A Storm Is Coming (18 page)

“I thought I told you to put on some clothes.”

“Alex!” She jumped into his arms, “What are you doing here?”

He walked into her condo looking refreshed, “My lawyer is so lazy. Did you know she sleeps all day? And, I can never get her on the phone.”

“Your lawyer just hung up on you.” She made a big display of disconnecting her cell in front of him. Braylee tilted her head to the side and pointed to what he had behind his back, “What are you hiding back there?”

His eyes sparkled, “Kiss me and I’ll tell you.”

“You don’t have to bribe me. I’ll kiss you for nothing.”

“Well then in that case…” Alex brought his hands out from behind his back carrying her favorite tea and a white rose. “I know you don’t like lots of flowers, but I’d hoped you’d like this one.” He loved kissing her and brushed his lips against hers.

She took the tea and flower, “I think the single white rose might be my new favorite. Thank you.” Looking around the hallway, “You’d better come inside before my neighbors think this is some kind of brothel over here. Especially after all the noise we kept up last night.”

Just as Braylee was about to close the door, one of the security guards on duty came up, “Ms. Hinsdale?”

“Hi, Arthur.”

“Someone messengered a package for you at the downstairs desk. And, can I just say, you looked awesome on the news yesterday?”

Braylee was about to reach for the package, but Alex did instead. Then he made a display of kissing her on her temple, “Braylee looks amazing all the time.”

Was he acting jealous over the security guard? Braylee wanted to laugh but didn’t just in case he was really serious.

“Arthur this is Alexandro Manchetti. He’ll probably be coming around…quite a bit.”

The security guard tipped his hat to Alex, “Sir. Nice to meet you.”

Alex wasn’t very friendly when he returned the greeting.

“Thanks again Arthur for bringing the package up.”

“You’re welcome.” And, then he walked away.

Braylee closed the door and turned around with her hands on her hips, “Really? Alex? The security guard?”

“You didn’t see the way he was looking at you.”

She rolled her eyes, “You’re being ridiculous.” Braylee put her tea down. “Can I have my package?”

“Anything for you.”

Alex handed Braylee the envelope. She tore it open and pulled out a letter.

Sorry, I wasn’t there to meet you yesterday but apparently someone figured out I had this information. After my car exploded, I decided it might be safer for me to messenger this to you. I’ll be unavailable for a while. Or, at least until this case is resolved one way or another.

Be safe,

P

Braylee pulled the rest of the contents out of the envelope. It was a flash drive and a hard copy of the report.

“Alex, this is from my IT contact, Paul.”

All playfulness immediately left his face, “Is that what I think it is.”

“Yes.”

“Why did he send it to you? I mean…he knew we were coming to get it. And, why would he send it here instead of at your office?”

Braylee tried to downplay the concern in her voice, “I think he was trying to protect me.”

“Protect you…from who?”

“I guess from the people who blew up his car.”

“The people who blew up his car.”

Chapter 25

Alexandro read the note that was sent to Braylee for the second time. “We need to increase your security.”

As much as Braylee was enjoying her carefree morning with Alex. It was time to get back to work. They started a shit storm yesterday and then disappeared.

“I think we should see what’s on this flash drive. Obviously, someone doesn’t want us to have this information.”

Alex’s protective instincts kicked in. “Let me call the head of my security first.”

“Fine…I’ll go get my laptop. It’s in my bedroom.”

When Braylee returned, the terry cloth robe was gone. It had been replaced with a pair of yoga pants and her Vassar College undergraduate sweatshirt. She set up her laptop on the coffee table in her living room and sat down on the sofa.

“I want a minimum of four men on twenty-four-hour security at all times until the foreseeable future. That’s correct. No new staff only people we know we can trust and can’t be bought. If that means bringing in some of my team from Italy….do it.”

Alex ended his call and came to sit down next to Braylee.

“That was a little excessive don’t you think? Four guards? Cecily is going to hate that.”

“That wasn’t for Cecily that was for you.”

Braylee whipped her head at him, “I don’t need all of that security Alex.”

He sat down next to her, “Well…it’s better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.”

Braylee pursed her lips. She could take care of herself but would deal with his high-handedness later. In the meantime, they needed to find out what happened with the electrical switch.

Why was it taking forever for her laptop to boot up? As the computer loaded, Alex went through the report. For all intents and purposes, everything looked normal…until he turned to page three of the ten-page document.

“Braylee…this is not the formula for TNG1! Look at this!”

She looked at the elements for the compound, “Alex…someone definitely changed it. Who would have had the authority to do so?” The heightened energy couldn’t be suppressed, “Who…who ordered the change in the formula?”

“Only a few people - Luciano, our head of Research and Development – Roman, but he had a stroke a few months before this production run and was on leave, and me.”

Alex kept turning the pages until he found the page with the name of the person who requested the change for this production run.

Alex couldn’t breathe, “Impossible. This can’t be right. That’s my name on the bottom of this form.”

“What? Let me see.” She looked, and sure enough that was Alex’s name on the bottom. “We’ll have to prove that’s a forgery.”

Her computer finally booted up. She inserted the flash drive, “Here’s the video. Let’s take a look. Hopefully, it’ll show who forged your signature.”

Braylee pressed the play button. They watched the screen intensely. Right at the 1.12 mark, a figure walked over to the production line supervisor. His back was to the video, so it was difficult to make out. But the build of the person could have been Alex.

The production line supervisor held the paperwork up to the figure. He signed it at the 1.26 mark. The individual gave the paperwork back to the line supervisor and turned around. Braylee paused the video. The face of the figure was clearly visible.

She drew in a breath, “Oh my god Alexandro! That can’t be…” and then she covered her mouth with her hands.

Shock was an understatement.

“This video can’t be real. It has to have been altered.” Alex ran his hand over his face. “I can’t believe this.”

“If it were altered Paul would have been able to tell me that. This is raw footage.” Her voice softened, “I have to get back to my office. But, that can wait. I can go with you to deal with this if you want.”

“No. I need to handle this on my own.”

She kissed him tenderly on the lips, “Okay. I’ll be here if you need me.”

*****

Braylee stepped into her office and all hell was breaking loose. The phones were ringing off the hook, and people were running around like chickens with their heads cut-off.

Nate was relieved to see her but was still being his sarcastic self, “I’m so glad you managed to join us today Ms. Hinsdale.”

She winked at him, “I need all leads on the Manchetti case in my office immediately. I don’t care where they are or what they are doing….drop it or conference in.”

“Ms. Hinsdale is back in the building. Okay...will do.”

Forty-five minutes later, after she’d debriefed with her team, Nate barged into her office. Braylee you have an unannounced visitor.

She was going through all the paperwork on her desk, “Whoever it is Nate, I’m busy…I don’t have time to deal with….”

“It’s the Governor.”

She looked up and then sat back in her chair, “Well, I’ll be damned.” The air was thick with curiosity, “Give me a minute and send him in.”

Right on cue, Nate sent in Governor Gregory O’Leary. His security stayed in the waiting room.

“Ms. Hinsdale.”

Braylee stood as he walked inside, “Governor. This is a surprise. Please have a seat.”

“No thank you. I won’t be long. I was hoping we could have an off the record…chat.”

“I’m not a reporter Governor. I’m a lawyer. So, what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?”

“I won’t beat around the bush. I want you to leave this thing with Luciano Manchetti alone.”

Braylee walked around the front of her desk and leaned against it as she crossed her arms, “You know that I can’t do that. But…even if I could why would I?”

“Because they are willing to reverse the decision into his suicide and re-classify it as a murder, and we’ve convinced the Chief of Police that it might be time to retire.”

“All this in twenty-four hours. And, the Chief of Police is willing to fall on his sword. Interesting. Well, I can tell you…It won’t be enough for Mr. Manchetti.”

“Young lady, this situation is much bigger than you can even imagine. You have a good life and have reached a level of success not many have or will ever achieve. All of that could be in jeopardy if you continue going down this rabbit hole.”

Braylee said nothing for a moment. Then shook her head, “Hmm…the big bad boogie men sent the Governor to strike fear into the heart of the little lady.” She sighed, “Sad really because I voted for you and donated to your campaign. However, I should warn you…threats don’t scare me or my allies. You should know that I would never bring a knife into a gun fight.”

Irritated that she wouldn’t back down, he continued, “I’ve relayed the message, and I’ve warned you. However, I can see that we won’t be able to come to an understanding and that this visit was a waste of time.”

“You’re right we won’t be able to come to an understanding, but I can’t say this was a waste of time.”

Governor O’Leary lifted a brow.

Braylee pushed herself off from her desk and turned her back to him as she went to take her seat, “I now know that this cover up doesn’t just run through the Mayor’s office. It also runs through yours. Please take a card on your way out, you might just need it.”

And, just like that Braylee Hinsdale dismissed the Governor.

Chapter 26

Braylee spent the better part of the day lining up her next steps for Alex’s wrongful death lawsuits. She’d also made contact with a friend of hers in the Justice Department.

Her cell rang. She had been waiting for this call.

“Hello.”

A husky male voice responded on the other end, “Braylee…Braylee…Braylee. Two calls in a year. Pretty soon I’ll start to think you just like the sound of my voice.”

She threw her head back to rest on the back of her chair and decided to let the remark pass, “I’m sure you know why I’m calling again.”

“Yes, I do.” He sighed, “But, for whatever reasons you call, I’m still glad you know that if you ever needed me…I’d be here for you.”

“Except for that one time when I needed you the most.” Braylee thought. That was all water under the bridge…upward and onward. “I could actually…really use your help again. The case I told you about, well…I think we’re getting pretty close…too close to answers. My IT person’s car exploded yesterday.”

“I know. I’ve already added extra security for you and your family.”

Braylee swallowed, “You’re still all knowing I see. And…Alex?”

It was as if Braylee could hear the time ticking in the silence. Finally, he spoke, “He’s more than just a client.”

She whispered, “Yes.”

“I wasn’t asking but consider it done.”

“Thank you.”

Silence.

Braylee opened her eyes. The hard part was done. “Do you have any idea who is behind all of this?”

“Behind the bombing…no. It doesn’t appear to be the same people.”

“I was afraid of that. I’m sure you’ll find out soon but to save you some time, I just received a visit from Governor O’Leary.”

“Interesting.”

“Very. I’m not sure if he’s a puppet or a pawn. But, I get the feeling this isn’t his baby. At any rate, I’m sure since we went public my car, phones and electronic devices are probably all bugged with the exception of this cell since you gave it to me. Can you send me a secured laptop and sweep my car, offices, and home?”

“Consider that done too. I’ll send my usual guy, and he’ll bring over a laptop to your place tonight.”

“Thanks.”

“I didn’t realize what this case was really about when I took it on. But, I know that Luciano died for that technological advancement. His brilliant scientific mind is what they were after. Or, rather to silence him and take it. His breakthrough could have a revolutionary effect and therefore potentially have global ramifications. Did you ever find out who was behind the shell company that was inquiring about Manchetti Enterprises’ patent request?”

“Yes, I know.”

Braylee sat up, “Well…who is it?”

“Your phone is secure but just in case it’s not. I’ll send the file with him tonight.”

She was going to have to sit on pins and needles until then, “Okay. And…thank you again.”

“Anything…for you.”

*****

Alexandro pulled the car up into the garage. After he’d turned off the engine, he just sat there. How was it possible for this nightmare to get any worse?

What the hell was he going to do? He would have no choice but to settle with the plaintiffs. Did it even matter?

Alex got out of the car. He needed to talk to Cecily and Fabi. Life for all of them was about to change.

When he walked inside the house from the garage, he ran into Claudia, “Good evening, Mr. Manchetti.”

“Good evening, Claudia. Is my brother around?”

“Yes. He and Cecily are in the theater room.”

“Can you tell him I need to see him in my office?”