My boardroom, like my office, is designed with trust in mind. More beige of course, on the walls, upholstering the chairs. More mirrors—a massive antique looking glass positioned right behind my chair at the head of the table—and long, wide windows that spew in natural light. When I need to relax, I come here at sunset and watch bloody sunshine bounce from one reflective surface to the next.
Today, five members of the SilentWitn3ss team sit on the right of the table: Leontine Reeves, her assistant, her financial director and her lawyers. On the left, I have Tuija and my attorney, Carson Jones. Tuija has laid out fruit, muffins and jugs of iced water and lemon, but I don't anticipate being here long enough to do them any kind of justice. This will take twenty minutes.
Watch, grasshoppers, and learn.
"Miss Reeves, at last—it's an absolute pleasure." I stop beside Leontine's chair and offer a handshake.
She stands to take me up on this. "A pleasure, indeed."
She expects her British accent to disarm me, no doubt. And she brought along her bedroom eyes. I can see it now, as I take her small hand in mine: this morning, she sat at a shabby chic dresser, clad in a black silk negligee with lace accents that squeezed her riper curves. She hummed as she pulled her hair back into a ponytail of honeyed highlights. Shifted from one buttock to the other. Then she picked up a black eyeliner pen, leaned into the mirror and drew a careful flick along each lid to frame her mahogany eyes. Pursed her full lips, blushed at her own reflection. Liked what she saw and felt just a twinge of guilt.
All those shades of smoked honey, tawny tan; she's like butter. And she looks like the type who'd forgo the panties beneath her negligee. I know what you're thinking—I'm just another lecherous fuckface—but it's important to ascertain that she cares more about the packaging than what is underneath. She hasn't long graduated from Harvard, and her company is only three years old. Of course she's all about appearances...what else does she have?
"I'm sorry I've been indisposed until now," she offers. Apology pulls at the edge of each word, but her gaze is steady, confident. "I've been looking forward to hearing your proposition in person."
I press her hand between both of mine before carefully releasing it. "We won't waste time, then. Take a seat."
"I suppose what I'm most curious about, Mr Lore, is...well. Why?" She hunches in the chair, evidently used to being behind a larger desk of her own where she can cross her legs for comfort. For defence. "Why does a news corp want with my little tech firm? I don't really understand."
Technically, I own the two biggest television news networks in the US, as well as seventeen global newspaper brands that garner various levels of respect. When I needed to make money, I pinpointed the main thing I was good at: telling people what they wanted to hear. And then I found a way to sell it. "I assume you're aware of what we do here? Television, newspapers. Web media, obviously."
"I received your information pack, yes." She throws me half a smile. "That was very thoughtful."
"I like to be as transparent as I can."
"As do I, Mr Lore. The thing is, SilentWitn3ss is kind of my baby." She sighs. Even that sounds British, all hollow and haughty. "You have the capital to fund further development, which is awesome for us...but I can't see what's in it for you."
I take a moment to pour myself some water. I won't drink it, but it doesn't matter—a little tension is desirable. "See, here's the thing. You and your team, you're a very skilled set of developers. What you've done with SilentWitn3ss, the way you've put surveillance in people's pockets—I admire that. Anyone can record a video on their cell these days, but your equipment makes it possible to amplify and recover audio in way that makes things very...interesting."
She leans in on her elbows. "I suppose it does."
"As a man who trades on news, that kind of technology fascinates me."
"But that's just it. Surely you already have that kind of technology?"
"Oh, I do. We do." I nod, calm and slow, as if it's obvious and thus entirely above board. "But for the general public, it's new to them. Exciting. Miss Reeves, people are excited by SilentWitn3ss. It's a remarkable bit of tech that deserves more attention."
One honeyed eyebrow climbs to a perfect arch. "The attention we've received so far hasn't been so great," she says dryly.
"Precisely. Your legal issues...they're to be anticipated. And I know users are frustrated at the limitations placed on their recordings. There are implications of slander, possible damage suits. It does hinder things."
Leontine and her lawyers glance between themselves; throats are cleared with an air of distaste.
"But I believe we have a solution," I say softly.