Page 36 of The Calendar of New Beginnings (Dare Valley #9)

She traced the rim of her glass, feeling the mist from the water’s bubbles on her finger.

“I understand the importance of compliance, especially in a high-security facility housing people’s inventions.

I wouldn’t be laissez-faire about that. Dare Valley might be a small town, but intellectual property theft is still possible.

We don’t want someone walking in off the streets to steal some head-in-the-clouds inventor’s prize project. ”

Chase lifted his glass and saluted her. “I’m glad you understand that. One thing Evan and I have always agreed on is the need to protect his inventions.”

“It’s important to protect everything from the ideas and the prototypes to the final inventions,” she said. “Evan explained the invention process to me in great detail. I assume you’ll have visitor and press protocols in place as well.”

He nodded. “Yes. Evan and I are still discussing the security protocols. He wants the institute to have an open and creative energy, but he recognizes most inventors are pretty tight-lipped about their projects. We’ve agreed to have low-profile guards and special access-only rooms beyond the high-tech security system I’ve finalized with our current provider. ”

“But there’s also the danger that students might try and steal each other’s ideas within the institute,” she said, shaking her head. “Not everyone is ethical. We could create an ethical protocol and provide mandatory training for everyone in the institute.”

“I’m trying to persuade Evan to go a step further and make them sign a legally binding agreement about the use of their work and collaboration within the center.”

Moira had a hard time imagining Evan going for that idea, which would essentially give the institute an opportunity for legal action in the event of a breach of contract.

“It’s a tough spot to be in, isn’t it? The institute’s inventors won’t technically be employees, but they’ll be doing important work that needs to be protected.

You also don’t want anyone to use the institute’s resources to invent some new form of a chemical weapon. ”

Chase set his glass down. “No, we don’t. Not all inventions are for the good of the world. Evan doesn’t like to sit in judgment over people’s ideas, but as an institute, we have a responsibility to ensure no harm is done.”

Moira uncrossed her legs and leaned forward. “It’s going to be an exciting give and take, especially in the beginning. Selecting people worthy of using the institute is going to be?—”

“A pain in the ass,” Chase said, scowling now. “Evan doesn’t agree on the need for background checks in applicants.”

“Well, that’s just crazy! Of course you need to do background checks. You can’t let any Tom, Dick, or Harry into a place like this and give them access to the resources and support the institute plans to provide.”

He took a drink of his water, studying her over the rim of the glass. “I’m glad we agree on that.”

She could only imagine the power struggle that would erupt between Chase and anyone who stood in his way.

Surely this was a man who was used to getting his way.

“While we’re talking about agreements, I would need it to be clearer who I report to directly.

Evan clearly will have a role as the creative genius behind the institute, and it sounds like he plans to work with inventors on their projects from time to time. ”

Chase sighed, running his hand through his dark hair.

“I’m dreading that part. I told Evan his first priority has to be to inventing for Quid-Atch, but he gets distracted by good ideas.

It’s what makes him brilliant. Plus, he always geeks out with other inventors.

So far, I’ve only witnessed this with Rajan Singh, the head of our R&D, and our team, but with this extra influx of people… ”

“He’s going to be in inventing heaven,” she finished for him, smiling wryly. “He might have mentioned it.”

“You’re smart to ask who you’d report to,” Chase said, casting a glance at her resume.

“But it won’t be so clear-cut. Evan will be the creative mastermind, as you said.

Plus, he lives here now. He’ll want to do things we technically aren’t supposed to do.

That’s why I’m going to be involved. Evan and I have been engaged in the battle between invention and management since we first met. ”

She’d suspected that tension going into the interview. “I don’t want to be caught in the middle. I’m not eager for a lose-lose situation here, especially since it involves me relocating back to Dare Valley.”

Chase added another lime to his water. “I can’t promise easy waters every time, but Evan and I always figure out an agreement in the end. I don’t expect you to be a party to that.”

“If I were offered the job,” she said, looking him squarely in the eye, “I’d want there to be an agreement upfront about that.”

“There are always scenarios we can’t foresee,” Chase said, waving his hand.

“Look at me. I’m sitting in Dare Valley, talking with you about a job at a new invention institute.

Trust me, even though Evan’s like a brother to me, I didn’t see this coming.

But we adapt. Evan is a genius and a visionary, don’t get me wrong.

But he sometimes needs people to help him think through his plans in terms of practicality and budget. ”

“Visionaries aren’t always the best managers,” she said, thinking back to one of her first bosses, who could rally a board of directors but lacked the strategic ability to lead the company into a new market.

“I also won’t be here 24/7,” Chase said. “I need someone who has a good head on her shoulders who can handle such issues on an ongoing basis.”

“You need someone who will keep the ship running, keep you informed, and keep the institute’s burgeoning reputation intact.”

“Exactly,” he said as another knock sounded on the door. “Your espresso, I presume. Enter.”

The server came in carrying her coffee. Chef T had certainly had a hand in making it—he knew her preferences, and there was a small jar of honey with a silver spoon on the saucer instead of brown sugar.

“You take your espresso with honey?” Chase asked. “That’s very Italian of you.”

She raised her brows. “What can I say? When it comes to some things, the Italians know best.” She refrained from mentioning the fine cut of his suit, but the unbidden thought prompted another issue they hadn’t discussed.

“Beyond the ethics protocol and training, I hope you plan on including sexual harassment protocols and training. I’m not sure how many female inventors will be selected, but it’s important to make sure inventors with less than ideal people skills understand the law. ”

She added her honey to her espresso and took a sip. Heaven.

“That’s serious human resource talk,” Chase said, “but I like it. Evan didn’t have good people skills in the beginning either, but he’s grown up.

I expect we’ll be dealing with some inventors who have them and others who don’t.

Inventors run a wide swath, I’ve discovered.

And as for female applicants, I can say from our experience with Quid-Atch that there’s not near enough of them involved.

Our R&D team is composed of mostly men since they still dominate the math, science, and engineering fields. ”

“Unlike human resources, which boasts nearly all female employees,” she said, making a face. “Hopefully more balance will be achieved over time.”

“Agreed,” Chase said. “Let’s order some lunch. I have some questions to ask you about your background.”

As Moira looked into the shrewd eyes of Quid-Atch’s chief financial officer, she knew she had a ways to go before she convinced him she was the best candidate for the job.

But she had no doubt she would.