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Message: <blockquote data-quote="The Shaman" data-source="post: 2176136" data-attributes="member: 26473">Kristen and Brandon...[sblock]The agreement seems to pretty much be boilerplate, similar to other agreements both of you have signed in the past.[/sblock]After collecting the signed agreements from the assembled group, Slocum places them in his briefcase and removes an overstuffed legal-size manila folder, setting it on the coffee table. “I’m personal counsel for Dr. Martin. Recently one of Dr. Martin’s employees disappeared while on a business trip to San Diego. Attempts to locate this employee have not produced results.”Dr. Martin leans forward in his chair. “His name is Richard Gold. He’s one of our leading researchers.” He pauses briefly. “Rich was attending a conference in San Diego, the annual meeting of the International Association for Clinical Pharmacology. He attends every year, usually to present a paper on some aspect of his research for us. Rich was due to fly back to Seattle on the morning of April 29th.” The doctor glances around the room. “He never came home.”Outside the rain beats a tattoo, whipped by a freshening wind against the glass doors and the flagstone patio beyond. “When Dr. Gold didn’t show up for work by the following Tuesday and didn’t return calls to his home or his cell phone, Dr. Martin contacted the King County Sheriff’s Department. There was no indication that Dr. Gold had been to his residence since leaving for San Diego.” The attorney flips open the thick manila folder. “The next step was to contact our corporate security...”“We’re the U.S. subsidiary of Strelitzer Biomedizinisch A.G.,” interrupts Dr. Martin. “They employ a firm that provides security services for us.”Slocum nods. “The security service contacted the San Diego Police Department, which began an investigation. Dr. Gold checked out of his room on the morning of the eighth as planned, paid his bill, and took a shuttle to the airport where he exchanged his ticket for Seattle for flight to Caracas, Venezuela.” Slocum takes a sip from his drink. “He boarded the plane in San Diego and flew to Venezuela. After that we have no record of him.” Dr. Martin looks troubled as Slocum continues, “The security firm and the police confirmed that Dr. Gold boarded the plane – they interviewed the flight attendants and examined the airport security videos. He changed planes in Mexico City as planned, and the flight attendants confirmed that he exited the plane in Caracas. However, the Venezuelans report that Dr. Gold never cleared customs on arrival.” Slocum’s face is pensive. “Somewhere between the exit ramp and the customs checkpoint Dr. Gold vanished.”The attorney glances at Dr. Martin. “The security company’s report suggests that Dr. Gold may have been delivering trade secrets to another company at the time he disappeared...”“Don, that’s crap,” interrupts Dr. Martin angrily, rolling his eyes. He looks around the room at the group. “I recruited Rich away from Baylor University about six years ago. He’s been a huge asset for the company and a good friend to me.” The doctor shakes his head. “That just isn’t him. Besides, even if it was, he didn’t have any sensitive data with him. Corporate security checked his workstation and his home computer – nothing was disturbed, copied, or transmitted before or after he left. Our server mirrored his notebook before his trip – he had a PowerPoint presentation and a bunch of mp-3s on the hard drive, nothing of interest to anyone.” He pauses again. “That’s just not Rich,” he repeats.Slocum shrugs slightly. “As Dr. Martin said, Dr. Gold was an important asset to the company, so corporate security feels the need to explore all angles related to the business. They also suggested he may have been a target for kidnappers. However, we’ve received no indication of any kind of foul play or other interference.” Slocum glances at the files. “The security service checked his phone records, his e-mail activity, his bank records – he’s cashed no travelers’ cheques, made no charges to either his company or personal credit cards, contacted no one by cell phone or e-mail. We’ve interviewed his friends here and in Texas, even his ex-wife – no one has heard from him. The security firm has contacted the U.S. consulate in Caracas for assistance, but frankly, we’re at a loss of where to go next.”Dr. Martin leans settles back in his chair. “The security firm is focusing its effort on Venezuela. Their job is protecting the corporation’s interests first. I’m not satisfied that they’re doing enough for Rich. That’s why we’ve turned to you.” He arches his fingers together in front of him as he continues, “I’d like you to start a separate investigation, one that will be paid for by me directly. Take a fresh look at this, and see what you can turn up. I’m prepared to offer you each $2000.00 per week for two weeks, guaranteed, plus reasonable travel expenses and per diem if you accept.”Slocum flips the manila folder on the table shut and taps it with a finger tip. “These are copies of Dr. Gold’s e-mails, cell phone bills, credit card statements, and ATM records for the past three months. You’re welcome to examine them, but please treat them with care, for obvious reasons. Dr. Gold lives in Sammamish – the address is in the file.”Dr. Martin’s face is pensive as Slocum looks around the room. “Questions?”</blockquote>

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