Naomi stood beside the building.
For several minutes, she couldn't move.
She had stopped a board from signing a document bearing her dead father's name.
She had helped prevent a potentially unlawful transaction.
And she'd just lost the income she needed to pay rent.
The contradiction nearly made her laugh.
Then her phone rang again.
It was Miriam Vale.
Naomi answered.
The attorney spoke immediately.
“Are you somewhere safe?”
Naomi frowned.
“Yes.”
“Arthur Bellamy's office contacted me.”
For a moment, her knees felt weak.
“What did he say?”
“He wants independent counsel to examine the trust documents and the consent certificate.”
Naomi closed her eyes.
Miriam continued.
“He also asked whether you would agree to provide a formal statement.”
“Yes.”
“Before you do, we need to discuss your rights and make sure your representation is clear.”
Naomi nodded.
Then remembered Miriam couldn't see her.
“Okay.”
The attorney paused.
“Naomi, are you all right?”
For a moment, the young woman tried to answer normally.
Then her voice broke.
“They fired me.”
Miriam became quiet.
“Who?”
“The staffing agency suspended me. Northstar told them not to send me back.”
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then the older lawyer answered gently.
“I'm sorry.”
Naomi laughed bitterly.
“I knew it might happen.”
“That doesn't make it fair.”
She wiped her cheek.
“I can't afford this.”
Miriam took a breath.
“Let's separate the immediate problem from the legal one. We'll review the agency's written decision and your contract, and you should preserve the communications.”
Naomi nodded.
Then whispered.
“My mother needs medication.”
For a moment, Miriam didn't answer.
Then she said.
“Come to my office. We'll work through the options.”
Naomi looked toward the skyscraper.
The building seemed impossibly tall.
Up there, men in expensive suits were deciding what happened to billions of dollars.
Down here, she was wondering how to pay for her mother's next prescription.
She looked toward the service entrance.
Then turned away.
She had no intention of begging Graham Whitlock for her job.
But she was beginning to understand how powerful people made speaking the truth expensive.
Graham's response began that evening.
At six-thirty, Northstar issued a carefully worded statement announcing that the board had postponed approval of the restructuring agreement pending an additional review of certain documentation.
The statement did not mention Naomi.
It did not mention Samuel's signature.
And it did not disclose the specific concern that caused the postponement.
But several financial reporters noticed the delay.