Everyone having sex is at least 18. This story is 100% is fiction, I made it all up. Warning: this is a self-edited story. I do use Grammarly to help reduce my ability to murder the English language. Volunteers for story continuity or editing desired I would love a second opinion.
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Chapter 14 - Technology
Anna's point of view ...
There is a delivery at the door, Ron's phone and laptop came in. I sign for the package, take it upstairs, and hand Ron the phone and the computer.
I tell Ron, "Send a text to (my number). Add me to your phone book. Now text Cindy at (her number) and then Beth at (her number). Our lawyer, Bill, is at (his personal number) 24 x 7. So ... (dramatic pause) ... how are you going to contact your friends if you don't have a memory? Two days ago, you can't remember I exist. Not accusing you of anything, just a simple question."
Ron answers, "It's weird. When I need to know something, I can pull it from memory like how the guys treated the nurses overseas. Yet my friends, the enemy, things I did, are a blur at best and mostly just not there. I am getting bits and pieces back."
"I know some of the guys that came home and some that didn't. I have a lot of stones to see in Arlington someday, some very special people did not come back with me. I don't remember the laughing, crying, and joking around but then I also don't remember the killing either. I think that is a fair tradeoff. I hope it stays that way, I got this bad feeling there is much I don't want to remember."
I add, "Well, I think you did some good as well. A guy by the name of Anthony ..."
Ron slips in "My commander" with a puzzled face like he is surprised he remembered that.
I continue from being interrupted, "he said there were 100 volunteers to get you, but he only allowed a small group. I think you left a lasting impression on many people. Ok, how about we stop this before I start to cry again and let you get to work, you need to earn your money little brother."
Ron smiles his little devil smile, "I am getting paid?"
I explain, "Oh yeah, I guess we forgot to tell you. You are making a nice salary, not sure how much, ask Cindy, she handles the finances. Because it was your idea to start this company we put a portion of our profits aside for either you or a VA hospital, happily, you survived to claim your share. Currently, I think it's worth about $75 million dollars give or take a few hundred thousand. Cindy invests really wisely."
Ron didn't seem surprised at all. I could not believe his expression. Last week he is living in a bottle and he just finds out he is worth 75 million dollars and it's like I gave him a roast beef sandwich.
He surprises me with, "I guess I have some hospital wings to buy. They helped me out a lot, I need to return the favor. Thank you, sis, I love you. Now go back to work, you must have a lot to do, let me do my part. Oh, one last thing, what's the WIFI password?"
I reply, "We don't have one, it's too hard to remember that stuff."
Ron huffs, "Let me see your phone." I show him my phone, he turns it on. "No security? Anna! I want to see every phone and tablet used in this house. I need to know the hostnames of all your desktop computers."
Two minutes later ...
Ron looks pissed, "Call the company that helps with your computers and tell them they are fired. They need to get their spyware, viruses, tracking software, and extortion ware off your systems. Then explain they need to YouTube the video called 'Guy kicks some major ass', it will be at the top of the list. Dad showed it to me at the hospital.
"Then explain that the guy in the video is your brother and new head of security. Their perving and tracking days are done. If I find any trace of their software on any of our devices, the lawsuit will be the least of their worries."
I leave the room in shock. Ron immediately starts making calls and opens the laptop. It's brand new from an office supply store, he figures it's clean. I go to my office and made the call to our computer vendor. I told him to look up the video, I heard some clicking, then an "oh wow, look at that guy kick ass. Holly shit." I then go on to explain Ron's demands and his threat. The man said that a few techs would be right over. He was very polite.
I spend the next few hours giving the devices to the techs and listening to them apologize over and over. I guess they didn't realize Ron was upstairs with a knife wound. I sure wasn't going to tell them. As they are finishing up the doorbell rings.
I answer the door and a nice looking, young man is standing there. He says, "Hello Anna. My name is Tim. I am a friend of Ron's and am here to add some security to your life."
Tim steps inside and walks to the techs. "Hello, my name is Tim. I am a friend of the family and I know what you have done. You had better pray that I don't find anything on the computers or I will personally ruin your life. I can assure you I can make that happen. You will go back to your office and delete every recording, picture, and text message from here. Then you will repeat that process at each of your homes. Would you like me to read off your addresses and the names of your home computing device names? I will be watching."
Those guys turn white as ghosts, all four of them. Then they blubbered, "It's ok, we removed everything. We will delete everything. Every computer will be NSA wiped, there will be nothing left at work or at home. I give you my word."
Tim seethes, "Yeah, I bet you gave these women your word as well. I will be watching." Then he smiles and walks up the stairs towards my room to see Ron.
*****
It is dinner time now, I ask Tim to stay for dinner. He had been at the house all afternoon working on our systems.
Tim says, "Thank you very much but I am done here, I need to see all three of you before I leave."
I gather the girls for Tim.
Tim hands each of us our cell phone and tablets back. I opened mine and it asks for a password. I look at Tim with a blank look on my face.
Tim looks at me and says, "362434, Beth, 342634, Cindy 282526." We look at him, he smiles, and then it dawned on me. The password wasn't 362434, it was 36-24-34, my measurements.
With an astonished face, I stumble out, "How?"