Tony laughed; she didn’t mind being referred to as a lab rat. That was what she was. Did Gordon know he and his ilk were often called Mr. Robotos or enginerds behind their backs?
“Who are Jack and Martha?”
“Jack’s the general chemistry guy, and Martha’s an infectious-disease-testing expert.”
“Oh, so this, uh, device will do all those tests?” That thought blew Tony away.
“That’s the plan,” Gordon said, but he didn’t sound enthusiastic. More like dubious.
“It’s not actually working yet, per se, but I can show you what the inside looks like,” he said.
Gordon pried off the machine’s outer casing, and he and Tony looked inside at a mishmash of electronics and metal channels. At the end of one of the robot arms, she recognized the unmistakable shape of a pipettor with a tip on the end, something she used every single day in the lab. But the tip was mashed, which couldn’t be a good sign. A smashed pipette tip wouldn’t deliver the precise volume required for accurate assay results.
Gordon said, “I tried to convince Erica we ought to try to achieve a working prototype for Leonardo and then miniaturize all the components, but she wouldn’t hear of it. She’s obsessed that it has to be the size someone could fit in his living room.”
‘That’s a lot of functionality to pack into one little magic box. But she’s the boss, I guess.”
“Tell me about it. I got her to go with three assays to start with. That’s complicated enough, and she wanted me to work on them with just the protocols from the lab folks. I told her, ‘I’m not a lab person. I have to have all the lab people involved. She only caved because she realizes I don’t know a thing about blood testing. She doesn’t like to have any of us talking to anyone else, as you know. She wants to be the only one who knows everything. But she wants everything done, like, yesterday. And things just don’t happen that way. You know the old contractor saying, right? You can have it fast, cheap, and marginal quality, or you can get it slow, expensive, and high quality.”
Tony was apprehensive about her new role, but this process would be easier for her and Jack and Martha. They already knew precisely how assays were supposed to work. They had designed or modified the standard lab protocols to work with the smaller volumes. But Gordon had to do the hard work and replicate via mechanics how Tony, an actual highly trained human, performed an assay.
Tony stared at Leonardo and wondered how the heck it could do the same things an experienced lab person like her could. She didn’t know much about robotics, but she’d heard they were amazing. The lab people were siloed from one another, and she’d never worked with either Jack or Martha. This would be an interesting situation.
Chapter Six
Roy and Sheila went out to lunch after he’d attended the most recent GHS board meeting. Sheila was eager to hear about what was discussed and his impression of how the company was progressing. She and Tony had exchanged some phone calls, but they hadn’t made any plans during the two weeks after Tony got her promotion because Tony was really busy. That was likely true, but it could also be true she’d gotten spooked. It was hard to tell. Sheila was prepared to wait. After their San Francisco date, the signs were good that they could move forward.
They were seated at one of the “good tables,” Sheila noted. Her dad’s long history in Silicon Valley still counted for something. He was still well known and well respected. She suspected some of the younger players thought he was old-fashioned and out of the loop, and that had fed into his enthusiasm for Global HemoSolutions. Everyone was always on the lookout for the next big thing. He wanted a truly big score, larger than he’d had in a long time. Their company was doing fine, profit-wise, but Roy hadn’t been the toast of the Valley for one of “his” start-ups since before the dot-com bust in the early part of the century. His real fame dated from the nineteen eighties and early nineties—ancient history, relatively speaking. He wanted GHS to work for a lot of reasons, not just money.
“I’m hungry. How about you?” she asked him.
“Massively. Do you want a drink?”
Sheila was surprised to hear him ask. He knew she almost never drank at midday. He must want one, and that was unusual too, but he didn’t like to drink alone.
“Nope. Thanks. You go ahead.”
“Think I will. Just one.”
When the waiter came over, Roy ordered a scotch.
“I’m interested to hear about the board meeting, Dad. Don’t keep me in suspense any longer.”
“It was fine. Erica’s got it all under control. She wants to do another funding series. I want us to get in.”
Another funding series? Already?
“Dad. More detail, please.”
“Well. All right. She said she’s going forward with the Graff partnership, and she expects to put Leonardo into forty stores on the West Coast by next year.”
“What’s their burn rate?” Sheila asked. “Did she say? Why do they need more money so soon?”
“Um, she didn’t say.”
Sheila asked, aghast, “She doesn’t tell the board what the burn number is?”
“We can estimate that it’s fairly high. You know how it goes with these folks. They have to spend a lot of money. And this is biotech, sweetie. Those labs really consume money fast.”
He didn’t sound at all concerned, which wasn’t like him. Roy had become a successful VC by being hands-on and asking a lot of tough questions of the would-be entrepreneurs, which was what he’d taught her as well. It sure looked like Erica Sanders basically could do whatever she wanted.
“Doesn’t anyone on the board ask questions of Erica—like what are the monthly expenses?”
Roy shrugged again. “She likes to talk about business deals and corporate partnerships and income projections. She doesn’t like to be grilled about the details of running GHS.”
“But Dad, I don’t understand. Isn’t oversight what boards are supposed to do?”
“Well, sure, but when you have a strong, competent CEO, oversight is a lot easier. Erica is a strong CEO, and I don’t think you want the board to give the impression they don’t think she can do the job because she’s a woman.”
Sheila sat back in her chair, staring at Roy. Tony had mentioned that her type of work, biotech, did take a lot of time and a lot of money, and maybe Erica’s need for more investment was legitimate, but not her refusal to answer questions from her board of directors. That was just nuts.
“Dad, how much did you put in when you joined the board?” It was customary for board members to invest in the companies whose boards they were members of, usually in exchange for a discount price on shares.
He was quiet for a moment, and Sheila waited without saying anything.
“Five million,” he said finally. He meant more of his own money; this was separate from the Pacific Partners stake. He’d invested a total of eight million dollars himself.
“Okay. You’re all right with the level of detail Erica gives you guys?”
“Yeah, yeah. She tends to get irritated if someone asks too many questions, and then she clams up. She’s really afraid something is going to get out in public, and that could be devastating.”
This was all weird. Erica went way beyond the normal start-up CEO paranoia. The board of directors was comprised of professionals who understood confidentiality and wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize a company’s chance for success. That would be counter-productive and downright idiotic, considering the sums of money at stake.
Their food arrived, and they changed the subject to talk about trivia. Sheila pushed her mild concern aside. She truly trusted her father; his knowledge and experience were far beyond hers. She would rather think about Tony anyhow. Mostly she wondered what was up with her, and she decided to call her when she returned to her office after lunch.
“Hi, there,” she said brightly when Tony picked up.
“Hi. How are you?”
Okay. She sounded pretty good.
&nb
sp; “I miss seeing you.” Sheila said, sincerely. “I was wondering what you were up to.”
“Sorry I haven’t called. It’s the new job—in GHS,” Tony said. “It’s really keeping me busy, but I do want to see you.”
That is good news.
“And I want to see you too. Lunch? Dinner?”
“How about breakfast instead?” Tony asked.
“I beg your pardon?” What was Tony proposing? Sheila thought that breakfast would follow, well, a sleepover. Was this what she meant? Sheila doubted that.
Tony laughed, sounding a little embarrassed. “I don’t mean what you might think I mean. I always get to work early to organize myself. But these days I’m more likely to have to interact with others, and then we all tend to work late. Lunch and dinner breaks are iffy. I could meet you in the morning, right after I get off the train.”
“Oh, I see. Sure, I’d love that. Just tell me when.” Depending on how early was early, Sheila might have to reschedule her morning meditation, but she was willing.
“How about tomorrow?” Tony asked, further astounding her.
“Yes, of course.”
“I’ll text you when I know exactly when I’ll be there. Probably sevenish. Is that okay?”
“It’s perfect,” Sheila said.
* * *
After she hung up, Tony sat for a moment staring at her screen saver—the old Apple fish. She was caught up with the project with Gordon, Jack, and Martha. It was all-consuming, and then there was the time pressure to get it done. Gordon said the Leonardo 2.0 had to be ready in six months. But when she wasn’t involved with her work, she wondered about Sheila. That is, she pondered what to do with Sheila and when and if it was a good idea to pursue a relationship with her or break it off. It seemed easier and less fraught with uncertainty and complication if she broke it off, and a part of her wanted to stop, but most of the time when she wasn’t thinking about work or at work, she fantasized about what it would be like if they were together.
“Stop being such a wimp,” she whispered, but no one was around to hear her. She didn’t know what would happen, so be it. In a funny way, her excitement about her work fed the part of her that craved a personal connection. She had never had those two vital parts of her life functioning properly and at the same time. To be clear, she’d hadn’t had a relationship since her college hookups that had turned into friends or nothing.
That would be amazing: dating Sheila and working at GHS. Tony was, all of a sudden, happy and optimistic.
* * *
Tony slipped into the passenger seat of Sheila’s Volt outside the Caltrain depot, favored her with a huge grin, and said, “Good morning” with far more verve than usual.
Sheila beamed back at her. “And a gracious good morning to you, Ms Leung. Why so animated? Not that I’m complaining.”
Tony looked out the window. “I’m just in a good mood. I’m looking forward to going to work, but first I get to have breakfast with someone I like.”
“Well, that is outstanding. Let’s get to the Coupa Café and eat. I’m hungry. I hope you’re okay with Coupa, since it’s like right here.”
“Oh, sure. We can be stereotypical Valleyites and discuss business over our lattes and organic eggs.”
“That we can. Or we can talk about whatever you want.” Sheila pulled into a parking place in the transit-center parking lot for convenience, since the café was around the corner.
They sat down and, after giving their orders, locked eyes across the small table.
“So?” Sheila said, her tone low and insinuating. “Tell me more about why you’re cheerful today. It’s not that you’ve been surly or anything. It’s just noticeable.”
“Erica has me working with the engineering lead and a couple of other chemists to really move Leonardo forward. She eventually wants it to be able to do hundreds of tests, but she’ll settle for three for the moment. Gordon is the engineer, and he’s the one that has to make it work. Two of the other lab people and I are advising him and making sure all the testing processes are where they have to be.”
“That’s terrific. No wonder you’re so happy.”
Their breakfasts arrived, and they both stopped talking for a bit.
Sheila swallowed a bite of toast and said in a confused tone, “I just thought of something. Roy and I got our blood tested months ago when we visited for a tour. On a Leonardo, I thought.”
It was Tony’s turn to be confused.
“Oh, no. That must have been the 1.0. We’re working on the Leonardo 2.0. The thing has a zillion moving parts. Gordon had to design one piece of it at a time, starting with the cartridge where the blood tubes are situated. Another engineer was working on it at first, but he was let go, and Gordon had to basically start from scratch.”
Sheila leaned back in her chair and said, as if she could read Tony’s mind, “Huh. How did Leonardo do a blood test on Dad and me?”
To cover up her dismay, Tony ate some of her eggs and shook her head. “I don’t know, but I could ask Gordon. He might know. Anyhow, we’re all four working together, which is amazing, and we hope—we, meaning Jack and Martha and me—we can help Gordon get all the various parts of Leonardo up to speed so it can be used in clinical studies. I think that’s what’s next. Gordon sort of mentioned it. Pharma companies want to know how much of their drugs are in patients in their clinical trials. Erica says—”
“Well, look at you two. I wouldn’t have predicted this.” The voice speaking this sentence caused Tony to whip her head around just as Sheila did at exactly the same time.
Erica Sanders was standing next to their table, coffee go-cup in hand and staring from one to the other with a tight expression.
Sheila recovered the fastest. “Oh, hi, Erica. How nice to run into you.” To Tony, she sounded unruffled and friendly. Tony’s throat was tight, and she was feeling guilty and slightly terrified to have her CEO see her enjoying a cozy breakfast with one of the investors.
“It’s nice to see you as well.” Erica sounded like she viewed it as the opposite of nice. “Is this a business meeting I’m interrupting?”
“Oh, no. We’re friends. I met Tony by accident when I was at GHS the first time.” The look Sheila gave Erica wasn’t surprised or dismayed, and she spoke evenly and firmly with not a hint of apology. Tony, on the other hand, felt incapable of articulating even one word, never mind a sentence.
“Well, this an interesting coincidence.” Erica’s tone held a note of hostility as well as curiosity. She looked first at Tony and then at Sheila, but neither of them spoke. Tony wanted to ask Erica what precisely was the coincidence? Her running into Sheila and Tony? Or Sheila and Tony having breakfast together? But she couldn’t ask anything quite that forward and stayed quiet, a noncommittal smile plastered on her face.
It was borderline rude on Erica’s part to continue to stand there interrupting their private conversation, and she must have realized it. After a long pause, she finally said, “Okay, then. Enjoy your breakfast. See you in the lab, Tony?”
“Oh, sure. I’ll be in soon.” To her ears, Tony thought she sounded like she was strangling.
“Excellent. Bye-bye Sheila. Good to run into you.” And with that Erica left, and the two of them watched her walk out the door.
“Oops. I think I might be in trouble.” Tony struggled to meet Sheila’s serene gaze.
Sheila took a big gulp of coffee before she said, “No. I don’t agree.”
“What is Erica going to think? What will she do?” Tony had no idea why she was imbuing Sheila with the ability to see the future, which was ridiculous. But she needed something, probably reassurance.
Sheila reached across the table and put her hand over Tony’s, her touch simultaneously calming and electrifying.
“Erica is your CEO, not your mom or your keeper. Whatever she thinks is whatever she thinks. You’re an employee with a job to do.”
Tony took a breath, and her disquiet lessened. Sheila’s look and touch calme
d her. Sheila gave her a small smile as she stroked her hand.
“Besides, in the Valley, if people policed everyone’s dating and hookups, nothing would ever get done. You know the story: after money, sex is the big topic. Don’t worry about it. You’re not breaking any rules.”
“Are we? Dating, I mean,” Tony blurted. She knew the answer, but she wanted to hear Sheila say it aloud.
“Why, yes, we are.” Sheila’s grin was of a Cheshire-cat level of satisfaction. Tony turned her hand over and clasped Sheila’s.
They sat quietly for another moment, and then Sheila said, “Let’s get you to work. We want you to stay in Erica’s good graces, and that’s the best way.”
In the car in front of the entrance to GHS, Tony couldn’t help glancing nervously at the blank gray windows.
“Relax. Tony, you’re good to go.” Sheila patted Tony’s shoulder.
“I hope so. Thanks.” This time Tony leaned forward for their kiss. It was over too fast, but it was great and was steeped in promise. Sheila seemed to know always how far and how fast to go. She broke contact soon and gave Tony another encouraging smile.
* * *
When Tony stopped at her desk, her phone-message light was blinking, and she knew who it was. Tony hesitated, then decided that work came first. She’d get back to Erica later.
Tony, suited up in her lab coat, entered the engineering lab and found all her coworkers already there. They exchanged friendly greetings.
Gordon said, “I’ve made some adjustments at the intake port and with the pipette arm. Let’s see if we can get complete or near-complete aspiration of sample volume. Jack, will you do the honors?” He meant for Jack to stick his finger with one of their disposable lancets. They had to provide their own blood samples for all the trial runs—and all four of them had sore, scarred fingers.
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