Chapter 17: The Lobby

The lobby of the Aldine Grand had a marble floor and a staircase wide enough for a brass band.

By eleven-thirty it held about forty wedding guests, with their garment bags and their name tags.

The board chairman stood by a pillar with a thin woman in a grey suit, holding a leather folder.

He had not looked up since I came in.

I walked toward the front desk with my own list in my hand.

Two security guards stepped out from the side and stood in front of me.

"Mrs. Haldane?" the taller one said.

"Yes."

"I'm sorry, ma'am. You're not cleared for the event today."

"I am the host of record."

"The duty manager says there's a billing authorization dispute."

"I pay the bill."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Then there's no dispute."

A man in a black suit came around the desk with a clipboard held against his chest.

He was young, and he was very sorry.

"Mrs. Haldane, I've received instructions from Mr. Haldane's office. The contract has been amended. I've been told you may be unwell."

"Told by whom?"

"By Mr. Haldane."

"Who is standing right there," I said.

Russell had come down the staircase in his morning suit, with a grey carnation in the lapel.

He walked toward us slowly, and the guests parted for him.

His assistant trailed three steps behind, holding a tablet.

"Jo," Russell said, softly. "Please don't do this here."

"I'm not doing anything. Your people are."

"I'm trying to protect you."

"From what?"

"From yourself. You've been under a great deal of strain."

A few guests had stopped talking.

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