The CleanSweep Conspiracy

Claussen peered at his comrades over the rim of his cup. He savored the taste and enjoyed the moment. He was about to reveal the final details of Project CleanSweep. If this day went as planned, he would be able to begin implementation within weeks, if not days.

The highly caffeinated brew he was drinking, combined with his nervous tension, raised his heart rate perceptibly; he could feel his entire body pulsing, in fact.

He was ready.

“Gentlemen,” he said, placing his cup down, “I promised you further details. But before we begin…” He lifted the leather attaché case and put it on the table. It was the case he had never let out of his sight. The fasteners opened with a click, and he raised the lid. He removed an electronic device the size of a compact digital camera. He extended an antenna and turned the gadget on.

“This was simple to make. And after thinking about the radio Winston uses to communicate with the kitchen, I want to guarantee that we will have no eavesdropping. You are about to hear critical, sensitive details. Various people on my staff were assigned to various parts of CleanSweep’s development, but only I have the entire picture. By the time we break for lunch, the four of us will hold the future in our grasp.” He paused for effect and looked at each of the other three men in turn.