Chương 10
“What do you expect me to do?” Mara asked.
“Tell them the March transfer was a legitimate emergency decision.”
“It was not.”
“It was an emergency decision with undisclosed conflicts.”
“That is not better.”
“It is more accurate.”
“You used a false payroll schedule.”
“I used the schedule Celeste gave me.”
“You knew I had not reviewed the memo.”
“I knew you were at the hospital.”
The words echoed between concrete walls.
Naomi turned slightly, watching Mara.
Adrian seemed to realize too late what he had admitted.
“You chose that night,” Mara said.
“I did not choose your mother’s surgery.”
“You chose not to wait.”
“We did not have time.”
“You told Daniel I reviewed the memo.”
“I told him you understood the risk.”
“I did not.”
“You understood enough.”
Mara stepped toward him. “Did you know about Celeste’s brother?”
Adrian looked away.
That was enough.
“Did you know before I signed?”
“I knew he was associated with the fund.”
“Associated.”
“I did not know the final ownership structure.”
“When did you learn?”
“Later.”
“When?”
“April.”
“And you did nothing.”
“I tried to refinance North Quay out.”
“Without telling the board.”
“If I had told the board, they would have forced a sale.”
“They may still.”
“That is what Celeste wanted.”
Mara stared at him.
Adrian ran one hand through his hair. For the first time, his composure gave way to something almost like fear.
“She wanted the defaults,” he said. “North Quay earns control rights if we miss the November payment.”
“You signed the agreement.”
“She told me the control rights were temporary security.”
“Did you read it?”
“I read a summary.”
The irony was so complete that Mara nearly laughed.
“You signed something you did not understand,” she said.
His face hardened. “Do not compare us.”
“Why not?”
“Because I was trying to save the company.”
“So was I.”
“You were chief development officer. I was responsible for all of it.”
“And that made you more entitled to ignorance?”
He looked at the floor.
Naomi said, “Any further information goes through counsel.”
Adrian lifted his eyes. “If Friday’s payroll fails, the board will have no choice but to accept North Quay’s emergency financing. Celeste gets what she wanted.”
“Why are you telling me?” Mara asked.
“Because Richard will listen to you now.”
“He should not.”
“He will.”
“You publicly called me a liar less than twenty-four hours ago.”
“I was angry.”
“You tried to have me removed.”
“You came to my engagement gala with my board listening through your phone.”
“You threatened me because you thought no one important could hear.”
His mouth tightened.
Mara saw the moment he decided whether to apologize.
He chose strategy instead.
“I was wrong about the call,” he said.
“Not about me?”
“I do not know what you want me to say.”
“That has always been the problem.”
She walked past him.
Adrian called after her. “Mara, payroll is real this time.”
She stopped beside Naomi’s car.
Without turning, she said, “Then prove it to someone who is allowed to believe you.”
That night, Mara dreamed of the ballroom.
In the dream, Adrian repeated the accusation, but no sound came from his mouth. The guests watched her phone. The screen remained black. When she tried to raise it, her arm weighed too much.
She woke at four thirty to the smell of bread.
For several minutes she lay in darkness listening to trays roll across the bakery floor below.
Then she called Naomi.
“There may be a payroll crisis,” Mara said.
“I know.”
“How?”
“Evelyn called at midnight.”
“Is the board approving emergency funds?”
“They are considering a bridge loan from Richard and Margaret.”
“Will it cover the gap?”
“Partially.”
“What about North Quay?”
“They offered financing at one thirty this morning.”
“Of course they did.”
“The terms include expanded control rights.”
Mara sat up.
“Celeste planned it.”
“Possibly.”
“Adrian said she wanted the default.”
“Adrian says many things when cornered.”
“He admitted he knew her brother was associated with the fund.”
“Did you record the conversation?”
“No.”
“Was anyone else present?”
“You.”
“I am your lawyer, not an independent witness.”
“He may admit it again.”
“Do not try to make him.”
Mara got out of bed and went to the kitchen.
The old phone remained sealed on the table.
“What happens Friday?” she asked.
“If the board finds financing, employees are paid. If not, North Quay may gain leverage or the company may seek court-supervised protection.”
The phrase felt too calm for what it meant.
“Can the board sell the estate?”
“Not by Friday.”
“What can I do?”
“Finish your disclosure.”
“That does not solve payroll.”
“No.”
“Then what does?”
“Money.”
Mara opened the refrigerator. There was half a lemon, mustard, and a container of soup she no longer trusted.
“Richard has money.”
“Not enough liquid capital to cover every obligation without other shareholders participating.”
“Margaret?”
“She is willing to contribute.”
“Adrian?”
“Most of his wealth is tied to company equity and trusts.”
“He has a house in Aspen.”
“Selling a house by Friday is difficult.”
Mara closed the refrigerator.
Naomi sighed. “This is the part where you begin believing the company can be rescued if you make one more personal sacrifice.”
“You have known me for less than a day.”
“I have represented six people exactly like you.”
“That is comforting.”
“Five regretted trying to save institutions that trained them to absorb blame.”
“What happened to the sixth?”
“She is married to me.”
Mara paused.
Naomi added, “She regrets it on alternate Thursdays.”
Despite herself, Mara smiled.
At eight, the board requested another interview.
At nine, Sophie called to say Adrian had asked her father for twenty million dollars.
“What did your father say?” Mara asked.
“He said he would consider it if I married Adrian as planned.”
Mara sat down.
“He said that?”
“He believes the scandal will pass if the wedding does.”
May you like
“And what do you believe?”
“I believe my father has mistaken social confidence for due diligence his entire life.”
