Once again, Kyle and Jessi entered the glass atrium of Madacorp. They passed under the screens promoting "Technology, Science, Art, only one company integrates all three for the benefit of mankind", and put on their badges as they approached the metal detectors.

Madacorp had once been our enemy. A sinister operation that had manipulated Jessi's mind and disrupted the Trager family to get what was in my head. We had terminated that project and Julian Ballantine had been replaced by Emily Hollander who had turned out to be more of a fellow victim than an opponent. Now that Jessi and I had studied Madacorp, it was a familiar place. I saw it as another one of Adam's creations drifted from the goals he had set and hoped that in some way, our efforts for Mike Kasperson would move Madacorp back toward working 'for the benefit of mankind'. Emily had asked us to meet with her about our study, so we were back once more, wearing our badges that said we were welcome anywhere in the building.

Their retinal scan gave them access to the executive elevator and they were soon in the executive office were they were greeted by a familiar tall woman with long blond hair.

Kyle said, "Hello Tiffany, We have an appointment with Emily."

Tiffany nodded, "Ms. Hollander is expecting you. She spoke into her headset, "Mr. Trager and Ms. Taylor are here." She listened for a moment and said, "You can go right in." She indicated the wooden door with the inset glass panels."

Emily Hollander came from behind her desk saying, "I'm glad you could come." She shook their hands and indicated a couple of seats in front of the desk, "Please, sit down." Kyle and Jessi sat in the offered seats.

After Emily sat down she began, "I want to thank both of you for your vote of confidence. Mike Kasperson told me that you had recommended me for confirmation in this position and that he was going to recommend it to our board at their next meeting. I'm going to do my best to make this company something we can all be proud of."

"You are doing a good job," Kyle said. "You don't need to thank us for telling the truth."

"Nevertheless, I'm aware that our early encounters were not something I am proud of. I'm still trying to make amends." She gathered her thoughts for a moment and then said, "The reason I asked you to come is that I am hoping that we can continue to work together."

"What do you want us to do?" Jessi asked with a wary expression.

"This disk," Emily picked up the familiar disk from her desk, "is worth literally millions to this company. Since Mike shared it with me, I have been working to implement the changes you suggested. Some will take months, of course, but the simple ones are already done. I would like the two of you to help implement some of the longer term changes, especially the ones in the drug program you suggested, Jessi." She took a breath and said, "With Mike's encouragement we would like to offer you an ongoing consulting relationship."

Kyle frowned, "We have our own plans. We want to remain independent."

"We know that," Emily nodded, "We are not asking for a lot of time, just an occasional meeting and perhaps a review every few months. It would all be at your convenience, of course. You would be independent consultants in a contract that could be terminated by either party at any time. You would maintain complete independence and continue to have unrestricted access. We are willing to pay quite well for this. Based on the value of what you provided, Mike thinks a six figure monthly fee would be very reasonable."

"I would like to see some changes in emphasis," Kyle warned. "Madacorp is doing many things to improve the world but it could do more. Madacorp really was founded 'for the benefit of mankind'. It has lost its way in the desire to make more money."

"I have to keep the company profitable," Emily said. "We have stockholders and a share price that we have to keep up. But with your help, I'm sure we can both keep them happy and refocus our efforts as well."

Kyle turned to Jessi and asked, "Do you want to do this?"

Jessi said, "We could use Kesdet Consulting. That's what it's for."

Emily looked puzzled, "What's Kesdet Consulting?"

Kyle explained, "It's our new corporation. We formed it to allow us to interact with businesses easier."

"That would be perfect," Emily said. She smiled, "It would actually look better on the books to have the contract with Kesdet Consulting than with Kyle Trager and Jessi Taylor. That could be hard to explain to someone who doesn't know your story, and we know better than to tell anyone else."

Kyle looked at Jessi and she nodded. He turned back to Emily, "As long as we can end the agreement anytime we want, we'll do it."

Emily smiled, "That will be great. I can have the legal department draw up an agreement. You can have your lawyer look at it and make any changes you want." She thought for a moment and added, "Do you have a lawyer?"

Kyle said, "I've read corporate law books, I can take care of that."

"All right," Emily said slowly. "Is there anything you want to ask me?"

Jessi hesitated, "I'd like to see Paige again. She's a nice little girl."

"She keeps the lion you drew on her wall," Emily told her. "I think she'd like to see you too." She hesitated momentarily and then said, "Perhaps the two of you would like to come to my house for dinner some time?"

"I'd like that," Jessi said. "We could have spaghetti – with mushrooms."

Emily laughed and shook her head wonderingly, "Anything you'd like."