Chapter 13 - The Last Signature
Cole arrived at the trustees' meeting carrying a leather folder and the confidence of a man who believed desperation made everyone cheap.
Lauren attended as a witness, not a voting trustee. She had stepped aside pending the review and would not reclaim her seat that night.
Daniel sat beside his attorney at the far end of the table.
Cole glanced at him, then addressed the board.
“Let's separate personal grievances from keeping families housed. My financing is ready.”
Evelyn Shaw opened his proposed agreement.
“With management control transferred to your company.”
“Someone has to provide competent oversight.”
Lauren remembered him leaning over the kitchen table two years earlier. Same voice. Same promise that speed could save everyone.
The nonprofit group's proposal lay beside his: less cash immediately, more conditions, an independent inspection, and a commitment to keep the building in service.
It would require work.
Cole's offer required surrender.
He turned toward Lauren.
“You wanted to help your father's legacy. Here's your chance. Tell them this has gone too far.”
She stood because sitting made it harder to breathe.
“Two years ago, I signed a statement saying I reviewed records I hadn't reviewed.”
Nobody moved.
“I trusted my husband. Then I used that trust as an excuse not to verify something that could destroy another person's life.”
She looked at Daniel, then back at the board.
“You should not accept my word instead of records now, either. Review the evidence your counsel received. Review both offers. Ask every question I failed to ask.”
Cole shut his folder.
“This is theater.”
The charity's attorney spoke.
“Our independent review has identified unauthorized payments and disputed documents. We have referred those findings to the appropriate investigators. You are no longer authorized to act for this organization.”
“You still need money.”
“We do,” Evelyn said. “That doesn't require us to accept yours.”
The trustees voted to pursue the nonprofit arrangement and the interim funding plan.
Cole stood so abruptly his chair struck the wall.
He looked at Lauren.
“When they finish with me, they'll come for you.”
“My lawyer already knows what I did.”
For once, he had no threat she hadn't faced herself.
He walked out.
Daniel exhaled slowly, but Lauren didn't mistake the sound for relief.
The next morning, Adrian called her before breakfast.
Investigators wanted her formal statement.
May you like
With counsel present.
On the record.
