Sky?”
“ Theoretically, they could bankrupt you and possibly put you in a minimum security prison for a couple of years if you breach the agreement but I wouldn’t worry too much.” Walker smiled knowingly.
“ No, I don’t suppose that you would worry but I certainly do!”
“ Payback’s a bitch isn’t it? That was for the times you’ve been a smartass.” he laughed. “The S.A. is waiting to talk you through the details on line four.”
Walker returned to his office still chuckling at the look on his subordinate’s face. Alan shook his head then picked up the phone and pressed line four.
“ Mr. State’s Attorney? It’s Alan Beach, sir.”
“ Hello Mr. Beach. I’m pressed for time so let me get straight to the point. I’ve reviewed the agreement and it is legally binding and very thorough. If you reveal any intellectual property such as technological or scientific information discovered during your visit, thus causing financial loss or potential loss to Blue Sky Biotech, you may be sued in civil court and they could also press for criminal charges to be brought against you.
“ That doesn’t sound good. How am I supposed to…”
“ Please don’t interrupt detective; I haven’t got time. What I can tell you is that state and federal laws supersede any restrictions placed on you by this agreement. In other words, you are not obliged to maintain confidentiality if any information covered by the agreement directly relates to a felony or a threat to national security. Basically, you can’t talk to anyone outside Blue Sky about any intellectual property you see or hear of during your visit, unless it can be proven that it directly relates to your case. As a police detective, you are an officer of the court so if you find anything of that nature, it immediately becomes property of the court. Got it?”
“ Yes, I understand sir.”
“ Good luck detective.”
With that, the S tate’s Attorney hung up the phone and Alan was left to ponder the situation.
“ Clear as mud?” Walker asked, leaning out his office door.
“ Thereabouts.”
“ Like I said; nothing to worry about. Just go and check the place out then take it from there. We’ll have your back if the shit hits the fan.”
“ I hope so!”
Blue Sky Biotech was about ten miles out of the city so he would need to leave at eleven fifteen the next morning to allow for traffic. Alan finished up his report and found himself thinking about food. He had skipped lunch to do his notes and finish the report for his previous case and now found himself quite hungry. Tired of TV dinners at home, he decided to treat himself to a decent meal. He knew a comfortable place uptown with great char-grilled steaks so he grabbed his things and headed out the door. It was a short drive to the bistro style restaurant where Alan pulled into the small car park to the side, got out and locked his car. The aroma of beef on the grill wafted from the building and for the first time in a long time, the detective found himself savoring the thought of a good meal instead of just filling his stomach. It had been several weeks since he’d eaten at this restaurant so walking into the pleasant, inviting interior and breathing in the mouth watering aromas made him wonder why he’d waited so long to return.
“ Good evening sir. Do you have a reservation?” enquired the assistant manager.
Alan looked around and saw they were doing a good trade but there were still some empty tables.
“I’m sorry but it was a last minute decision.”
“ No problem sir. Are you dining alone or meeting someone? You can wait at the bar if you’d like.”
“ No thanks. Just a quiet table for one please.”
“ Right this way sir.”
The pleasant young man led Alan to a small table in the corner beside the window overlooking the main street.
“Is this alright for you?”
“ Perfect.”
“ Very well sir, your server will be with you shortly.”
Alan nodded thanks and sat
“ Theoretically, they could bankrupt you and possibly put you in a minimum security prison for a couple of years if you breach the agreement but I wouldn’t worry too much.” Walker smiled knowingly.
“ No, I don’t suppose that you would worry but I certainly do!”
“ Payback’s a bitch isn’t it? That was for the times you’ve been a smartass.” he laughed. “The S.A. is waiting to talk you through the details on line four.”
Walker returned to his office still chuckling at the look on his subordinate’s face. Alan shook his head then picked up the phone and pressed line four.
“ Mr. State’s Attorney? It’s Alan Beach, sir.”
“ Hello Mr. Beach. I’m pressed for time so let me get straight to the point. I’ve reviewed the agreement and it is legally binding and very thorough. If you reveal any intellectual property such as technological or scientific information discovered during your visit, thus causing financial loss or potential loss to Blue Sky Biotech, you may be sued in civil court and they could also press for criminal charges to be brought against you.
“ That doesn’t sound good. How am I supposed to…”
“ Please don’t interrupt detective; I haven’t got time. What I can tell you is that state and federal laws supersede any restrictions placed on you by this agreement. In other words, you are not obliged to maintain confidentiality if any information covered by the agreement directly relates to a felony or a threat to national security. Basically, you can’t talk to anyone outside Blue Sky about any intellectual property you see or hear of during your visit, unless it can be proven that it directly relates to your case. As a police detective, you are an officer of the court so if you find anything of that nature, it immediately becomes property of the court. Got it?”
“ Yes, I understand sir.”
“ Good luck detective.”
With that, the S tate’s Attorney hung up the phone and Alan was left to ponder the situation.
“ Clear as mud?” Walker asked, leaning out his office door.
“ Thereabouts.”
“ Like I said; nothing to worry about. Just go and check the place out then take it from there. We’ll have your back if the shit hits the fan.”
“ I hope so!”
Blue Sky Biotech was about ten miles out of the city so he would need to leave at eleven fifteen the next morning to allow for traffic. Alan finished up his report and found himself thinking about food. He had skipped lunch to do his notes and finish the report for his previous case and now found himself quite hungry. Tired of TV dinners at home, he decided to treat himself to a decent meal. He knew a comfortable place uptown with great char-grilled steaks so he grabbed his things and headed out the door. It was a short drive to the bistro style restaurant where Alan pulled into the small car park to the side, got out and locked his car. The aroma of beef on the grill wafted from the building and for the first time in a long time, the detective found himself savoring the thought of a good meal instead of just filling his stomach. It had been several weeks since he’d eaten at this restaurant so walking into the pleasant, inviting interior and breathing in the mouth watering aromas made him wonder why he’d waited so long to return.
“ Good evening sir. Do you have a reservation?” enquired the assistant manager.
Alan looked around and saw they were doing a good trade but there were still some empty tables.
“I’m sorry but it was a last minute decision.”
“ No problem sir. Are you dining alone or meeting someone? You can wait at the bar if you’d like.”
“ No thanks. Just a quiet table for one please.”
“ Right this way sir.”
The pleasant young man led Alan to a small table in the corner beside the window overlooking the main street.
“Is this alright for you?”
“ Perfect.”
“ Very well sir, your server will be with you shortly.”
Alan nodded thanks and sat
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