Chasing Victory (The Winters Sisters) by Joanne Jaytanie Page B

trimming the edge. The desk was an antique, probably cherry and looked massive even within the large space. There was a built in bar on one wall, housing a variety of high priced wines and brandies. At the far end of the bar stood a gleaming Waterford water pitcher accompanied with an assortment of glasses. Across the room stood four tapestry wingback chairs, two antique mahogany side tables that Victory estimated were made sometime around the 1800’s and very rare. There were at least eight priceless pieces of art that she saw, including vases, sculptures, and three paintings on the back wall. She had no doubt that this office could rival any museum.
    “Ms. Winters, so good to finally meet you,” Lawrence Braxton said as he turned his desk chair around to face her. He rose from the chair and walked towards her with his arm extended. “My name is Lawrence Braxton; I am the CEO of Biotec.”
    “Yes, I know who you are Mr. Braxton. I’m sure you don’t remember, but we met at the Governor’s Ball a few years back. Tell me, do you drug all of your interviewees?”
    “Drug you?” Braxton said with surprise on his face as he turned to look at Dave.
    “Sorry sir, but you did say to get her here by any means necessary. That seemed to be the best way at the time.” Dave responded sheepishly.
    “I see. I think we have everything under control Dave,” Braxton said with a wave of his hand. Dave turned and left the room.
    “I am truly sorry about you being drugged. Sometimes Dave takes things too literally. Please sit.” He motioned to one of the wing back chairs. “May I offer you a drink, or something to eat?”
    “As long as it isn’t spiked,” Victory responded. She still wasn’t certain about the whole situation, but would play along with it for the time being. She knew that they wanted her expertise, and she intended to find out what they wanted her expertise for.
    Braxton passed his hand over the top of his desk and a panel lit up. “Sarah, please bring two mint juleps and an assortment of fresh fruit and cheese.”
    “Right away sir,” Sarah responded.
    “I hope you like mint juleps, they are so light and freshening, perfect for a late afternoon, don’t you agree?” Braxton asked.
    “That sounds great,” Victory responded. She was sure that Braxton wasn’t the kind of man used to being disagreed with, so she would bide her time.
    Sarah entered the office with a large tray containing two wonderful looking mint juleps, and an assortment of fruits and cheeses that made Victory’s mouth water. She walked over to the large coffee table and set the tray down. Two thoughts came to Victory; first, this woman was good, someone to watch, Victory was sure that she got a glimpse of a gun inside Sarah’s jacket as she bent to put the tray down. Second she couldn’t remember the last time she had eaten.
    “Thank you Sarah,” Braxton smiled at her.
    “You’re welcome sir. Will there be anything else?”
    “Not at the moment,” Braxton said.
    Sarah took her leave. Braxton picked up one of the drinks and held it up towards Victory. “Come, sit, enjoy and let’s have a nice visit. I’m sure you will be very interested in what I have to tell you.”
    Victory took the glass from Braxton, took a napkin from the tray and a few pieces of cheese and fruit. She sat in one of the chairs and began nibbling on her cheese, waiting quietly for Braxton to start talking.
    “I understand you are employed by Claremont Research and you seem to be very loyal to them,” Braxton started.
    “I am not only loyal, but I love my career and the people I work with,” Victory added.
    “That can only take you so far. You are the department head leading the research for a possible genetic link between canines and humans. You have also spent field time out of the lab trying to locate humans that might possess heightened senses. I believe you have started dabbling in incorporating these canine heightened senses, on a purely cellular