As much as he didn’t want to, he understood perfectly. He still didn’t like it.
Braylee got up and walked down to where he sat. She perched herself on the table in front of him and crossed her legs before asking him again. “Can you understand?”
“I understand it. I just don’t like it.”
“Well, I hate to break it to you, but I’m sure over the years we’ll both do some things we don’t like. You and I both know Giovanni while being a great lawyer, is not as brilliant as I am.”
Sarcasm dripped from his response. “You’re too modest.” The energy in the room quickly turned from business to personal, especially when he held her hand in his and asked, “So, you’re planning for years with me?”
Braylee hesitated, little did he know whether they were a couple or not, they were stuck together for at least eighteen. “I think I’ll be around for a while.”
“You drive me crazy, Braylee.”
Without thinking, Braylee leaned over to kiss him. It felt like the most natural thing to do, but she stopped before her lips touched his. Her emotions were too all over the place. He’d confessed his feelings, but there was a part of her that thought, they were moving too soon…too fast. Something about his eyes when he spoke about Gina gave Braylee pause. Instead of kissing him, she removed her hand and got up then walked back to her end of the table.
Alex was disappointed that not only had she barely spoken to him, but she wasn’t interested in being held in his arms when they went to bed at night. Now she wouldn’t even kiss him. She’d put that damned Mask back on, and it bothered the hell out of him.
*****
The meeting with the US Patent and Trademark agents was running into its fourth hour. So far, there hadn’t been any wrinkles during the inquiry. The questions were getting more challenging. Everyone seemed to be getting aggravated and easily irritated with the questions that were now being thrown at them. Everyone except for Braylee. She was the only one in the room who’d been before a government committee a time or two. This is what they do. They ask the same question a million ways and then hit you with the most challenging ones at the end hoping to rattle the subjects.
“Mr. Manchetti, last year your company was the subject of a lawsuit where Manchetti Enterprises was named as being responsible for the deaths of several individuals.” The agent referred to his notes. “Due to faulty electrical switches. Apparently, it was the first generation TNG1. Can you tell me a little bit about that?”
Braylee sat back with her arms folded. For the most part, she allowed Giovanni to take the lead. His body language indicated that he was going to let Alex answer the question. Before he could speak Braylee chimed in. “Gentleman, the lawsuit never materialized.”
“Ms. Hinsdale just because it didn’t materialize doesn’t mean there wasn’t some merit to case. But, there were some settlements.”
“True. However, in this situation, there was no merit to the case and the settlements reached explicitly indicated no admission of guilt. Therefore, it would be difficult for my client to comment on materials that were alleged to have been the instigator to a faulty product that is comprised of many parts. There weren’t any tests to confirm conclusively which, if any, of the parts, were the actual cause.”
“No, but we do know that there was a bad lot of the TNG1 and that lot made its way into the faulty switches. We’re merely doing our due diligence in asking the question.”
“We wouldn’t expect anything less. However, so are we. The matter of how that specific lot of the TNG1 was compromised has been explained in great detail as well as the safeguards put in place to prevent it from ever happening again. You’ve asked a question of which without any scientific testing we are unable to answer. We wish we could, but there is just no way to respond factually.” Braylee looked down at her notes. “And, yes, you can ask any question you’d like, and we welcome the opportunity to answer when your inquiry is not outside of the scope of what we believe this meeting to be.”
The agent didn’t like that answer. “Well, how about this question. I believe this one is well within the scope of this meeting. We received documents that show another company is attempting to patent a product with the similar elements as the TNG2. Their application was submitted only days after yours.”
Surprised looks between Alexandro’s staff and a sudden panic enveloped the room. Braylee was calm when she reached into her briefcase and pulled out another file. Malcolm had tipped her off today and provided her with some great information. “If you’re referring to Xiou Incorporated or any of their subsidiaries, please be aware that if there was an application submitted before Manchetti Enterprises, this is the same company that attempted a hostile takeover last year.”
“That has no bearing on the question.”
“I beg to differ. We were able to link Joseph Ling to Xiou Incorporated. He engaged in a bit of Corporate Espionage and stole quite a few secrets. Civil charges against him were recently resolved, and a Judgment for millions of dollars was awarded to my client when he didn’t appear before the courts. He’s currently wanted by both the FBI and CIA for other things as well.
