“Where?”
“After-school program outside Henderson.”
“That’s on the way.”
He looked suspicious.
She continued:
“I attend meeting.”
“You get daughter.”
“Your truck gets compensated for mileage.”
“No payment beyond normal tow rate.”
“Fine.”
“And your car stays here until police release.”
“Fine.”
“And you are not getting my daughter involved in corporate espionage.”
The CEO almost smiled.
“I will make every effort.”
He stared.
“That sentence is why rich people terrify me.”
They left the hypercar under state-police supervision.
The hidden module was removed by an evidence technician who bagged it with chain-of-custody documentation.
The CEO kept copies of every photograph.
At 2:58, she climbed into the passenger side of an old white tow truck.
The seat had a rip repaired with gray tape.
A plastic dinosaur sat in the cup holder.
Three juice boxes were wedged behind the center console.
A pink backpack occupied the floor.
The CEO looked around.
The single father started the diesel.
“Five million dollar car to this.”
She buckled her seat belt.
“Do not sound proud.”
“I’m extremely proud.”
He pulled onto the highway.
For the first five miles they spoke almost none.
The CEO worked.
Phone.
Tablet.
Calls.
Her outside attorney arranged for two lawyers to reach the board meeting.
The COO texted:
Chair moved meeting to 3:30. Says timing urgent.
The CEO stared.
It was 3:07.
“They moved it.”
The father looked over briefly.
“How much?”
“Thirty minutes earlier.”
“That allowed?”
“Yes.”
“Convenient.”
She called the board secretary.
No answer.
She called the chairman.
He answered immediately.
“Where are you?”
His voice sounded concerned.
The CEO chose each word carefully.
“Mechanical problem.”
“Security says you disappeared.”
Her eyes narrowed.
“They said what?”
“They lost you near the desert highway.”
“One response vehicle located your car.”
“You weren’t with it.”
The father looked toward her.
The CEO said:
“Interesting.”
“What?”
“Nothing.”
The chairman continued.
“We moved the meeting because financing window is closing.”
“You cannot vote before I arrive.”
“We have quorum.”
“You know I called the meeting to discuss irregular financing.”
“And that can be discussed.”
“Before or after the sale?”
“Do not be theatrical.”
She closed her eyes.
There it was.
The phrase he used whenever she pushed hard enough to become inconvenient.