Part Ten
Brrring!
At precisely 6:30am, while Clark was talking with Perry in his office, across town a phone rang with shrill indifference to Aykira’s desire for sleep. She reached out from under the blankets to shut off the offending device. Task accomplished, she rolled over and went back to sleep.
Brrring!
Picking up the phone, she snarled, voice thick with sleep. “Who is this?”
“Good Morning Miss Hallick…ahh… I don’t mean to disturb your sleep, its Security Chief Hackett down here at LexSolar.”
“This had better be good Neil, otherwise you are fired.”
“Yes Ma’am.” There was a pause as the man took a deep breath. A break-in occurred this morning. Drs. Amundsen and Scott’s department was the target. I tried to reach Mr. Luthor, but there’s no answer at his place and he didn’t leave another number. According to protocol, if he isn’t available I need to contact you.”
“Right.” Aykira growled. “It should take about an hour for me to get there barring traffic. Make sure there is either strawberry yogurt or a smoothie in the East conference room when I arrive.” She hung up and tried reaching Lex on his personal cell phone, to no avail. <Where is that man?> she muttered darkly.
Determined not to waste another minute, Aykira got out of bed, donned a sensually comfortable red silk robe and walked towards the bathroom.
Within a very rapid thirty minutes, she exited her apartment and walked hastily to the elevator. Since she would be playing the role of interviewing the guards, she dressed conservatively in a crisp heavy linen black pants suit with a silk lavender shell blouse. It only took another moment to emerge from her building’s underground garage. Aykira’s silver Mercedes-Benz knifed through the streets of Metropolis, still in the grips of early morning slumber. Since traffic was not busy as yet, the drive time to Luthor Industrial Park was mercifully quick.
She tried calling Lex again as the car moved onto the highway. Part of her was truly worried about him, despite his protestations of health yesterday he did not look himself. It was not like him to ignore calls from security staff, especially LexSolar, in the few past months that place had become his favorite company…almost an obsession. Of course through clandestine investigations she knew there was a good reason why.
<All of this happened after the Shackleton hijacking. The two are definitely connected. Luthor must have hired a special team to steal the crystals off the freighter than transport them over to that facility for study and use them to power the solar panels for Space Station Lex.>
<This is a very dangerous game Lex is playing. He is a master manipulator, but eventually his machinations are going to get the better of him.>
<The only problem now, if the trail runs cold afterwards. All efforts to locate the crystals on this side of the Atlantic through ‘business associates’ or through my solitary underworld contact have failed. There is not even a hint as to which special underworld crew stole them. It seems the closer I get to locating the crystals the farther out of my grasp they become.>
Her mind shifted to the break-in as she entered the large industrial facility’s long tree-lined driveway to the main parking lot. Through the early morning mist left by last night’s downpour she could see police lights flashing. As she drove the powerful sedan closer, several people milled about; an LNN TV news camera crew, reporters, police and several LexSolar officials.
“Terrific,” she muttered aloud, “the media hounds are here already.” She slowed down to give the guard at the gate her LexCorp employee badge and said, “Aykira Hallick to see Mr. Hackett, he is expecting me.”
The guard gestured to the crowd, “Mr. Hackett is over there talking with the police.”
The guard returned her badge and Aykira drove into the parking lot. As if on cue, the LNN reporter pointed excitedly toward her car, deserted Security Chief Hallick, and started following the vehicle as she parked. Before the administrative assistant could close her car door, a microphone, that smelled like coffee, and several cameras were shoved inches from face. The LNN reporter, eager for a sound bite, shouted questions.
Aykira, deeply offended by their unprofessionalism, ignored them and strode purposefully towards the main entrance. She wondered if the reporter truly knew the level of power she wielded within LexCorp; especially since LNN was part of that organization.
Neil Hackett, LexSolar’s chief of security, ran over to stop the reporter’s harassment. “Get away from Ms. Hallick!” he barked.
“Not to worry, Neil,” Aykira growled as more cameras appeared. The reporters acted like a swarm of hungry locusts, eager to devour any newsworthy item in their path. “Do not allow them access to the building.” Ignoring Aykira’s comment, the noisy throng moved as one following the duo toward the building’s main entrance.
The security chief swiped his cardkey into the slot and the two LexCorp employees anxiously pushed their way into the decorated lobby. Cheryl, the long time receptionist, had not yet arrived. The hushed early morning quiet of the building was a welcome relief from outside’s chaos. The reporters, lacking a cardkey, could go no further.
<So much for the ‘graciousness’ of the Fourth Estate> Aykira thought. She kept her feelings of fuming indignity under wraps until they reached the plush and comfortably appointed conference room. On the table breakfast fare was laid out; orange juice, coffee, and freshly baked goods. Looking over the table in askance, she noted the yogurt was missing. She could tolerate just about anything else, but being called out of bed at an ungodly hour and sit through a discussion about lapsed security on an empty stomach was the limit.
As the nervous security official closed the door behind them, she faced him and in a tightly controlled voice spoke. “Mr. Hackett, the level of security in this complex is a disgrace. Who permitted reporters free rein on our grounds?”
“They came in with the police. We couldn’t keep them out; it would have looked very suspicious. Besides LNN is a part of LexCorp.” He answered shrugging his shoulders. She could tell he fought hard to keep the aggravation out of his voice.
“Where are the rest of LexSolar’s security people?”
“Two of the guys are on vacation and one was out for medical leave.”
“When I arrive at headquarters later this morning, I expect a full status report on the entire security staff; which I fully intend to turn over to Mr. Luthor for his perusal. But for now, I want to speak with those guards who allowed the thief to escape.” The volume of Aykira’s voice was low, with a very icy edge. “While we await their arrival, please call down to the cafeteria and tell them to send up either a yogurt or fruit smoothie.”
***
Security Chief Hackett, a former police detective only six months away from early retirement, was badly frightened. His six foot two-inch frame was taller than Aykira’s, but due to a tendency to slouch his perceived appearance was shorter. He ran a vaguely trembling hand through his graying hair and wondered for the hundredth time that morning if Aykira was going to fire him on the spot. He had only met her on the few occasions that Lex Luthor visited the facility. She always preferred to remain surreptitiously in the background. Mr. Luthor had stressed on more than one occasion she was the one to contact during emergencies in case he was unreachable.
All in all despite his uncertainties, he preferred dealing with the lioness rather than the lion.
***
A short time later, Aykira, Chief Hackett and the two security guards were sitting in the conference room. She want to conduct these interviews and get back to LexCorp as quickly as possible.
She observed both men, who could not be more opposite if they tried. Cliff was a tall over-fed mountain of a man, who at one time was a formidable physical specimen. Too many years of sitting watch TV at home and security monitors at work stole the firmness from his once- powerful body. Sadly the brain matched the sagging outward appearance. She could not help but smell the lightest whiff of alcohol coming off his body from perspiration.
“Like we were tellin’ ya, she was fast, real fast. Like an overgrown cat… took off down that staircase like greased lightening! Scared to get caught! Tall, with blonde hair… couldn’t get a good look at her face. The flashlights were knocked out of our hands when she struck us.” The guard glanced first to Aykira than his boss and asked, “Anybody eating that prune Danish?”
“The assailant attacked you?” Neil snapped incredulously. He couldn’t believe the man’s complete stupidity.
“Yeah,” He responded while wolfing down the pastry. “She had moves.”
Todd the other guard was built of sterner stuff, both literally and figuratively. Ignoring Hackett’s query, he addressed Ms. Hallick. “While conducting our rounds I heard the sound of a printer operating in one of the offices on the third floor of east wing. As per protocol we investigated each office. Third floor was clear. About ten minutes into our search of the second floor I heard feet running down the main stairwell. Cliff and I ran to the staircase door opened it and saw the assailant. We told her to halt. I warned her I would shot. But the assailant continued running and when she reached the bottom of the stairwell she turned around and attacked us.”
Listening to the story was beginning to wear Aykira’s patience thin. She checked her watch, 7:30. Soon she needed to depart and make some kind report to Lex. <That is if I can locate the elusive man!> Pulling her mind back to the task at hand, she listened while Hackett spoke condescendingly.
“Todd, I find it hard to believe anyone – especially a lone woman - could over power you.”
“All I know is we got downstairs to the East exit. The assailant reached the floor, turned around and attacked both of us using the smoothest Tae Kwon Do moves this side of South Korea. Its no shame to be flatten by a master of the art.” The security guard said with no small amount of respect. “She took my swipe card and tried to escape. That was when I pulled out my weapon and fired. She screamed and there was not a small amount of blood on the floor. I contacted the main desk and they turned on all the auxiliary lights to the park lot.”
“Shots fired? Yet the intruder wasn’t apprehended? Terrific.” Hackett said gloomily. So far, he was not impressed with these two.
“Yes sir. I squeezed off two additional rounds in all as warning shots.” Todd responded crisply.
“According to the police’s preliminary report, blood stains were found not too far from the East entrance. Apparently, your ‘warning shots’ did not convince our thief to halt.” The security chief interjected. “I’ve had my assistant contact all the hospitals within a ten miles radius, if any woman matching that vague description appears the MPD wants to know about it.”
Aykira, quite exasperated by the security chief’s posturing in an apparent bid to save his job. Decided she needed to end this interview and get back to LexCorp. “Mr. Hackett, I can assure you, anyone foolish enough to break-into this facility will have a back-up plan in case they are shot. Seeking treatment from a hospital is the very last thing they have on their minds.”
“It is part of protocol,” he muttered rather stiffly.
“My concern is the final objective of the thief. What could she possibly want?”
At that moment, in the hallway, an angry male voice was heard and there was a sharp rap on the conference room door. Before Mr. Hackett could speak, a stocky powerfully built angry man burst in, followed by a tall, slightly balding man with a hawk nose. Aykira recognized both, a rather agitated Dr. Frederick Scott and the solar panel provisional team lead, Dr. George Amundsen.
Scott, stood stiffly erect to compensate for his lack of height, ignored the protestations of his immediate superior. The bland moon-shaped face with weighty eyelids and thick black eyebrows was flush with anger. He turned to the security chief and snarled, “Hackett, you idiot! Why in the deep Hell wasn’t I informed about this break-in!? Our team’s research is the *key* reason for this facility’s existence! It demands better protection.” Looking with disapproval at Aykira he barked, “What’s *she* doing here? We only answer to Mr. Luthor himself, not some glorified secretary!”
For some unknown reason Aykira wanted to laugh. Dr. Scott’s pompous behavior was too much of a caricature to take him seriously. She decided to listen and give him enough rope to hang himself.
The two guards’ reactions to this outburst was somewhat mixed; Cliff sat back, watched the scene with some amusement, while his partner’s face reflected deep concern and not a little embarrassment. Todd was acquainted through the company grapevine with Aykira Hallick’s abilities and could not imagine any LexCorp employee who knew the same, publicly belittling her presence in the conference room. Although she seldom spoke when accompanying Mr. Luthor, her reputation for efficiency and fairness were common knowledge at LexSolar. Dr. Scott was known for being arrogant, but this time he had gone too far.
“Huh, Frederick,” Hackett stammered, “Why don’t we talk later?”
“No dammit… now!”
Dr. Amundsen, angered at his colleague’s rude and egotistical behavior said firmly. “Yes Neil, we should probably discuss the matter now before the rest of the staff arrive.”
“Agreed.” Aykira interjected while staring at Dr. Scott. “Mr. Luthor will expect a full report. “In the meantime,” she gestured toward the guards. “These gentlemen can leave.”
“I haven’t questioned them! Scott snarled. “Where did they find the thief?”
“For the time being they have been questioned enough and can return to their posts.” Neil responded with some alacrity.
When the two guards departed, the scientists sat down at the far end of the short wooden conference table. Aykira noted, not next to each other. She turned to Dr. Scott and spoke in a voice she rarely used, one of absolute authority. Under the circumstances, she needed to maintain complete control of this meeting before matters spiraled out of control.
“Dr. Scott, allow me to clarify current matters for everyone in this room. Your genuine concerns about keeping the research and development findings within the company are much appreciated. At this instance, I speak for Mr. Luthor. As his Executive Administrative Assistant you will cooperate with me during this internal investigation… otherwise you can find other employment. Do I make myself clear?” Aykira hated strong arming the man, but she needed to impress to all present her position and leverage within the company. As far as she was concerned, Scott was obstructing that purpose.
Mollified, the scientist stiffly nodded.
“Good. So far, a search by the police has availed nothing. Dr. Amundsen, is it common practice for members of your team to leave important work materials lying around? We are trying to ascertain the reason for the break-in.”
“No. It is part of team protocol I set-up to secure all files pertaining to our research and materials related to the solar panels in a special safe.”
Out of the corner of her eyes, she noted Dr. Scott stiffened. <Curious,> she thought. <He is hiding something. I need to look into that as soon as I leave here. But first matters here need to addressed.>
“Neil, hire additional security guards for this building. Not rent-a-cops this time, but former law enforcement officers and former black ops members. Tell Cliff he is on probation. Either he stops drinking and gets into fighting shape within three months or he’s fired. Todd is to be re-trained.”
“But he pulled a gun and nearly killed the assailant!” The Security Chief answered in protest.
“That is why he must be re-trained. He’s a good man and I suspect if he had a better partner, they might have captured the intruder.”
The meeting continued for another twenty minutes. Aykira anxiously looked at her watch and decided it was time for her to return to Metropolis. The morning rush hour was going to be brutal. She thanked everyone and stood to depart the conference room.
“Well, I guess one good thing came out of this.” The Security Chief said with satisfaction. “At least that pesky reporter Lois Lane didn’t stick around early this morning. She probably would have found a way to break into our meeting.”
Aykira’s head shot up. “Lois Lane? What about her?”
“Oh, Todd mentioned she was there when the police showed up. Came out of the Conquistador’s parking lot and drove right up to the cops. One of them recognized her and said it just a false alarm. She drove off immediately after that.”
The administrative assistant’s heart faltered, she knew who had broken into LexSolar and why.
