The sign on the frosted glass door said, ‘Tomlin Corporation’. In smaller print, two lines centered below the corporate name read: ‘Raymond Blacker’, ‘Chief of Security’.

The courier knocked twice on the door, then entered without waiting for a response. The strong scent of cigar smoke assaulted his nose and eyes as he stepped into the dimly lit room. Silhouetted by the curtained window, a large man sat at a desk. He raised his head to look at the approaching courier.

The man behind the desk didn’t seem to be alarmed by the intrusion of this particular individual, though few men would dare to enter his office unannounced. The alarm sensors indicated that the courier was unarmed. The only metal on the courier’s person was in the special packet he carried in his left hand.

The courier laid the packet on the desk in front of the Security Chief and bowed, respectfully. The crisp lines of his clothing and his alert demeanor indicated nothing of the hours he had spent traveling halfway around the globe to deliver this information in person to his superior.

“This is from our American offices in New Mexico, sir,” the courier stated. “On this disk is the confirmation of the data you received last evening. It also contains the video; the proof you requested. It has been verified and is absolutely authentic.”

He stood, waiting silently.

“Thank you, Johnson,” the man behind the desk said. His voice was gravelly and hoarse, the result of too many cigars and his own second-hand smoke. “Go get something to eat. Report back in a hour.”

“Yes, sir!” the courier replied. Turning sharply on the balls of his feet, he turned and left the opulent office of the Security Chief.

Blacker waited until the door was closed.

“Computer, open security file ‘Jake Pestova’,” he ordered to no one in particular.

Blacker remembered the name easily, by now. A wall panel lit up. The file entries were displayed on the wall.

[Nov 9, 2059: Standard Security Check on job applicant Jake Pestova.]
[Subject’s records modified by Tabor Investigations, Inc. in 2051.]
[Subject’s actual age and birth date unknown.]

[Nov 11, 2059: Cross-reference Jake Pestova w/ legal:]
[American Military Intelligence: Nov 4, 1991: Ref: X file.]

[Nov 11, 2059: Request Data transfer: X file from MI to Tomlin Security Munich]
[Data Transfer Complete. Data from MI as follows:]

[Nov 4, 1991: X file closed due to termination of subject, Béla Wilson.]
[No DNA samples of subject available on site.]
[No physical evidence of termination of subject available.]
[For more information, request: Communication Blackout MI X, item 7.]

[Nov 11, 2059: Request Communication Blackout MI X, item 7.]
[Information not available.