Disclosure_ A Novel - Michael Crichton [143]
OPERATIONS REVIEW UNIT
“What’s that?” Fernandez said.
Sanders pressed the name and a new sheet fluttered up. He pushed a button marked SUMMARY and read the sheet aloud: “ ‘The Operations Review Unit was formed four years ago in Cupertino by Philip Blackburn to address problems not normally within Operations Management purview. The mission of the Review Unit was to improve management efficiency within DigiCom. Over the years, the Operations Review Unit has successfully resolved a number of management problems at DigiCom.’ ”
“Uh-huh,” Fernandez said.
“ ‘Nine months ago, the Operations Review Unit, then headed by Meredith Johnson of Cupertino Operations, undertook a review of the proposed manufacturing facility in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The immediate stimulus for the review was a conflict with the Malay government over the number and ethnic composition of workers employed at the proposed facility.’ ”
“Uh-oh,” Fernandez said.
“ ‘Led by Ms. Johnson, with legal assistance from Mr. Blackburn, the Operations Review Unit had outstanding success in resolving the many problems facing DigiCom’s Malaysian operation.’ ”
“What is this, a press release?” Fernandez said.
“Looks like it,” Sanders said. He read on: “ ‘Specific issues concerned the number and ethnic composition of workers employed at the facility. The original plans called for seventy workers to be employed. Responding to the requests of the Malay government, Operations Review was able to increase the number of workers to eighty-five by reducing the amount of automation at the plant, thus making the facility more suitable to the economy of a developing country.’ ” Sanders looked over at Fernandez. “And screwing us completely,” he said.
“Why?”
He continued: “ ‘In addition, a cost-savings review generated important fiscal benefits in a number of areas. Costs were reduced with no detriment to product quality at the plant. Air-handling capacity was revised to more appropriate levels, and outsourcing supplier contracts were reallocated, with substantial savings benefit to the company.’ ” Sanders shook his head. “That’s it,” he said. “That’s the whole ball game.”
“I don’t understand,” Fernandez said. “This makes sense to you?”
“You’re damned right it does.”
He pushed the DETAIL button for more pages.
“I am sorry,” the angel said, “there is no more detail.”
“Angel, where are the supporting memos and files?” Sanders knew that there had to be massive paperwork behind these summary changes. The renegotiations with the Malay government alone would fill drawers of files.
The angel said, “I am sorry. There is no more detail available.”
“Angel, show me the files.”
“Very well.”
After a moment, a sheet of pink paper flashed up:
THE DETAIL FILES ON
OPERATIONS REVIEW UNIT/MALAYSIA
HAVE BEEN DELETED
SUNDAY 6/14 AUTHORIZATION DC/C/5905
“Hell,” Sanders said.
“What does that mean?”
“Somebody cleaned up,” Sanders said. “Just a few days ago. Who knew all this was going to happen? Angel, show me all communications between Malaysia and DC for the past two weeks.”
“Do you wish telephone or video links?”
“Video.”
“Press V.”
He pushed a button, and a sheet uncurled in the air:
“Burning up the satellite links,” Sanders said, staring at the list. “Arthur Kahn and Meredith Johnson talked almost every day until June fourteenth. Angel, show me these video links.”
“The links are not available for viewing except for 6/15.”
That had been his own transmission to Kahn, two days earlier. “Where are the others?”
A message flashed up:
THE VIDEO FILES ON
OPERATIONS REVIEW UNIT/MALAYSIA
HAVE BEEN DELETED
SUNDAY 6/14 AUTHORIZATION DC/C/5905
Scrubbed again. He was pretty sure who had done it, but he had to be sure. “Angel, how do I check deletion authorization?”
“Press the data you desire,” the angel said.
Sanders pressed the authorization number. A small sheet of paper came upward out of the top sheet and hung in the air:
AUTHORIZATION DC/C/5905 IS
DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS
CUPERTINO/OPERATIONS EXECUTIVE
SPECIAL PRIVILEGES NOTED
(NO OPERATOR ID NECESSARY)