Free DEAD BEEF (Our Cyber World Book 1) by Eduardo Suastegui Page B

team before a concussion suffered in training cut short his Navy Seals career. Both had been actively recruited by the ITAA, “and here we are,” Beloski had said, wrapping up the let-me-know-what-you've-done session.
    “Transportation is waiting,” Ochoa said, “And we have a change of clothes for you, plus hot showers where we're going.”
    Transportation consisted of an olive green Land Rover escorted by two military Humvees.
    “I didn't realize Land Rovers were standard issue for Uncle Sam,” Beloski said as they drove out of the airport.
    “They're not,” Ochoa replied. “But sometimes our friends will loan them when their interests are in play.”
    Beloski knew not to push the line of questioning lest the conversation stumble into classified territory. All he had to know was that Spencer's disappearance and the power outages in Los Angeles mattered to a larger international audience. That should surprise him least of all, he told himself.

    They arrived at InfoStream in Milpitas, California shortly after 5:30 AM. Company security personnel were awaiting their arrivals. They ushered the team in, showed them to the bathroom and shower rooms, and once everyone had showered and dressed, they received temporary no-escort badges for access to the vault.
    Once inside the vault, a guard ushered Ochoa and Beloski to a small conference room where they could conduct business.
    “Those other folks that came with us,” Ochoa said. “They're here to work on the investigation?”
    “Yeah,” Beloski said. “They're here to oversee the technical investigation and analysis the contractor team is performing. We can do a lot from D.C., but the brain trust is here.”
    “Even without Martin?”
    Beloski shrugged. “Time will tell.”
    Ochoa sat down, and Beloski did likewise across the table.
    “I bet you're dying to be in there with them,” Ochoa said.
    “Yeah, but I don't think that's why I'm here.”
    “Listen, Stan. The technology side of this thing is very interesting, but I'm not here for that. I'm here to find and recover my asset. If I touch the techno stuff, it's with the goal of getting my man. You get my point?”
    “Sure,” Beloski said. “And I'm here to help you with the technology, if you need to touch it. And with Martin and Julian since I know them personally.”
    “Yeah, especially with that second part.” Ochoa said. “Which brings me to what we're trying to accomplish today.”
    “All ears.”
    “How well would you say you know Mrs. Spencer?”
    Beloski felt himself tense up. “Cynthia?”
    “Yes.”
    “Well, we do go back. When she was more active in InfoStream, she and I would interface on business matters. We would socialize at company parties.”
    “OK,” Ochoa said. “And your interface with her, did it involve anything beyond the business or social acquaintance aspect?”
    “I suspect you already think you know the answer to that question. Just lay it on the table.”
    “Look, this is not about you. I'm not here to get you.” Ochoa leaned in. “I just want us to be on the same page, make sure we trust each other so we can work together effectively.”
    Beloski considered his options then said, “She and I had a brief affair. We both agreed it was a mistake and broke it off.”
    “On good terms?”
    “We're still friends. Just friends.”
    “You never reported this,” Ochoa noted.
    Beloski didn't reply. He knew he should have reported the affair as part of his bi-yearly security self-assessment. He never had been able to bring himself to put it on paper. Now he felt like a bigger fool. Everyone in security back at the ITAA and probably here at InfoStream had known all along.
    “I'm guessing Cynthia reported it for both of us,” Beloski said, wondering how that would be the case since Cynthia had left InfoStream by the time the affair occurred.
    “That's not important. But you reported it to me just now, so we're cool.”
    “Why does any of this matter now?” Beloski