Marcus felt a familiar, cold knot tighten in his chest. It was a feeling he hadn't experienced in decades, not since he was a young, struggling programmer getting followed around in electronics stores. He had built this empire, redesigned the city’s entire traffic grid, and revolutionized urban cloud computing
"Oh, I'm gonna call someone, alright," Braddock sneered, unclipping the heavy radio from his shoulder. He pressed the button, his eyes locked onto Marcus with predatory glee. "Code Red in the main lobby. Got a hostile trespasser refusing to comply. Send backup."
Within ninety seconds, the heavy mechanical whir of the service elevator echoed through the cavernous lobby. Two more guards—young, jittery, and clearly taking their cues from Braddock—spilled out into the foyer. They jogged over, their hands resting cautiously on their belts. "What's the situation, Braddock?" the taller one asked, his eyes darting nervously toward Marcus.
"Perp tried to breach the executive elevators. Claims he owns the place. Refuses to show ID," Braddock reported, puffing his chest out even further now that he had an audience. "I told him to hit the loading dock, and he got belligerent."
"I have been nothing but cooperative," Marcus stated clearly, looking directly at the two new arrivals, hoping to find a shred of common sense. "My name is Marcus Sterling. Look at the logo on the wall behind you. Look at the name of the tower. I suggest you verify before you make a mistake you cannot undo."