If You’re Scared of Me Now, Wait Till I’m Dead

If You’re Scared of Me Now, Waite Till I’m Dead

A novel

By Gene Cox Published January, 2012

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Gene Cox Books 827 W Harwood Rd. Hurst, TX 76054 genecoxbooks.com gene@genecoxbooks.com 10 digit ISBN 0615592872 13 digit ISBN 978-0-615-59287-9 Copyright 2012, all rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Printed in the United States of America

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-No, I have no witness, except for one, perhaps, Ivan added with a dreamy smile.

-Who is that witness?

-He has a tail, your Honor, and I’m afraid you wont consider him acceptable in court.

Le diable n’existe point! Don’t pay any attention, he’s nothing but an ordinary petty devil.

He’s probably around here somewhere, perhaps under the table.

Book XII Chapter 5 The Brothers Karamazov Fyador Dostovesky

Authors Note: All characters in this book are based on the personalities of real people that I know. They are all close to me and I know them intimately. The name is of course different.

Some parts of this book could be considered to be biased from the standpoint of race, religion, or other areas of the many biases. I say this so that hopefully my person or my attitudes will not be judged because of the personalities of characters in this book, that is, that I must view a group of people thusly because it is expressed in a personality in this book. This is simply not so. I do my best to faithfully represent their character, good, bad or indifferent. And realize that I consider them all good friends. Judge them, not me, if you must judge. Don’t kill me, I am just the messenger.

I welcome any and all comments on this book, and I thank you for taking the time to read it. I hope you enjoy it. You may send your emails to: molly@gene-cox-books.com.

Gene Cox, January 30, 2012 Hurst, Texas

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Chapter 1 The Wedding Easter Sunday usually felt calm and serene. Maybe the season of the year, or maybe the magic imposed on this most innocent day.

In Austin, Texas on this day, the weather was very pleasant, cool and crisp. At 10:00 AM, the morning sun shone a path through the windows to the altar at the front of the First Unitarian Universalist Church in North Austin. It was a path for something. And yes, something very church like was occurring, a rebirth.

The interior of the church was a brittle quietness, felt in most churches. It was so quiet that the chirping of the birds outside could be heard. The atmosphere was perfect for the marking of a new beginning, hopefully a wonderful and long lasting new beginning.

There were four male ushers. They wore burnt orange three piece suites, sans jackets. The four also wore shades.

Quietly, the ushers seated the arriving guests. Two worked the center aisle and one worked each of the outside isles.

The scene was nearly Victorian, the guests being seated in a formal manner. From the jewelry they wore to their mannerism, they had the breeding and success to be royalty.

It was the wedding of Thomas Masterson and Ann Ezquer. Due to their social status, the affair was as much a social event as it was a wedding. The ladies glittered for each other. The men noticed the other men present with small nods.

An occasional cough or a clearing of the throat mingled with the bird chirps. The leader of the church, who was not really a pastor in the sense of pastors in other churches, and definitely not a preacher or priest, stood before the altar and faced the congregation. Churches had to have altars, a remnant of the days when human or animal sacrifices were necessary to appease or manipulate a god. The remained, as did their symbol of a necessary sacrifice to a god who needed nothing.

The church leader was well fed, but still below the average weight for today’s American middle aged woman. She did not have the diamonds the ladies she faced had, but her smile and inner peace was greater.

Thomas Masterson was known as ‘Hoot’, to everyone who knew him. The use of a nick name came from older days of foot ball. Players had names such as ‘Killer’, ‘Frig’, or ‘Mountain Man’. As a quarterback, Hoot’s father took the University of Texas Longhorns to second in the nation. Hoot’s grandfather, who was also a quarterback for the University of Texas under the famous Daryl Royal, won two national championships. The Masterson family, or the males, at least, lived and breathed football. Hoot had been a wide receiver for U.T. He could have gone pro, but chose business instead. Hoot was the service manager for Austin Infinity, a car dealership a friend of his father owned.

The two ushers in the center isle led Hoot’s father, grand-father, and their wives to the second isle. All eyes followed the group as did approving smiles. Success in football was a well thought of success. The family wealth was approved of as well, and Hoot’s mother frequented the social circles of the Dell’s and state legislators residing in Austin.

Ann, the bride, had a nick name as well. Her family referred to her as ‘Pal’, or ‘Palito’. It was a Spanish word which translated to toothpick. It was appropriate. Ann was about five two and fine inched around. However, she had a full head of heavy black hair which hung straight down, half way down her back. From a distance she resembled a walking makeup applicator.

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Ann was from Barcelona Spain, where her family had managed vineyards for centuries.

Her family wealth was actually much greater than the Masterson family wealth. Ann and her sister who lived in New York ran the U.S. import business of the family wine business. The daughters wholesaled the wine to exclusive clubs and restaurants. Ann’s sister, a prima-donna, showing her Spanish pride and bearing, was seated on the second row on the other side of the center isle from Hoot’s family. As a properly planned social event, the families were the last to be seated. The energy in the air rose with the knowledge that the wedding would soon begin.

Without being noticed, the four ushers had aligned themselves at the rear of the center aisle. As planned, the tension of the coming event was allowed to build, seemingly making diamonds sparkle brighter, leading to an explosion. Those in the know did their best to betray nothing. The upcoming secrets were their hidden Easter eggs.

It sounded like a flock of pigeons suddenly taking flight, and looked like it as well. The noise caused everyone to turn and look at the entrance of the center aisle. The four ushers who had positioned themselves at the end of the isle had thrown the programs remaining in their hands into the air. Instinctively everyone watched the programs reach their highest point and start their descent to rain down on those seated in the rear of the church.

The next surprise was a blast from the church’s sound system. Total quiet was transformed into the electric dance beat of Rob Zombie’s Dragula. As the song blared, the four ushers danced their way down the aisle to the front of the church. The few that attended a United Universalist Church were not that surprised. Those that attended a more conservative church were in shock.

As the ushers reached the front of the church, two went left and two went right, to circle back around by way of the side isles.

This drew everyone’s attention to the back of the center isle again. The two best men were hip hop dancing down the center aisle. Midway down, they parted far enough for the groom to roll down the aisle and come up in front of them dancing. He was the only one wearing a jacket. After quickly fixing his tie, he danced ahead of the two best men and the three progressed to the front of the church then circled back down the side aisles.

Those attending the wedding now had a shocked glow of enjoyment on their faces. A few began to clap to the hip hop tune of Dragula. The song mentioned witched dancing. Those that attended Austin’s Central U.U. church were not surprised. The church sponsored a pagan gathering, Yew Grove, which met on new moons and chanted to the Goddesses and old Gods, the gods of nature, not the gods of men.

The bride was wearing a wedding dress which would have been expected in the 60’s. The shock of its skimpiness seemed to fit. Ann and her bride’s maid next danced down the center aisle. Each held one of a towel length cloth, and danced around in circles as they made their way down the aisle. At this point, all in attendance were clapping and cheering with their eyes, smiles, and hands.

As the bride and bride’s maid were circling around, the four ushers again danced their way down the aisle and positioned themselves at the front of the church. Next, the groom and best man made another pass down the center aisle and positioned themselves properly at the right side of the church leader at the altar. Finally, the brides maids danced down the center aisle, followed by the bride and husband of her sister who was standing in for her father who was in Spain and unable to attend. The bride’s timing to the front of the church was timed to the ending of the music. When the bride and bride’s maid took their place the music ended, followed by a pose of the wedding party, a grin by the church leader, a second of silence, then approving 5

applause by the audience. Ann was a dance major in college. She had choreographed the show and it went off perfectly. Dance was Ann’s passion, probably the most natural form of self and tribal expression. Ann taught Salsa lessons downtown Austin at the Speakeasy on Sunday nights.

Dance was her release, her focus, her sense of pride in accomplishment, and of course great exercise.

Hoot had the sunniest disposition imaginable. His face glowed. His smile was unshakeable. It was totally impossible not to smile with him in his presence. This made him perfect as a service manager for a car dealership. Without fail he soothed irate owners of malfunctioning expensive cars while his service department repaired their car.

Pal was raised in a two class society. There was the rich, who owned everything, then there were the poor who slaved for them for a bare subsistence. Maids were cheap and common in the plantation houses of wealthy hacienderos. Ann had her own maid to clean her room for her, dress her, and run her errands for her all of her life. Ann was chauffeur driven to school each day when most students had no recourse except to walk. However, this upbringing did not produce laziness. She knew the feeling of power and wealth and loved it. She was shown the enjoyment it could produce then trained in its management. After college, she and her sister were sent to the states to market the wines grown on the family vineyards.

Barton Creek is a natural spring centrally located in Austin. During the sweltering summer days in central Texas, one could go to this natural ice cold swimming pool and literally chill out. If you did not want to pay the small amount to enter the pool area proper, you could go to the area where the pool drained, called Barton Springs Spillway. It was a fairly wide river area with many large flat red rocks adults could lay on and kids could play on between bouts of dips in the icy cold water. Both sides of the river were thick with trees and it was a truly beautiful area, and natural beauty was common in Austin Texas.

The Masterson reception was held in the spillway. The bride and groom still in wedding regalia sat on a blow-up raft and bobbed around in the spillway as caterers brought champagne and cake to them and their guests. With no effort Ann orchestrated the reception to perfection.

Ann and Thomas had met at the Infinity dealership. Ann had bought a 2010 G-35 which lasted a week then started having all kinds of problems. Ann made it to the dealership and with her ruler-ship mode proceeded to resolve the problem. She was shown to Hoot’s office who instantly took a liking to the small exotic lady. Hoot was used to listening to complaints and let them go in one ear and out the other as his service department did what they were paid to do.

Hoot knew all he had to do was smile and listen, which was what rich people expected others to do. He was doing it well and Pal was still complaining well when a mechanic brought the keys to the G-35 to Ann. He handed the clipboard to Hoot.

-The problems were solved. They are of course covered by warranty. Shall we take a test drive?

A test drive was not the normal way of ending a service issue except in the case of a repeat problem, but Hoot wanted to get to know her better. He was ... intrigued.

Intrigue lead to mutual attraction which lead to six months of dating which culminated in the present wedding.

The second reception was held in the bar and dance hall of the Speakeasy on Congress Avenue where Ann taught Salsa on Sunday nights. The salsa dancers were a unique and close group and everyone attended on Sunday nights when possible. Since it was Ann's wedding reception, it was packed.

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The bride and groom performed the first dance for everyone who gathered around and cheered them on. Then the dancing floor was open.

The wedding party still wore their wedding clothes, and many were drunk from the wonderful wine from the vineyards of Ann’s father. It was a wine quality that they were not used to having.

Two of Ann's favorite students and maids of honor at her wedding insisted on dancing with Hoot. Ann of course allowed them to. Ellie Mae and Bobbie Joe were from Chattanooga Tennessee, and loved dancing more than anything. They did not know what the Salsa was when they showed up at the bar one night, but Ann quickly trained them. The two fell in love with the Salsa and attended every Sunday. Ann was amused by their hillbilly style, and enjoyed it like she would a well written novel on foreign people. Hoot had met the two girls before but knew them better at the end of the evening when the wine had led to promiscuous kissing and rubbing which everyone accepted and enjoyed.

A month previously, Hoot and Pal had purchased a new home in West Austin. They would combine their two separate homes into this house then sell their old homes.

After the second reception the newlyweds were chauffeur driven to their new home.

There was no furniture yet, but that was another decision of theirs to make this a very unique day.

As custom dictated, Hoot picked up Ann to carry her over the threshold. It was like picking up a broom, but the broom still had a very nice figure, just small. Then they realized that the door was of course locked. Hoot sat Pal down and fished out the key.

The interruption gave Pal pause to consider the ancient custom.

-Am I surrendering to you? She thought. -Are you rescuing me? From what, a dragon?

Why can't we walk in together? Wasn't this a mutual thing?

Hoot considered a different logic.

-My bride. Mine. All mine, another necessary step to success. And I did a very good job of this step.

-I hope I know what I am doing. I hope he knows what he is doing.

Their first night legally together, for whatever that was worth. Would it be any different?

Still just animals carrying on the most important biological function any animal could and would do. Nature would see to that, and no law or religion was strong enough to prevent it. But it kept the social busy bodies busy.

Hoot picked Pal back up and carried her over the threshold. He whirled around and shut the door with his foot. Ten he kissed Pal who now had both arms around his neck.

Hoot left the lights off. It was pitch dark, but even though he was drunk on wine, he remembered the floor plan. He carried Ann through the foyer and into the large living room. He knelt and laid the bride on the thick pile carpet.

In total darkness they began a new life like a baby begins in the womb. Pal considered the darkness, but Hoot did not.

Slowly, lips and fingertips; searching, unzipping, unsnapping, grasping, caressing and kissing of the lower layers of clothing progressed to the sensitive and responsive skin beneath them.

Pal and Hoot allowed the passion to be fully unleashed and run wild without rein until the probing rays of dawn intruded into their private union. It embodied the couple’s new creation.

Instinctively, Ann spread her legs again, but her heart was still firmly closed.

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Chapter 2 The Masterson's New Home -U.T. is going to have a great team this year, Hoot said, his face its perpetual glow. Hoot was wearing a burnt orange t-shirt with a white longhorn emblem over the left breast. When not at work he always wore a UT emblem somewhere on his person.

Pal was bringing dishes to the table. Even though she was raised in an ocean of servants, she did not mind working. Home life, even for the rich, was different in the U.S. than it was in Spain and some other countries.

Hoot seated himself and waited for Pal to finish. Chorizo e arroz as usual. Hoot did not mind the main course. Pal could prepare Chorizo e arroz a hundred different ways. Broccoli and cauliflower was also on the table making it a healthy meal, and a bottle of red wine from her father’s vineyards topped it off.

As she seated herself, a smirk came across Pal’s face.

-Football is such a faggy sport.

-What?

-Well, it is.

-How can you say that?

-Just the facts. Now, pretend you know nothing about football, and ask me how it is played. First, I would like to state what for me is the main event that occurs at the start of each play. A man places his hands between another man’s legs and asks to be handed a ball. Am I right so far?

-It’s not like that.

Where are the quarterback’s hands?

-Well …

-And what other sport brags about having tight ends?

-It’s not that they have tight ends, they are tight ends.

-At least they are not in the closet. And I hear you talk about full backs. Wow! Look at that back on that player!

-Go ahead, have your fun.

They were both enjoying the conversation.

-I keep expecting you to start wearing pink clothes.

-Funny.

-And about that slap on the butt. Explain that. No, don’t explain that. I am a woman. I have been slapped on the butt before, and I knew what it meant.

Their smiles lasted throughout supper. Hoot wiped the corners of his mouth with his napkin and placed it on the table. Then he stood and turned for the den.

-I am going to check the scores.

-Still going down town tonight?

-Sure. Call me when you are ready.

Pal stood and smiled in answer, then began clearing the table.

In the den there were three LCD TVs. If three football games were being played on the planet, they would be on those three TVs. Above the TVs was a shelf with four expensively framed pictures. The first picture was of his grandfather playing for U.T. The second picture was of his father playing for U.T. The third was of him catching a pass to win a game for U.T. The fourth picture was blank. It was for his son’s picture when he would play for U.T. 8

Before dressing, Pal went to her haven. The basement was her realm. A garage at ground level contained thousands of cases of wine from Spain. In the basement two rooms contained cases of their older wines. Another room was her office.

Pal sat before her desk and began checking emails. She was still adjusting to the new residence. I sold my wonderful house on Lake Travis for this. She remembered her back dock and living room windows which looked out over the large lake. Her mind was still considering the change.

I gave my body to a man. No, I didn’t give it to him. I gave him permission to pursue his male lusts on it. Hoot was her second male, and she was sure her last. Not that she was gay. She was not. She valued her body and did not consider it a light matter for another person to touch it, much less partake in its intimate places.

I am sharing my life with you. I am very successful on my own. I do not NEED a man for money. I even gave my cat away that I loved very much because you were allergic to cats.

I even let him carry me over the threshold.

Palito answered her emails. Some in Spanish, and others in English, then she considered how their lives would meld together. She had not told him that she felt that she would not be able to have kids. She felt that that should not affect their relationship.

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Chapter 3 The Mating Game Pal was in her office at her computer.

-Hmmm. I wonder what a pro football player looks like when he is young. I know, I will find a baby picture of Hoot and try to find a baby up for adoption who looks like him. Excellent!

Since Hoot was in the den watching basketball games, Pal was able to go to their bedroom and find a baby picture of Hoot in his photo albums. Then she returned to her office in the basement to work with Google and find a baby to adopt that would satisfy Hoot.

-Family background must have a lot to do with the success of the child. It must be a combination of genetics and upbringing. Unfortunately, that information is hidden from me. But would a wealthy family put a child up for adoption? I have never heard of it. Only unwed street tramps, hookers, drug users, and maybe illegitimate babies made it to the adoption scene.

That thought put a damper on her searche. After shaking her head, she snapped out of it.

-Ok, think football player.

Hoot was in the den watching basketball games since there were no football games this time of year. Hoot could not help but notice the four frames above the three TVs. Especially the empty frame. Hoot got up to examine it closer. As he moved to the front of the den, he noticed a poem in a frame that his father had given him and taught him when was young. He had based his life on this poem and walked over and read it.

If you think you are beaten you are, If you think you dare not, you don’t.

If you would like to win but think you can’t, It’s almost a cinch you won’t.

Life's battles are not always won by the faster Or stronger man.

But sooner or later the man who wins Is the man who thinks he can.

-Of course. Of course!

Hoot walked over to the empty frame.

-Yes, I can. How dare I lose hope! Granddad would disown me!

While Hoot was giving himself a pep talk in the den, Palito was printing out baby pictures. She would let Hoot choose.

-Ok. There are two ways to get a man in a good mood. We already ate, so sex is it.

A wardrobe change, a little more makeup, a little special perfume, a little pep talk to her body to do what it was designed to do, and with pictures in a manila folder in one hand, she took the elevator to the main floor. Not that she and Hoot were too busy to use stairs, but moving around cases of wine required an elevator.

Pal swept into the den. Hoot heard her and turned from studying the blank frame. He knew without a doubt what was fixing to happen. He did not know why, but he knew what. And he was as powerless to stop it as he was preventing the sun from going down, which it was.

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Afterwards, they prepared to go down town. Sunday nights Pal taught Salsa lessons in a restaurant bar on Congress Avenue. After sex, Pal had shown Hoot the baby pictures, doing her best to be very excited about the whole situation. She felt Hoot was just humoring her as he studied the baby boys and seemed to ponder their potential.

-Well, we can decide this later. I will be late for my class. This was where that subject left off as they dressed and proceeded downtown. Pal felt she was making progress.

-While you are teaching, I am going to walk around a little. I will be back in an hour or two.

-Ok. Pal went in the club and Hoot walked North to 6th Street then East through the bar district.

Sunday was a very slow night for bars. However, after eleven PM, it did pick up a little. Maybe people who could not sleep. But Hoot was not in search of a bar. He walked to 418 East 6th Street, beside Cheers Shot Bar. The card reader seemed to recognize him from two nights before.

The card reader did not have a customer, and rose to shake Hoots hand as he approached.

-You read my wife's palm Friday night.

-Ahem, yes, the Spanish lady.

-Yes. -Well, what did she think of my reading?

-She said everything was accurate.

-That is what I am paid to do.

-How long have you been doing this?

-Oh, probably about twenty two years. I have been doing it forever it seems.

-How did you get into this occupation?

-Well, I was a computer programmer for Pacific Telephone. I was living and working in Dallas, doing data base conversions for them. One mardi gras I was drunk on Bourbon Street.

Can you imagine that?

-Yeah, I can imagine that.

-Life presents opportunity when it decides to, and you can take it or leave it. I was not happy as a computer programmer because computers are so impersonal. I like being a psychic. It is a very people person job.

-I can imagine. Ahem, hey. You read my wife's palm for how many kids she was going to have. Does that work on men too?

-Yes and no. A woman knows when she has had a baby. But a man may or may not know.

That affects the reading to some extent.

-Would you take a look at mine?

-Sure. Are you right or left handed?

-Right.

-Was that all you wanted to know, or did you want a full reading?

-I will get a full reading later. Now I just want the answer to that question. I will pay for it.

-Ok, may I see?

-Most palmists look for kids below the little finger. I find I can be more accurate by reading the web between the thumb and index finger. That is the family area of the palm. Look at yours. One clear deep line goes straight all the way through, definitely a boy.

-Are you sure?

-I have read a million palms. I am rarely wrong.

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Hoot studied the card reader. He radiated confidence and knowledge.

-That is what I wanted to know. Thank you.

Hoot pulled a hundred out of his walled and handed it to the card reader, and walked back to the Speakeasy.

Pal was giving Salsa lessons to a group of about a dozen people on the dance floor of the club.

Everyone else was drinking, mingling, and watching the dance class. Everyone's primary reason for being there on Sunday nights was to Salsa. When the lessons were over, which would be soon, everyone would be dancing. It was practically the only thing happening in the Warehouse District on Sunday nights. The Warehouse District was the upper-scale clubs and restaurants in Austin. It drew the wealthier and older crowd. Everyone else went the clubs on 6th street.

Hoot saw Ellie Mae standing by the bar with a drink in her hand. She was smiling. Hoot knew that her and her roommate Bobbie Joe were hillbillies. Talking to her sounded like a good way to pass the time while his wife was instructing dance. As he walked to the bar a devious plan sparked in the back of his mind.

-Howdy Hoot.

-Ellie Mae -Can ya buy a gal a drink?

-Sure. Hoot motioned at the bartender.

-How's married life Hoot?

-Ok. Ok. But, like everything in life, there are always problems.

Ellie Mae sipped on the straw on her drink. One arm was on the bar. Her body swayed back and forth in front of it. To Hoot, she looked like a young, innocent, and not so smart young lady. Ellie Mae glowed with happiness. That was her greatest attraction.

-Well, how is UN-married life?

-Well, like you said, there are always problems in life. I guess everyone has their own.

-I guess.

-Tell me yours, and I will tell you mine, she teased.

-This could be very dangerous, Hoot thought. It could be deadly in fact. He looked back at Ellie Mae. Her smile told him everything was going to be alright.

-Well, I found out Ann can't have kids. And I desperately want a son.

-I see. Ellie Mae was still sucking on the straw in her drink and her body started swaying even more. In a way, Hoot saw a flower opening in front of him. Ellie Maw was grinning ear to ear.

-Well, there are adoptions, Ellie Mae said, looking down.

-But I want him to be my son.

-I see. She looked back up at Hoot.

-And what is your problem?

-Well, I am between jobs now. I am past due on my rent and all my bills. It really is a big problem for me.

-I see.

And I could use a new car. You sell those, don't you? She laughed and swayed even more.

Her knee brushed across Hoots thigh.

-Well, I am the service manager but I suppose we all sell cars there. That is what we do.

Ellie Mae accidentally on purpose stumbled, bumping into Hoot, brushing her body against his, allowing him to smell her and feel her aura, feigning innocence. She knew that Hoot 12

was as wealthy as she was poor. They wouldn’t miss a little dough. And she could make excused to stay away from Ann for nine months.

-Well, life is about helping each other out, she said, still swaying, and looking down.

-That's how you accomplish things, helping each other out.

Before they left the bar, Hoot had her cell phone number.

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Chapter 4 The Shiva Chip Advanced Micro Devices AMD. Chip design facility 5201 E. Ben White Blvd., Austin, Texas May 17, 2010 -What do you think those are?

-Pretty sure pre-caching registers.

-Leading to the ALU. -One section of.

-I still think the trick that Intel is using is in the micro-code.

-Probably, but Dahn is convinced the speed gains are being implemented in hardware as well.

Bikram and Cindy sat before the large screens of two Spark V terminals. They were on the team to find out what Intel was accomplishing with the I-5 and I-7 microprocessors. If the gains could be found, they would be considered for inclusion in the next generation AMD processors, code named Shiva, at this point. Shiva, the Hindu god of death was a reference to killing their arch rival, Intel.

Bikram felt and smelled Dahn walk behind him. He could tell when another Indian was around. They had a distinct smell from the food they ate, and if you were sensitive to energy fields, Indians had a unique energy field which could be felt.

-I think this row of pre-caching registers is significant, Bikram said without looking around.

-Yes, but there is a lot more going on than that. Keep looking.

-Will do.

Everyone knew Bikram said that through clenched teeth, but they had learned to live with it. Bikram had been with AMD for eight years but Dahn only one. And she was the team supervisor. Some might not resent this issue, but Bikram did.

Cindy was a recent graduate from U.T. with a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering.

For her, this was a job, a pay check. She did what she had to for her to accomplish that. She could care less who was in charge as long as she got her pay check twice a month.

Bikram was not only a male but from a higher caste than Dahn. Actually, she was from the lowest caste in Indian culture. That did not mean as much as it once did, but it still mattered to some.

Dahn grew up in the poorest conditions but proved to be intellectually gifted, which led to her scholarship at U.T. Austin, and she graduated at the top of her class with a masters in Computer Engineering. Shortly after joining AMD her talents were recognized and she was promoted to team leader.

Bikram drew a yin and yang symbol on the notepad before him.

-Is that an Indian thing?

-Actually no, it is ancient Chinese. It predated King Wen, who is credited with developing the I-Ching. As with most things, it is misunderstood.

-Male and female, is it not?

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-When concepts are introduced, the first explanations are very simple. As one develops in these issue the simple explanation leads to an understanding. This understanding can be taken to deeper and deeper levels as desired.

-To a young child, why am I getting these presents is first explained as Santa Claus.

Magic was a quick and easy explanation to someone who would believe anything. As the child grew older, the simple explanation give way to a better understanding.

-When a child asks, who created the world, he is told that God, a magical being created it.

When he grows older, and if he develops and desires spiritual wisdom, he will develop a better understanding of this complex issues of life.

-Yin and yang actually mean sunlight and shade. It refers to the sun shining on a mountain. One side is shady while the sun shines on the other side. Yet it is the same mountain.

Unity is perceived as duality is a better explanation than the representation of male and female.

-You were taught this in your schools?

-Schools in India have changed a lot. Before the Mahabharata was taught, now it is Economics. But true knowledge comes from within. Only those who seriously practice meditation know this. You can have ten people who know nothing about life or anything else.

Place them on the top of ten mountains and have them do nothing but meditate for several years.

At the end of those years, they will be wise in the ways of the world, and if they compared notes, the notes would be the same. This is called jnana yoga. It is one type of yoga in the philosophy of Yoga, self knowledge.

-In the Upanishads it is said: But he who understands The wisdom of self knowledge, Jnana Yoga.

And the wisdom of actions, Karma Yoga.

And the wisdom of surrender, Bhakti yoga.

Overcomes even death, And with this understanding.

And reaches the level beyond time into immortality.

-But you have many gods, don’t you?

-That is another thing where you understanding grows depending on your spiritual maturity. Brahma is the Generator. Vishnu is the Organizer. Shiva is the Destroyer. They are three aspects of GOD. But they are all Brahman. This leads to the understanding that everything is Brahman. In Hindi, sarvam hhalvidam Brahman. You are little pieces of Brahman, of life, as am I, as are others. That is why if you hate or harm others, you are only hating or harming yourself. Meditation leads intellectually to this understanding. It is very basic, the unity of everything. The tremendous benefits of this understanding are that you lose fear and desire, the true sources of turmoil in your life, this being easily solved with one philosophical thought.

-In the Upanishads: Who sees “all being�

In his or her own self As consciousness, awareness, Like his own Self, Never suffers from fear.

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-Do you believe in reincarnation?

-It is another topic where your understanding starts simply then expands with your understanding. Let’s take the concept of karma. People may think that you are rewarded with the way you treat others, a reward for your actions. But a better understanding is that you choose that mode of life and thus live that life. You cannot live one life and have another. There is nothing magical or god given or rewarded here. It is simply your choice for your life.

-Reincarnation, life continues in cycles. This is very easy to see with the seasons and flowers and trees. Then the lives of animals continue through their young. Many people admit I feel I was such and such, in a past life. Many people also feel they have a mission in this life.

-Having a mission would not make sense if they were not a part of the growth of the whole. A part of Brahman. Aham Brahmasmi. I am Brahman.

-This is one thing that amazes me about your country. All religions except Buddhism teach of a spiritual world. The Christian Bible and the Moslem Koran are filled with talk of spiritual beings, angels and demons and dead people. It is spoken of as a matter of fact. What is interesting is that nearly every American professes to be Christian, which means that they accept their holy book the Bible, as being totally factual. Yet if you ask if they believe in spirits, most will say no or I don’t know. How can you reconcile this?

-It doesn’t make sense, does it?

-Most people talk without thinking. They were taught to say they are Christian, but never took the time, or have the ability to accept, understand, and follow what that means. If they truly accepted the religion they would say of course! Spirits surround us, thick as flies. The Bible says so.

-Another thing. I have been to funerals where there is a feeling. A feeling as strong as the sun shining on your face, that there is a deceased person present. I have been to funerals where everyone looked at each other like holy shit, should we run? There was no doubt to this presence.

Even Buddhism, the supposed atheistic religion, teaches of a spirit world, of both good and bad beings, but Buddhism says that this topic does not matter, and not to get sidetracked on such matters. Deal with your life here and now.

-So you believe in spirits?

-Well, I would not say that I believe. I would say that I know. What about you?

-I guess.

-Are you a Christian?

-Yes, of course.

-Of course? Have you read the Bible? It is full of spirits, they surround us.

-Yah, you’re right.

-Then what is religion for?

-More often than not, a cover story for scams and scammers.

-You should ponder such things in quiet, long, meditation, to gain an understanding of such things. It would lead to a richer understanding and appreciation of the life you are now living.

-I am sure you are right.

-The topic is re-engineered. Not re-incarnation, a voice behind them said.

-Of course, Dahn, Bikram said. We are reincarnating the Intel I-7 as the AMD Shiva chip.

-If so, why am I not seeing design notes floating across my computer screens?

-It is still in the gestation states, great Brahman.

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-If so, then give birth, great Brahman. I need something on paper I can take to meetings with me.

With a sigh, Dahn returned to her cubicle. Everyone was braking for lunch, everyone but her. As usual she would work through her lunch hour, picking up the slack for her team members. Her job was to get things done. She had not found the leadership thing out yet. So until she did, she had the technical savvy to get the job done, and she would use that to produce results for her team. Management wanted results, by hook or crook. Results led to money. And money was the reason for the existence of a business. To have other goals meant it was not a business, which was why governments could never have a workable business.

Dahn pulled up a greatly magnified image of Intel I-7 processor. In another window were her notes. In another window was the notes from a spy AMD had working at Intel. The job paid more than a regular engineer made, but it took a special engineer. Only top management types knew of the existence of spies.

-Shavasyam Idam Sarvam, Dahn said, and went to work.

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Chapter 5 The Bengali Advanced Micro Devices, Chip design Facility 5201 E. Ben White Blvd., Austin, Texas May 21, 2010 -Eight years, eight long years.

Cindy took Bikram’s stewing with a grain of salt. It paid the same. And not much was demanded of them as long as they sat in front of the Sparc terminals and acted like they were doing something which was the life of computer scientists and computer engineers. You could do so much stuff on a computer and accomplish so little. It was amazing.

-I should be doing Dahn’s job. I have been here a lot longer. And she is just a Bengali.

-A Bengali. She’s a tiger?

-There are Bengali tigers and there are Bengali people as well.

-You say that like you do not approve of them.

-They are the lower caste. Dahn is lower caste. And she is a woman.

Many modern American women would have objected to that attitude, but Cindy only found it amusing.

-Then why are you not doing Dahn’s job?

Cindy was more amused and Bikram got more pissed. She was clouding the issue with facts.

-I will be …

Bikram threw his pencil at the Sparc terminal, got up and left. That was fine with Cindy.

She was free to let her mind wander. She was a professional daydreamer.

Dahn had two screens on her Sparc terminal, and information was flowing on each.

-Did you get my report last Tuesday?

Dahn looked around. Last Tuesday? Let me see.

Dahn logged into the folder where the I-7 project notes were stored and went down the list of files.

-Yap, right there.

-Ok, thanks.

-You’re so naive, Bikram thought as he returned to his workstation. She did not even suspect shoulder surfing.

Once back at his terminal, he logged back in with the username and password he had just seen Dahn use.

In a corporate environment like AMD, all computer user activity was logged. It was the only way to trace a problem back to its source. And he was going to cause a problem.

Bikram knew that AMD had spies at Intel. He did not have access to who or where or to their information, but he knew that they existed. It only made sense that if AMD had spies at Intel, Intel had spies at AMD. Corporate espionage was dangerous. It had its benefits in pay, and the spy world was exciting. But, you could never get caught. It was off with your head if you did. No corporation would ever trust you as an employee again. Your career, or that career, was over.

Bikram opened the notes they had made on Intel’s I-5 and I-7 processors, along with the spy reports from an Intel employee. They were sure to find those interesting. Then he copied 18

their design noted for their new Shiva processor, the one that was suppose to kill Intel. Then he archived that mass of files, encrypted it, and then sent it out on a little used part of their server.

Everything going in or out of AMD on the web was watched. It would be seen and sent to someone smart enough to decrypt it and trace it back to its source.

Bikram smiled and played with his thin mustache. It made Cindy think of Snidley Whiplash. She knew he was up to something, but that was fine. It would not affect her pay check.

19

Chapter 6 The Father and His Daughter Sanchez Residence 2406 Box Car Drive, South Austin May 22, 2010 -Ok, Papa.

Segundo Sanchez sat in his chair. It was a lazy boy recliner. It was out of place in a house of simple furniture.

-Your oxygen, Papa.

Mary Ann put the oxygen mask back over his mouth with his feeble assistance. Segundo was pencil thin from his illnesses, but his proud Spanish face still shone through. The oxygen mask did not fit well over his thin handle bar mustache, but that mustache had been there far too many years to go away.

-Here Papa. More beans.

Between gasps of oxygen Mary Ann spoon fed her father.

-Papa. Is it salty enough Papa? Want me to chop up more peppers Papa? Here Papa, drink some wine.

Mary Ann tried to feed him, give him a drink, and help him to breathe oxygen at the same time. Segundo was a patient man.

-Here Papa. I chopped up some hamburger meat. Taste it Papa. I think you will like it.

Mary Ann paused to wipe her father’s mouth, though there was no food on it.

-Papa. Are you getting enough oxygen, Papa? Here, breathe a little Papa. I will be right back, Papa. I have some chicken cooking. It is just like you like it Papa. And I’ll get you some fresh nice peppers. Is your oxygen ok, Papa? Need me to help you adjust it? Let me check it Papa. The gauge looks ok, Papa. Are you breathing ok, Papa?

-Here, I’ll put it around your head, Papa. You relax and breathe easy, Papa. I’ll be right back.

-Here Papa, I’ll get you some more food, Papa.

Segundo did not mind his daughter’s over caring. He loved her dearly as well. And he did not have the energy to refuse her care. Emphysema, diabetes, and TB, all together, was taking its toile on him.

-Are you ok, Papa? You are really going to enjoy the chicken I am cooking for you. It is so tender, and spiced just like you like. I’ll be right back with it Papa. Are you alright Papa? If you need anything, I will be right back. Hang on Papa.

-Here you go, Papa. Nice hot chicken. Just like you like Papa. I know I seasoned it right.

Here Papa. Taste it. I’ll help you with your mask, Papa. Do you need more oxygen Papa? Are you alright, Papa?

-I brought you a pepper, Papa. Here, let me cut you a bite.

Being from Mexico, Segundo knew Spanish well, but he had not taught much of it to his daughters. Not that he was not proud of his heritage, he just wanted his daughters to be American. Lucida had done well, marrying a wealthy lawyer in Bedford Texas. His other daughter, Mary Ann was just, well, slow. He had always taken care of her, and would continue to do so even after his death with his rail road retirement and savings. He also owned two houses, including the one they were in now. He would leave this house to her in his will.

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-Here you go, Papa. You are going to like the chicken Papa, taste it. It is seasoned just like you like it. I have rice with it also. I know you like chicken and rice. I cooked it just like you like it, Papa. Let me help you with your mask. Here you go, Papa.

-Mom, can we order pizza?

Mary Ann’s son walked up behind her. It was not that he knew his mother did not care for him just that her concern was for her father. Sammy was sixteen and very large for his age. He showed very little of his mother’s Spanish descent. He looked white American like his father.

Segundo nodded, and pointed to his wallet. Sammy took out a card and went to his room to call Dominos.

Mary Ann wanted an explorer. She felt that was what she had. Sammy seemed to be a genius in cyberspace. He was such a genius he was in federal court for hacking into his high schools computer system and changing his test scores. His room consisted of a bed and a table with a computer on it. No TV and no known girlfriend, strange for a sixteen year old boy. If he had a visitor it was a male, and they would sometimes sleep over.

Mary Ann’s fourteen year old daughter lived with her grandmother, Segundo’s wife. They were separated because of unusual family relationships.

Mary Ann’s ex was a bum. The house they live in, with Mary Ann, her father, and Sammy, did not have a TV because Randy sold it to buy booze. He worked at odd jobs all his life, never earning much money. But that was not the reason he was ran off from the family.

When Melanie, his and Mary Ann’s daughter started having her breasts, Randy would sneak into her bedroom late at night and fondle her. Had he not been drunk, it probably would not have happened, but it had happened, and was becoming a habit. One evening Melanie brought it up at the supper table. Segundo went to a kitchen drawer, pulled out a butcher knife, and chased Randy from the house, swearing he would kill him. No one in the family had seen Randy since. And, he was not missed.

One night a young boy came over to take Melanie out on a date, or a date for a thirteen year old, probably a walk to a store or something as innocent. It so happened that the only person who was home was Mary Ann. She stated that she had been stood up. And apparently so had he.

Want to come in?

When Melanie got home, she burst into her mother’s bedroom for some reason. Her boyfriend and her mother were in bed, obviously naked. And that situation continued. When Melanie told her grandmother, her grandmother took her from the house to live with her, thus the current living situations.

-Papa, do you need anything? How was the chicken, Papa? Did I season it right Papa?

Segundo never spoke, or never spoke unless he absolutely had to. The emphysema made it to difficult.

-I will get you more wine, Papa. Do you want more chicken and rice?

Segundo shook his head. Mary Ann opened his mouth and put the oxygen mask back on his face.

-I will take this to the kitchen and get you more wine, Papa.

-Papa, I really love you so much.

Mary Ann had her head in his lap. Segundo stroked her hair with his right hand. It was nice to have someone who cared so much for you during your last days.

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Chapter 7 The Other Daughter Gonzales Mansion 1203 Blue Quail Lane, Bedford, Texas May 23, 2010 Lucita stood at one end of her walk in closet in their tennis court sized master bathroom. Her finger was on the conveyor belt button. In front of her over seven hundred pairs of shoes, expensive shoes, paraded by her. It was often a way she passed time. It was also the place she went to think. Beautiful and expensive shoes, and her shoes, displaying themselves before her then giving way to the next pair was an atmosphere she found conducive to many things, especially thought. Today her thoughts were on her retarded sister that she despised. Lucita hated weakness, hated it with a passion. Those who were weak deserved to be ran over by the strong.

And she was one of the strong.

The Gonzales mansion was a magical Disneyland. Driving through the neighborhood you saw the typical sights of upper middle class. Five or six houses worth 150,000 to 250,000 lined both sides of the streets. No one would expect anything different, except if you drove by 1203 Blue Quail. From the road it appeared to be a lot which had achieved privacy by planting tall and full trees years ago in the front. Then there was a very nice brick gate which proclaimed Gonzales on it. Entering the gate took you to a whole new world. First, the lot was at least six solid blocks. How a lot this large remained hidden in this neighborhood was pure magic that only a surveyor could figure out.

The Gonzales grounds were expertly landscaped, with ponds and bridges over small rivers. Beautiful ponds, rivers, and mesmerizing trees were in front of the mansion proper, which resembled a small Whitehouse.

At Christmas time, the Gonzales mansion was Disneyland. Most people who lived in the Dallas / Fort Worth - Mid Cities – Hurst, Bedford, Euless area knew of the Gonzales mansion.

Each of the many trees was meticulously decorated with lights. At night, the light lit up tree reflections on the ponds and was truly beautiful. Those driving around looking at Christmas lights were invited to drive through this estate. They were the best Christmas light sight in Bedford. Was this expensive to them? Probably not. Artereo headed a high powered law firm and showing off his residence was PR. His law firm occupied a three story half block sized building to the east of Precinct Line Road and Airport Freeway, or highway 183.

Having collected her thoughts, Lucita selected a pair of shoes for dinner. Everything she did had purpose and meaning. Every act meant to accomplish a goal.

When she felt properly attired, Lucita began the journey to the dining room. First, down the long hall with the bedrooms lining both sides, then down the large curved staircase that descended to the main floor of the mansion. Then it was across the marble foyer to the wide hall which lead to the dining rooms and ball room. A servant opened a set of double doors at her approach and she swept in like a tornado, but disguised as a breeze. Another servant seated her at the end of a long table. Her husband was already seated at the other end. He sipped wine and waited for her. Arturo crowed challenge. Challenge in the legal world had made him very wealthy and prosperous. He found married life a challenge, especially a marriage to Lucita. It was a challenge he enjoyed.

-How was your day, dear?

22

Lucita always preamble the evening meal in this manner, allowing her husband to take the lead in the conversation. It was her way of showing respect for his ability to bathe her in the luxury she enjoyed.

-It went well, two trials today, and two set for tomorrow. Johan took the Miller trial.

-The Miller trial, dear?

-Yes. Cleve Miller enjoyed going to Stop ‘N Go stores. In fact, it made him wealthy.

-Cleve knew that the safe where the clerks dropped the money was not emptied on the weekends. It stacked up money until the store manager returned Monday morning and opened it in front of Brinks Security guards who took the cash to their vaults. Knowing this, Cleve helped them build up their cash by buying thousands of dollars of money orders each shift. He then cashed the money orders at a bank and bought more money orders from the next shift. This added up over the weekend, not to mention that a Stop ‘N Go had to gross at least ten thousand a day in store sales for the corporation to keep them open. Gas sales was a different formula, but gas sales of course helped fill up the safe.

-During the weekend, Cleve made friends with the night clerk. It was a lonely time to have to work. The clerk was bored, and getting to know them was easy. Then Sunday night at about 4 AM, when the least things possible were happening, Cleve walked in and laid a pistol on the counter. Then talk to the clerk, now his friend.

-James, I’m sorry. But I’m going to have to rob you. Nothing personal, but you remember the sister I told you about with cancer, I have to get the money for the operation. I just have to.

I’m very sorry.

-Usually, the clerk would say, I understand, with down cast eyes. Since they were friends, there was less tension and fear, which is the thing that led people to getting hurt. Using this approach, Cleve usually got the cooperation of the clerk, and sometimes did not even have to tie him up.

-Once the clerk knew what was going on, Cleve usually took him into the office and tied him up. Again the clerk understood and cooperated. Cleve was already wearing a white shirt, and he took the clerk’s green smock, and then he was a Stop ‘N Go employee. Cleve took the tape out of the surveillance recorder and returned to the counter.

-A pick gun is more illegal than a hand gun because you can get into anything with it.

Cleve had driven to a remote area, called a lock smith and said that he had locked his keys in his car. When the locksmith arrived, Cleve produced a gun and robbed the lock smith of his pick gun.

-Cleve took the pick gun out of his back pack and unlocked the safe under the counter. It was a time lock safe also, so he had to wait five minutes for it to open. During these five minutes he had to be a Stop ‘N Go clerk and sell what people wanted during this period. He usually accidentally gave them way too much change. The customer would feel they had ‘won’, and get the heck out of the store before the clerk noticed their mistake.

-After five minutes, the safe beeped and popped open. Cleve shoved the money into his back pack and left, usually with about 50,000 dollars.

-Cleve had been doing this about once a month for over a year. He had the routing down.

Sometimes the clerk would even help him. They would say things like, don’t forget the lottery tickets, or the rolls of quarters in the drawer.

-Once a clerk told him about how good the popcorn popper was. The secret was in the oil, the clerk told him, coconut oil. The clerk then helped him carry the popcorn popper out of the store and put it into the back of Cleve’s pickup.

23

-One Sunday night Cleve walked into a Stop ‘N Go to do his thing that he had set up the few days prior. After his spill about how sorry he was to have to do this thing and about his sister who needed an operation, the clerk told him, oh, you can’t rob this Stop ‘N Go. Cleve dismissed the statement and tied him up in the office. Cleve next used his pick gun to open the safe and played Stop ‘N Go clerk for five minutes until the safe popped open.

-While Cleve was waiting, a police officer walked in and went to an isle to shop. No big deal. Next, another officer walked in, then another. Soon the Stop ‘N Go was full of police officers. Cleve did not know what was going on but it made him of course nervous. When one of the customers checked out, a customer who was not a police officer, Cleve wiped his pistol clean of prints and put it in the sack of groceries. To this day, Cleve says he does not know what happened to that pistol.

-Well, the safe beeped and popped open, but the store was full of police officers. Cleve kicked the safe door closed then grabbed a broom and acted like he was going to sweep the parking lot. When Cleve walked out the door, the clerk who was tied up in the office started kicking the wall. He had been watching what was happening in the store on the surveillance cameras. A police officer investigated, found out what was going on, and arrested Cleve. They put him in a police car and drove around the corner to the police station. Cleve had not done his homework. The store was full of cops going on or off duty from the police station a block away.

-Anyway, after studying Cleve’s crime, it was observed that the MO was the same as fifteen other armed robberies. He got thirty years today. He would have gotten life if we had not represented him.

-You did not do him much good, Lucita observed.

-Try to get a jury to give him five years rather than life for fifteen armed robberies.

-Remember my murder trial last week? Defending himself from a burglar wielding a knife, a man threw the burglar though the glass door of a shower. Apparently still pissed off, rather than scared, he went into the shower and threw him back out on the shower through the other glass door. The burglar bled to death before the ambulance got there. When he threw him though the first glass door it was self defense. But then he threw him through the second glass door it was murder.

-I remember that dear.

-Just throw them through one glass door -Got ya. They smiled at each other, and ate a few bites.

-My sister Mary Ann has to be dealt with. Segundo is fixing to die and I want his house and retirement.

-You aren’t going to let your poor sister have it? She needs it.

-Since when does that matter? She is an idiot. I want to be the sole beneficiary in my father’s will.

-Well, I suppose I can word it where they will not know what is happening.

-Of course you can. You’re an attorney. I think dad is fixing to croak. Take care of that for me dear.

-I’ll draw it up tomorrow and mail it to him for his signature.

-Something may go wrong. Go take care of it dear.

-Ok. I’ll fly to Austin tomorrow afternoon. Want me to tell them anything for you?

-How about pleasant dreams.

-You are heartless, dear.

-I know.

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-That’s what I like about you.

-I know.

Another smile and they finished their supper.

25

Chapter 8 The Doom of Dahn Advanced Micro Devices, Chip design Facility 5201 E. Ben White Blvd., Austin, Texas July 5, 2010 Dahn’s face sparkled as she walked past Bikram and Cindy on the way to her cubicle.

-She had a nice 4th weekend.

-Glad she enjoyed it, Bikram said.

Fireworks were going off in Dahn’s mind, actually. Fireworks had given her an idea for AMD’s new Shiva processor. She felt it was brilliant.

Just as she logged in, her boss shuffled behind her.

-Log out and join me in the conference room.

-Ahem, sure. Must be a Monday meeting she thought.

Dahn followed her boss, Mike Harkins, to the conference room. She found a chair and sat down.

The atmosphere of the conference room told her that something was not right. The personnel present were mainly technicians from the security department. Then there was her boss and the head of the Shiva design department.

What was worse was that everyone was looking at her, actually looking without looking, like they did not want her to see them looking at her.

Rather than ask, Dahn let someone take the lead, anyone.

-This concerns the Shiva project, her boss began.

-I had a fantastic idea this weekend. I think the remapping of the micro code in the ALU pre-fetch algorithm will increase the success of cache hits …

-Dahn, Dahn.

Dan looked around, more confused than ever. She thought they wanted to discuss the Shiva chip.

-On May 5th a package was copied as it left port 223 on server Win 2000A. Practically all internet traffic in and out is watched, as you know.

-But what does this have to do with me? I never send anything in or out. I do my personal surfing only at home.

-This was not personal.

-I am totally confused.

-Would you explain, Brian, Mike asked.

-My job is to monitor traffic on SSH channels. We saw a very large package going out on SSH port 223 and copied it. What was really interesting was that it was to socket 67.231.42.0:223. We know this is an Intel development socket.

-I still don’t know why I am involved in this.

-Your session sent that package out.

-That’s impossible. I have never sent anything out on an SSH port, especially to Intel.

-You did or someone logged in as you did, Brian said.

-It was definitely not me!

-Has your password been compromised?

-Not that I know of.

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-Then we have to assume you sent it. That is one of the main reasons for logging in to a system, anyway. To track what users are doing on their computers.

-I really do not know what is going on.

-Brian? Mike asked.

-The contents of the package were archived then encrypted. But of course we were able to decrypt it. It took a week, then we checked and double checked everything, including locating the source of all files in this archive. Then those responsible for those files were notified.

The rest of the people around the conference table looked up from the imaginary spots they were staring at on the conference table and looked at Dahn.

-Many of those files were highly sensitive. They included our design notes for the Shiva project as well as our intel on Intel’s I-7 chip set. Also included were your design notes.

-Here is the list of files, Brian said, sailing the list across the table top to her.

Dahn scanned the list.

-Not me! This is impossible!

Dahn’s shocked face oscillated back and forth to those lining the table.

-Unless you have an explanation? Brian said.

-Waite! No! AMD is my life. I have put everything I have into AMD. I would never betray AMD! -We want to believe that, Mike said. But as scientists we have to go with evidence. Black or white evidence, would you not agree Ms. Bopanna?

-I even have a great new idea to speed up the ALU pre-cache, Dahn spat out. Tears now flowed from her eyes. Her face was no longer hers.

-The Shiva chip. I have great ideas …

-We can see that. But they should benefit us, not Intel. We are paying you. Are they paying you as well?

-Of course not!

-We really did not expect you to admit to it, Brian said. However, we have the evidence documented and verified.

Dahn’s face was now in her hands. She had fallen apart. Her world had disintegrated in five minutes.

-Your access to the computers in the building has been terminated. Your physical access has been terminated as well. May I have your badge please? Mike asked.

Dahn glanced down at her AMD badge. It was the best day in her life when she had been given that badge. As a supervisor she had access to most areas in the building. She was proud of her accomplishments. That badge represented her accomplishments. Now she was being asked to surrender it. She couldn’t.

-The badge please. Mike repeated.

-This is my life, Dahn said, seemingly unable to unclip it.

-Was your life. Mike motioned to Brian who stepped up, walked around the table to Dahn and took her badge.

-Your final check will be mailed to you. Most of your company benefits will be terminated since you are not fully vested yet. Dahn, I do wish you the best of luck, and I regret it had to end this way.

Dahn had not noticed that two Austin police officers had entered the room.

-Will you stand please, Ms. Bopanna?

The hand under her arm lifted her to her feet.

27

-You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law, one officer read as the other hand cuffed her.

Those around the conference table were solemn as Dahn was led from the room. They had ensured that Dahn would be led through as many departments as possible on the way out of the building. It was a good example of what happened to those who betrayed them.

It was the most painful day of her life, trying to avoid the eyes of her former coworkers.

She wanted to scream that she did not do it, but their faces said that she was guilty.

Cindy was unable to look at her as she passed, but Bikram did. His eyes followed her down the hall.

-Welp, she’s gone, Bikram said.

-Cindy pretty much knew what had happened, but it did not matter, as long as she got her pay check.

-I wonder who our new supervisor will be? Bikram mused.

-I wonder? Cindy smiled.

-I’m pretty sure she is on my side, went through Bikram’s mind. But I will have to watch her. She knows.

The two pretended to return to their work.

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