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“Is there or isn’t there a connection between the investigation into your wife’s suicide and the cybersecurity audit?”

“I’m not aware of any such connection.”

“Sir, can you categorically state that there is no domestic violence investigation?”

“I can only tell you that there has never been—”

“Mr. Gamble, you’re unable to deny a connection between the domestic violence investigation and the cybersecurity audit. Isn’t that correct?”

Gamble pulled out the most forceful denial he could muster. “I have no reason to believe that this is anything more than a routine cybersecurity audit.Routine.Thank you all very much.”

The two executives came to silent agreement that it was time to shut down the press conference, but the cacophony that followed them from the podium was a sure sign that this issue wasn’t going away anytime soon. The questions kept coming, and the flock of reporters followed them into the building. Peel led the way to the executive elevator. The two men entered, and Peel smiled until the doors closed on the media.

The CEO was not smiling.

“I can’t believe the way these bastards have twisted the story of my wife’s suicide,” said Gamble, as the elevator started upward.

“It’s not necessarily a bad thing,” said Peel.

The elevator doors opened to the lobby of the executive suite. “That’s not funny,” said Gamble, as they exited.

Peel stopped. “Christian, you had a complicated marriage. That’s none of my business. But if the media wants to go down a rabbit hole, following a bullshit story that this company is vulnerable to extortion because its CEO had a volatile marriage, then let it play out.”

“Easy for you to say.”

“Would you rather they speculate about what the cybersecurity audit isreallyabout?”

Gamble turned and faced his partner. “Jeremy, if there’s something you know about this audit that I don’t know, let’s hear it now.”

“You saw how the media reacted to your statement that the audit is ‘routine.’ They aren’t buying that for a minute. They need some red meat. Spousal abuse with threats of extortion is red meat wrapped in bacon.”

Gamble seethed inwardly. Peel wasn’t acknowledging thathewas the red meat. “You make it sound like it’s some kind of strategy. This thing is out of control.”

Peel laid a hand on the CEO’s shoulder and looked him in the eye. It was a patronizing gesture that Peel sometimes pulled as chairman of the board, and Gamble hated it.

“That’s where you’re wrong, Christian. Nothing is out of control.”

Gamble glared back at him as the pieces clicked into place. “You planted that question, didn’t you? It was one of your media puppets who asked me about domestic violence.”

Peel checked his cellphone, then shared the screen with his CEO. It was a stock market app. “Well, looky there. Buck Technologies is up two points. It seems the market isn’t all that troubled by a CEO under fire for personal problems.”

“Don’t ever do that to me again,” said Gamble.

“I didn’tdoanything to you. You did this to yourself by staying married to an alcoholic who could be one very vindictive drunk.”

“I have never allowed my personal life to hurt this company.”

“Until now.”

“Meaning what?”

“Both you and I know that the current administration wants the CIA out of the venture capital business. The DOJ won’t stop until this audit turns up something to support the president’s view that spying and private investment don’t mix.”

“The DOJ won’t find anything.”

“They may have already found it,” said Peel. “A CEO who is vulnerable to extortion may be just enough to please everyone. The DOJ can claim its audit was a complete success because it led to the ouster of Buck’s CEO. And once the tainted CEO is gone, the CIA will be happy because it can continue business as usual.”

“Where does that leave me?”

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