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The office erupted in cheers, and everyone scrambled to collect their strewn mugs and laptops, ravenous for the midday reprieve. I grabbed my computer before joining the exodus from the conference room, appreciative that Chase hadn't mentioned my blatant distraction during the meeting. However, I knew my respite wouldn't last.
In a rush to depart, I felt Chase's grip on my arm. "Hold up, I'll rendezvous with you in your office. We've got to hash this out. I'll have Courtney rustle up some burgers and fries and see if she can finagle a conference call with Vandenburg later today." Chase's eyes gave my scruffy mug and rumpled suit the once-over before smirking, "You're quite the sight, aren't you?"
"I've just got a load on my mind. Lunch should help..."
Chase bobbed his head. "Right-o, buddy. I'll find you after I sift through my emails. Ah, one more thing. The FBI just delivered a fresh report."
As the lot of us devoured our greasy lunch, Chase recited the FBI dossier from the Denver outpost. It recounted the forced entry through a rear door and Amy's assault in Mitch's mountain chalet, with a bloody bedspread but no prints. DNA had been harvested but was awaiting analysis. My frown deepened with each word. Suddenly, the meal lost its savor. Whoever had committed this atrocious act remained at large, and Amy had suffered grievously. Fear and fury seethed within me.
Brad chimed in; his brow furrowed in thought. "This intel implies the culprit knew of Amy's connection to us at Rosedale. How could they know? And the chalet location?"
"I can't say for certain," I muttered, raking my fingers through my hair. "Frankly, it's not a difficult connection. Amy's a regular at Rosedale shindigs, and the property records would divulge my chalet’s address."
Chase nodded in agreement. "It's the only plausible conclusion. Someone must be spilling the beans...but who?"
Silence descended as we mulled over the newly unveiled information and tried to reconstruct the event. "It's wearing me out, guessing who's behind it all. For now, our priority should be safeguarding ourselves and refocusing on profits," Chase advised, eyeing his wristwatch. "I'll touch base with Courtney to check on her progress with Vandenburg."
Our lunchtime chatter veered from Amy's plight to the company's financial prospects.
A knock on my office door preceded Courtney's face appearing in the gap. "I bring tidings of joy," she proclaimed, grinning. "I've arranged a conference call with Vandenburg for this afternoon. He mentioned an update on the patent lawsuit against Valley Technologies."
"Nice going, Courtney," I responded, a sense of relief washing over me. "Let's gather in my office for the call at 3:00 pm."
"Understood," she affirmed, departing the room, and leaving us to finish eating.
Chase slapped me on the back. "See, Mitch? The tide is turning. We'll unravel this lawsuit mess, and for now, you should focus on the things within your grasp. Like Rosedale, not Amy or her folks!"
Brad bobbed his head. "He's right. Our eyes need to be on the grand scheme of things. Valley Tech moving forward with the California cybersecurity system update is a massive deal. We have to guard our intellectual property, even if it meant relinquishing the grant money to save Amy. Our private lives cannot disrupt the business."
I exhaled, acknowledging the truth in their advice. Indeed, Rosedale demanded my unswerving commitment, particularly with our Golden Key Software patent lawsuit hanging in the balance. I pledged to do my utmost to separate my emotions for Amy and her parents' contempt for me—until I was by myself.
That afternoon, we reconvened in my office, anticipating Vandenburg's call. The air was thick with tension as everyone grasped the high stakes of this legal battle. Valley Technologies had been a formidable rival for years, and we couldn't allow them to abscond with our patented innovation and grant funds, particularly given the situation.
The phone chimed, and I answered it without hesitation. "Joe, the team's all ears," I announced, activating the speakerphone.
"Greetings, everyone," Joe's voice resonated from the speaker. "I've got some crucial updates on our lawsuit against Valley Tech. As you're aware, they've continued with California's cybersecurity system overhaul despite our ongoing patent disagreement. I've been in contact with their attorneys, and they're standing their ground. Brace yourselves for a drawn-out struggle."
We hung on Vandenburg's every word as he detailed the next moves in our legal plan and underscored the need to remain watchful and unified as a company. The litigation against Valley Technologies wouldn't be a cakewalk, but we were resolute in defending our intellectual property and ensuring our labor and ingenuity wouldn't be exploited.
As the call wrapped up, a renewed sense of determination began to swell within me. Though I couldn't control Amy's family or the unknown perils lurking in the shadows, I could make a significant difference at Rosedale by guiding the company through these turbulent waters. As a devoted partner, it was my duty to uphold the company's stability amidst the chaos, offer leadership and inspiration to my team, and make tactical decisions that would secure our lasting success. Maybe, in accomplishing this, I could eventually prove to Amy and her kin that I was worthy of her faith.
Daniel rose from his chair, stretching languidly before announcing, "I'm heading back to my lair. Got some ideas brewing on cutting our expenses." His grin held a touch of mischief as he ambled toward the door.
Guy rubbed at his weary eyes, his hand lingering on his brow. "Sounds great on paper, but let's see you put it into action." He huffed a tired chuckle, watching as the others filed out of my office, each lost in their private musings.
Alone in my office, I slumped into my chair and fished into my shirt pocket. Drawing out my phone, I flicked through the images until I landed on a snapshot of Amy at her graduation, grinning like a Cheshire cat as she took the stage to accept her diploma. Her joy was infectious, and for a brief moment, it lifted the oppressive weight of uncertainty that hung over me.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
"Who goes there?" I called.
"Courtney," came her reply. "You still holed up in there?"
"Yup."
"Mind if I come in, Mr. Detwiler?"
I stood and circled my desk, a pang of anxiety gnawing at my gut. Swinging the door open, I found Courtney, eyes wide with worry, her expression betraying her unease. She jerked her thumb over her shoulder and said, "There's a deputy from the sheriff's office in the lobby. He's got some papers for you."
