Terminal Value by Thomas Waite Read Free Book Online

them. She looked out the window, then back toward Dylan. She noticed him looking at her legs, and her green eyes bored into his. “So,” she said with a sly grin. “How do you think the meeting went?”
    Dylan turned beet-red. “I think there may have been some exaggerations, although minor, but they were probably made to ‘jazz’ the audience.” He could not believe he had just stolen a comment from Rich.
    Heather laughed. “Yeah, I’d agree.” She leaned forward and licked her lips. “But it is exciting, isn’t it?”
    A noise from the doorway caught their attention, and they both turned to see Rob standing at the door.
    â€œNot interrupting anything, am I?” he asked in a peevish tone.
    â€œNot at all,” Heather interjected.
    Dylan sensed a lowering of the emotional temperature in the room and wondered if it was reality or just wishful thinking on his part. Rob entered and threw himself into the chair across from Dylan. “We were just discussing the meeting,” Dylan said.
    â€œYeah, I’ll bet that was the most boring meeting you’ve ever attended.” Rob did not address either person directly.
    â€œYeah, well, maybe for you, but not for the new people who haven’t been in on this thing from the very beginning. Others might find it a bit more interesting.” Heather responded. The chill deepened.
    â€œWhoa,” he answered, throwing his hands up. “I didn’t mean anything by it!”
    Dylan watched their reactions with interest. “Well, anyway,” he said in a vain attempt to warm the room. “We should be preparing for the offering and making sure we have everything in place that we need to handle on our end. We also need to make sure Hyperfōn is brought online without a hitch.”
    â€œHey!”
    All three turned at the sound of the nasal voice at the doorway. Dylan asked, with the sort of exasperation one friend displays to another, “Don’t you return your calls anymore?”
    â€œDid I ever?” asked Tony, grinning. He stepped into the room and looked at Heather and Rob.
    Heather rose first and walked to the doorway, then turned. “Looks like you guys have something to talk about, and I have work to do. Ciao!”
    â€œHey, wait a minute! How about lunch?” Rob jumped up and dashed out the door after Heather, who had disappeared down the hallway.
    Dylan remained quiet for a moment, gathering his thoughts. “So—what was that mysterious message you sent me while I was in the meeting? You said there was something odd going on and you wanted to talk about it.”
    Tony stared out the window, then moved his chair closer to Dylan. He looked around to be sure no one else was there to hear him. “Listen, I don’t usually pat myself on the back, but I’m pretty confident I know what I’m doing when it comes to technology.”
    Dylan raised his eyebrows high on his forehead and gave his friend a lopsided grin. “Yeah, I think I could agree with you on both those things!”
    Tony glanced around again. “When the newest technology comes out, I’m always on top of it. I like to think my knowledge gives me an edge. Like, I’m virtually always around, even if you don’t know it. I’m a teeny tiny software script in your electronic life.” He pointed to Dylan’s pocket where he kept his cell phone. “I see you, but you don’t see me. But, when you need me, voilà! I magically appear.”
    The smile left Dylan’s face, replaced with a frown. “I’m not following you, Tony.”
    Tony lowered his voice to a hushed whisper. “I’m beginning to sense I’m not the only one with a tiny software script in our collective electronic lives.”
    Dylan looked from Tony to his own pocket and back to Tony. “I’m still not sure I get you. Are you saying—?”
    Tony grabbed his