“We’ll start with the original agenda. We’ll rave about the invention and needing final approval for the test phase so we can begin production as soon as possible. After we have everyone excited, we’ll drop the news about Cozza. With the revelation that we’re about to become the leader and make everyone in the room filthy rich, they’ll work their asses off to come up with a solution to get rid of Cozza and secure thecorporation.”
He pulls on the cuffs of his dress shirt before straightening his tie. “If you think that’s a goodidea.”
Josh rarely goes against me, but he isn’t sold on my plan either. Although he’d love to have my job, Interstellar means just as much to him as it does me. We both gave our blood, sweat, and tears to this company, and neither of us wants it to be fornothing.
“It’s the only way togo.”
“You’reright.”
Standing near the floor-to-ceiling glass windows of the conference room, I stare at the bustling city below after Josh leaves. There’s no way in hell I’m going to allow years of work to be stolen by Cozza and their infamous CEO, AntonioForte.
Little is known about the man, the myth, the legend that is Mr. Forte. Since he was appointed head of Cozza International, he’s become somewhat of a recluse—at least when it comes to public events and cameras. The one thing I know about him is that he is a vulture. Most likely, he’s a portly old man, sitting alone in a dark room with nothing else to do but prey on the weaker companies surrounding his precious Cozza. He’s knocked off competition over the years without an ounce of remorse, and I vowed that would never happen tous.
Even if Josh has reservations about leading with the original agenda, it’s the right plan. As the minutes tick by and the board members enter the room, my anxietyheightens.
Interstellar board members’ sole purpose is to look out for the interest of the shareholders, which number in the millions. We have five board members, and each has very different agendas, but they all have the best interest of the company atheart.
Mr. Grayson is the first to enter, as is always the case. The older gentleman wouldn’t know how to be late if his life depended on it. “Nice to see you, dear.” He greets me the same every time, giving me a handshake and a wink. If anyone else would refer to me as “dear,” I would probably take offense, but when Grayson says it, I kind of melt a bit. Maybe it is the fact that he reminds me more of a grandfather or my father, whom I miss so terribly that I embrace the term ofendearment.
Next in the room is the cold and often calculating Ms. Edwards. Mr. Edwards, her ex-husband, used to run Interstellar, but after a very embarrassing scandal that dealt with his treatment of women at the company, not only did he step down, but his wife took him to the cleaners. I clapped for her…silently, of course. But she didn’t let what her husband did keep her down. After she took his shares of the company, she walked into Interstellar like she owned the place. With the amount of shares she held, she practicallydid.
As the others arrive, my hearing becomes more acute, listening to the murmuring of the people in the room as they speak. I shake hands and greet everyone before I make my way to the head of the table. All the while, I never stop thinking of a way to stop the impendingtakeover.
When all board members have been seated, I clear my throat and wait for the room to quiet down. “Ladies and gentlemen.” I pause for their complete attention before continuing. “You’re here today to approve the final phase of our newest invention. The engineering team has finalized an engine that does not require fuel of any sort and is ready for testing before we beginproduction.”
Murmurs start, members turning to the person sitting at their side, all talking quietly with smiles on their faces. I hear the word amazing more thanonce.
Pacing behind their chairs, I watch them closely. Is the traitor among them? I can’t imagine that’s possible since this is the first they’re hearing that the project is ready to move forward. “If you’ll open the packet in front of you, you’ll find the specs and information on how the engine works, including the findings the design team have been able to verify through their testing thusfar.”
I walk around the room quietly as they read the packet that has been prepared for them, studying each person’s face for a tell or any sign of betrayal, because in my mind everyone is a suspect. The voices grow louder, and the excitement becomestangible.
“This is truly spectacular, Ms. Bradley,” Mr. Graysonstates.
As the longest serving member of the board, he’s been too loyal to Interstellar to sell usout.
I smile. “Thank you,sir.”
“How exactly does the engine work?” the newest member of the board, Mr. Connors, asks and instantly piques mycuriosity.
I never liked Tad Connors. He always has a question, and there’s something about him that keeps me on edge. Maybe it’s the way his eyes linger a little too long on my legs when I wear a skirt or his perpetual quest to find out the exact information I’d neverreveal.
“I can’t divulge that information. The patent is still pending, and leaking the details, even to the board, wouldn’t be in the best interest ofInterstellar.”
He runs his hand backward against his hair, making sure every strand is perfectly slicked back. “Understood.”
“All I can say is that it will change the aerospace industry forever. Imagine being able to reach Mars without an ounce of rocket fuel to power the vehicle. Or flying to Europe without hundreds of gallons of jet fuel to pollute theenvironment.”
“Astonishing.” Tad relaxes back in the high-back leather chair, watching me closely as I pace the length of theroom.
But today, I wore pants to keep his eyes on the prize instead of mycalves.
“If we approve the final testing today, production can be started in under three months, and the first Interstellar engine can be in the air in well under ayear.”
“That soon?” Ms. Edwards’s perfectly plucked black eyebrows shoot up before a small grin spreads across her thin redlips.
“Yes, ma’am. There’s nothing stopping us once we prove the design is safe andreliable.”
“How certain are we of that the test will work?” Mr. Jameson asks before I can say anotherword.
