Chapter 16: Ask the Reporter

The atrium of Mercer Capital rose six floors above a marble lobby, and on Monday morning eleven hundred people stood in it.

I came in through the revolving door at five to nine, in a navy coat and flat shoes, with Molly beside me holding my sleeve.

"You don't have to do this," Molly whispered.

"I know."

"I'll stand behind you and glare."

"That's all I want."

A small stage had been built under the staircase, with a podium and a banner that said Together, Forward.

Kendra stood at the side of it, in the navy blazer, with her hair in its low knot.

She looked calm.

She looked like a woman who had slept.

Nathan stood three steps from her, in a dark suit, with his hands at his sides.

He scanned the crowd and found me.

I nodded once.

He nodded back, his shoulders easing slightly.

The chief of staff, a tall man with a tablet, stepped to the podium and tapped the microphone.

"Good morning," he said. "Mr. Mercer is recovering and sends his regards. He has asked that I introduce someone to you this morning, who is family."

A murmur ran through the atrium.

"Kendra Shaw has been with us for fourteen months," he said. "She is Mr. Mercer's daughter."

The noise rose and broke into applause.

Kendra stepped up to the microphone with her hand pressed to her chest.

"Thank you," she said. "I'm so grateful. I'm still learning how to say this."

She waited, and the room waited with her.

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