8. Quentin
I made my way to the conference room despite being the only founder in the office today, and Rei consumed each of my spinning thoughts.
Miracle of all miracles, she hadn’t actually run away downstairs. Although I’d had my doubts when she got that panicked look and disappeared into the supply room. And when she asked me why her, every single reason poured out of me so thick I worried it would smother her.
I pondered how to answer her final question. Why not just say hi?
There wasn’t an attractive way to say that I hadn’t dated for years because of my trust issues.
The conference room door loomed ahead of me, and I had to push all thoughts of Rei into a box to revisit later.
Right now, there were matters of life and death demanding my attention.
I pushed into the room, seeing Daniel already setting up the video call.
A cursor moved across the big projector screen, signing me in to the call.
My image appeared in the middle of the screen, showing my every move as I sat toward the end of the table. Daniel tested the audio and then looked back toward me, checking to see if I was ready.
I nodded, and he logged me in.
A black square with several smaller gray squares filled the screen. CRUZ, AARIC, and JUDE were in white letters. Bryce’s showed BM.
If Cruz were here, he’d make his typical joke about Bryce sharing initials with “bowel movement.” But it was just me.
“You’re on,” Daniel said, making his red mustache move.
I nodded, getting my pen and paper ready while faces came into view on the screen.
I studied them while Daniel left the conference room to give me privacy.
Cruz had bad hotel art in the frame behind him.
Aaric’s pale face was bright like he was sitting in front of a window.
Jude had a nondescript brick wall behind him, an annoyed look on his face.
And Bryce had the telltale signs of a hospital in the background.
White cinderblock walls, some framed quote about hope.
People smiling and wearing white clothes. I could almost smell the antiseptic.
“Fill us in,” Cruz said quickly as he mussed the long part of his hair using the webcam. Satisfied, he added, “What’s the update on Simon?”
Bryce looked ten years older than he had just days ago as he said, “The doctor told me he’s responding well to the treatment based on his labs.
He’s also been able to keep down some food, which is a good sign.
Iris has been here twenty-four seven to keep an eye on him now that she’s no longer a suspect...
By the way, Q, she wanted me to say thank you for sending your lawyer. ”
“Of course,” I replied, meaning it. “We all know who was behind it.”
“Who?” Jude said at the same time Aaric did.
“Jasper and his cult... isn’t it obvious?” The more I thought about it, the more sense it made. “The Daybreak Dominion already attacked Simon once. Clearly, they’re getting desperate for him to die so we don’t have time to get married and the kids keep his shares.”
Bryce nodded his agreement. “Simon doesn’t want to believe Jasper directed the attack. He thinks it’s one of Jasper’s followers, his Rays, who acted on their own.”
Cruz asked, “Have the police looked into it?”
Bryce nodded again. “They’re ‘following every possible avenue.’” But he seemed annoyed. “I know they’re just following procedure, but it all seems to move so slowly. Jasper is denying any involvement.”
Jude asked, “Do they at least have clarity on the timeline?”
“They’re thinking it happened at the wedding,” Bryce answered with a pained expression.
That seemed to piss Jude off even more. “Did you all see anyone acting suspicious? I wasn’t there to keep an eye on things, and of course it all fell apart.
” Beyond the annoyance, I swore I heard a note of hurt to his voice when he mentioned his absence, and it made me even more curious...
What was going on between him and Bryce?
Aaric cut in, saying, “Someone serving food could easily have slipped him something without us noticing on our best day.” He gave a wry smile. “There was a lot happening that day.”
Bryce huffed out a laugh.
Cruz said, “I had at least one of the waitresses occupied. She had pretty blond hair and—”
“Save it for the police,” I muttered.
Jude snipped, “Why are we brainstorming this? That’s the detective’s job.”
Bryce conceded, “Yes, but they did ask me to relay any ideas we had, and it’s likely we’ll all be asked to give a statement regarding the wedding as eyewitnesses to attempted murder.”
We all fell quiet for a moment. Things felt more tense than ever before. And Bryce made it worse by saying, “Simon is asking when our founders’ retreat is.”
My eyes rolled to the top of the ceiling. Of course Simon would be thinking of marriage and vacations while lying on his deathbed.
Cruz said, “Doesn’t he have bigger things to worry about? Like not dying?”
Bryce shook his head. “Simon doesn’t want the company going to his kids. This just reminded all of us that we’re running out of time to hold up our end of the deal.”
“And if we don’t follow his dementia-induced demands?” Jude retorted stubbornly. “Maybe a near-death experience can remind him that he’s playing with fire.”
Bryce glared at the camera, but I knew it was aimed at Jude.
“You can’t reason with a dying man. And insulting him on his deathbed is in poor taste.
” He took a breath and smoothed his expression.
“Maya booked out a resort in Aspen the day after New Year's. We’ll be there for four days, three nights.”
Protests came through the speakers, but Bryce barked, “I don’t give a shit if you don’t want to go.”
My eyes widened at the outburst. “Whoa,” Aaric said, but Bryce continued, “Jude accused me of being distracted, but right now, I’m telling you all to dial the fuck in. It’s time to step up and do what it takes to protect this business, or step down and get out of the way.”
The room fell silent.
Jude’s voice was laced with venom as he said, “Anything else, boss?”
Bryce ignored him. “I’ll text you all with updates on Simon. Maya will pass retreat info to your assistants.” He clicked out of the call.
Soon after everyone logged out, I got a new phone call from Aaric.
“Hello?” I answered.
“I’m adding Cruz. Hold on.”
We waited until Cruz answered, and then Aaric said, “It’s Quentin and me on the line.”
“What’s up?” Cruz asked. “I have to leave for a luncheon in ten minutes.”
Aaric’s accent seemed thicker than usual as he said, “We have to find a solution to this rift between Jude and Bryce. Do either of you know what happened?”
“No,” I said.
Cruz added, “I still have no idea why Jude suggested that vote. He keeps saying that Bryce was distracted, but I’m not buying it.”
“Me neither,” I added. “It’s deeper than business.”
Aaric said, “Whatever it is, we can’t be divided while fighting against Simon’s children. They’re clearly willing to do whatever it takes to stop us. We need to be a united front or we could lose the company. Or our lives.”
The weight of his words sat heavy on my shoulders.
MyHome had changed everything for me. I went from being a controller at a small credit union to the CFO of a billion-dollar organization, one with partners I could actually trust. Losing this...
I didn’t want to think of it. Just like I didn’t want to lose anyone important to me.
“I’ll talk to Bryce, since I’m here,” I said.
Cruz offered, “I’ll see Jude at the Breckenridge New Year’s Eve party. Maybe we’ll get some time to talk.”
Aaric said, “Good. Remember the goal is to listen, not to fix.” That one was for Cruz. No one needed to remind me to listen.
Cruz retorted, “You should have been a therapist, Aar.”
“I act as one for you clowns, and I make way more money,” Aaric countered with a chuckle.
“The three of us will follow up at the retreat?” I asked.
“Yes,” Cruz agreed.
Aaric pressed, “It’s important, guys. This rift will destroy us. If it hasn’t already.”