Betrayal of Genius by Robin Patchen

Author:Robin Patchen [Patchen, Robin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Robin Patchen

Reid’s stomach growled loudly enough that Jacqui looked at him, eyebrows lifted.

They’d resumed the walk back to the hotel. Jacqui hadn’t needed anything from the brownstone. She’d just needed to be there, to see it. He suspected maybe the old place and its heritage were more burden than blessing, but he didn’t say so.

“I suppose we should eat,” she said.

He chuckled. “I could force myself. You want to go back to the rooftop?”

“I’m not in the mood for anything that fancy.” She tugged his hand. “A few more blocks, and we’ll be at Northeastern. Surely there’s a pizza place near campus.”

Ten minutes later, they ordered a medium pepperoni at the counter of the first pizza place they came across and found a seat in a booth. The joint looked as if it’d been there for generations, which was a good sign. The imitation leather on the bench was torn in a couple of places, and the laminate floors probably hadn’t been replaced since the Bush administration—the first Bush.

He started with, “Let’s talk about the meeting with the publicist. I thought it went well, didn’t you?”

“I suppose.”

“Martha has good contacts at some major media outlets. If she can get a buzz going about the invention, that can only be a good thing.” When Jacqui said nothing, Reid added, “And there are plenty of device manufacturers in this country and abroad. The rumors about you seem to be localized right now, as is Don’s influence. There’s no reason a company outside of Boston won’t be interested.”

Jacqui sipped her soda. “That makes sense.” But there was no conviction in her words. No enthusiasm.

Reid tried again. “I liked her idea to coordinate the media releases with the conference this weekend.”

“I’d rather skip the conference.” Her lips pressed together and tipped down at the corners. “I suppose I need to be there.”

“If you aren’t, people are going to think you’re afraid to show your face.” The publicist had said the same, but Reid suspected that Jacqui had missed most of Martha’s words. She’d been too distracted and discouraged to pay attention. “That’ll only add to the speculation that you’ve done something wrong.”

Jacqui sighed. “I don’t know if I have it in me.”

“You’re starting to get on my nerves.” He hoped the statement would perk her up, and the way her eyes widened gave him hope.

“Sorry I’m not more chipper as my life falls apart.”

“If your life falls apart, you’ll have only yourself to blame.”

Her shoulders hunched as if the world rested on them.

He hated to sound cruel, but if she wanted to save her business and her invention, she was going to need a new attitude, and fast. “Look, Jacqui, Don’s a step ahead of us, but not for long. The publicist—”

“What can she do if I’m embroiled in a legal battle?”

“You’re not going to be. I’ve been thinking about this all day. Don is desperate, right? That means he’s out of money, or almost out of money. How can he afford to sue you if he doesn’t have cash?”

Her expression brightened for the first time in hours.

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