He'd come because his laboratory's records contained a research trail nobody in Idaho knew existed.
And he'd discovered a conflict he couldn't ignore.
When the auction crowd finally began speaking again, the scientist asked whether Dileia could move the discussion somewhere private.
She looked toward Harlon.
He remained beside the crate.
His face was red.
One hand gripped his telephone.
The scientist noticed.
Then spoke calmly.
“Mr. Whitmore, our organization will respond to any legitimate commercial inquiry through counsel. But I recommend that you stop representing this material as something your company controls unless you can substantiate that claim.”
Harlon's expression hardened.
“You've got no idea who you're dealing with.”
Dr. Meier nodded.
“That's precisely why we verify ownership.”
Several people in the crowd exchanged looks.
A man near the back laughed nervously.
Harlon turned toward him.
The laughter stopped.
Then Dileia spoke.
“Get away from my crate.”
Harlon stared at her.
She repeated herself.
“I said move.”
For a moment, he looked as though he might refuse.
Then the retired mechanic stepped forward.
He had arrived at the auction to help her unload.
His hair was white, his back slightly bent, and his hands were permanently stained from decades of working on equipment.
He stopped beside Dileia.
“Harlon, you've made your point.”
The developer turned.
“Stay out of this.”
The older mechanic shrugged.
“Gladly. As soon as you leave her alone.”
Several farmers nodded.
Harlon glanced around.
For the first time, he seemed to realize the audience wasn't enjoying his performance anymore.
He pointed toward Dileia.
“This isn't over.”
She looked directly at him.
“No.”
Her voice was firm.
“It isn't.”
Then she turned toward the Swiss scientist.
“Let's talk.”
They moved into a small office beside the auction yard.
The retired mechanic accompanied her.
Dileia wanted another person present.
Dr. Meier didn't object.
Inside, he placed his identification, company details, and a preliminary technical summary on the table.
He invited her to verify the information independently.
Dileia appreciated that.
She wasn't interested in being fooled by the first man who arrived carrying a briefcase.
The scientist explained that Walter had sent botanical material to a predecessor research program eight years earlier.
The samples had been preserved under laboratory protocols and associated with dated correspondence.
The project had produced unusual findings.
But its funding ended before the company completed the full development program.
The archived material remained in storage.
Several scientists had moved to other organizations.
And the preliminary work had been largely forgotten.
Then a private agricultural investor began asking about an exclusive supply of a drought-tolerant root containing an unusual water-retaining polysaccharide fraction.