Executive

…84

The neatly landscaped backyard was the setting for a celebration. Tall glasses were ready to be filled, waiting in an orderly fashion on a silver tray. A bottle of champagne, tied with a huge red ribbon, was dripping condensed water on the sparkling white tablecloth. The crowd, the entire Agency staff, was standing around Dr. Barnaby, chatting lively.

"I think it's time to pop this cork," Tom said. "Steve, please do the honors."

"My pleasure," Steve said, unwrapping the bottle. A loud pop marked the opening of the vintage Krug Brut champagne, accompanied by cheers from everyone.

Dr. Barnaby raised his glass.

"To all of you, wonderfully courageous, incredibly resourceful, and obstinately dedicated people, the best friends I have ever had! You saved my company. You have given my life back to me. I am forever in your debt," he said, saluting them with a head gesture, "and I thank you!"

Glasses were raised, to meet his, and clinked cheerfully on contact with one another.

"For you, Miss Hoffmann, a small token of my appreciation," Dr. Barnaby said, handing Alex an envelope.

"Thank you very much," she said, blushing. She opened the envelope, and took out an invitation. "Wow," she said, "thank you!"

"What is it?" Tom asked.

"It's an invitation for two to spend a month at the new Club Maxine, on Twilight Cay, in the VIP suite. Thank you, Dr. Barnaby, this is amazing!"

"But there's a catch," Dr. Barnaby said. "There will be no VIP suite on Twilight Cay for at least two more years. It hasn't been built yet. I can't leave my company now, so my real estate development plans have been put on hold for a while. Nevertheless, Club Maxine will be built, you have my word. And it will have the privilege of having you as its first guest, if you'll accept my humble invitation," Dr. Barnaby concluded.

"I will be happy to," Alex said.

"So, what happens next?" Brian interjected, switching the conversation gears.

"Now, the only way is up," Dr. Barnaby said. "There is a lot of work to be done. Restoring the public's faith in the quality of our products will take coordinated efforts among manufacturing and quality, on one side, and public relations, on the other side. I am confident I have the right people in place to assist me with that. I have Brian to thank for accepting the challenge to lead the company with me, as an interim executive until we can fully replace the former executive team." Dr. Barnaby raised the glass toward Brian, in a thank-you gesture. Brian nodded his head in acknowledgment and support.

"There will probably be a congressional hearing about this," Dr. Barnaby continued. "There usually is. However, I am confident that we will be able to maintain our status as a defense contractor, once we present our complete findings and action plan. There is a lot of lost ground to make up, but it's not impossible. The UAV recall has top priority and will be finalized within a month. Until then, not a single drone is cleared for takeoff."

Dr. Barnaby paused, gathering his thoughts, letting sadness cloud his eyes.

"There isn't anything anyone could do to erase what happened, to restore the lives lost. Those unfortunate events will be a part of NanoLance's history. But I feel we owe it to everyone, our clients, and our employees, to be successful again and to redeem ourselves."

"Hear, hear," Tom said, raising his glass.

The clinking of champagne glasses and lively chatter resumed, as some headed for the food platters, and others stayed in a circle around Dr. Barnaby, talking casually.

Alex felt a hand touch her shoulder.

"Would you like to head out, somewhere a bit more quiet?" Steve asked, whispering in her ear.

She felt a rush and couldn't speak. She nodded.

"All right, let's go," Steve said, leading her toward the driveway. He waved in Tom's direction, and then turned his attention back to Alex. "I was thinking of another bottle of champagne, served chilled, in a quaint little cabin, up in the mountains?"

She nodded again, and then found the strength to whisper, "I'd love that."

Steve opened the car door for her.

"Hey, guys?" Tom said, standing at the edge of the driveway with a glass in his hand.

"Yes?" Steve replied.

"Don't stay up too late. New client meeting, 9:00AM tomorrow morning. You both need to be there."