Needing the anonymous

"What are the possibilities of laying hands on the anonymous stringer?"

Inside the conference room of Sky Broadcasting Organization, the managing director announced to the different heads of department seated around the conference table. He had his hand to his chin as he stared at the set of over twenty heads while waiting for an answer.

Ryan, seated at the second seat of the right row, had a variety of mixed expressions as he gazed at the middle-aged director. Confusion, worry, disapproval... whatever he could name it.

Just yesterday, after days of absence of any special trend, another anonymous article hit the public from the same anonymous account relating to the hospitalization of John Ruben. But this article had a completely different content from the first two released in the past...

John Ruben was out of coma.

This news became the most searched online as it involved a personality whose private life was always made confidential. And within the span of three weeks, three various private issues had been leaked to the public!

What got Ryan with mixed feelings was the managing director's two-faced personality regarding the whole Ruben issue. He could recollect the time the first two news hit the social world. The director had specifically given an order to take off the news from the organization's social media channels. Now, over two weeks later, the director was looking for ways on getting a link with the anonymous writer...

What for? Have access to the Rubens personal lives? Didn't he mention not to pry into their private affairs? There seemed to be a contradiction in the man's personality.

"Sir, if I may ask, what do we need the supposed stringer for? And how sure are we that the writer involved is actually a stringer? There's a likely possibility that the person involved is just among those social media ranters..."

From the sixth seat of the left row, a neutral-looking man spoke, completely saying just what Ryan had in mind, the first question only though. He was the head of the public relations department.

"If I may also ask, are we going to take the news regarding the issue off the social media channels like the last ones?"

Another man seated at the eighth seat of the right row spoke up as well, the head of the technical department.

"Mr Edwin, Mr West," the director called out to them. "I appreciate your questions concerning the issue and I'm going to give everyone here the answer needed."

His throat was cleared abruptly as he sat upright, ready to give his subordinates the answers they needed.

"To answer Mr Edwin's questions. Firstly, I'd say, the anonymous writer is a rare opportunity for us all. It's hard to find one who knows the ins and outs of the Rubens, especially the CEO of Titan Technology. But, within three weeks, we've received three different news concerning John Ruben's situation, a feat never achieved before.

Now tell me, isn't that an opportunity for us to grab?"

Murmurs ensued among the different heads of department as they discussed silently among themselves in relation to the director's observation.

"But sir," the head of the public relations department raised up a hand, "if you think this is a rare opportunity for us to grab, why didn't we just grab the opportunity from the initials? Isn't it too late for that now? Besides, we have no idea on who the anonymous writer is..."

The director pointed a finger at him, shaking it repeatedly, "You're right. We do not know who the anonymous writer is and yes, it seems a bit late for that now. But, think about this, why grab an early opportunity when there's no valid confirmation?

The first two news released anonymously, was there much of a validity involved? No. But the most recent, we've all seen the validity of it. Mr John Ruben is out of coma, and the weeks difference between the first two and this recent one is enough confirmation."

Ryan released a sly smile. To others, the director was super intelligent. Yes, he truly was. But there was more to the director's sudden interest in the anonymous writer, that Ryan could say. He could sense a sort of conflict emitting from the way the director brought up the issue, most likely was in relation to the sudden drop of viewership that occurred about two weeks back.

"To the second question, I believe everyone here has the sense of observance, so I would like to ask a question... Can social media ranters come up with something tangible and valid as the news about John Ruben?

The answer is a No. Why, if you may ask. The evidences are right before our eyes so we don't need to go deep into it. The writer is a valid one. Though we aren't sure if the writer is a stringer, I do believe that's a valid writer."

The heads of department all nodded their heads in agreement. He was right. This was cooked up by a valid writer. But the questions still remains on who the valid writer is...

"As for the question asked by Mr West, I would have to truthfully say it's a NO. The news isn't going off any of our social media channels." The director's voice came out stern and precise. It sounded like he was going against someone.

"Why were the last ones taken off then?"

Someone from the first seat on the left row asked. It was the head of the accounting department.

The director leaned back on the chair as he stared at the questionnaire. "There were management reasons involved in those. But this time, we have been granted full access to make use of the information,"

The reply was taken in. Self ruminations began among the heads of department as they thought about the information they just received.

"Now to the main reason behind this meeting, how can we lay hands on the anonymous writer?" The director's voice echoed through their ears, bringing them out of their ruminations.

"We simply track the writer, right?" The only female head present, the head of the sales department, spoke up first. A general nod was received as an approval.

"That has been thought through already, but we weren't given access by the social app involved in this..." The one to give an answer was the deputy managing director, seated beside the managing director. This was his first involvement since the meeting commenced.

"And that's why we're asking for any help that can be rendered in achieving this," the director chipped in.

"I think I might know someone who has the knowledge of hacking,"

All eyes turned to the one who spoke. It was Ryan, making his first contribution to the meeting. He had a smile on his face as his gaze stayed on the director's direction.

"Mr Stones, please, tell us who you have in mind," the director requested.

The smile faded away from his mouth before he gave a reply. "Matthew Holmes..."

Matthew Holmes?

"Which Matthew Holmes are you talking about, Mr Stones? Your assistant?" Brent Williams, the news director, questioned. He was seated directly beside Ryan, just near the managing director.

"Yes, my assistant." Ryan gave a firm reply.

"Why would you suggest your assistant for such a thing? Isn't he just an editor? What business does he have with the IT world?" Brent Williams questioned abruptly, his voice filled with disdain.

"Caution, Mr Williams," the managing director warned the news director, noticing the tension arising.

Ryan turned to look at the older man, his expression neutral. "Have you tested his prowess before jumping into conclusions? Do not judge a book by it's cover, Mr Williams,"

"Mr Stones?" The director barked at Ryan to caution him.

"Sorry about that," he apologized. "I would suggest you try him out though. He could work hand in hand with the social security department in gaining access to the anonymous writer's account,"

"What special skill does Mr Holmes posses that makes you think he can do this?" the director inquired.

A smile was revealed again. "He knows a thing about getting confidential information. Something we call hacking,"

He could already imagine Matthew's reaction when he finds out he was already a topic of discussion among the heads of department due to a skill that was kept somewhat hidden.

The other heads began murmuring as he gave out the reply. Matthew Holmes hacks? Being able to hack was one skill that was hard to come by but they had someone in a broadcasting organization that could pull such feat.

"That settles it then." the director stated. "Mr Stones, kindly inform Mr Holmes as he will be working with the social security team regarding the tracking." He turned to look at a man on the last seat of the left row. "Mr Kim, get your team ready. The tracking should commence today."