Chapter 8 - THE EMAILS
Rachel verified the emails the next morning.
There were four.
Every one appeared to come from Amy's account.
Each approved some part of the financing package connected to Linden Street.
Amy had written none of them.
Two had been transmitted while she slept beside Daniel.
One was sent while she sat at a prenatal appointment.
The last went out during the rehearsal dinner.
Rachel printed them.
"This changes the situation."
Amy sat in David's conference room.
"How?"
"It demonstrates a pattern."
"Of fraud?"
David answered carefully.
"Potentially."
Amy looked at him.
"Say the word."
"We need a forensic review before accusing anyone criminally."
"But Daniel admitted sending them."
"Did you record the call?"
"No."
Rachel nodded.
"Then we document the admission immediately."
Amy rubbed her temples.
"I don't want him arrested."
David looked at her.
"This isn't about what you want to happen to Daniel emotionally."
"I know."
"It's about protecting you legally."
Amy turned toward the skyline.
Clara kicked.
She rested a hand against her stomach.
"Then protect her."
David softened.
"We will."
At eleven, the Mercer board meeting began.
Amy stayed away on Rachel's advice.
Margaret attended.
At 11:43, she called.
"Charles is trying to remove Daniel."
Amy sat up.
"From the project?"
"From the company."
"What?"
"He says Daniel exceeded his authority."
Amy almost laughed.
"After approving everything?"
"He's denying that."
"Does Daniel have proof?"
"I don't know."
Margaret lowered her voice.
"Celeste is here."
"Why?"
"She says she's presenting documents."
Amy stood.
"Put me on speaker."
"Amy—"
"Please."
The audio changed.
Distant voices filled the line.
Then Charles spoke.
"This meeting concerns internal company governance."
Celeste replied.
"It concerns falsified financial reporting."
Several people started talking.
Margaret whispered.
"The board counsel just asked for copies."
Daniel's voice came next.
"Dad, stop."
Charles snapped.
"You stop."
Amy had never heard him sound like that.
Daniel continued.
"You knew about the transfers."
"Be careful."
"You ordered them."
"Daniel."
"And you told me we'd correct everything after refinancing."
The room on the other end went quiet.
Amy held the phone tighter.
Charles spoke slowly.
"Are you accusing me of financial misconduct?"
"I'm telling the truth."
Amy closed her eyes.
For once.
Daniel was doing it.
Then Charles said.
"Would this be the same truth you told your wife when she approved pledging Linden Street?"
Daniel went silent.
Charles continued.
"We have written approval from Amy."
Amy looked at Rachel.
Rachel was already on her feet.
"Go."
Amy grabbed her coat.
Margaret whispered into the phone.
"Charles just handed them the emails."
Amy entered the elevator with Rachel and David.
"We're coming."
Traffic cost them eleven minutes.
Those minutes felt endless.
When Amy entered the conference room, every head turned.
Charles looked genuinely surprised.
"Amy."
She carried a narrow black folder.
Rachel followed.
Directors exchanged glances.
Daniel stood near the windows.
His eyes found Amy immediately.
She held his gaze.
Charles recovered first.
"This is a closed meeting."
Amy approached the table.
"I understand you're discussing emails sent in my name."
Board counsel stood.
"Mrs. Mercer—"
"Collins."
The correction halted the room.
Amy's voice remained even.
"My legal name is still Amy Collins."
Daniel lowered his eyes.
Amy opened the folder.
"I did not write those messages."
Charles leaned back.
"That's convenient."
Daniel turned.
"Dad."
Amy kept her attention on Charles.
"Your son admitted he sent them from my account."
A flicker passed across Charles's face.
Daniel inhaled.
Board counsel looked at him.
"Is that true?"
Daniel glanced at Amy.
Then at his father.
For a long moment, she wondered whether fear would win again.
Daniel finally answered.
"Yes."
Charles erupted.
"Are you out of your mind?"
Daniel stayed still.
"I sent them."
"Daniel!"
"I used Amy's laptop."
Charles stood.
"Shut up."
Daniel faced him.
"No."
The word altered the room.
Margaret watched her son.
Daniel's voice shook.
"I told myself I was saving the company."
He looked at Amy.
"I told myself I'd undo the lien before she ever found out."
Then he faced the board.
"But I deceived my wife."
Amy swallowed.
Daniel continued.
"And my father knew she had not given informed approval."
Charles stared at him.
"You're finished."
Daniel nodded.
"Maybe."
He removed his access card.
Placed it on the table.
"But I'm not lying for you anymore."
Charles gave a harsh laugh.
"You think this makes you honorable?"
"No."
Daniel looked at Amy again.
"It makes me late."
The board attorney dismissed everyone except directors and counsel.
Amy headed toward the door.
Daniel followed her into the hallway.
"Amy."
She stopped.
He approached carefully.
"I meant what I said."
"I know."
"Does that change anything?"
"No."
Pain crossed his face.
Amy continued.
"But it might change what kind of father you become."
Daniel looked toward her stomach.
His eyes filled.
Amy entered the elevator.
As the doors began to close, Daniel spoke.
"I'll remove Linden Street."
Amy looked at him through the shrinking opening.
"You should."
The doors shut.
Rachel stood beside her.
"How do you feel?"
Amy watched the floor numbers descend.
She thought of the ballroom.
The ring.
The emails.
The man upstairs finally refusing another lie.
"I feel like the story I believed is gone."
Rachel looked at her.
May you like
Amy rested a hand against Clara.
"Now I get to decide what replaces it."
