Forgotten Groom in the Back Alley novel · Chapter 23 of 24

Chapter 23: Wire Transfer

Brodie held the microphone in both hands, and for a moment nothing came out of it.

Then he said, "My name is Brodie Kohler."

His voice shook, and it carried.

"Nine years ago in June, I married Yvette Hargrove at the county courthouse. This ring is the proof."

He held up his left hand, with the gold band on it.

"I hid it because she asked me to. A good man paid for that, and I let him."

Yvette made a sound, and nobody turned to her.

"The man is Jude Taggart," Brodie said. "The Harbor routing system is his. I stood on the stage and took the applause for it. Tonight I give it back."

He took the trophy from under his arm and set it on the lectern.

"I resign tonight," he said. "I'm sorry, Jude."

He walked down the steps and straight out of the side door, and he did not look back.

The silence lasted a long time.

The chairman stood and buttoned his jacket.

"Ms. Hargrove," he said.

Yvette had not moved.

"The board will meet at seven tomorrow. Effective now, you're suspended from all duties. You'll leave your badge with the general counsel at table five."

"You can't."

"I can, and so can the ten beside me." He glanced down the table, and ten heads nodded. "Mr. Kohler's resignation is accepted. The Harbor credit will be corrected in every company record."

"It's an arrangement between us," Yvette said, hoarsely. "A private loan. Jude gave me that money."

"Did he?"

"As a gift."

"A gift," the chairman said slowly. "I've read your texts that call it a loan until you married."

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