Chapter 6 - THE VOTE BEFORE BREAKFAST
The board convened at eight-thirty beneath a painting of smiling children. Victor Rochefort sat at the head of the conference table, silver hair immaculate, hands folded like a man waiting for prayer.
“This is an unfortunate distraction,” he told Damon. “The development vote remains essential.”
“Essential to whom?” Damon set the forged transfer in front of him. “The shelter or Northshore?”
Victor didn't reach for it. Elisa sat beside him in a cream suit, looking as though the gala had been a misunderstanding that happened to someone else.
“You're confusing a public relations issue with governance,” she said.
“A child went hungry at our benefit. The shelter has no food. Carmen Reyes is missing. Those aren't public relations issues.”
Board treasurer Hannah Lee leaned forward. “I asked for the vendor invoices twice. Owen said the database was being migrated.”
Victor's expression tightened. “We are not conducting a trial.”
“No,” Damon answered. “We're considering whether to approve the sale of a building without checking who profits.”
Victor called for the vote. Four directors raised their hands for the transfer. Hannah voted no. Damon voted no. Two directors abstained. It was enough to pass unless a conflict-of-interest provision was invoked.
Jessica slid a document to the secretary. “Formal objection. Potential undisclosed related-party transaction. Preserve all records pending independent review.”
Victor stood. “You're accusing me of fraud?”
“I'm asking you to open the books.”
“That will destroy this foundation.”
“Maybe the foundation already destroyed itself,” Damon said, “and we just haven't looked.”
The secretary declared the sale suspended pending counsel's review. Damon thought he had gained a little time.
Then Hannah's phone buzzed. She showed him an urgent message from the city's property office.
NORTHSHORE HAS FILED FOR AN EMERGENCY TRANSFER UNDER A SEPARATE AGREEMENT.
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The deadline was four that afternoon.
