Torn (Jay Gunner, #1) (5 page)

“No problem. I’ll have your computer and programs set up.”

“Ok then. I promised Amanda I’d be home early tonight, so I’ll run along. See you in a week.”

I started to walk out of the hotel, but remembering Amanda said she had a surprise for me, I decided to reciprocate and buy a gift. There was a jewelry store in the hotel mall, so I stopped to take a look.

“What do you have in gold necklaces? Nothing too large or fancy. My girlfriend’s neck is delicate, so a simple chain will do fine. Any ideas?”

The shopkeeper was an elderly Chinese man with a well-trimmed white beard and mustache. He wore a dark blue bow tie and a gray herringbone jacket, which gave him a dignified trustworthy appearance.

Without hesitation, he replied. “Sir, I have just the necklace. Let me show you.”

He unlocked the showcase and placed on the counter a fine woven gold necklace on a purple velvet cloth. The shopkeeper must be a mind reader. I thought it perfect, and visualized fastening it around Amanda’s neck. I knew she’d like the gift.

I rushed home wondering what surprise Amanda had planned for me. I entered the house to hear Amanda’s voice coming from the kitchen.

“Hi Jay. I can’t believe it. You remembered not to be late. Come here. I want to show you something.”

I stepped into the kitchen to see a beautiful five foot eight Chinese girl with long black hair, dressed only in bra and panties. Now that’s my idea of a proper homecoming. She’d been preparing dinner and turned from the counter top to give a frontal view.

“On my trip to Honolulu, my girlfriend Noi and I checked out a few shops on Kalakaua Avenue. I found these sweet items at Victoria’s Secret. Do you like them?” Amanda flashed a devastating smile as she asked the question with the all too obvious answer.

“I love them. Is that what’s called a Bombshell Bra? Your boobs are at least two cups larger than I remember. They’re trying to escape from that bra. Please understand I’m not complaining. You and your cleavage look fantastic.”

“Only fantastic? I was hoping for more of a reaction than that.”

“I’m not a good enough wordsmith to come up with a better word. But there’s nothing wrong with my reaction.”

Amanda glanced at my crotch and giggled. “I see what you mean. Well, what are you going to do about it?”

I swooped to Amanda’s side and picked her up in muscular arms. My trips to the gym were paying off. As I headed for the bedroom with my precious cargo I remembered my gift. That could wait. As could dinner time. There were more important tasks to perform.

Later that evening I gave Amanda the gold necklace. She turned her head and presented her neck. I brushed shining hair to the side, and then fastened the necklace. It was as lovely on her as I’d visualized at the gift shop. “I love you, Amanda Lee. I do.”

“And I love you Jay Gunner. And always will. Now what will we do about it?”

I said, “I don’t want to lose you. Not now, not ever. It’s my fear of changing the relationship that scares me. We get along well as we are. So many married couples start out great, and then end up divorced. Something seems to change. Love turns to disrespect, then hate. They end up despising each other.”

Amanda looked concerned and said, “That’s true with some couples. Others make it work and their relationship only improves with time. They enjoy a wonderful life together. My parents are a good example. Their marriage is better than ever. They’ve supported each other for over 25 years. I believe we can do that. I’d like to see us try.”

“Amanda, let me get beyond this deal I’m working on. Then, we’ll take a vacation and talk this completely out. I’m crazy about you. Over the past months I’ve come to realize that. I just need time to relax, clear my head and overcome fear. Fair enough?”

“OK, Jay. Just remember, I won’t wait forever. I want to be an honest woman, have kids, and grow old with the man I love. And please. If you’re planning any sort of deal with Brian Andrews don’t do it. I have bad vibes about having anything to do with that man. Getting involved with him could ruin your career.”

I
was a few minutes late arriving at the Lobby Bar. It’d been a hectic day with Yen gaining strength during Asian trading hours before heading my way as European markets opened. Brian sat at the same table in the same seat as our last meeting.

He seemed to be in deep thought as he stared through the floor to ceiling windows. From his previous comments I knew he loved the views of the always bustling harbor. On the floor, a new Apple MacBook Pro laptop sat next to a briefcase.

“Hello Brian. Sorry to keep you waiting. Been here long?”

“I’ve just arrived. How’re you?”

“I’m great. How about a gin and tonic? It’s warm today.”

“Not for me, thanks. I’d rather keep this short and get down to business.” 

“I understand. What do you have for me?”

Brian said, “I brought you a computer along with a briefcase. In the briefcase you’ll find written instructions. My advice is to memorize them, then burn the documents.”

“All right, I’ll do that. Are you sure about a drink?”

“Jay, I must be getting paranoid. I haven’t gone public with my whistle-blowing, yet feel uncomfortable in public places. Rather than sit here and drink I’d rather just go. You should leave alone. In the instructions, you’ll see how we can stay in touch. Remember my interview with The South China Post reporter is tomorrow. I’m sure shit will hit the fan as soon as the paper runs the story.”

“How will I know if your hacking is successful?”

“Everything is in the instructions. It’s simple.”

OK, then. Good luck to you.”

“Thanks. And good luck with your trading.” Brian rose, shook hands, and without another word headed for the main exit.

“Waiter, gin and tonic please.” I resisted the urge to open the briefcase and read the documents. Instead, I placed the computer in the briefcase, closed the latch, had one drink and headed home.

I was glad Amanda was on an overnight flight to Beijing. I could read the documents in complete privacy. The instructions on receiving data were simple. Once logged in using the encryption software, if meaningful data appeared, I would see the word “ready” in bold red print. All I had to do was follow the link.

Another clickable link was for messages. Unread messages would appear under the title “new”. That was it. As Brian said it was simple. The special software did the work of keeping everything in order.

I became alarmed when I discovered top secret documents stuffed into the briefcase. I didn’t have a security clearance. Even if I did, possession of such documents would result in arrest. No wonder Brian was always on edge.

There was a copy of a letter from President Obama to Attorney General Eric Holder. The letter authorized wiretaps and other invasive spying devices on Americans suspected of terrorism. The authorization did not mention probable cause, or the need for court orders or warrants.

Government documents demanded Google, Facebook, Verizon, AT&T, Sprint and others make phone data available to the government. Data on telephone conversations, emails, downloads, and surfing made every American subject to spying.

I was not pleased to have these documents. I realized the danger of having top secret documents in my possession, but didn’t want to destroy them. They were important documents. The government seemed to willfully disregard the rights of Americans. Brian must have felt the same way to take on the US government.

As Brian forecast, all hell broke loose. Thursday afternoon I saw his photo on the front page of The South China Post. That evening breaking news of the spying story appeared on CNN International. An article published in The South China Post said the NSA, FBI, and the CIA spied on millions of Americans living in America and elsewhere.

Agencies were disregarding legal requirements of obtaining court orders or having probable cause. The story appeared on major wire services and TV channels and blasted all over the world.

Friday morning Joy, usually a cool, steady person, became agitated. “Jay, did you see last night’s paper? And again this morning? The spying story is already on CNN. I’m glad I broke off with that guy. I’ll never talk to a strange man at Starbucks again. Brian wasn’t kidding around. I guess he was working for NSA.”

“Joy calm down. You’re no longer with Brian.”

“I don’t know how I could’ve been so foolish. It’s so terrible. The US government spies on American citizens and the world. Then an NSA employee goes public with classified top secret information. In my opinion, it’s all bad.”

Joy was more upset than I’d ever seen her. Tears were trickling down cheeks.

I reminded her, “I’m sure it’ll get worse. Brian forecast Washington’s outpouring of rage and condemnation would be intense. He knew he would be cast as a traitor, and a no good ungrateful villain.”

Joy wiped away tears and said, “Brian warned me some awful things would appear about him. I’m confused. I know the US government must fight terrorism, but I wonder if spying on everyone is the way to do it.”

I said, “Every important government does it. It’s the new normal.”

Joy said, “Maybe so. But I still don’t like it. Just look at the attacks on Brian today. Just like he said would happen. A lot of important people are defending NSA.”

“Yeah, but some attacks would be funny if the issue weren’t so serious. One Senator said Brian was a high school dropout with a history of personal problems and a complete failure. If true, the Senator didn’t consider what that means for NSA hiring practices. I can’t believe the agency would give top secret clearance and pay $200,000 a year to someone they considered a flunky.”

Joy said, “Formal education or not Brian is a brilliant guy. I do wonder about his judgment. I just don’t see a sound exit strategy. In Hong Kong whistle blowers don’t fare well. I expect the same is true for America.”

Joy moved back to her computer and brightened as she looked at the Yen chart. “At least our Yen trade is ignoring the news. Go Yen, baby go. This year I want to vacation in Bali and stay at a five star hotel.”

It was one week until the unemployment report. I hadn’t heard from Brian. I wondered if Brian was able to hack into the Department of Labor computers. Every day I would log into my special web page. So far no messages. Nothing at all.

Finally, at 8:00 PM on the first Friday of the month, a “ready” message appeared. It was 8:00 AM in Washington, DC. The report was due in 30 minutes.

“Joy buy 50 Million Dollar/Yen market.”

“What! So close to the report?”

“Just do it. I’ve got a strong feeling the report will rally the Dollar. We’ll be quick to cover and bank a few hundred thousand to cap off our week.”

The market expected the unemployment rate to drop and non-farm payroll jobs to disappoint. Brian’s information indicated quite the opposite. Brian’s data on my new computer showed the economy improving. The Dollar should move higher with Yen losing ground, at least for the first few minutes after the release.

“Ok boss. We’re in there. I have 25 million at Citibank and 25 million at Chase. Hope you’re right.”

“Be ready to cover. In this trade we won’t stick around long. We’ll let our long term positions run, but on the 50 million take fast profits.”

I was usually cool as a cucumber while at the trading desk. But at 8:29 I was sweating. Even worse, I needed to pee. There was no time now. I would have to squirm in my chair and tough it out. There it was.

Joy let out a little whistle. She knew we’d soon be in the money. “Good call Jay”, was all she said.

The news feed unemployment report data matched up with data posted on my website’s secret page. Before the release the Dollar sold off and the position was at a $50,000 loss. At 8:31 the Dollar zoomed higher and the position moved to a $150,000 profit.

The Yen chart showed a green line moving straight up the chart as Yen weakened against the Dollar. Beautiful. As Yen weakness accelerated profit ballooned to $525,000. There was a moment of hesitation; profit backed up to $415,000. I grew tense before Yen weakness kicked in again and accelerated. At 8:41 the profit reached $980,000.

“Cover! That’s good enough. Let’s not be greedy.”

Joy was lightning fast with the dealing service. Faster than me, that’s why I trusted her with filling orders. “Done boss. Wahoo! That’s a good eleven minutes work. Your hunch was spot on.”

Within seconds of my order to cover and take profits, Yen began to give up some of its losses. My timing was immaculate. I earned $980,000 for the company. 20 percent would go into my bonus pool. Out of that $196,000 I would pay Joy 10 percent or $19,600 leaving me a decent potential bonus of $176,400. Of course, with the Christmas bonus paid once a year, I had to maintain profits within the pool.

The first thing I did after covering the position was to run to the men’s room. I was about to explode. I returned a huge smile lighting up my face. “Joy, let’s call it a wrap. It’s been a long week. That was a great way to close it out.”

“Sounds good to me boss. Think I’ll go straight home. First, I feed my cat. A close second will be open a nice bottle of red wine. For sure I’ll look through that dreamy looking brochure about vacationing in Bali. I love this job.”

“It’s exciting isn’t it? But I need to work at staying cool. I was a little nervous waiting for the report. I’ll have to fix that. Nervousness leads to mistakes.”

“I suggest you pee beforehand. That’ll help. I noticed the desperate look on your face before the report and, as soon as we covered, the nonstop run to the men’s room.

T
he month passed by in a flash. Brian Andrews name was all over the news, but within a few days the uproar quickly died down. Every official in the Obama government branded him a lousy traitor and all around flunky. Poll after poll showed the majority of Americans sided with the administration. Many thought Brian a traitor, not a patriot.

There was a congressional investigation with the head of NSA the main witness, but nothing came of it. It was business as usual in Washington, which meant the spying continued unabated. Many Americans seemed more than willing to give up privacy. In return, they received assurances their lives would be safer with NSA programs.