The Origin Point: A Future Tech Cyber Novella

  *

  A minute after Marco's escorts had dropped off Dallas at her home, her mobile phone rang.

  "Yes," Dallas answered.

  "Dallas Winter?" a voice asked.

  "Yes?"

  "You don't know me, but I know what you're doing."

  "Look Frez, if this is some kind of joke," Dallas responded annoyed. "I've had a weird day. I do not need your crap."

  "This is not your friend the restaurateur Fresno Tyler," the voice unemotionally responded.

  Dallas froze. "Who is this?"

  "You don't need to know my name, only my motives. I wanted to let you know you have guessed correctly. The flash drive you received last night is not a random think tank's policy paper." Dallas gripped her phone. "But the documents are not FedSec either. The content comes from a more influential source."

  "What source?"

  "I'm not talking about specifics, Ms. Winter. I'm only warning you. Stay away from the contents in those documents. The information is dangerous. There is a discussion going on right now in Washington...and London, Paris, Brussels, even Beijing and Moscow, and believe me, the words and policy ideas in those conversations transcend top secret."

  "You really expect me to believe you? Who is this?"

  "I know you recorded your conversation with FedSec Director Manuel." Dallas was stunned into silence. "When FedSec vets an electronic device they put the controls on their own internal monitoring system. They know you were recording too. Don't even think you can use the audio. But if you try to broadcast the conversation, they'll erase the file, unless I get to your laptop first."

  "What the fu—"

  "Dallas, believe me I'm a friend. I'm helping you. Don't provoke people about those documents."

  "Who is provoked? Who are you?"

  "My name is Apex. And when I say I'm a friend, I'm being truthful. But let us handle the issues, stay out of this business with the 2100 policy files, okay."

  "You have got to be kidding..."

  "You have been warned. Don't push your luck Dallas, and do not follow up on this story again." Before Dallas could re-express her anger, Apex disconnected.