Chapter 20: Access Ended

Nobody moved while the lawyer counted.

"Thirty percent and twenty-five percent in favor," he said. "Forty-five percent against. The motion carries."

Preston's hands came off the table.

"The chief executive is removed, effective now. The chair will entertain nominations."

"Hazel Heathcote," Maxwell said.

"Seconded," said the gray-haired man from legal, from his chair along the wall.

I looked at him. He gave me a short nod and opened his folder again.

"All in favor."

This time the whole room said it.

Forty people along the walls said yes out loud.

The woman I had trained said it, and so did the department heads who had let me in the back door three weeks ago.

"The motion carries," the lawyer said, a little hoarsely. "Ms. Heathcote is the chief executive of Lyle Group."

Preston laughed.

It was short, and it cracked in the middle.

"You can't do this," he said. "I built it. I built every floor of it."

"You built it with my money and her signature," Maxwell said. "Both of which you spent."

"I'll have you in court."

"You'll have a lot of people in court."

I stood.

My legs weren't steady, and I put two fingers on the table until they were.

"Preston," I said. "Your access ended at ten forty-one."

He stared at me.

It was the time on the clock above the door.

I had asked the woman from accounts to cut it the moment the vote closed.

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