Chapter 9 .Another piece of the puzzle
Jake’s day went the way it always did at the office. Meetings, meetings, and more meetings. He was in a good mood the client had been pleased with everything and had signed the contract in almost record time. They were actually going to beat the rush getting home. He and Kathy were driving home when his phone rang. He checked the number on it and said “Hello Keith “.
“Hey man I called that guy for you. He was a bit antsy about my questions. I told him I had a buyer for the entire thing but he was concerned because there were some boot CD’s and OS files missing.”
“What did he say?”
“He said Bullshit!”
“What?”
“You heard me he said bullshit. So I tell this guy the truth. I sold the thing to a real busy body, and the guy fond something he doesn’t quite understand, and he wanted to know if there was any CD’s floppies so on that had been sold with the machine and that none of it would go any further then me where it came from and he and I would do lots more business together. I tell him you’re a real good customer I have known for years.”
“And?”
“Well he says let me look and he will get back to me.”
“Dang guess that means no.”
“Well as a matter of fact, it doesn’t. He called me about an hour later and said he had everything.”
“Really? That’s good news.”
“Well maybe he wants to know what it is worth to you. I told him maybe $100. He laughed and said no way.”
“Great so did you find out how much he did want?”
“$500. Not a penny less.”
“Hmm. That’s a lot on a gamble that it is the stuff I am looking for.”
“Yea it is.”
“Let me think about it. I will call you back and let you know. I will call you back later.”
“Ok Jake. Talk later.” With that they ended the conversation.
As he drove on, he told Kathy about the brief conversation.
“You’re not really thinking of pay $500 for that are you.”
“Maybe” he responded.
“But why? That just seems nuts to me.”
“Might be. Except one thing. Whoever created this DB setup was clever and I want to see just how clever they were. I might be able to snag a few tricks from them.”
“That is steeling isn’t it?”
“Na only if I copy his code can’t really copyright an idea.” Kathy huffed as they pulled into the driveway.
After getting inside they had both headed off to their respective areas, Jake to his room to change and Kathy to the pool house. As he started to undress he stopped and looked around the room. Everything was where it should be, the room looked exactly right but something felt off. He searched the room for another minute then shook his head and finish changing.
As he was heading down stairs to his office Kathy intercepted him. “What would like to do for dinner? There is pasta some frozen pizzas.” He crumpled his face, and thought for a moment. “You’re not having CD’s for dinner you had them for lunch in the pit.” She said in a scolding voce.
He glanced her up and down then glanced over himself. “Five minutes casual dress we are going out.”
“If you get any more casual we can’t go out your wearing those dang baggy shorts of yours”
“Four minutes 48 seconds” he replied. She just growled and headed for the pool house. He took the stairs 2 at a time and again changed this time back into his Dockers and polo shirt he had been going to wear to the office. Two minutes later he was standing in the kitchen drinking a Mountain Dew. He grabbed the cordless phone off the counter he dialed and after two rings Helen answered, “Hello”
“Helen it’s me Jake” he replied.
“Good evening Jake, to what do I owe this pleasure. Don’t tell me you called to tell us you and Kathy are running off to Reno to elope.” She said with chuckle. At that moment Kathy came in through the sliding door. Jake turned so red he felt even his toes glowing.
“Funny one,” he said quickly “Can I talk to the hubby real fast.”
“Sure let me get him” he heard her sit the phone down, and walk away still chuckling at her little joke.
“Everything alright?” Kathy asked. Jake nodded at her as she grabbed a diet Pepsi from the fridge.
“Jake buddy didn’t think I would be talking to you so soon.” Came Keith’s voice through the receiver.
“Give the guy a call and tell him I want the disks ASAP. Kick him 600 and I will throw you a hundred for your trouble.”
“You’re nuts man.”
“That seems to be the popular opinion tonight.”
“Why the rush?”
“Not sure I can explain it, just get the stuff for me ok. Have him overnight it to my house or office if you want.”
“I’ll have him send to my office. I don’t like giving out any ones else’s info.”
“Great call me later or tomorrow as soon as you know please.”
“Will do, you sure about this?”
“Yea I’m sure. Hey have to run talk to later ok.”
“Later it is then”
Jake hung up the phone and turned to see Kathy standing there with a deep scowl on her face. “Not a word ok. Not a single word. Dinner is your choice, as long as you don’t mention a single word about this.”
“Ok” she said with some hesitation.
He grabbed the keys for the explorer and headed to the garage with her in tow.
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