The Spy Devils by Joe Goldberg (top rated books of all time .TXT) 📕

minutes out.” They looked at each other.

“Well, Danny, as fun as this has been, we need to go. And you were wrong about one thing,” Bridger said as he stood. “You don’t have the case to give to Chen. Peter, could you grab the duffel?”

“Peter,” Chapel said with a layer of warning in his voice. “Think.”

Peter hesitated as he reached his arm toward the bag. He looked at Chapel, then picked up the bag.

“I don’t have to think.”

“Bridger,” Chapel called out, as the men reached the door. They looked back. “You know what you have to do. It is the only option. It’s up to her, not you.”

Bridger paused and glared at Chapel. He took the bag from Peter, turned, and walked out of the room.

58

Certificate of Appreciation

Kirkwood Headquarters

Sitting in his office the next morning, Peter assumed the call would come early, and it did. The electronic ring ricocheted off the metal walls of his small office.

“Peter, this is Tom. Could you come up?”

The voice was off. Pleasant, but forced.

When he arrived outside the office, Marilyn, his admin, was in her cubicle. She didn’t look Peter in the eyes.

“Hello, Peter. Go on in.”

MacBride sat behind his desk, rocking in his executive chair. Sitting to his right, on the end of the couch opposite the door, chin-up, straight-backed, was Sheila the Human Resources grim reaper, with her face expressing a mixture of false compassion and corporate duty.

Peter heard a noise come from behind him. Benton closed the door and leaned against it.

“Peter, sit down, please.” MacBride indicated the guest chair opposite Sheila.

Peter sat, consciously keeping his head up, body forward, and eyes level.

“Sheila?” MacBride looked at her. She was ready.

“It has come to our attention that you have seriously violated Kirkwood policies.”

“What are you talking about?”

“We were alerted, by Benton, to your unauthorized access to confidential corporate documents. Specifically, the receipt of numerous files of executive staff meeting minutes, financial documents, and details on classified technology programs. Is this true?”

Peter was as still as roadkill. It was true, but he wasn’t going to say anything until he heard it all.

“Keep going.”

Sheila wrinkled her face in disappointment.

“The IT data is clear,” she continued. “As you know, Sandy Boyd has already been fired—dismissed, I mean. Your actions, like hers, are in direct violation of IT and corporate policies. There is also the even more serious fact of your escorting an authorized individual into the classified areas of KRT. Do you deny any of this?” She looked at Peter with an HR holier than thou smug face.

“Anything else?” He would not to admit to anything.

“However,” she picked up the folder, “senior leadership has directed HR to offer a quite generous compensation package.” She flipped it open and looked at the first page. “To be honest, it is much more than I would have offered, or think should be offered, but—”

“Sheila.” MacBride cut her off. His rocking stopped. “Given your long history and your recent efforts, we want to show our appreciation.”

Peter was confused.

“Am I being rewarded or fired?”

“Yes. We appreciate your long service and recent efforts,” MacBride said. “Sheila will explain the details.”

She opened the folder with a quick flip of her wrist.

“As I stated, this is quite a unique severance package. One I —”

“Sheila. We have gone over his. Please continue,” was all MacBride said.

Peter enjoyed watching Sheila squirm. She was caught between her disapproval of whatever was to come and her inherent need to appear to management—at all times—as a loyal and professional employee. With a sigh, she picked up a large document-sized golden envelope and read aloud.

“For your recent efforts on behalf of Kirkwood International Industries.”

She reluctantly handed him an envelope.

“That is ten thousand fully vested incentive stock options. You have ninety days to exercise them,” MacBride announced.

Peter was speechless and confused.

Sheila continued.

“The current Kirkwood severance pay is one week for every year worked. Although you have only been with the company for eleven years, I have been authorized to offer you twenty-two months of pay. Plus, the company will fully cover your health insurance costs for this same period.” She closed the folder and handed it to Peter. “Quite generous, as I said.” She handed him the folder.

“Why?” Peter looked at MacBride, who was rocking slightly in his chair.

“Why are you being released, or the severance package?”

“No. Yes. Both.”

“To receive the options, the extended severance, and health care, you must sign a binding non-disclosure agreement.” MacBride stopped rocking. “Legally binding.”

“Another NDA? Why? What for?”

“Walter thought you needed an NDA that contained more specific post-employment restrictions.” MacBride tilted his head so his glasses could focus on a sheet of paper. “You are not allowed to discuss, write about, or present any facets of your work at Kirkwood. All your files would be sequestered by lawyers as they are property of the company. You cannot take anything concerning this operation with you. We keep your laptop and phone. They are company property.”

“For how long?”

“Forever. In the event you want an exception to this NDA, you are required to get written approval, in advance, from Walter Jessup directly.” MacBride paused as he sat back and started swiveling again. “Despite whatever actions taken during the recent Ukraine events, you have been an asset to the company and we want you to know that.”

Peter looked at the folder with the stock options. It felt expensive. The gold embossed lettering shone in the fluorescent lights, creating a contrast to the matte black background. It told the ex-employee, you may not have a job, but you have a nice souvenir folder to remember us by.

“What if I don’t sign?”

“Why wouldn’t you sign?” Sheila was apoplectic. “There are thousands of employees who would beg for this package. Not sign? Are you kidding?”

Peter heard Benton let out a grunt. He had forgotten Benton was still in the room.

“Sheila, will you excuse us? Thank you.” MacBride waved his arm to the door. “Benton, you can stay.”

Slightly flustered, she did her best not to show it as the