"Given the situation, that's understandable.”
"People have been after us to hand over private data since the platform got popular. This is nothing new. It just seems they’ve escalated measures. They’re panicking. They think they’re about to lose control. This is just the beginning. The escalation will get worse.”
“Who arethey?”
“Who do you think?”
"So, you would agree that you're in danger?”
Madelyn scoffed. "I'm not in any danger. Nobody knows where I am.”
"Might want to reevaluate that. I bet I can find you and show up at your door within an hour."
“I do like a good wager,” she said with a smile in her voice. “I'm using a burner phone that I've never used before. The only numbers I’ve called are the department's and yours. I'll dump the phone after I'm done and change my location. I'm a ghost. You’re never going to find me, and neither will the Consortium.”
“The Consortium?” I said, eliciting more from her.
"That's clearly who's responsible for this. They’re a shadowy group of corrupt politicians, billionaires, oligarchs, and other degenerates who are trying to control the world, pulling the strings behind the scenes.”
“That’s what your brother tells me. Why does he need you?”
"Because he can't hand over control of the platform without me.”
That hung there for a moment.
"I'm guessing he's ready to cave to their demands,” she said. “He asked you to protect me, which means you have to find me first. Sorry, I'm not falling for that. I know my brother all too well. He's a snake. You'd be wise to treat him as such.”
“You think your brother is trying to set you up?”
“I wouldn’t put it past him. He’s using you to get to me and ultimately the HSM.”
“HSM?”
“Like I said, I’m not talking about this on an open channel.”
I considered her theory. "If you change your mind and decide you need protection, let me know.”
"I’ll be just fine on my own. But if you can find me, I might reconsider my stance.”
"Is that a dare?"
"If you can find me, it means I’m not as safe as I think I am.”
“News flash. You’re not as safe as you think you are.”
She paused. “Okay. I’ll bite. I'll pay you $100,000 if you can find me.”
I laughed. "That's quite the incentive.”
"That's how confident I am.”
"You’re on,” I said.
"I recall you saying something about finding me within an hour. Not a minute past, or no deal.”
"I guess I better finish my dessert."
I admired her spunk. She sounded interesting. I was always up for a good challenge.
