34

You hear that Nemesis is pleased, and keen to start work at once.

As you are preparing to return to your apartment that evening, tired and bleary-eyed, there is a knock on the door of your office. It is Robert Leach. "Do you have a moment?"

"Of course."

He enters, and sits. "Your predecessor, Anaru Katariki, always valued my willingness to present an alternative perspective on a situation. I'd like to think I have that same relationship with you."

"I'm willing to listen to anything that concerns you," you tell him.

"Thank you. It concerns Claudette Byron: the woman is a security risk. She knows MetaHuman's projects and processes intimately. And now that she's been fired here, she's likely to be snapped up by a rival firm. Probably Psion; they can afford to give her the facilities she's used to. Or maybe one of the smaller companies."

"What do you suggest?"

"I don't suggest anything," he says, with a weary smile. He's had a long day as well. "I'm merely pointing out alternatives. I believe you aren't yet acquainted with our security facilities here. They might surprise you. It's well within this company's power to discreetly detain Ms. Byron here as a guest. A comfortable guest, of indefinite duration. Or, if you prefer, a more permanent solution could be found for this potential security risk. It would be regrettable—personally, I'm rather fond of Ms. Byron. But it's a possibility."