Vivienne VanArdsdale was sitting at her desk reviewing everything she could find on Francois Rochette. She had even reached out to her contacts at Langley who were as surprised as she was with how little information there was on him. No mention of parents, education, siblings, spouses or girlfriends. It was as if he didn't exist prior to his business takeovers.
Yet, Vivienne knew he was well connected, smart, even savvy and her gut told her he was trouble. Both in the business world and, she suspected, in life as well. Something bothered her. Her CIA training kicking in telling her to trust her instincts regardless of what the facts might say.
It was always the unknown that intrigued her which, in turn, made her want to find out everything possible. She was good at it too, which was driving her crazy that she couldn't get a handle on Francois Rochette. Yet she was hopeful that she could find something she could use against him before he took over her fathers failing company.
Her phone rang.
"Hello. This is Vivienne." she answered.
Listening for only a moment, she hung up the phone, tapping it against her teeth. Taking a moment to consider what she had just been told. Her mind made up, she left her office abruptly, climbed into her custom made Mercedes S 560 4MATIC and drove home.
She packed a few clothes and her Sig-Sauer 1911 Ultra Compact Nickel pistol with custom g-10 Vector grips. It's size was perfect for a conceal carry. Vivienne was an expert marksman and liked the stopping power of the compact weapon and hoping she wouldn't have to use it.
She entered a specific address in her Google maps and laughed at the six plus hour drive time. She would make the trip in under five.
* * * * * * * * * *
Francois was reading an article about crypto currencies on his notepad when his private phone rang.
"Yes?"
The muffled voice spoke briefly while Francois listened and grunted before hanging up. He sat back against the leather seat, contemplating for a moment before telling Adam to turn the car around. Back to Pittsburgh.
"Vivienne" is back in town.
"Should I handle it?"
"Just send her an invitation. Let's see what she wants. This may turn out to be a positive thing."
He thought about his last encounter. He had everything in place to simply take over her father's company and rid himself of them both, but that causes public backlash and possible investigations, which Francois Rochette did not want. If she's reconsidered the offer he had previously made... His mind ran through the possibilities.
* * * * * * * * * *
Kharma remained professional while broadcasting the news, but her mind was elsewhere. If not for the years of routine in front of the camera, she might have lost it completely. Her producer noticed, but doubted anyone else did.
"And, we're out. Okay everybody, I'm off the next week, so Kwame will be the producer. See him if you have any questions. Kharma. Can I see you in my office?"
Following him to his office, she closed the door behind her, knowing that Bob had something important on his mind. What, she wasn't sure, but she would now find out.
"Do you know Vivienne VanAardsdale?" he asked her.
"No. Should I?"
"She said she wanted to talk to you in private about Francois Rochette."
"Did she say what about?"
Kharma wasn't sure if anyone at the station knew of her relationship with Francois, but wouldn't be surprised if they did. Still she wanted to keep that information tight. As to this VanAardsdale woman, she had no clue. Was this someone that Francois was seeing too?
Jealousy flushed her face.
"No, but she alluded to your safety."
"My safety?"
"Who can say. But I did a little research on her. She's the CEO of a plastic extruding company in some small town up north. Took over for her dead father."
"So, she thinks I'm in some sort of danger?"
"Apparently. At least that's how she made it sound."
"Well I don't think I have anything to fear from Mr. Rochette."
"Me either, but I wanted you to know. She felt it was urgent to meet with you. I took her number down."
"Skip it Bob. I'm not going to listen to a woman who clearly sounds like a lunatic."
Kharma opened his office door and paused, turning back and looking at Bob.
"What do you think I should do?"
"She seemed pretty sane to me. It wouldn't hurt to listen to what she had to say, would it?"
Kharma turned and left his office without giving the thought any more consideration. She went to her own office and unlocked a desk drawer. She paused for a moment before taking out a manila folder. She stared at the name on the tab. "Rochette". Making up her mind, she put the folder in her bag and went to her car and drove off.
* * * * * * * * * *
Vivienne had barely checked into her hotel when there was a call on her cell phone.
"Hello, this is Vivienne."
"Hello Ms. VanAardsdale. Mr. Rochette wanted to invite you to dinner. A car and driver will be waiting for you at your hotel at seven."
The line went dead. The caller didn't identify himself, nor did he wait for her to reply. He simply hung up. Vivienne new this was not an invitation she would be allowed to ignore. She looked at the clock, it read four-thirty three. Enough time to see an old friend first.
She left her hotel room without taking her phone. She couldn't take the chance that her phone was hacked and she could be tracked. She also didn't use her car either. She relied on her CIA training and 'barrowed' someone else's car assuming that Rochette had someone watching her.
An inconspicuous Ford Taurus would have to do. She drove out of the covered parking lot and headed south. It wasn't a very long drive until she reached her destination. Entering a six digit code on the security keypad, the door sprung open to a large warehouse.
A man looked up and blurted.
"What are you doing here?"
He was a tall man and looked her up and down with something just less than disdain.
"Dan! I'm surprised at you. And after all these years too."
Vivienne said with just a little too much sarcasm.
"So the bitch is back eh?"
"Never mind that now. I've got something I need you to do and I don't have time for any bullshit."
