An innocent man, one assassin and a vile CEO who will hack his way to the top of a lucrative software industry. Rupert Blake, a computer programmer working at a software development company called Leadsway, receives an unexpected promotion, and is given the task of securing the company's computer system from hackers. His woes begin when the hackers attack Leadsway in an unexpected way.

---

CHAPTER TWO

---

The same day, in the morning, Jake Waters woke up and watched the news before going to work.

...and the top stories this morning: BuyNow's security breach has cost the company over two hundred million dollars in lawsuits and lost revenue, to date, resulting in a twenty-five percent plunge in its share price. Secusol's share price rose thirty-percent in yesterday's trading amidst rumors of a partnership with the now troubled BuyNow.

The world's third largest car manufacturer posts a second quarterly loss this year.

Jake sat down on his couch, in front of the TV, with a full glass of milk in his hand.

"I'm just in time for the business news," he said to himself and yawned.

He reached for the remote controller, turned the volume up a few degrees and sat back with a grin on his face.

Leading retailer, BuyNow's recent security breach is estimated to have cost the company over two hundred million dollars in lost revenue and subsequent lawsuits, to date. Since its Chief of Computer Security officially announced that the company's computer system had been hacked into and that account data belonging to millions of its customers was stolen, the company's share price has plummeted over twenty-five percent. The free-fall stopped at midday trading yesterday as rumors of a new partnership, between BuyNow and leading security solutions provider Secusol, brought a little optimism to its future. BuyNow's share price now stands at twenty-nine dollars thirty cents, down from forty dollars at the beginning of the month.

"This is my biggest achievement, ever. It's like an unstoppable force now," Jake whispered to himself and started laughing.

"Breakfast is ready, sir."

His maid was a tall, Latin-American female.

Jake turned to face her.

"Could you bring it here, Selena. I'm watching the news."

"Yes sir."

She went to fetch it, and he turned his attention back to the news.

Secusol's share price closed thirty percent higher yesterday as all investors and traders expected an official announcement of the new partnership soon. When asked to comment on the speculated deal, Secusol's CEO Jake Waters neither denied nor confirmed the reports, prompting further speculation.

"Damn these news reporters. They are always nosy and intrusive," Jake murmured to himself as he watched a video clip of when reporters asked him questions as he walked out of Secusol's headquarters building the previous day.

Selena came into the lounge, pushing a tray with Jake's breakfast on it. She quickly offloaded it and carefully arranged it on the table in front of Jake, trying her best not to make noise. Within a few seconds she was finished and she stepped aside, restoring Jake's full view of the TV.

"Breakfast is served sir."

"Thank you, Selena."

She nodded, smiled and then went to the kitchen.

Jake leaned forward from his couch to start eating, but before he could begin, his phone rang. He let out a sigh of frustration and fetched it from his shirt's pocket.

It better not be those damned reporters. How many times do I have to get rid of them.

He adjusted his eyesight to read the caller identity. The number wasn't stored in his contacts list and he didn't recognize it. He pressed the answer button anyway, put the phone to his ear and said, "Hello" in a blatantly annoyed tone.

"I'm sorry, Jake. It's me. I've got a new phone line," the caller said.

"Danny, what is it? Do we have a problem?"

"It's some insider information. A source told me that Leadsway is working on a new encryption system. From the specifications I heard, it will definitely be much better than your new offering."

"I see. Do you have any of its documentation with you?"

"No. It's a closely guarded secret. The source is an old friend of mine, but I couldn't get him to obtain the documentation. He says he doesn't have access to it. Getting the documentation will need extra effort," Danny said.

"Okay. Thanks for the news. I'll call you if I need anything."

"Sure. No problem."

Jake proceeded to eat his breakfast, caught up in deep thought.

This is bad. If Leadsway does have a better system than ours, then it will throw me overboard. It's even worse if they release it soon. I must see what this is about. How can I get more information?

Jake finished eating his breakfast, still troubled with the information he had received. He left the house and drove to Secusol's headquarters.

There were a lot of people moving about already when he arrived. He greeted those that greeted him and swiftly entered the elevator, and went to the top floor, where his office was.

At the top floor, the elevator doors opened and a serious-looking Jake came out.

"Good morning Mr. Waters."

Jake just mumbled something back to his secretary and went straight into his office. Once inside, he went to his mini-bar and poured himself some whiskey.

Something must be done. I need more information. Should I get someone to physically break into Leadsway? No, too risky. I also can't gain access to their computer network without an insider doing the work for me. Damn it.

He sat behind his desk, contemplating his next move, a way forward. His phone rang, disturbing his thought flow. He recognized Danny's number and quickly answered it.

"Yes, Danny. What is it?"

"I've got more news on Leadsway. Leadsway has just replaced their Head of Internal Security. My source says they gave the position to some senior programmer."

"What happened to that guy, what's his name—George Anderson?"

"He retired. I guess the pressure of the job got to him," Danny said.

Jake took a moment for thought.

"Jake, are you still there?"

"Yes, I'm here. I think I've got an idea. I might just have another job for you, Danny," he said.

"I knew you would like the news."

"Good work. Meet me at my office tomorrow, ten o'clock."

"Okay, Jake."

Jake sat behind his desk, smiling.

What better chance could I possibly ask for? This might be my next big opportunity.

continues in Chapter 3...

---

© Innocent Mwatsikesimbe

Thank you for reading my work.