Chapter 16 - THE NIGHT BEFORE THE VOTE
Garrick did not flee the country. He went where powerful men go when they still believe institutions belong to them.
He entered Ashford Medical's headquarters through a private garage and called the directors to an emergency session. Miriam joined by video from an undisclosed location. Together, they claimed the warrants were part of my conspiracy and demanded that the board destroy the red ledger as fabricated evidence.
Their timing was precise. At midnight, the annual shareholder certification would lock the company's voting record for another year. If Garrick remained chief executive until then, he could transfer critical patents and cash to offshore subsidiaries beyond the trust's reach.
Naomi no longer represented the company, and I had been disqualified as protector. We could not simply walk into the boardroom and command anything.
Sienna could.
The forged documents had made her a director of the dormant subsidiary. Garrick created the role to blame her for fraud, but he had filed it legally. That gave her inspection rights and a seat at any meeting involving those subsidiary assets.
“He will be there,” I told her.
Sienna sat on the edge of her hospital bed, fastening a new sling around her healing arm. “That is why I have to go.”
“You are seven months pregnant and your blood pressure is unstable.”
“And every time someone says that, they decide for me.” Her voice softened. “Mom, I know you're afraid.”
I looked at the bruises fading along her cheek. “I am terrified.”
“Then stand beside me. Not in front of me.”
Dr. Park permitted the trip with a medical escort. Fletcher arranged security. The warrant team waited outside headquarters, unable to enter until a judge signed the final probable-cause finding.
At the boardroom doors, Garrick's guards tried to stop Sienna. She handed them the corporate filing bearing her stolen signature.
“You wanted me to be a director,” she said. “Now move.”
Inside, the board stared as she walked to the empty chair opposite her husband.
Garrick's face did not change. “You should be in bed.”
“You should be in custody.”
Miriam's image filled the wall screen. “Sienna, think of the baby.”
Sienna placed the original red ledger on the table.
“I finally am.”
She requested an independent vote to freeze every transfer. Three directors supported her. Four supported Garrick. The deciding director, Roland Voss, had not arrived.
At 11:47, the doors opened.
May you like
Voss entered with blood on his collar and fear in his eyes.
Garrick smiled as if he had been expecting him.
