Chapter 9 - Carter’s Victory Dinner
The emergency board dinner happened one night before day 180.
Carter arranged everything.
That was almost funny.
The long mahogany table.
Silver.
Crystal.
Eight directors.
Samuel Voss.
Owen.
Vanessa.
Dominic.
Grant at the head of the table in his wheelchair.
Carter wore black.
His favorite color when he wanted people to believe he was serious.
During dinner, he performed loyalty beautifully.
He cut Grant’s meat once without being asked.
Refilled his water.
Asked Owen about respiration.
Touched Grant’s shoulder like a brother.
Grant let him.
After dessert, Voss opened the succession documents.
“Under Jonathan Blackwood’s incapacity provisions, we are required to determine whether Grant Blackwood is medically capable of resuming operational authority.”
Carter folded his hands.
Owen delivered the report.
Paralysis.
Weakness.
Respiratory concerns.
Minimal improvement.
Every word designed to encourage Carter without making a provably false medical certification.
Voss asked the formal question.
“Dr. Mercer, is Mr. Blackwood presently capable of resuming executive control?”
Owen looked at Grant.
Then lowered his eyes.
“No.”
Carter breathed out slowly.
Victory.
Voss began turning the next page.
Grant interrupted.
“Before we transfer anything, I brought Carter a gift.”
Carter smiled.
“How sentimental.”
Grant reached into his jacket.
Placed one white pill on the table.
Owen went pale on cue.
Carter did not.
Not immediately.
Then Grant placed a second object beside it.
A photograph.
Rebecca and Ben Mercer.
Alive.
Safe.
Carter stopped breathing.
Grant watched the realization travel across his face.
The hostages were gone.
Owen was no longer controlled.
Then Vanessa placed Ashcroft Meridian’s corporate records on the table.
Voss added the archive trust.
Dominic locked the dining-room doors.
Carter looked around.
“What is this?”
Grant leaned back.
“The part where everyone learns what you’ve been doing while I was busy being crippled.”
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For the first time in six months, Carter Shaw looked afraid.
And Grant had not even stood up yet.
