Chapter 11 - Claire’s Choice
Claire entered the gala wearing a black evening gown.
A hidden microphone sat beneath the neckline.
Marcus had not authorized it.
Lisa certainly had not.
Claire had gone alone.
Then she sent Lisa one message.
I NEED YOU TO TRUST ME FOR TEN MINUTES.
Lisa hated it.
But the live audio began.
Music.
Glasses.
Conversation.
Evelyn’s voice.
“You’re late.”
Claire answered.
“I almost changed my mind.”
“You don’t have that luxury.”
Then Nathan Cole.
Older voice.
Calm.
“Everyone has choices, Ms. Donovan.”
Claire said.
“You’re The Quartermaster.”
A pause.
Nathan laughed softly.
“Ryan talks too much.”
Lisa looked at Marcus.
The microphone was capturing everything.
Claire continued.
“You promised me Lisa would only be removed from the company.”
“Nothing else.”
Evelyn answered.
“You were paid to help us create instability.”
Lisa closed her eyes.
Paid.
Claire had taken money.
Nathan interrupted.
“Enough.”
Then.
“Where is the board authorization?”
Claire said.
“Not signed.”
Evelyn’s voice sharpened.
“You said you could get it.”
“I said I could prepare it.”
“Lisa would have to sign.”
Nathan said.
“She won’t be signing anything.”
Silence.
Claire asked.
“What does that mean?”
Nathan answered.
“It means ownership problems can be solved through succession.”
Lisa felt cold.
Succession.
Death.
Then Claire whispered.
“You said no one was getting hurt.”
Evelyn laughed.
“You still want to pretend you’re the good friend?”
Lisa shut her eyes.
That hurt.
Because Evelyn was right about one thing.
Claire had participated.
Maybe she had drawn lines later.
But she had stepped into the plan voluntarily.
Claire said.
“I’m done.”
Nathan answered.
“No.”
“You’re useful.”
Then there was movement.
Claire’s breathing changed.
“Don’t touch me.”
A man said.
“Phone.”
Claire shouted.
The audio crashed.
Then cut.
Marcus stood.
“We move now.”
Lisa grabbed his arm.
“I’m coming.”
“No.”
“That is my company they are trying to steal.”
“Your best friend is inside.”
“Your mother-in-law is inside.”
“And someone has been hunting your brother for twenty-two years.”
Lisa stared at him.
“Exactly.”
Marcus shook his head.
Then Lisa said.
“I can get you into their network.”
That stopped him.
She knew the gala’s registration vendor.
Its access-control software.
And the building’s security platform.
Her company had audited the manufacturer.
Marcus exhaled.
“Laptop only.”
“No heroics.”
Lisa almost smiled.
May you like
“Deal.”
Neither believed the other.
