A Storm Is Coming (19 page)

“Of course.”

“After that, please feel free to take off early.”

“Thank you, Mr. Manchetti.”

Alex continued to his office. His feet felt like lead. Once inside, he closed the door and walked over to the bar. As he took the top of the decanter to pour the liquor into the snifter, he changed his mind. He needed a clear head for this conversation.

Fabi stuck his head into the door, “Hey, Claudia said you wanted to see me?”

His back was to him, “Yes. Please come in and close the door.”

Fabi entered the room as asked with a perplexed look on his face, “What’s going on?”

Alex slowly turned around, “I’m going to settle with the families of the wrongful death lawsuit.”

“But…why? You said it would ruin the company? Braylee said we had a chance to win this in court.”

Alex looked at his baby brother remembering him after their father died and having to take on that role for him. When he was a child, Fabi always wanted to know, “but why” to everything.

He was no longer that wide-eyed little boy anymore but a young man whose very eyes looked just like his.

But now it was Alex’s turn to ask, “Why Fabi? Why’d you do it?”

Fabi stuttered, “Do what? Wha…What are you talking about?”

He whispered, “I know. I know that you pretended to be me and forged my name on the formula protocol sheet. You authorized that change to the formula.” Alex shook his head, “But, what I don’t understand is why you would do it?”

Fabi stood staring at Alex with a blank expression on his face. Then, his eyes welled up with tears, “I didn’t know.”

Although Alex knew that Fabi was responsible he still couldn’t believe it until he’d spoken the words out loud. Then, like lightening, he grabbed Fabi up by his shirt lifting him off of his feet.

He roared at him, “How could you Fabi! Nine people…do you hear me, NINE! They died because of what you did!”

Through anguished tears, Fabi wailed, “I didn’t know, Alex! I swear I didn’t know those people were going to die!”

His eyes were blazing, “Why? Why did you do it?” Alex flung Fabi, and he went sailing across the room landing on the floor.

“I didn’t have a choice.”

Alex growled, “There is always a choice!”

“He said that if I didn’t pretend to be you and change the formula, that he would kill you, Luciano, Cecily, and mother. I didn’t think to change it would hurt anyone. I swear it!”

Alex’s eyes narrowed, “Why didn’t you come to me? Who? Who said it? Who gave you the goddamn order?”

Fabi murmured as he drew himself up into a ball, “You were away on business. I was going to tell you when you got back but…everything happened so fast. I just wanted to keep you all safe. I’m so sorry. I am so so sorry.”

“Who Fabi? Who gave you the order?”

“Joseph.”

“Joseph Ling? Our attorney, Joseph Ling?”

“Yes. He said that if I didn’t do it…he would kill all of us. He said he could get to any of us at any time and no one would know it. He gave me two days to do it. He said he’d start with Roman, our R and D guy. Of course, I didn’t believe him and ignored his request but then I received an anonymous video of someone pouring something into Roman’s coffee while his back was turned in the lab. Moments later, Roman was having a stroke. So, I freaked out! And, I just did it.” Fabi was now inconsolable. His tears spilled like a torrent.

“Do you still have the video?”

“Yes.”

“Go get it and bring it to me.”

Fabi immediately left to go get the video.

While Fabi was out of the room, Alexandro called Detective Jones.”

Chapter 27

It was late, and Braylee hadn’t heard from Alex. She’d left him several messages on his cell, but he hadn’t called her back yet. She was worried.

One more time. She would try him one more time before she left the office. However, before Braylee could call him, her mother called her.

She did her best to sound upbeat, “Hi mom.”

“Braylee, did you get my messages?”

“Yes, Nate gave them to me. I didn’t have time to call. I was just going to wait until I got home.”

“Well, since you didn’t call, we’re all sitting up in this house with no damn light. They shut the electricity off.”

Braylee felt her temperature rising. Of course, her mother wouldn’t be calling concerned about her late-night phone call. “What do you mean they shut off the electricity? I gave you the money to pay that bill last week?”

“Well, I needed to help Stephanie with her car payment and I used the money for that.”

She needed to count to ten, “So…you never paid the bill, didn’t tell me, and now you’re calling to yell at me because you’re sitting in a dark house?”

“Unbelievable Braylee! Did you forget that I’m the mama, and you’re my child? How dare you speak to me with such a tone? I won’t stand for it!”

Braylee could scream. As much as she wanted to leave all of them in a dark house…she couldn’t.

“So, you’ve been paying Stephanie’s car note?”

“She just needs a little help to get on her feet.”

“Mama, she’s twenty-seven years old! She’s living rent free in a house that I paid for! I think she and Maurice should be able to pay their car payment since lord knows they aren’t paying for anything else!”

“Why do you always have to be so hateful? WHY?”

“Hateful! Mama…” Braylee stopped mid-sentence. She couldn’t do it. If she said what was really on her mind, the already fragile relationship she had with her mother would be completely severed.

She closed her eyes and scratched her head. Then, Braylee took a deep breath, “Mama, I’ll have Nate book all of you a room at a hotel until the electricity is turned back on. What’s the billing account information?”

“I can pay the bill myself just give me the money.”

“I’m afraid you’ve proven that’s not true.”

“Stop treating me like a child, Braylee!”

“I’m treating you like someone who is irresponsible with my money. If you want, your electricity turned back on…give me the number?”

It took a few moments of silence, but eventually, Mrs. Hinsdale gave Braylee the account number.

“Nate will call you when everything is all taken care of, and the lights are back on.”

And with that, Mrs. Hinsdale hung up on her.

*****

Braylee was already on her second glass of wine as she sat curled up on her sofa going over paperwork while Arthur finished the sweep of her apartment. Her mind kept going back to Alex. Was he okay?

“Ms. Hinsdale, everything seems to be fine here as well as your offices and car. I also left the laptop and flash drive that he requested I leave on the table. Is there anything else you’ll need from me tonight?”

She smiled, “No, that’s enough don’t you think?”

He returned her smile, “Alright, then…I’ll call it a night.”

Braylee got up to let Arthur out, “Thanks again.”

She closed the door behind him. Why was she sitting here waiting on Alex to call her? Braylee went into her bedroom and packed an overnight bag. Whether Alex knew it or not, he needed her.

An hour later, she pulled up in front of his home. Cecily opened the security gate for her since she hadn’t been able to get Alex on the phone. Braylee left her overnight bag in the car. She didn’t want to be too pretentious.

Cecily met her at the front door. She seemed truly happy to see her, “Hi Braylee.”

“Hey there. Is Alex here?”

She nodded, “Yes, he’s here. But…”

Baylee questioned as she walked into the house, “Is everything okay?”

Cecily pressed her lips together, “I’m not sure. I haven’t seen much of him. He and Fabi must have had an argument. Because after they met this afternoon, they’ve both been acting weird.”

“Hmmm…where are they?”

“Fabi is locked in his room and Alex is in his office.”

“Have you had dinner?”

“Oh yeah. I ate hours ago with Alex, but he didn’t say too much. Do you know what’s going on?”

“I should probably talk to your uncle.”

“So…I guess that means yes. I’m old enough to know you know.”

“Yes, you are. But, I’m your uncle’s lawyer. I’m bound by law to keep certain things between us.”

Cecily remained skeptical, “Braylee…it’s eight-thirty at night. Are you coming over as his lawyer or as his girlfriend? Because if it’s his girlfriend, then maybe you can tell me a thing or two.”

She was speechless, “What? I…how do you know I’m his girlfriend?”

“I can tell by the way he looks when he talks about you. His voice softens just a little bit. I know he likes you a lot.”

Braylee wagged her finger at Cecily, “You’re too much.”

“Cecily, who are you talking to?” Alexandro walked into the foyer barefoot with strained eyes and ruffled hair that he’d been running his fingers through. He’d pulled his shirt out of his dress slacks.

Braylee spoke hesitantly, “You didn’t answer any of my messages.”

Cecily looked from Braylee to Alexandro, “Umm…I have some homework, so I’m just going to go to my room.” She kissed Alex on the cheek, “I’ll see you in the morning. Good night, Braylee.”

Braylee waved, “Good night, Cecily.”

Once she’d gone, Braylee spoke, “I would have called but you know…you’re not answering and I was worried.”

Alex rolled his head from side to side, “Sorry. I didn’t mean to worry you.”

“Are you okay?”

“I’m on autopilot. I’m numb.” He laughed at the ridiculousness of his situation, “I can’t even get drunk and drown my sorrows. The joys of parenthood and all that.”

“I’m sorry.” She walked towards him and cupped his face in her hand.

He leaned into her hand and closed his eyes, “I’m glad you’re here. And, I’m sorry I didn’t call you.”

“I can forgive you this one.”

Alex took her hand in his and led her upstairs to his bedroom. Braylee hadn’t been to his home since the very first time they’d made love. He dragged her down onto the bed with him. She kicked off of her shoes as they lay with his front to her back spooning.

They stayed that way, silent for what seemed like hours before Alex spoke.

“I’ve been wracking my brain all day. I don’t know what to do. My brother is responsible for the deaths of nine people, Braylee.”

“Why did he do it?”

“Blackmail.”

“Hmmm…I figured as much. Fabi doesn’t seem cold hearted. Over what and who?”

“Over us. He was threatened that if he didn’t change the formula, Cecily, Luciano, me, or my mother would be killed.”

“Oh my god! But, you all must get threats all the time. Why did he believe that one?”

“Because he’d been sent a video tape of Roman being given something that caused his stroke.”

“What! The R and D guy?”

“Yes.”

She kissed his arm, “Alex, I can’t help you reconcile what happened, but I’ve been on the phones all day with their lawyers. I’ve convinced seven of the nine complainants to withdraw their petition in exchange for a private settlement. The other two will probably agree in the next day or two. You won’t have to admit any wrong doing so…”

Alexandro sat up and looked down into her eyes, “How’d you…when…I don’t understand?”

“Alex, we can prove that you weren’t responsible for the electrical switch disaster. I bluffed a little. They have no idea who is responsible and no idea that I wasn’t prepared to bring forth that information. This won’t hit the papers. No one will ever know about the settlement so it shouldn’t affect Manchetti Enterprises…or Fabi. At least not physically.”

He gazed into her eyes, “You’re amazing.”

She was a little hesitant, “Alex…I need to tell you something that’s not so easy to say.” Braylee sat up, “I know who killed Luciano.”

“So, do I. It was Joseph Ling. Fabi told me he was behind all of this. I’ve already informed Detective Jones.”

“Alex…Joseph killed Luciano, but he’s not the one behind this entire scheme. My contact was able to tell me who the real individuals are behind the shell corporation. Joseph’s whole name is Joseph Ling Xiou. Is He the cousin of Gina Lee Xiou? Have you ever heard of her?”

The color drained from his face, “Joseph is related to Gina?”

Braylee nodded, “So…you do know her?”

“Yes. I know her. What does she have to do with this?”

Braylee didn’t like his response. There was obviously a story there that she wasn’t sure she wanted to know about. “Well, apparently, her father’s company owns the bulk of the world’s supply of Tungsten. It’s them. They are doing everything they can to make sure the TNG2 doesn’t see the light of day. Including buying off political officials to make sure your patent stays in a pending status. I’m not sure how Luciano found out about this scheme, but it seems he lost his life over it.”

His face took on an ominous look, “Braylee, I promised you that everyone who was involved in this scheme would pay. The laws of American Justice won’t reach China, but I meant what I said. They will pay.”

Braylee could tell that he meant every word. “You’ve got to go public with your breakthrough. There are governments that will topple without the financial windfall Tungsten brings to them. They will come after you and everyone you love. Luciano was the first, but he may not be the last. Going public is the best way to protect yourself.”

He stared at her for a long time, “You’re right. We should go public. And, I do have some contacts in the Senate. Maybe they can help move the patent approval process along.”

“Great…we should plan for that. Soon, in the next couple of weeks.”

After their intense discussion, Alex just wanted some peace. He laid back down and cradled Braylee in his arms, “Stay with me tonight.”

She snuggled closer, “There’s no place else I’d rather be.”

Alexandro buried his face into her hair and closed his eyes. For just a moment, he wanted to forget about all of this madness and lose himself inside of her.

Chapter 28

It was already the third Sunday of the month. It seemed like just yesterday she’d arrived at her parent’s home.

Braylee was not up to seeing her family today. And, feeling a little brazen, she’d purposely left The Mask at home.