He sat behind his computer screen and let the glow of the screen bathe his face in an omniscient mask. No sooner had he finished preparing himself he heard his phone ring.

"Sir, Ms Sarah Buchanan is here to see you."

"Of course. Send her in."

Sarah Buchanan was the office plain Jane. She was 5'9", red hair that never could lay still, lots of legs, and a complete klutz. She was the administrator for budgeting, working with other drones a few floors down. Still her unassuming appearance hid a brilliant mind for money. If only she'd been a bit smarter than Nikolai.

"Mr. Petrov, i-its a honor Sir. We actually met once. At the Christmas party... every year since I came on..."

She was nervous, he liked when they were nervous. He speaks with the slightest accent yet his English was impeccable.

"Ms Buchanan. I understand you have worked for budgeting for us for some time. Four and a half years to be precise. In that time you have overseen the paperwork and budgets of three separate branches and almost 208 employees. That's quite a responsibility."

"Oh, yes I love worki-"

"I have not finished Ms Buchanan. Two years ago you were denied a promotion to the head of budgeting. An office right under my own. It's curious that in that time I've noticed an anomaly in the company finances."

Just like that Sarah's eyes became as wide as possible and her breath caught in her chest. She went even more pale than she already was.

"To be specific there are currently 19 persons on the payroll in West Africa yet we only have 16 people actually working there. I'd ask you to explain yourself yet I know you will weep and beg and that may come later. For now you must listen and obey. I have the utmost respect for someone attempting to secure their future. I also cannot abide theft unless I am included. Your work was easy to detect once I knew where to begin looking."

Sarah was shaking now, her body screaming at her to run or fight or just fall over and beg for mercy. She finally let out a breath and the tears began to come down. As she wept Nikolai came over and placed a box of tissues in her hand.

"Shush now. As I had said I have the utmost respect. So here is the deal. You will continue to embezzle these funds and I will show you how to hide them better. You will transfer all money from the accounts to one of mine that I may launder it for you."

"Really? Y-you'd help me? Why?"