* * *
4:01 P.M...
Hellenistic Sector, Enterprise Vicinage...
Sphinx Corporation Second Branch Office...
Mr. Griffin walked into the Vice President's office that smelled of tobacco. It wasn't NicPhake but real tobacco. The layout of the office was similar to his own.
"Thank you for seeing me on such short notice, Vice President."
"It was no problem, always happy to see you Janus." Mr. Horus' black hair was slicked back, and he wore a light blue business suit and his thin face was rat-like.
Mr. Griffin could never get past staring at the man's pointed nose and rodent like teeth. "I haven't gone by that name in years."
"True, but I am very fond of it." Mr. Horus held up a wooden box. "Cigar, Janus?"
Mr. Griffin gestured no with his hand. "I don't smoke." He then asked, "If we are using fond names, should I then call you the Chairman?"
Mr. Horus scowled as he cut off the end of the roll with a cigar snip. "What brings you to the Second Branch Office?"
"The files you sent over with Orthos. I was wondering if you had anymore."
"No." Mr. Horus lit up his cigar with a match. "I sent over all that I had." He puffed on the roll. "Why?" He arched a thin black eyebrow. "Was there anything in particular you were looking for?"
Mr. Griffin paused, wondering if he should mention it. Knowledge was power, and he could be giving him quite a bit of it. Hesitant, he asked, "Do you know anything about the First Cross-Gate Event or the Second Trial?"
Mr. Horus' mouth curled into a rat smirk. "First Cross-Gate Event and the Second Trial... Why are you wondering about them?"
Mr. Griffin glowered and then replied, "In the files you sent over, Theresa is mentioned present at the First Cross-Gate Event."
"And?" Mr. Horus urged, smiling all the more.
Mr. Griffin glowered again. "And the file states my second daughter survived and that she was taken in hopes the study of her development would shed some light before the Second Trial."
Mr. Horus crossed his legs. "You got all that from the files I sent over?"
"No, I do have other sources. Now... What about my questions?"
"All I have heard are rumors. The First Cross-Gate Event is an Ultra-black Project, and the Second Trial is part of it." Mr. Horus puffed on the cigar and blew smoke up. "I know nothing else."
Mr. Griffin didn't believe him, and he said, "I have wasted your time and mine."
"Maybe not." Mr. Horus laid the cigar on an ash tray. "I'll contact the President, see if Mrs. Victoria Masterdom has any files she can send over from the Main Branch Office."
"Thank you." Mr. Griffin stood and headed for the door.
Mr. Horus picked up the cigar and flicked the ash. "Janus."
Mr. Griffin gritted his teeth at the name, calmed himself, and turned.
Satisfied he could still get a reaction from his once Head of Security, Mr. Horus said, "I think you should be more concerned with the First Trial than the Second. Push your investigation in that direction. You might find out more."
Mr. Griffin's view...
I nod and leave. The Vice President is up to something. He had these files for years, so why bring the information to my attention now?
#2 Shades of Gray: From Moscow, With Love Page 43
