleam in his eyes told me he would do it.  “I expect security at the FED website is robust. That doesn’t mean I couldn’t get in, but it’s likely much more difficult and would take more time.”

“OK, let’s start with the Department of Labor unemployment report and see how it goes. I’ll pay $78,000 HK dollars per report if the information comes at least five minutes before release time. That’s more than $10,000 US dollars.”

“Let’s make it an even $10,000 dollars. I may not stay in Hong Kong much longer. But don’t worry. For that kind of money I’ll stay motivated.”

“Agreed. How should we proceed?”

“Since you want to avoid direct contact, I’ll set up a secure method of providing you with data. Assuming I can access your requested information. Let’s assume I can.”

“OK, you have the data. How can you pass it to me?”

“I need to buy a new high end laptop. About 20,000 HK dollars should do it.”

“No problem. I’ll give it to you now.”

“Damn man. You’re a wealthy bastard. You carry that much money around with you?”

“At times. When I think I might need it. Like today.”

“I like your style. Give me a couple of days to buy the computer and set it up. I’ll need to install military grade encryption software, as well as software that will hide your IP address. I’ll use a series of proxy servers that will make you appear to be operating from the moon.

“On second thought, just for fun, I’ll make it look like you’re accessing the Internet from Moscow. The Kremlin is a good Moscow Internet address.” Brian chuckled as he visualized the confusion of anyone trying to trace the computer’s location.

“I’ll have to build a special website for you. What interests you? A porn site, an adventure travel site, a news site? One offering SEO advice?”

I made a quick decision. “I’ll go with adventure travel. Always thought that would be great fun. Will that take a lot of time to set up?”

“It’s easy. Once I install software you’ll be able to access the website without revealing your true IP address. You’ll be able to surf undetected anywhere on the Internet. You can visit your favorite porn sites, and no one will ever know. Using the encryption software you’ll log into your adventure travel site. I’ll have it bookmarked.”

I said, “Remember, I’m not a computer geek. I worked with a hell of a programmer to develop my trading program. I’m not so great on my own.”

“If you can point and click you’ll do fine. Don’t worry. Once logged in, you’ll see your data. That’s it. Simple, assuming I can hack into the Department of Labor website and steal the unemployment report numbers. Now what domain name do you want?”

“I’m not good with names.”

“No worries. I’ll pick out a snazzy domain name for you and camouflage ownership.”

“Great. I like turnkey service. How long will this take?”

“Your computer and website will be ready in a couple of days. I don’t know how long it’ll take to hack the Department of Labor website. I’ll give it a go and let you know. Let’s meet again next Monday at the same time and place. I’ll give you your computer and report on my progress. Is that okay? One more thing. Payment.”

“I didn’t think you’d forget that small matter.”

“It may be small to you, but remember I’m recently unemployed. I could sell my information to willing governments for a fortune, but I don’t want to do that. So here’s the deal. When you log in you’ll find a link to an invoice page. Follow the instructions on that page. You’ll wire the money to my consulting company for services rendered. Whenever possible, I like to keep things simple.”

“Perfect. Let’s have one more drink. I promised Amanda I won’t be late tonight. This morning she told me not to work late. She has something special to show me.”

I
grew up in Hong Kong. I guess I’m what some call a material girl. My parents relocated from Shanghai, China when I was three to seek a life offering more opportunity. They opened a modest seafood restaurant. Through years of hard work and sacrifice their business grew to become a small chain of seafood restaurants.

As an only child, I benefited as my parents overcame humble beginnings. After a few years they became well to do upper middle class Hong Kong citizens.

I received love and affection, while taught to work hard and always do my best. Like most hard-working Chinese parents, they placed a high value on education. I was encouraged to excel in school. I wished to please my parents and was an excellent student. Mom and dad rewarded good grades with nice presents. I became a little princess.

Education in Hong Kong was rigorous and modeled on that of the English system. English was the international language of business along with Cantonese and Mandarin. I became fluent in all three languages and while attending college added Japanese.

“Amanda, this is what you want? You’re sure? With your grades any college would be glad to have you.”

“Daddy, I’m sure. A degree from The School of Hotel and Tourism Management will open a lot of doors. I enjoy working with people, have good social skills, and in Hong Kong the tourism industry is big business.”

That discussion took place seven years ago. A few weeks before graduating, with a degree in hotel management, I answered an ad placed by Cathay Pacific Airlines. The thought of traveling to great cities across the globe appealed to me.

Like many women born in Shanghai, to families with deep roots in that northern Chinese city, I was tall, fashionably slim, and cut an elegant figure. My good looks, charm, poise, language ability, and friendly nature impressed the interview team.

I was on the short list of qualified applicants. After waiting a nervous six weeks I received a letter from Cathay Pacific. I had to prove my degree and pass an intensive physical examination. Once done, I became a flight attendant trainee.

After three years of hard work in economy and business class I began work in the First Class cabin. On a trip from Hong Kong to Tokyo, I met Jay at Haneda Airport Starbucks. My flight attendant girlfriend and I were returning to duty after a shopping excursion in the Ginza District. A Starbucks latte became a must have item. Jay was sitting alone drinking a latte.

This handsome young man kept looking at me. After a few minutes he approached our table. He had eyes only for me. “Excuse me, Miss. Weren’t you working this morning as a flight attendant on the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong to Tokyo flight?”

“Yes Sir, I was. Were you on the flight?”

“I was. I believe you served me breakfast.”

“Sorry Sir. I don’t remember. We’re pretty rushed on that flight.”

“I’m sure it was you. It’s quite a coincidence meeting you here.”

“Yes, Sir it was. Nice talking to you, but my girlfriend and I must be going. We’re working the 8:10 PM flight to Hong Kong and have to report for duty.”

“I can’t believe it. I’ll be on that flight. Perhaps you’ll serve me dinner.” Jay took another long look at me and introduced himself. I felt heat from his intense gaze.

“My name’s Jay Gunner. I’m glad to see you again.”

“I’m Amanda Lee. See you on the flight.”

I smiled and finished my latte.

Jay said, “Wow! Love that smile. Hope to see more like it on the flight.”

I blushed. Taking my girlfriend’s arm we walked out of Starbucks. I could feel Jay watching every step. I felt he was acting like a juvenile fool. I was a little uneasy knowing he was checking out my ass, but in a way flattered. That’s how our romance began.

From that chance meeting in Tokyo, romance soon developed. At first, Jay made me feel like I was the most important thing in his life. My favorite girlfriend, Noi Ying, was jealous. Our relationship blossomed like spring cherry blossoms. She said no one should be that lucky, not even her best girlfriend.

Jay was handsome, thoughtful and rich. He took me to concerts, nice restaurants, and showered me with expensive gifts. I never asked for anything. It was his way of treating a girlfriend.

I soon learned he thrilled me in bed. At 24, I hadn’t slept with many men, so didn’t have much in the way of a frame of reference. But with Jay, I couldn’t imagine making love could be any better. He took my breath away. I fell in love with that man and his hard conditioned body.

Like most relationships things weren’t perfect. After moving into his condo, I became unhappy with Jay’s work habits. The stage of complete attention didn’t last. I soon discovered the guy was a complete workaholic. I knew trading foreign exchange was challenging, but Jay was a fanatic. With my work schedule and his obsession, I began to worry about our relationship.

I loved him, but hated his long days and nights at the office. Especially the nights, since Joy kept the same work hours. Jay said I was foolish to worry about Joy; their relationship was strictly professional. I wasn’t so sure. She was smart, attractive, and dressed for success. And I mean success in attracting men, not at trading markets. Then three days a week Jay somehow worked in gym workouts. At times, I felt ignored and lonely.

I worried how things would work out. Sometimes Jay tells me he loves me, but it’s when we’re having sex. He treats me well, but with his work and my traveling, sometimes I don’t see him for days. I worry about him being on the loose in Hong Kong. There’re so many bars, clubs, and beautiful crazy women. And Joy. She spends more time with Jay than I do. I couldn’t help it. I was jealous.

A lot of men find me attractive. I can’t wait around and grow old. A few years more and I’ll pass the prime age of attraction. I wish I knew if Jay and I have a committed future. I’m so afraid I love him more than he loves me. For Jay, marriage seems to be a dirty word.

“B
rian, let’s meet again next Tuesday.  Same time, same place. Will that give you enough time?”