Chapter 5 - A Seat at a Table That Wasn't Theirs
The dead trustee's name was Bernard Locke. His signature appeared beneath the suspension vote, dated the previous afternoon.
"This isn't just sloppy," Theo said.
"We don't know what it is yet," Jada answered. "But we're preserving the document."
Eleanor called the foundation's outside attorney, Priya Sen, and asked for an emergency review of governance records. Priya had worked with nonprofits for twenty years and had little patience for dramatic statements unsupported by paperwork.
"If Bernard's signature is electronic," she said, "we need to learn who accessed his account, who sent the resolution, and whether the vote was valid. Keep originals."
Martin finally agreed to meet at his office. He appeared in a polished gray suit beneath a wall of awards.
"Claire made an error in judgment," he said. "Jada made another. We can move on."
"Four artists have lost placements," Eleanor replied. "And a deceased man supposedly voted to suspend my director."
Martin didn't blink. "Administrative accounts aren't always closed promptly. Staff reuse proxies."
"Bernard's death isn't an administrative detail."
"Careful, Eleanor. Donors don't like disorder."
Jada asked about the moving order and the cameras. Martin slid a glossy brochure across the desk. It described a new venture called Hudson Colors Digital: virtual classes, brand partnerships, short films about artists.
"The market changed," he said. "Studio residencies are expensive. We can reach ten thousand viewers instead of twelve artists."
"You can create a digital program," Jada said. "You cannot tell twelve people they have space and replace them without a lawful decision."
Martin's smile tightened. "Perhaps you should focus on your conduct review."
Outside, Eleanor opened the brochure. The last page contained a site rendering: the carriage barns converted into luxury riverfront event cottages.
Beneath it was a proposed completion date, five months away.
May you like
"They aren't replacing the artists," Eleanor said. "They're replacing the studios."
