Chapter 6: The Board Dinner

Twelve people sat at the Pendelton table, under a chandelier the size of a small car.

I knew because I counted them from the doorway.

Silver, crystal, white flowers, and every man in a dark suit.

At the head sat Constance, with a glass of white wine and a smile.

"Nathaniel," she said, when the butler led me in behind him. "You've brought a guest. How unexpected."

"Mother, this is Della Foley."

"We've met."

"We have," I said. "At your gate. You wrote me a check."

A man on the left set down his fork very quietly.

Nathaniel pulled out the chair at his right, and I took it.

I was wearing the one black dress I owned, and my work shoes.

Nobody at that table was looking at my shoes.

They were looking at the manila envelope in my hand.

"I'm sorry to interrupt dinner," I said. "I won't be long."

"Then why come?" said Constance.

"Because six years ago your son's daughter was born at Lakeshore General, and I am her mother."

The table went so silent I heard the ice move in a glass.

I put the lab report on the white cloth and slid it toward the middle.

Nobody touched it.

"Polly Pendelton," I said. "Ninety-nine point nine nine percent. Nathaniel has seen it. I have a copy for each of you."

"Miss Foley." Constance's voice never rose.

"I will say this once, in front of friends."

"This family has been a target for strangers with stories before."

"Mother," Nathaniel said.

"Be quiet, Nathaniel."

"No."

It was the first time he had used that voice with her, I think.

A board member in the corner coughed into his napkin.

Constance reached under her chair and drew out a thin leather folder.

She laid it flat in front of me and opened it with one polished finger.

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