The Mina Marz Incident

CHAPTER TWO

"How long has it been?" asked Melinda.

"Since the last time you asked me? My guess is five minutes," laughed Dean.

"Sorry. I don't do nothing very well."

"So, I noticed. I'm kind of surprised the team isn't pounding on the door by now, but that is a lot of steps to traverse in the dark. Hope they just stayed where they were."

"The system did send a message to someone, right?"

"It's supposed to, but like you said, I don't think this has ever actually happened. When they told me about these security protocols, I thought they were way over the top... now I know it. If someone is hacking in from God knows where, what good does locking this room up do? And why didn't the backup lighting system kick on? This needs to be updated. Not that I'm not enjoying sitting here on the floor in the dark with you."

"Like the mechanic's car, right? We are so busy fixing everyone else's code and software that we never get around to ours?"

"Something like that," agreed Dean. "but the network is solid. None of this is part of the HartBeat system. The added programs, like this one, were written by Charles. A few of them make me raise my eyebrows."

"Charles wrote them? Well then, that makes sense," chuckled Melinda. "You ever meet him?"

"No. Just get the occasional electronic memo. I don't think he has stepped foot in the office in the five years I have been here. Funny, I've worked for the man all this time and don't even know what he looks like. Searched the company promo once... not a single picture anywhere. I take it from your comment that you have met him?"

"Yep. He hired me," confirmed Melinda. "There were only six of us then. He's eccentric in a brilliant kind of way. He had an office here for the first two years, but once the Board was in place, he started working from home. My best guess is he became a shut-in about the same time the company went public."

"A shut-in? Like never leaving his house, you mean?"

"Yep. His mind works on a level way beyond the average human. It was hard for him once the office began to grow. Even though he planned to take over the building and prepped for it, I don't think he realized what he set himself up for. He couldn't handle being surrounded by that many people every day."

"What do you mean he prepped for it?"

"He had the electrical reworked, moved the pipes, floated the floors and walls on the basement here, added the water tight security doors, that kind of stuff. So, the building has its old charm, but the internal workings are mostly new. I thought it was a great idea, but I will definitely give him a piece of my mind about this lockdown protocol. Never thought those watertight doors would hold me prisoner. I mean, I appreciate that we work on high-level code and security is an issue, but this is ridiculous. Hey, wait a minute. Are we going to run out of air down here?"

"Let's not panic to those levels, just yet. So, you still communicate with him? With Charles?"

"Oh yes. We are friends. Well, as good a friend as he can probably have. He is a grumpy one, but he has always been good to me and I'm loyal. In truth, I really like him. He's funny when he is not irritated. Actually, he is funny when he is irritated too, if you don't take it personally. I missed him for a long time after he moved his office. We have an interesting connection. He is a genius, and I am not, but when we get in the zone we work really well together."

"Is he the reason you have stayed here so long? Kinda rare to find someone who does what you do, stay at the same company."

"I suppose. Honestly, leaving has never crossed my mind. The work is challenging, the people are nice and the few times I have had issues, Charles has always handled them for me," Melinda explained. "Plus, I really don't like interviews."

"C'mon. Interviews are easy. No different than talking to me right now."

"Yeah, right," she laughed, ending with the slightest adorable snort. "Interviews are all judgey. You know I don't like talking about myself. Give me a problem and I will show you what I do, but don't ask me to tell you how great I am. Will never go well."

"Personally, I think you are amazing. And technically, you do realize you are a genius, right? I mean if the numbers fit."

"Whatever. I am who I am. A standardized test label doesn't make me any different. I call Charles a genius based on our work experience, not a number. Seriously, how long are we going to just sit here?"

"You have a better idea?" asked Dean, chuckling to himself. He had made her uncomfortable, but he didn't care. This one-on-one conversation was a rare opportunity and at the very least, he could share accolades, even if he couldn't share his true feelings.

I wonder what she would do if I told her I can't stop thinking about her? That I wake up excited to come to work because I know I get to see her? Yeah, that would probably send her over the edge.

"No. No ideas. Not unless I can get the power to come on by waving my hands... riiiiiiiight now!" she exclaimed as if she was reciting a magic spell.

Just as the words came out of her mouth, the lights above them flickered on and the room began to power itself up, one lighting section at a time.

"Well now, THAT is what I call a super power," laughed Dean as Melinda looked at him in wide-eyed surprise, her hands still in the air. 

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