***
“We have a problem,” Beth said.
Both Daniel and Smith were on their way out the door when Beth stopped them.
“What is it?” Smith asked.
“We have the bill ready, but I went to check the patent office for the purification process just to make sure we had everything covered in the new bill.”
“And?” Daniel asked.
“It's gone.”
“What?” Smith asked.
“There isn't even a record of it being on file. No documents, no financial trail, nothing. It's like it was never there.”
“That's impossible,” Daniel said.
“Not if Jones knew someone in the patent office,” Smith replied.
“If Jones had something to do with the disappearance of the patent, then this bill will be a bluff that he'll call in front of everyone in Congress. We'll lose this fight before it begins,” Daniel said.
“What about the inventor? Do we still have his information?” Smith asked.
“The number's disconnected, and he's no longer at the address we have listed,” Beth answered.
“Track him down. Text me on my cell when you find him,” Smith said.