Hollywood Zenith



" It is a multi-part worm that spreads across computer OS and can embed itself with other storage devices. For this instance, it targeted relay devices with a specific enough load.

Once it took over the station, it would update its code and send damage instructions to the equipment controlled by the whole network.

On the other side, it sent false feedback to the central controller so people wouldn't know what was happening until the hardware started to self-destruct." Adrian explained further.

" But how did they know where to send the virus?" Jane asked.

" Right, they might be watching us somehow," Steve added.

" Not necessarily; they might be aware of your existence, but as far as I can guess, they targeted specific keywords that Jane might be researching. It's just a hunch, but that's how I would have done it." It was near impossible to know how they got into their system. There were no logs to reference.

" I will start the fail-safe procedure. We can relocate to our other safe house just to be sure." Steve decided it was best they moved to another location.

" How would that solve the problem? If they are targeting us like Adrian suggests, it would be impossible to research online."

" Don't worry about that; I have a personalized VPN service that I coded myself. That should keep you safe for now." Adrian offered a solution. He and Jane began discussing other technical aspects while Steve called other team members.

After Steve gave his order, they were fully packed within an hour. Ze was constantly hauling large pieces of equipment inside the pickup truck while Cho kept watch of their surroundings.

Soon, they were cruising on the main road in two cars heading to their following location. Steve, Jane, and Adrian were in one vehicle while the rest of the team followed their car.

" By the way, we ran into a little problem earlier in the lobby," Steve said; he was preoccupied with a potential threat, so he failed to mention the Bailey case.

He told her what had transpired and about Samuel's orders to take a hard look at Mason, the chief of the police department.

" Suits them right! These types of bastards should just rot in jail!" Jane proclaimed she always hated these types of individuals who exploited women.

" I agree, but I don't think they would do that much time presuming they do any, but if they found other victims or concrete proof, it would be another matter entirely," Adrian said. He knew for influential people, many doors could get you out of trouble.

" I think it would be fine; Boss deployed Grandpa Arthur personally to look into it," Steve informed.

" Good, that old man is a very meticulous person. I am sure he would find something." Jane said confidently. Over the years, she knew most of the people in the Rothschild family, but the old man Arthur was still a mystery to her, but she knew what he was capable of.

Arthur and Samuel were the two people she could never look past; there were too many strange occurrences that everyone got accustomed to it. 

" We should hurry up. The boss wanted to investigate the chief remember? Adrian could help you set up your system, then we would have to do some legwork." Steve increased the speed.

" Wait, hold on, that would not work. I can't get into the police servers that easily; it's best to plug in directly." Jane realized the problem.

" She is right. Hacking into law enforcement servers is a federal offense; it's best to have an inside man to feed you information." Adrian added.

" That wouldn't be viable; we need time for that which we don't have. Even if we throw money around, who knows, we can trust the individual. What should we do?" Steve said.

" I have an idea. Let's drop off the equipment and go out on a date!" Jane said enthusiastically.

" What? Date? Are you joking?" Steve was baffled she was taking it this lightly.

" Adrian, you could set up the system, right? Also, extend your stay in the States. We might need you." Jane ignored Steve for now.

" I can't. Who would look after the kids? I was to stay here for only half a day; I have already extended it by a few hours."

" Don't worry about that; I will send someone to your house to see to that. Besides I am sure you don't mind some more money for your excellent services? I will make sure there will be premium charges seeing the forceful nature of my proposal."

" Alright. I guess I could stay." Hearing Jane talk about more money, he was satisfied. A few days here didn't sound that bad.

" Hello, I am still here. You still haven't told me about why you mentioned a date?" Steve butted in, asking again.

" You should be more romantic at a time like this; I am asking you out on a date. Shouldn't that make you happy?" Jane teased.

" I am happy, but don't we have more pressing matters to attend to? It's bad to mix business with pleasure." Steve shrugged; he gave up figuring out what was on her mind.

" That line is for movies. You should treat her better or else-" Adrian jumped in with snide remarks.

" Or else what?"

"Nothing.."

" Come on, say it! I like to hear you say it!" Steve said aggressively.

" I will only say Jane is a gorgeous woman."

" Why, thank you. That's very sweet of you." Jane turned back and gave Adrian a cute smile seeing which Steve was furious. What he didn't see was Jane giving a sneaky wink.

" Are you two purposely trying to make me mad?" He glared at Jane for a second before focusing on the road. If he was not driving, he would indeed teach them a lesson!

" Why are you mad when you are not even remotely interested in going on a date with me?"

" I never said that!"

" Right, you sounded so excited..." Adrian dealt a sneaky blow.

" Shut up! I am not talking to you!" Steve said frustratingly.

" But he is right?" Jane said smugly.

" That's enough. I am pulling over!" Steve jerked the car to the side.

" I am sorry, Honey!"

" Big brother! Please have mercy!"

Both of them roared simultaneously, and they realized they had gone a little overboard.

...

...

...

At the same time, outside the Ritz-Carlton hotel Samuel and Liliana were hastily pacing toward the exit when someone stopped them again.

" Mr. Samuel, Miss Liliana, I hope the food was for your liking?" The hotel manager was in the lobby waiting for them with a pleasant smile.

" Y-yes, It was great." Liliana didn't know the reason behind his smile. She assumed everyone already knew they were caught in a compromising position.

" Miss Liliana? Are you alright? I can see your face is turning red."

" She is fine," Samuel replied first, trying to end their conversation. He knew why she was like that.

" I can arrange a suite if you like; we would be happy if you stayed with us." The manager didn't know anything; he was genuinely concerned.

" That wouldn't be necessary. If there is nothing else, we will take our leave." Samuel grabbed Liliana's waist softly, leading her toward the exit.

" Please visit us again!" The manager said from the back, seeming confused by this bizarre encounter.

He returned to the third floor and inquired about it from the staff and chef. They told them how the waitress caught them in the act and how awkward the lunch was. The manager chuckled, learning about it.

The young couple who was unfazed during a criminal encounter was cool as ice, but they were this distressed over such a trivial matter? Ah, Innocent youth...

" Is it really that embarrassing? You are still blushing." Samuel said while stroking her back a little; they were waiting for the valet to bring their car around.

  " We could wait in the shade if you want?" He asked again.

" It's fine.." Right at that moment, their car arrived.

" Here you go, sir." He was handing the keys to Samuel when Liliana snatched them.

" I am driving." She proclaimed as she entered the driving seat.

" Are you sure? It's a little hard to operate this model." Samuel asked; it was, after all, his Spyker C12 Zagato, which did have an automatic transmission, but it was super fast too.

" Yeah, get in."

" Ok " Samuel was a little hesitant at first, but seeing her smooth control out of the driveway, he relaxed his mind.

Meanwhile, Daniel had placed a few men outside as security if another problem arose for Liliana.

" They are moving. I can see young miss is driving the car." one of them informed.

" How so she is driving? Follow them." The man in charge urged the driver. They were a four-man team that was driving an inconspicuous SUV.

" Yes, sir." They tailed the car until it reached the main road, upon which the Spyker accelerated violently.

" We are losing them! It's too damn fast!"

" Stay on it! Drive faster!" But yelling couldn't help them increase their speed; soon, the Spyker was out of sight.

" We lost them." The driver slowed down a little, looking left and right to see if he missed them at any of these turns.

" This route is filled with intersections; I don't think we can find them."

" That's not the main problem; this is a completely different direction than Maywood. Where are they going?" one of them said.

" You are right. We must trust the young man to bring her home tonight."

" I don't think they have any intention to do it. Why else would she drive that fast?" They could only keep up with conjectures hoping they would uphold their promise or else their team would be getting the flack for it.