Message Received
"I think we have to tell her," Claudia said to the clandestine group that met one morning at the Gemini Diner on 2nd Avenue and 35th Street. The location was not convenient for any of the members who sat in the over-sized booth. There were no subways nearby, and everyone had to walk after getting off their respective trains or buses. It was the place for great breakfast food though.
"Are you sure someone hacked in?" Irene's assistant, Sandy asked as she passed the maple syrup. "You know the best syrup comes from Canada, right?"
"No, I thought it was Vermont," Tara, Artie's assistant, said wondering if she should bring her boss back some of the delicious waffles she was eating. Ever since Vanessa and he moved in together, his diet had been void of the sugary snacks he loved. He kept suggesting candy bowls on the top of Sandy's desk – for visitors.
"Am-I-sure?" Claudia asked, getting back on track. She knew the food was distracting everyone, but questioning if she knew or not about hacking was inexcusable.
"If Claudia says someone hacked, someone hacked," Eileen said and her tone wasn't sharp or defensive, but everyone noticed how definite it was and heads turned in her direction. She smiled.
"Yes, thank you," Claudia said slowly because even she noticed her girlfriend's timbre. Eileen wasn't asking or suggesting – she was telling.
"So do you know who it is yet or what they might want?" Millie asked, thinking the whole time she could have prepared a much better breakfast than this.
"Well, that's why I asked you here. What's going on in your inner circle that someone might think it's hack-worthy," Claudia asked.
Eyes darted back and forth as the members looked at each other to see who would speak. "Nothing out of the ordinary," Eileen said. This is exactly what she told Claudia last night. Then when Claudia said she was going to Helena, Eileen thought maybe the group should be consulted.
"What are we going to do if we can't use the messaging?" Pete's assistant, Kelly asked. They relied on the privacy and speed of the interoffice communication system. How else would Eileen know when to have the tea brewed on time? How would Millie know if Helena was on her way to see Myka? The group had become used to being able to rely on it.
"I'd like to ask how someone hacked it?" came the question everyone wanted to ask, but didn't.
Forks full of food stopped in midair, coffee cups were gently placed down on the saucers for safety purposes, and people pulled back in their seats. Eileen didn't sit next to Claudia on purpose, and now that the question was posed, they were only two leaning forward. Of course everyone wondered how someone could get into a Wells Corp secured system, but only Eileen asked. She had asked Claudia last night and again this morning, and each time Claudia explained they'd have to trace the footprint back to the source. That wasn't what she asked.
Claudia looked at the light blue eyes that sat across from her. They didn't appear hard or threatening and Eileen's voice wasn't accusatory or demanding. Yet, it was the fact that the question came from the youngest member of the group that everyone noted. Millie was already mentally flipping through the perfect meal to prepare when you're asking forgiveness to give Eileen later.
It was one thing to question the Director of IT and another entirely when she was your girlfriend.
Claudia was excellent at shutting down entire computer systems, and just as good at closing down her emotions, and that is what she did in order to answer the question. The hurt that bubbled up inside was pushed back as she crossed her arms and cleared her throat. She felt threatened and responded accordingly.
"You'll be the first to know when I find out," Claudia said, flinging her words across the booth.
Eileen heard the tone and received the message loud and clear - Claudia was angry. A harsh tone from anyone was usually enough to make Eileen crumble into apologies. She disliked discord of any kind. Yet, it was a legitimate question to ask the head of IT and she tried to ask her before the meeting. She knew it was on everyone's mind so she asked. She was certain she didn't ask in a harsh way and yet, Claudia's response was pointed.
"OK so you'll get back to us. In the meantime, we'll be careful what we put out there," Sandy said, trying to melt the ice forming at the table. "Check!"
Claudia was first out the door after the bill was paid and got into the first cab with Sandy and Kelly, leaving no room for anyone else. Tara thought she'd stop to get Artie some sugar free candies and started to walk across town. Millie hailed the next cab and got in with a quietly stunned Eileen. The thoughts were tossing around in her head so quickly that Millie thought she could see the fluttering in her eyes.
"It's okay," Millie finally said as the cab jostled the slightly overweight woman. The mere touch of her plump hand on Eileen's knee made the young girl's emotions spill. She was confused, scared, and guilty and was ready to confess.
"I didn't say it rudely, did I? I didn't mean to. I just knew everyone was thinking how could this happen? Why our group? We're not talking about ..," Eileen let out in one breath.
Millie thought about it for a minute. "What about ….?" she said and arched her eyebrows. They hadn't talked about it in great detail, but they had talked about it.
"That was complete conjecture on Tara's part. Who cares if Vera Wang will make both dresses?" Eileen said in a hushed tone.
Millie had to agree that the particular topic had been the most secretive thing they talked about lately, but it didn't seem to calm her young companion.
Eileen smiled politely, but her thoughts keep churning. Someone was trying to get at something and Claudia thought it was coming from the inside. She worried Claudia dismissed the threat because she thought of the interoffice messaging system as simply the musings of the support staff. It had been a sore point one night when Claudia teasingly asked if the 'group' knew anything about where her shipment of tablets were. "No one seems to be able to find when the order is shipping. Do any of your guys know?" she asked one night. She meant it as a joke and Eileen laughed, but it got her thinking. Claudia was the youngest director of an entire department at Wells Corp. Eileen was the youngest member of a group of office assistants. Was there too much disparity between them? And what would happen if Eileen became something else at Wells Corp? Something. Much. Bigger.
It was too much for her to think about, but she noticed that when issues like this came up, her first inkling was to protect Helena and Wells Corp. How was she supposed to be successful at her job and still have a relationship with a coworker? Now she was in a cab, separated on purpose from her girlfriend and the one person she wanted to talk to. Suppose work hurt their relationship? Would she have to choose? She threw her head into her hand.
"I've got just the meal for you to make," Millie said because she didn't know a situation that wasn't helped by the right food.
Eileen thanked her as they sat stuck in the crosstown traffic. Police activity up ahead was keeping them there. Eileen had time to think now. She knew there really was only one person who could help her sort this out.
Claudia knew Eileen was right to ask that question. She was already wondering how it happened of course, but was embarrassed that she didn't see it as the threat Eileen's inquiry pointed out.
'I'd like to ask how someone hacked it,' Claudia mocked as she made her way to the elevator – and she was asking herself now, too. She couldn't just assign a staff member on this without giving up the group and so it fell on her to solve it.
"Hold it," someone yelled and Claudia hesitated to find the button to open the doors. She didn't want company. A jeweled wrist shot in the door and pushed it back so it would open.
"Hey, I'm sorry," Claudia said even before she knew who it was. "I can never find that button."
"No problem, it takes a little practice for any of us, but the important thing is to just...keep...trying," Bridget said, slowly pressing the button and smiling to herself. Only after she made the comment did she say hi to Claudia.
"You're here early," Claudia said to the investment banker.
"Yes," was all Bridget said and pressed the 17th floor.
"Is my boss here now?" Claudia worried.
"She said to be here so I hope so," Bridget smiled and looked at her over-sized watch.
"Oh frack!" Claudia let out. She had promised Eileen that the meeting would be over in plenty of time to get to work at her usual time.
"You okay sweetie?" the banker asked in her southern drawl.
"No, no, no.." Claudia started as she whipped out her phone to text Eileen.
"Did you forget something?" Bridget asked confused, but not surprised by the erratic behavior. It seemed to be the norm at Wells Corp.
"She's not here. She's already there. No tea made – oh God, I'll never hear the end of it," Claudia said as she typed.
"I knew it was early so I brought her tea!" Bridget said of the two Starbucks cups in the tray she held.
Claudia's head shot up and she looked right at Bridget. "You're going to give her tea…from Starbucks?"
Bridget could tell from the tone that this apparently was an abomination. "Well, it's …so…early," she said as the techie pounded keys on her phone.
The door opened on 16 and Claudia got out and looked back for a second. "I wouldn't."
Bridget waited for the door to close before she let out a loud, "Oh Lordy, these people are high strung." She took a deep breath before the elevator door opened on her floor and then stepped out. Truth be told, the tea wasn't because of the early hour. It was more of a peace offering.
Bridget Cummings was a very creative person and she got to where she was by thinking outside the box and being resourceful. But even in calling in every favor she had earned since attending the prestigious Wharton business school, didn't help her in this venture. More than one colleague told her she was insane for even trying. Bridget begged to differ. Her definition of insanity included what she was about to do now – tell Helena Wells she couldn't have what she wanted.
Bridget was a little grateful to see Eileen was not at her desk. Getting through the security gate at the airport was easier than getting in to see Helena when she was there. Now she wondered if Claudia's panic was over someone getting into Helena without being announced. She knocked on the door that was ajar and went in.
"OK Miss Donovan, I'll see you then," Helena said calmly as Bridget walked over to the desk. She put the containers down in front of her, took off her coat and threw it across the other chair and sat down.
"Tea?" Bridget asked and Helena stared expressionless at the cup.
"I doubt it very highly," Helena said and pulled out some papers. "Now, Ms. Cummings the reason I involved you in this venture at all was because I did not want to handle it myself."
Bridget expected that line. "Ms. Wells, I know what you expected to happen has not happened…"
"Yet," Helena interjected.
Bridget excelled in what she did because she didn't mind challenges and didn't get flustered when dark eyed clients with serious expressions tried to stare her down. This was business Helena and no one caught on faster to that than the banker.
"Helena, I have exhausted every avenue …" Bridget tried. She thought she saw a glint of kudos in Helena's eyes for her being brave enough to call her by her first name. She knew Helena well enough to know that she gave credit where credit was due. It was one of the things she respected most about the Brit.
"That is why I called you here. I'm about to expand your map," Helena said, playing off Bridget's terms.
For the next half hour, Helena broadened their options and Bridget's mind as she taught her that when thinking outside the box was fruitless, to uncover the secret floorings in the box.
Bridget's admission that 'I never would have thought of that' was met with a very resounding, "Yes, I know." Helena wasn't insulting her – she was simply pointing out she accepted the limitations of dealing with very bright people.
Armed with a new map with additional avenues, Bridget thanked Helena and left. The only thing that truly annoyed Helena was that she had left the container of tea on her desk.
Eileen had received the apology text from Claudia, but didn't have time to respond when she read that Helena was already there and in a meeting. Eileen prided herself on always being there first, but for some reason, this meeting wasn't on Helena's schedule. That didn't stop the young assistant from berating herself and rushing upstairs to get the tea ready. She was having an awful morning.
Upon leaving Helena's office, Bridget greeted Eileen - who didn't crack a smile, an unusual feat for the woman. Bridget tried to cheer Eileen up by assuring her that she had brought Helena a cup of tea. The statement made the youth's head jerk from the closed door to the phone – as if she was expecting a call from Helena. Bridget stared at Eileen, waiting for the familiar smile to appear, but nothing changed.
Finally, it dawned on the guest.
"Oh I see what's happening here," she said of the assistant's unusual demeanor. "...Don't you worry. She's a tech wiz right? So she knows where the control, insert and enter keys are," Bridget said smiling, thinking the sour expression had to do with her girlfriend's Freudian slip about buttons. "She'll get it," she winked as she got on the elevator and waved goodbye.
Eileen's expression never changed as she watched the door close. The tea timer went off and she returned to the kitchen, took the teabag out, and put the cup on a tray. She then went to Helena's office door where she knocked and entered.
"Oh thank God!" Helena said as if she wasn't sure the tea would ever come.
"I'm sorry I was late," Eileen said even though she was on time.
"Not at all, dear. I had an impromptu meeting with Ms. Cummings. It wasn't on the schedule," Helena assured her.
"OK," the assistant said, placing the cup in front of Helena.
"Would you ..?" Helena asked and pointed to the white container as if she were afraid to touch it.
"Yes, of course," Eileen said, picking up the untouched tea. She didn't pick up the tray and now she just stood there.
Then Helena saw it – the unfamiliar expression on Eileen's face. Helena quickly looked around to see if the disaster that caused this would show itself. There seemed to be no hints, so finally she asked; "Are you okay, Ms. Sullivan?"
Eileen knew that she shouldn't bother Helena with any of her own issues. Helena was giving her time to come to terms with her family issues and wasn't pushing her at work to decide anything. Helena was being more than gracious.
Helena put her cup of tea down and studied the girl's face. She was an expert at reading body language and all the signs were present that she was witnessing turmoil. Then Eileen uttered the last thing Helena wanted to hear-
"I am so upset and I need to talk about it," the youth said and sat down in the chair, tears rolling down her cheeks.
Helena's head shot to the door as if looking for someone to come in on cue. Someone who could handle situations like this - like Myka or Irene. The woman, who had just come up with a brilliant way to get what she wanted, was staggered.
Nothing was coming to mind, until she reminded herself who she was. "You're HG Wells, for God's sake. Surely you can handle a little angst," her inner voice said.
"Let's sit over here," Helena said, getting up and taking Eileen by the shoulder so they could sit closer to one another in the soft leather chairs.