Page 76 of Justice Denied

With a huff, she set the tray on the carpet, opened the door a fraction, then hefted the tray. She wobbled a bit with the heavy lift but held the tray steady. Now she could push her way inside like usual.

She did so and discovered an empty room. A look at the large antique sundial remade into a clock on the wall indicated the meeting should have started fifteen minutes ago, and Ryan always wanted coffee served during the recap of old business so she could take notes during the new business portion.

She moved to the side table and set down the tray. The board members had arrived, and they had entered this room—their folders still rested on the table—but where had they gone? Mae checked her phone but no texts from Ryan indicating a change in plans.

Then it hit her. They had gone to see Vie in action, Ryan’s attempt to stave off a hostile takeover. Of course, she wasn’t supposed to know about that, so she’d wait here and hope she wouldn’t have to reheat the coffee.

Twenty minutes later, voices drifted down the hall to the conference room. Mae stood to check the insulated pots by removing the lids. Wisps of steam rose from each pot, indicating the liquid was still hot enough. She pasted a welcoming smile on her face as the first board members came into the room.

“Good morning. Would you like coffee?” As they settled into their chairs, she greeted them and poured decaf and regular coffee using cups and saucers already on the credenza. Ryan, Yasmine, and Gene entered last, and all but Yasmine declined coffee. Her hostess duties done, Mae retrieved a steno pad and pencil from a stash in one of the credenza drawers and slipped into her usual corner chair.

Ryan opened the meeting with old business, which took only a few minutes to review, then launched into the new business. “As you know, Maxwell Technology is launching another bid for a hostile takeover of Topher Robotics.”

“Will you show the shareholders the video of this morning’s demonstration before the vote?” Chester Cane called out. “That would spike their move.”

“Or it could make them even more determined to carve up this company,” Brooke Williams replied.

“Would that be such a bad thing?” Phillip Lane interjected. “I, for one, am getting tired of promises of great things to come that never materialize. Your father was a visionary, but even he overpromised and under-delivered. I think it’s time to let go.”

Ryan slammed his fist down on the table. “I will not allow the company my father built from nothing be destroyed in this manner.”

Mae’s pencil made barely a sound as she recorded the discordant conversation.

“We’re hemorrhaging money, and now I think we can see where it’s all been going,” Greyson Reed said. “The accounts are a mess. This never would have happened under Jay Ainsley.”

“Need I remind you that Jay stole millions from us?” Ryan stood, his hands on his hips as he glared at each member.

His posture reminded Mae of a warrior trying to rally his troops, only Ryan lacked the gravitas to succeed.

“Did he?” Elwin Carl, one of two original board members, lobbed the question into the sudden quiet. “Seems to me that was never proven.”

Gene jumped in for the first time. “We found an offshore account in his name with a couple million dollars in it. How is that not a smoking gun of his guilt?”

“But according to our internal audit conducted after his death, more than twenty-two million dollars had gone missing.” Elwin let that sink in, then asked, “Where was the rest of it?”

“He must have hidden it somewhere—he was an accountant. Obviously he knew how to move and hide money,” Ryan snapped.

Mae recorded the conversation as the debate continued for several minutes, then Yasmine set down her coffee cup with a loud clink.

“This is all very productive, but we need to vote on what the board will recommend to the shareholders during tonight’s emergency meeting.” She smiled her innocent, I’m-just-a-girl-so-what-do-I-know smile. “My father looked at the evidence and decided Jay was indeed guilty of taking the money, and rather than subject our employees to the fuss of an internal audit to discover the how and where of the deed, put it behind us so we could concentrate on doing what we do best—developing new ways robotics can assist in making people’s lives better.”

Not surprising to Mae, Yasmine’s words derailed the embezzlement talk and refocused the group on the vote. Soon members were registering theiryaysandnaysrelated to Maxwell Technology’s proposed takeover bid.

“Mae, what’s the official tally?” Ryan’s request was a formality, as everyone had been keeping track.

She cleared her throat and stood, as she always had when delivering the results of a board vote. “Of the fourteen members present at this board meeting, eight voted against the bid and six voted in favor. Therefore the board will recommend shareholders not accept Maxwell Technology’s offer.”

Ryan allowed himself a small smile, but Mae wasn’t sure he could claim victory yet, if the expression on Gene’s face was any indication. The middle sibling pursed his lips as if sucking on a lemon, but the determined look in his eyes told of more trouble to come.

“This concludes our meeting for today. See everyone tonight.” Ryan shook hands with several of the other members who voted against the takeover.

Chatter filled the room as Mae put down her steno pad and began gathering cups and saucers. Some members left immediately, as did Yasmine and Gene. Ten minutes later, she returned to her desk to catch up on emails. Her desk phone rang.

“Ryan Topher’s office.”

“May I speak with Mae Stanhope, please?”

The unfamiliar feminine voice had a pleasant, conversational undertone.

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