Chapter 20: The Vote

I called the special meeting for Tuesday at ten, and I took the chair on Lorna's right without asking.

This time nobody told me it was Franklin's.

Eight directors came. The family lawyer from the harbor-view office sat in the corner with his briefcase on his knees.

Colin sat on the other side of the table, in a dark suit, a director now instead of a president.

He had read the agenda. I saw him do it, with his finger under the first line.

Lorna took the head of the table at five past, in black, with her silver bob freshly set.

"This meeting is irregular," she said. "The chair did not call it."

"The majority shareholder did," my lawyer said. "It's in the bylaws. Page nine."

"I'm aware of the bylaws."

"Then you'll know Dr. Wrenfield has two items. The first is on the second page of your folders."

The directors turned the page together.

The white-haired director had his reading glasses on. He ran a finger down the page and stopped.

"Trust accounts," he said. "For the estate of Franklin VanBuren."

"They are in order," Lorna said.

"I have a copy, Madam Chair. It came to me by an unexpected route."

His eyes did not leave the page.

"Since March there are monthly transfers to an account in your name. And a line labeled Surveillance."

"Those are trustee fees and security."

A woman at the end of the table put down her pen.

"Six months of security on a lab in Cambridge?"

Lorna's mouth thinned.

"I will not be cross-examined by my own board."

"I'd like to play something," I said. "Then you can answer all of us at once."

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