“I don’t know yet.”
“You need to call Pierce.”
Roland Pierce.
Head of private security.
The man Daniel had recommended three years ago.
Adrian said:
“Why?”
“He can secure house.”
“Police already did.”
“Adrian.”
“Daniel.”
A pause.
“Is there something you think they might find?”
Silence.
Then Daniel laughed lightly.
“What kind of question is that?”
“I’m tired.”
“You sound strange.”
“Long night.”
“Come to office.”
“Board meets at eight.”
“We’ll deal before.”
“No vote.”
Daniel went silent.
“What?”
“I’m postponing Halcyon vote.”
“Why?”
“New information.”
“What information?”
Adrian looked at Elena.
She nodded once.
“Nothing I can discuss yet.”
Daniel’s tone shifted.
“Adrian, we have fiduciary obligations.”
“I know.”
“Halcyon can walk.”
“Then they walk.”
“You cannot destabilize company based on whatever happened inside your house.”
There.
Too fast.
Adrian’s pulse slowed.
“I didn’t say it involved company.”
Silence.
Daniel recovered.
“You said new information.”
“I assumed.”
Adrian closed eyes.
Thirty-six years.
Birthday dinners.
Christmas.
His father’s funeral.
His mother’s hospital room.
Daniel teaching him to drive stick shift.
Daniel standing beside him at Julian’s grave.
Adrian said:
“See you at eight.”
He hung up.
Elena stared.
“He knows.”
“We don’t know that.”
“He knows enough.”
At 6:45, Adrian went to see Grace Harper.
She had improved slightly after fluids and antibiotics.
Denise sat beside bed.
Mia slept curled in a chair with a hospital blanket.
Baby Lily slept in Denise’s arms.
Adrian stopped at doorway.
Denise looked up.
“You.”
“Yes.”
“My sister came to work with pneumonia because your cleaning contractor threatened her.”
Adrian accepted the blow.
“Yes.”
“That’s what happened.”
“Yes.”
“You knew?”
“No.”
“That supposed to make me feel better?”
“No.”
Denise stared.
Good answer.
Adrian stepped inside.
“I’m sorry.”
Denise looked toward sleeping Mia.
“She tried to finish job.”
“I know.”
“She carried baby upstairs.”
“I know.”
“She thought you’d put them on street.”
Adrian’s voice dropped.
“I know.”
Denise stood.
“She is six.”
“I know.”
“Stop saying you know.”
He stopped.
Grace stirred.
Her eyes opened weakly.
“Mr. Duca?”
Adrian moved closer.
“Grace.”
She tried to sit.
He raised hand.
“Don’t.”
Her eyes widened.
“The study.”
“Forget study.”