Chapter 3 - WHILE I WAS ON THE FLOOR
At the hospital, a doctor cleaned and closed the wound near my temple.
A scan showed no bleeding inside my skull.
My shoulder was badly bruised.
I had a concussion and instructions that left no room for negotiation.
Observation.
Rest.
No driving.
I agreed to everything except sleep.
Martin stood beside the bed.
“What did you know?” I asked.
He looked toward Grace, who sat near the door with blood still on one sleeve.
“Three weeks ago, Elise requested a review of your emergency access procedures.”
“Why?”
“She said marriage would make her responsible if something happened.”
“Did you give her access?”
“No.”
“Did you tell me she asked?”
He didn’t answer quickly enough.
Anger rose through the headache.
“Martin.”
“I thought she was preparing for the wedding.
I should have told you.”
My phone vibrated on the bedside table.
The screen was damaged, but the message was readable.
WHITFIELD CAPITAL:
EMERGENCY BOARD SESSION SCHEDULED.
8:00 A.M.
I looked at the clock.
Nine-seventeen.
Less than an hour after my fall.
I called Owen Mercer, our chief financial officer.
He answered immediately.
“Ethan.
Thank God.
How serious is it?”
“Serious enough for you to arrange a board meeting?”
A pause.
“We received a notice that you were unconscious.”
“From whom?”
“Your household.”
“Who in my household?”
“I’ll have to check.”
“Check now.”
I heard movement on his end.
Then he said, “Elise.”
I closed my eyes, this time because the room seemed to tilt.
“What is the meeting for?”
“Continuity.
Nothing permanent.”
“Cancel it.”
“The directors need reassurance.”
“They can hear my voice at eight.”
After I ended the call, Grace stood.
“There’s something else.”
She took a small brass key from her pocket.
“I found this outside your office yesterday.”
I recognized the number stamped into it.
W-3.
A west gate maintenance key.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I gave it to Mr. Mercer during dinner.
He said he would return it to security.”
Owen had attended our rehearsal dinner.
He had left early.
Martin reached for his phone to check the key register.
Grace watched me.
“I’m sorry.”
“You brought it to someone you trusted.”
“So did you,” she said softly.
My phone buzzed again.
This message came from an unfamiliar number.
YOU ARE CONSCIOUS.
THAT CHANGES THE OFFER.
Beneath it was a photograph of a document.
May you like
The signature at the bottom looked exactly like mine.
The date was tomorrow.
