Touched by a Phoenix Read Online Free PDF Page B

lived in San Diego for a while. This was always a favorite with my out-of-town clients.”
    A comfortable silence fell between them as they selected their steaks and proceeded to the cooking stations. Brad watched in amazement as Alexandria cooked her filet to perfection. Over the last several months, he had learned a great deal about her, but this was new. He had seen her use her lawyering skills to their fullest potential and knew he never wanted to be on the wrong side of her wrath! Her appearance was elegant and sophisticated; he assumed she would not be comfortable around a grill, let alone be able to charbroil a steak.
    “You never cease to amaze me, Alexandria. How did you learn to cook over an open flame?”
    “Are you kidding me? Have you forgotten that my father is a Marine and taught me well?” She raised the steak knife just enough to catch his attention as she continued, “Would you like me to step out back and slaughter the cow for you too?”
    Brad opened his mouth—closed it—and opened it again, but could find no words. He simply shook his head as his lips twitched, finally yielding, “I’ve got nothing!”
    She burst out laughing, “So it is possible to leave Mr. Know-It-All speechless.”
    He shrugged his shoulders. She had left him speechless a few times since their first encounter, but he’d never tell her that.
    About halfway through dinner, Alexis asked, “I have questions about the purchase agreements you sent through to Robert last week.”
    “Oh….” His eyebrow rose quizzically. “How did you get them?”
    She frowned, “If you remember, I approve all purchase agreements exceeding a quarter million.”
    “Right. What are your questions?”
    “You realize that we design and manufacture surveillance systems, right?”
    “Yes, of course.”
    “So would you mind explaining why you are buying items to build a laser? That is not our specialty,” she stated flatly.
    He opened and closed his mouth several times. For the second time in just a few short minutes, she had left him speechless. He leaned back and crossed his arms, eyeing her speculatively. How could she possibly have figured out what he was planning to do with those items? In his experience, very few people would have put the information together. He had done a good job of breaking up the items—or at least thought he had—just to make sure no one would recognize his intent.
    Phillip had hired him to redesign the surveillance systems, not to reengineer the drone. He and Phillip had several conversations about major improvements to the existing military equipment in order to better protect the servicemen and women. After Brad had pitched a few new ideas to Phillip, eventually they agreed to experiment with a second phase for the project. Phillip insisted that no one should know what Brad was working on until he had a proof of concept. So exactly, how did Alexandria figure it out?
    He sat stiffly. “Alexandria, before I answer your question, would you mind telling me how you came to that conclusion?”
    “It’s rather simple when you put all the pieces together. Let’s see…you need mirror systems, optical, tubing, electrodes, nitrogen, bending units, and ooh… let’s not forget the mammoth generator you asked for.” She rolled her eyes, cutting him to the quick.
    Now his mind reeled. He knew she was intelligent, but this exceeded what he had given her credit for. She was far too astute. What now, should he tell her? If so, how much information should he share with her?
    The smoke was virtually billowing from his ears as the wheels turned. Alexis noted the series of questions running through his mind—questions—answers—and more questions. She loved this part of her job. Catching people off guard and then watching their reactions. Like shell shock. First the panic, the inability to reason for a few moments, then the cognitive reasoning skills begin working to determine fight or flight. Then came the loss for words