Code Matters by Dave Balcom

Author:Dave Balcom
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: suspense, adventure, action, technology, oregon, murder and theft
Publisher: Dave Balcom

Chapter 21

I watched as looks of sadness and confusion wafted across his face. He took his handkerchief out of his pocket. and started polishing his glasses. He looked up at me. Without his glasses, I was hit by a feeling for how naked his face looked at that moment.

When he put his handkerchief away, it was as if he’d mentally shrugged again, “In the spring of 1995 I came up with a plan for a year-long series on the ‘Unsung Stars of Silicon Valley.’ I figured it to be a tribute to the entrepreneurs whose success stories paled in comparison to the stories of Fredrick Terman, Bill Hewlett, Dave Packard, Steve Jobs, and Bill Gates, but whose work pushed the technology explosion just the same.

“I made the proposal at one of our quarterly planning retreats. We pay for a weekend at one of the resorts, staff brings family and friends and we have a big planning session. After my proposal, Missy Strange, one of our original hires as an editorial assistant, raised her hand, ‘I have a neighbor who might be one of those people.’

“I was instantly brightened; Missy didn’t say much, but we’d all come to realize that when she did say something, it was wise to pay attention. ‘Who’s that, Missy?’

“She was hesitant, as always, ‘I think his name’s Frank, maybe Al or something like that. I don’t know him at all, really, but he lives in the complex, just a different building. I see him coming and going.’

“Sylvia Anderson, the staff’s main technology reporter and a good friend to Missy, looked like she was in tease mode, ‘Is he good looking?’

“Missy made a face, ‘He’s old, but he takes care of himself; trim, fit-looking, but really. He has to be 30-something, maybe even 40.’”

I couldn’t help but laugh, “As young as that, she was, of course, serious.”

“Exactly, but I couldn’t let her off the hook, ‘That’s not all that old, child; you could cultivate some respect for your elders.’

“Missy blushed, ‘I didn’t mean.’ but Sylvia took her off the hook, ‘You have a phone number for this guy? Know any of his history? I have a certain interest in ‘older guys,’ which raised a laugh from the rest of us.

“Missy relaxed in the face of the joke, but then became serious, ‘No, but I know he works in the field. He’s self-employed, lives well, but, you know, nothing ostentatious.’

“Sylvia decided to push her joke further, ‘Sounds to me as if you’ve been paying more than a little attention to this guy besides just thinking about our series.’

“Missy recoiled, ‘Oh, stop it; one of the women in my building is older. She’s paid attention, but said he’s pretty unapproachable.”

“Sylvia grinned at me, “I’ll try to cozy up next to him, if you want,’ to more chuckles around the room.

“I could see Missy was uncomfortable, so I decided to put an end to it, ‘Just do a preliminary, okay? If he’s one of the guys we want, he’ll be reticent.

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