Chapter 4 Stolen illustration

The following day at the hospital, Anna sat in the waiting area with a notebook where she was trying to make sense of her options. Her mother's jewelry was still in the house, she didn't know what other property was in Elizabeth's name. She had no other family to turn to, and no savings of her own.

She could try to get a loan, but what bank would lend three hundred and fifty dollars to a jobless art graduate with no collateral? If she sold her art supplies, her car, and everything she owned, she would only get about five thousand dollars at most.

The television in the corner of the waiting area was tuned to the local news, and something on the news caught her attention. A medical equipment company just launched their new cardiac imaging software. Was that one of her illustrations being displayed or she was imagining things?

"Excuse me..." She turned to a nurse sitting close by who had been following the news. "Do you know which company this is?"

"Cole Med-tech," the nurse smiled. "They are one of the best in the field and they supply most of the equipment we use here, is there a problem?"

"No." she paid attention to what the news anchor was saying.

"...Cole Med-tech's new cardiac imaging device is built with the latest software expected to save thousands of lives. The device uses advanced visualization technology to help surgeons..."

Anna's blood ran cold. On the screen, bold and clear as day, was the illustration she sketched some months ago.

The anchor continued "...company CEO, Ethan Cole says the device is a leap forward in cardiac surgery process..."

A short clip of of a man in suit standing in front of a gleaming machine was shown. Even on the slightly blurry hospital TV, Anna could tell he was handsome-dark hair, strong jaw, and eyes that looked right through you to your soul. He looked familiar but she couldn't be sure because the video quality was not very good. She packed her things and left hurriedly.

As she eased her car out of the parking lot, her mind was working on how best to approach the matter. She was sure, no, she could bet her mother's life that was her illustrations on TV. How did they get it? Why were they using it without her consent? She had to find answers when she gets there. Letting her thoughts settle on the present task, she typed Cole Med-tech in the GPS as she hit the highway and stepped on the gas.

* * *

Cole Med-tech was a giant thirty-story building. It would easily dwarf her father's law firm if placed side by side. Above the entrance, the company's logo, a styled double helix rotated in a continuous dance like carousels in an amusement park. Anna paused on the sidewalk, craning her neck to look at the full range of the building. Somewhere up there was the man who had stolen her work, and he has to pay for it.

She clutched her portfolio tighter as she passed through security while she fought to keep her breathing steady. The floor in the lobby was shining, and there was a big red plus (➕) sculpture in the center.

Anna walked to the reception desk. "I'd like to see Ethan Cole," she told the receptionist, glad that her voice didn't shake.

The young lady behind the desk, a tall blonde with sharp greenish eyes, barely glanced up from her screen. "Your name, please?"

"Annabelle Bennett."

"May I see your appointment ticket?" Her manicured fingers hovered over her keyboard.

Anna's stomach tightened. "I don't have one."

"Then I'm afraid you can't see Dr. Cole. He doesn't attend to anyone who has not scheduled a meeting." The woman's tone was curt, as if she couldn't wait to turn Anna away.

Even though Anna had expected this kind of response, her palms still grew damp with anxiety. She leaned forward slightly, lowering her voice to a murmur. "But I spoke with him earlier. I'm from BM Digital's legal team, it's regarding the copyright of the newly launched cardiac imaging software illustrations." It was not entirely a lie, she told herself. The part of it that was a lie is that she had not spoken with him and she's not from BM Digital, but she's her own legal team.

"Can I see your business card?" The receptionist narrowed her eyes slightly.

Anna's heart skipped, she hadn't anticipated this. She made a show of searching through her bag. "Oh no," she pressed her palm to her forehead, hoping the gesture masked the sweat that was forming there. "I must have left my purse at the restaurant where I had breakfast. My cards are there."

The receptionist just stared at her and Anna was sure she could see through her pretense. "I'm sorry, but without proper identification, I cannot allow you to see Dr. Cole."

Anna let her shoulders drop in defeat. "Alright," she sighed. As a last resort, she straightened, squaring her shoulders.

"Then please make sure to tell him that since he has refused to grant us an audience to discuss settlement terms, our next step will be a court a court summons."

She stepped closer to the desk, dropping her voice to a whisper so that only the receptionist could hear. The marble floor made each click of her heels louder. "And I'll make it very clear exactly who prevented this from being handled quietly." She held the receptionist's gaze, watching as uncertainty crept into those greenish eyes.

The lady's composure cracked, just slightly. Her fingers fidgeted with her pen in nervousness. Anna felt a pang of guilt at causing someone distress, but she couldn't help it. She pressed on. "Are you sure you want to take responsibility when this boomerang, Miss...?" She let the question hang in the air.

"I'll take my leave then." Anna turned on her heel, counting silently. One step. Two steps. Three-

"Wait!" The receptionist's voice was higher than before, slightly strained.

Anna allowed herself a small smile of victory and smoothed her expression before turning back. The receptionist was already speaking into her phone, her voice honey-smooth but slightly shaken. "Dr. Cole? Ms. Bennett from BM Digital's legal team is here regarding the cardiac imaging software illustrations' copyright." She paused. "Yes, sir." She lowered the phone, but her eyes were cautious. "Dr. Cole will see you now."

Anna nodded her thanks, suppressing both her triumph and the guilt in her stomach as she followed the receptionist's directions to the elevator. At least, She'd gotten access to the man she came to see.

The ride to the thirtieth floor gave her time to study her reflection in the mirror-like doors. Dark circles were under her eyes and her shoulders slumped in fatigue, she had not taken anything other than the coffee she had the previous morning before she started sketching. She'd pulled her auburn hair into a knot, aiming for a professional appearance but staring at her reflection now, she thought she appeared desperate instead.

She brushed her hair and gave up on her appearance. What mattered more was the money, and hopefully, she will get some from this company.