The Enigma Broker

Mystery, Thriller & Suspense

synopsis

Synopsis

Inexplicable drops in world markets for oil, copper, coal, and other commodities are destabilizing nations to the point of economic collapse. A conspicuous increase in production numbers for primary oil producing companies results in a call for help from governments and a large oil distributor. The R-Group quietly engages amid fears that further drops in value could devastate civilization.
Jacob Michaels is called directly by ePetro’s Mike Patrick, CEO of the multinational oil broker, due to some prior data and network security he had performed. The early investigation into the production number manipulation by Jacob, with his coworker and lover Petra, suggests the problem is a result of hacking by a Dark Matter Organization. Where is the DMO operating, who is at the helm driving commodity prices down, and how does the search evolve into a perilous hunt which puts Jacob, Petra, and other members of R-Group directly into the path of mortal danger!?
Hidden leadership of the DMO is fierce and lethal when it comes to protecting the organization and its plans of global commodities market control. The enforcers of this agenda are quick to execute orders without question as soon as they are issued. R-Group’s advantage of leading technology resources, brilliant technologists, and years of experience may not be enough to locate the genius source bent on commodity market domination. Has cyber good versus evil from the Darknet become a challenge they simply cannot win?
The Enigma Broker, by Breakfield and Burkey, the award-winning authors of The Enigma Series, takes readers on a journey from the affluence of London to the extreme poverty of Panama and everywhere in between. The layers of planning and conspiracy by the cruel DMO supply suspense and intrigue to the very end.

bio

Author Biography

1st place winners TxAuthors; ABR 5 star awards for audio books; InD'Tale Crowned Heart Awards; CIPA Merit Award; Short Story Winners; Dan Poynter multiple winner; Breakfield and Burkey bring their Techno-Thriller series to life. Breakfield is a solution architect, for a high-tech manufacturer, who designs hybrid data/telecom environments. He is a technology geek, who enjoys writing, studying World War II, travel, and cultural exchanges. His love of wine tasting, cooking, and Harley riding has found inroads into the stories. As a child he moved often with his father’s military career, which even now helps his with the various character perspectives he helps bring to life in the series. Burkey Is a business architect who builds solutions for customers on a technology foundation. She has written many technology documents & white papers, but loves writing fiction. As a child she helped to lead kids with exciting new adventures built on make believe characters, a Girl Scout until high school, and contributed to the community as a young member of a Head Start program. Rox enjoys family, learning, listening to people, travel, outdoor activities, sewing, cooking, and thinking about how to diversify the series. Reach out to them at Authors@EnigmaSeries.com

website

Author Insight

It's Gonna Cost You, Bro!

Mike Patrick is a self-important man who values himself above everything else. He is mean-spirited, manipulative, and willing to walk over his own grandmother to obtain his goal. Jacob is one of the top contributor heroes of the R-Group. He's grown adept at reading people over our series. Being no stranger to Mike and his standard operating procedures, the price to solve his problem is at a premium. So much so the reader will be able to hear Mike swallow hard at the price. Have you had an offer for a job you didn't want so you priced yourself high. The good news is when you priced yourself out of the running. The bad news is when you didn't. You can enjoy The Enigma Broker in eBook, paperback or audible formats. We look forward to your feedback. Check out our website at https://www.enigmaseries.com Thank you!

Book Excerpt

The Enigma Broker

Jacob replied, “Mr. Patrick, I worked for many organizations when I lived in New York, but I do not recall working with ePETRO. Did you have a merger or acquisition that would have changed your firm’s name?”

Mike, at least five to ten years senior to Jacob, had been a new CTO at the time for MaraOil and had been impressed at the speed in which the young man had accomplished the systems review and had provided updates over a six month period to their internal workflows. The detail oriented service was what he felt he had needed for employees to find the root of the problems as well as get Marge the Barge off his ass. Apparently access to information was still a part of this young man’s skillset.

“You worked on some network testing, certifications, and security issues when I worked at MaraOil. I have since moved on in essentially the same field but as a CEO for ePETRO, which is a multinational commodities broker.

“I am having some issues with data analysis and potential data corruption of the partner production information, since my return from Egypt. I am typically found these days in London, but we have offices in several countries in which we do business. Do you still work in security and data handling, or have you moved on to some other field?”

Jacob recalled the man and the operations he had run at MaraOil. At the time, Mike had been essentially a jerk to his staff and to his help. The work product Jacob had delivered was stellar, and he had received a bonus post effort. The guy had a way of belittling his staff and definitely did not have the knowledge for operations for the company. Jacob had to return for fast training segments several times one-on-one with Mr. Patrick. The guy was a weasel, but the project sounded in line with the issue Wolfgang had related. Premium pricing though, definitely the big bucks to work with this guy.

“Mr. Patrick, I do work in the information systems profession and provide contract work for customers all over the world. I can send some of our team members to take a look at your issues, and then assess a project cost to you. Possibly as early as next …”

Mike’s panic was instantaneous as he interrupted, “No. I need you, specifically. I have seen you work, and your former boss says you hold the highest confidence levels for your customers’ business issues. My problem is very immediate, and I am more than willing to pay top dollar to get you onsite. I can put you up in the finest accommodations and provide you with a driver, anything you need to meet my timeline.”

The desperation of the man was quite evident. Jacob knew that sort of attitude was usually because other avenues had failed, and a boss above was screaming. Sounded like a hornets’ nest. Jacob started a slow grin. It was exactly the kind of situation he worked best in, but contracts were typically handled by Otto. Almost as if on cue, an IM window hit Jacob’s display with:

I am sending you a dropbox and secure email account for his information. It is now the current work item on your screen. You can provide a briefing to the team. I can schedule a meeting with team if you wish. ePETRO is having serious investor issues at present, they control about 40% of the oil distribution markets. The summary of this information is now in document ePETRO.1 Standard premium rates are currently at 500 Euros per hour with a PO guaranteed for a 25,000 Euro minimum (or three days including travel costs)

Jacob smiled as he read ICABOD’s IM then said, “Mr. Patrick, I will need information background before I can commit to tomorrow. I will need a PO for a minimum of twenty-five thousand Euros, which covers the first three days of my time at your locations. I need details of the issue, when it began, steps you have taken to date, my contact while on site, and of course administrative access to your systems.”

Mike was stunned. The price was high, and the access would take some time. He mentally reviewed the risk of not taking this action.

“Mr. Patrick, are you still there? Did you hear what I said? Do you want to continue?”