Page 72 of Unwanted Vows

“So right,” Austin says, still grinning. “You should talk to Richard and Charles. Richard had a real fun time cleaning up Lane Enterprise. Charles started his company, but straight shooter that he is, there are still times where he has to make some tough ethical decisions. But the guy you really need to consult is Laird Tulok. Ildogis was once a pirate hideout, you know.”

“I didn’t know that,” I say. “Did you know it, Andrew?”

“Can’t say that I did,” he returns. “A single summer there wasn’t enough to do more than see the tourist sights. Meanwhile, are you ready to sustain me through a series of what are probably going to be long, boring business meetings?”

“I’ll do my best,” I say. Then I punch him lightly in the arm, “but dammit, Andy, I’m a nurse not a counselor.”

That set us all to laughing. Our problems weren’t gone, but the mood was less strained.

After he wiped his eyes, Andrew said, “I’m not some backcountry sheriff either. Please don’t call me Andy. I got plenty of teasing in school over my name. The short form doesn’t bring back any good memories.”

“I’m sorry,” I say. “No offense meant.”

“None taken, this time,” he says. “Austin, can you call a meeting at the Bunker for when we get back? This is not going to be fun, but I think the sooner we get started the more easily the worst of it can be mended.”

“Already on it,” Austin answers. “The Bunker has a big conference room, and everyone should be there by the time we arrive.”

Inwardly, I groan. Another big family meeting of Lanes is not something I’m looking forward to.

Rylie and Slugger Lane meet us at the parking garage door. “You survived!” she exclaims.

“Was there any doubt?” Andrew asks.

“Maybe a little bit?” she says. “Grandfather is scary. When we used to watch the Nutcracker at Christmas time, I always thought he looked like the weird uncle, or maybe the Rat King.”

“We made it through safely,” I assure her. “He was in a hospital bed, and seemed more sad and tired than anything.”

Rylie just looks at me as if I have recently fallen off a turnip truck. “That doesn’t make him less dangerous,” she says. “The adults are gathering in the big conference room. Mrs. Hubbard and Julia have the kids in the main classroom. They are setting up a LAN party. Some sort of antique video game called Ultima, I believe.”

“Ultima?” Paul exclaims with excitement. “I’ve always wanted to play it, but the website went down and I could never find it again.”

“Come on, then,” Slugger says. “Julia is setting up the computers with help from my younger sibs. Cece is bossing the staff that are setting up refreshments.”

“What kind?” Paul asks.

“Chips and juice for now,” the youth says. “But I think the kitchen is sending up pizza.”

“Mom?” Paul asks.

“Go,” I say. “You’d be bored to tears, I’m sure.”

We parted ways at the elevators. Slugger and Paul went up, while we followed Rylie through a pair of double doors just around the corner.

The set up looked like any board room meeting. A stack of ledgers sits in the middle of a giant table.

Andrew hesitates at the door. Laird Tulok rises and bows, which cues everyone else to stand. “We have saved the best seat for you, Mr. Andrew Lane, and the one next to it for your wife. Will you do the honors?”

Andrew offers me his right elbow, as if we are entering a grand ballroom. He escorts me to the vacant side chair, then stands behind the podium placed at the head of the table.

At the back of the room, a silent screen is playing a view of the last night of “Burning Man,” a yearly celebration held in the desert. I’m not sure what that has to do with anything, but I’m certain I will find out.

Andrew looks around the room. “Just get comfortable, folks. We are all family here, so we shouldn’t have to follow strict parliamentary procedure. If you will please be polite, and allow others to speak, this will probably go more smoothly.”

Everyone sat. From the bottom of the table, Old Emily speaks up, “How is he?”

“He is dying,” Andrew says. “I have agreed to take over Aims Corp until Paul is of age. He has made Paul his legal heir, but that is not to go beyond this room.”

Tulok laughs. “This is a mighty big audience for keeping secrets.”

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