Chapter 2 - The Dinner Victoria Had Already Won
Emily backed away from the door.
“Michael.”
“Wait.”
One of the men slid an identification card beneath it.
MERRITT FAMILY PROTECTION — LICENSED INVESTIGATOR.
Michael opened the door.
“Ben.”
Emily stared at him.
Michael had hired Benjamin Shaw eighteen months earlier after discovering inconsistencies in her death investigation. The assignment had been quiet enough that even Victoria believed her son had simply become depressed and passive.
“Take them to Lenox Hill,” Michael told him. “Use the private intake we discussed. Nobody tells the hotel where they went.”
Emily grabbed his sleeve.
“Don’t leave us.”
Michael looked at Sophie.
Every instinct told him to stay.
But Victoria had fourteen directors downstairs and documents prepared before Emily ever appeared.
“If I disappear now, she knows exactly how much you told me.”
Emily slowly released him.
“Twenty minutes,” he said. “Then I’m coming.”
The ballroom looked like a celebration.
Crystal glasses. White orchids. Manhattan glowing beyond the windows.
Victoria smiled as Michael entered.
“At last. My widowed son.”
Victor Hayes, Harrington Properties’ longtime chief financial officer, pushed a folder toward Michael.
“Temporary restructuring,” Victor said. “Ninety days. I assume day-to-day operations while you focus on your health.”
“What health problem?”
Victoria folded her napkin.
“Your judgment has deteriorated since Emily’s death.”
Their attorney avoided Michael’s eyes.
Inside the folder were references to missed meetings, insomnia, medication, and an “episode of irrational behavior” at a company retreat.
Michael recognized the incident.
Someone had slipped a sedative into his drink. He had assumed he accidentally mixed prescription sleep medication with alcohol.
That had been eleven months ago.
He closed the folder.
“I’m not signing.”
Victoria’s smile remained.
“Michael, please don’t humiliate yourself.”
“Then call a formal board meeting.”
Victor leaned closer.
“This is the formal meeting.”
Michael looked around.
Fourteen directors.
Counsel.
Prepared resolutions.
His mother had expected his signature to be a courtesy, not a negotiation.
Michael stood.
“Then record my vote as no.”
Victoria’s expression finally changed.
“You should be very careful tonight.”
Michael buttoned his jacket.
“I think that advice applies to everyone at this table.”
His second phone vibrated.
Ben Shaw had sent only one line.
Emily says Dr. Bennett never examined the body.
May you like
Michael looked across the table at Victor.
Two years earlier, Victor Hayes had been the person who recommended Dr. Andrew Bennett to identify Emily’s remains.
