Chapter 7: Delaney Turns

"Anyone can hire an actress," Jarrett said.

He said it into the silence, with his hands flat on the wine-soaked tablecloth.

The woman on the phone did not raise her voice.

"Mr. Pelletier, the Ohio region reports to Mr. Kerr as of Friday. Your expense accounts will be reviewed tomorrow morning."

"This is a trick."

"Thank you for your time. Mason, I'll expect your report."

The line clicked off.

The hall went quiet.

Jarrett looked at forty growers, and they looked back at him with checks in their hands.

The old grower with the tomatoes stood slowly.

"Mr. Pelletier," he said. "Did you take ten percent from me this morning?"

"It was a gift."

"You told me it was required."

"Sir, I..."

"Give it back," someone shouted from the back row.

A chair scraped.

Another voice joined in, and then ten.

Jarrett stepped away from the table with his palms raised, backing toward the side door.

He didn't run.

He just got smaller, a step at a time.

I might have stood there and watched it.

But Delaney had crossed the floor.

She came at me in her green dress with her hands out and her eyes streaming.

"Mason." She took my arm in both hands. "Oh, Mason. I knew."

I looked at her.

"You knew what?"

"That you'd come back like this." She turned to the room and wept openly. "Everyone, I always told you. I always said my husband was a genius."

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