Chapter 6 - The Midnight Vote.
The ballroom no longer looked like a child's birthday party when Jennifer returned.
Officers stood beneath the pink balloons, and board members watched from three video screens wheeled beneath the chandelier.
The cake remained untouched.
Warm light glittered over broken glasses and frightened faces.
Daniel entered behind Jennifer with a bandage around his hand and no handcuffs on his wrists.
Sloan had detained Carl, but Daniel's attorney had argued that no witness saw him order the kidnapping.
Vanessa's testimony was already being attacked as revenge from a rejected lover.
Daniel took his seat at the glass table as if he still owned the room.
The tan folder rested before Jennifer.
Its missing page felt heavier than everything that remained.
Hale Holdings' general counsel, Martin Kessler, appeared on the largest screen.
"This emergency meeting concerns the temporary suspension of Jennifer Hale Mercer as chairwoman."
Jennifer stayed standing.
"It should concern the attempted theft of my shares."
Daniel's attorney displayed the competency petition.
It contained statements from employees who claimed Jennifer shouted at people who were not present.
It included photographs of pills found in her purse.
It contained a psychiatric assessment signed by Dr. Samuel Pierce.
Jennifer had never met him.
"This report says Mrs. Mercer suffers from paranoid delusions and memory loss," the attorney said.
Daniel lowered his eyes with theatrical sorrow.
"I wanted treatment before anyone learned how serious it was."
Jennifer placed the pharmacy records beside the report.
"He drugged me, then hired a doctor to describe the symptoms he created."
Kessler looked uncomfortable.
"Can you prove the medication was administered without your knowledge?"
"Not yet."
The two words cost her the room.
Board members whispered through muted microphones.
Robert rose in his dark suit.
"I can prove Daniel manipulated company accounts."
Jennifer looked sharply at him.
Robert placed his own authorization key on the table.
"I approved the first Blue Finch transfer."
Ellen made a wounded sound.
"Robert, no."
"The company faced a private debt, and Daniel promised Blue Finch would refinance it."
"I concealed the loan from Jennifer because I was ashamed."
Daniel leaned back.
"Mr. Hale has just confirmed that Blue Finch was legitimate."
Robert struck the table.
"You changed its ownership after I signed."
"Prove it."
The board secretary called for a vote.
Jennifer's suspension passed by one vote.
Daniel was named temporary chair until a hearing the following afternoon.
Two board members refused to look at Jennifer after voting against her.
One of them had toasted her leadership less than an hour earlier.
The speed of their cowardice hurt more than their decision.
He reached for the company seal.
Jennifer closed her hand over it first.
"You may have twelve hours, but you will not have my surrender."
Daniel leaned close.
"By sunrise, the company will owe Blue Finch more than it is worth."
"By lunch, a judge will own your shares for you."
Ellen came to Jennifer's side as Daniel walked away.
Her fingers moved to the pearl necklace at her throat.
She twisted one pearl until it separated from the strand.
Inside the tiny shell was a black memory card.
"I knew he was lying," Ellen whispered.
"So I recorded what he said before the party."
Jennifer inserted the card into Sloan's evidence reader.
Daniel's voice filled the ballroom.
"If Jennifer refuses to sign, give her enough medication to make the breakdown convincing."
May you like
Another man answered him.
It was Jennifer's father.
