Your lawyers reviewed them.
Your board approved the financing.”
Howard looked at Eleanor.
“He’s right.”
She turned slowly.
“You knew?”
“I knew there was outside support.
I was told Grant had arranged it through Clara’s family.
I was not told Clara personally held the relevant authority.”
Grant looked at Howard with fury.
“That’s because it didn’t matter.”
“It matters now,” Howard said.
The room was no longer arranged around Grant.
That was the thing I remember most clearly.
For years, every Hargrove gathering had a center of gravity.
Grant entered, and people adjusted.
Eleanor spoke, and people listened.
Their confidence was so complete that everyone else unconsciously made space for it.
Now the board members were looking at Daniel.
Then at me.
Then at the forged papers.
Grant was still standing in the middle of the foyer, but the room had moved away from him.
He felt it too.
“Fine,” he said.
“Have your review.
Clara still leaves tonight.
This is my family’s house.”
I glanced around at the marble foyer, the staircase, the portrait of Grant’s grandfather above the landing.
For five years, I had treated the mansion like something sacred because the Hargroves did.
I had organized dinners there, repaired relationships there, smiled beside Grant there.
Now I only wanted my coat.
“I’m leaving,” I said.
Grant gave a satisfied little nod, mistaking choice for defeat.
“Good.”
I turned toward the hallway.
Then Daniel said, “Before Clara goes, the directors should understand the immediate financing issue.”
Howard faced him.
“What issue?”
“The trust’s counsel has requested a temporary suspension of any new draw relying on the guarantees until the authenticity concerns are resolved.”
Howard swore under his breath.
Another director went pale.
Grant stared at Daniel.
“You can’t do that.”
“The lenders can determine how they respond.
The trust can determine whether it is willing to support additional exposure while documents carrying Clara’s name are disputed.”
“We have payroll.
Vendors.
Commitments.”
“I know.”
“Then you know what this could do.”
Daniel’s gaze was steady.
“Yes.
Which is why fabricating documents involving a guarantor would be extraordinarily reckless.”
Grant’s eyes went to me.
For the first time that night, there was fear in them.
