Mrs. Wintergreen was all too aware of the real threat of industrial or corporate espionage. Corporate espionage is probably not what you think of when you hear the word 'spy.' It's usually not glamorous or physically dangerous. Sometimes, it's as simple as a man, or woman sitting in front of a computer with a mobile phone, sending screenshots to his or her employer's competitors. Corporate espionage is the act of stealing proprietary information, trade secrets, or intellectual property from a business and giving or selling it to another.
When Kristina Sullivan came on her radar, the 'take no prisoners' HoD sensed something rotten in the state of Denmark. Twice in her first week, Sullivan had been seen loitering for no reason in the vicinity of Marian's office on the twentieth floor of Number 20 Fenchurch Street, the commercial skyscraper in the City's historical district. Whenever they crossed paths, the young woman with the dirty blonde hair acted furtively and aloof. Marian was determined to find out once and for all the gravity of a possible transgression. She made sure to tell her secretary of a false appointment. The tall forty-one-year-old vixen stood outside her office and spoke in a deliberately loud voice.
"Thank you, Miss. Peabody. I shall be out of the building for the remainder of the day."
"Understood, Mrs. Wintergreen."
Marian hid away out of sight for a good two hours and was not surprised when Peabody called her on her mobile to inform her that Sullivan had wasted no time in sneaking into her office.
"Right. Call security and have them meet me outside my office in three minutes. And ask for Dalglish."
Dalglish duly showed up. A fairly new security official who Marian thought looked quite dapper in his navy uniform. He was of medium height with fair hair and blue eyes. She gave him the nod and they burst in. Kristina froze on the spot. Surprised, guilty, and naturally disgruntled. She momentarily turned her back and made a subtle wiggle of the hips. Then she spun around sharply and raised her chin haughtily.
"Excuse me, but can you explain what you're doing in my office uninvited?"
Marian seethed with arms folded and her left heel beating out a tattoo on the carpet. She stared at the blonde coldly and looked her over thoroughly. At close to six feet tall in heels, she wore a flouncy white shirt and short black skirt. Kristina looked flustered and lost for words. She swept her long wavy hair back and spread her hands.
"Well...I was..."
"Nobody enters this office without an appointment. Nobody. Cuff her, Dalglish."
The guard moved swiftly and plonked the perplexed woman into a seat and pulled her arms behind her. In a trice, her hands were threaded through the back of the chair and her wrists were firmly secured. As she fidgeted she fumed and cursed.
"Let me go this Instant. You can't keep me here against my will."
Mrs. Wintergreen waved her phone in the woman's face and shrugged.
"You may call the authorities or even a lawyer if you wish. No?"
Kristina turned her head and kept her mouth shut.
"I have nothing to say."
"Nothing? On the contrary. I think you have a lot to say. Did you really think you could get away with it?"
Kristina feigned innocence but visibly trembled.
"What are you talking about?"
"Do you do this sort of thing often? Spying? Thieving secrets? Tell me who are you working for? Come on. Are you going to cooperate?"
"Of course not."
"So, you're just going to waste our time."
"Whatever. All I hear is blah, blah, blah."
"Insolent slut! Well, the more I hear YOUR blah, blah, blah. The longer you'll remain in that seat."
"Is this even legal?"
"Trust me. You're going nowhere until you give me answers. Tell me who you work for."
"You can't keep me here all fucking day."
"I want names. Now."
"I won't talk. And you can't make me."
"Oh. I'll get you to talk, believe you me. Actually, I'm rather pleased you refuse to spill your guts. I prefer to deal with insubordination internally. That's why I employ men like Dalglish here."
"Yeah, I heard that you're one sadistic cow."
Kristina stole a look at the unblinking guard to stood to attention by the door. Marian sat at her mahogany desk and clicked on the keyboard of her PC with well-manicured nails. She hit history and read the last pages visited on the screen.
"The Paisley account. Are you interested in the Scottish merger? I think not. Now, the outlined strategy on the streaming of staff? Highly unlikely. Ah, this must be it. The company finances. Right. Are you working for 'them?' Really? How disappointing. Now why don't you just admit it and we're done here."
Mrs. Wintergreen went to her desk and Kristina watched her rummage through the top drawer. She turned to face the cuffed woman and tapped her riding crop against the outside of her thigh.
"Like my new persuader? Hmm? It's a baton whip with a nice rubber grip handle idle for a better grip. This won't slip out of one's hand, even if your palms get hot and sweaty. It also has a shock-absorbing gel end and a soft durable suede covering. I've whipped a few bare bottoms in my life both men and women and it never gets old."
