Chapter 14: The Board Freezes His Claim

On Thursday morning, Adrian holds a press conference on the courthouse steps.

He has chosen the top step, so the reporters have to look up at him.

Snow has been shoveled into gray banks on either side.

Petra and I come around the corner from the parking garage and stop at the back of the crowd.

Nobody has noticed us yet.

"He sent out a media advisory at seven," Petra says.

"He spelled your name right. I checked."

Adrian lifts one gloved hand and waits for the cameras to settle.

"Thank you for coming," he says.

"This has been the hardest week of my life."

A reporter in a red scarf holds her phone higher.

"My wife survived a terrible accident," Adrian says.

"She suffered a serious head injury. I thank God every hour that she's alive."

He lets his voice catch on alive.

It is very good.

I have heard him rehearse less for investors.

"But Lena hasn't been herself since she came back," he says.

"She's accusing everyone around her. She stares through people. She has fired instructions at staff she hasn't spoken to in years."

"Those who love her are frightened."

The reporters write it down.

"I'm not asking for anything for myself," Adrian says.

"I'm asking the board and the court to protect her from decisions she may not remember making."

"And to protect the patients who depend on MercerDx."

A man near me murmurs to his camera operator.

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