The pen slipped from his fingers.
“Good morning.”
Nobody moved.
“I hope I’m not too late for the transfer of my own company shares.”
Arthur shot to his feet.
“Valerie?!”
Julian stumbled backward.
“No… you…”
I walked slowly toward the table.
“What’s wrong, sweetheart?”
I tilted my head.
“You look surprised to see me.”
The room erupted into whispers.
Julian forced himself to recover.
Then he stepped forward with his arms open.
“Valerie! Thank God. You’re alive!”
I raised one hand.
“Stay where you are.”
His expression tightened.
“Valerie, you’ve been through something traumatic. You’re confused.”
“Confused?”
I removed a small wireless speaker from my bag.
I placed it in the center of the table.
Then pressed play.
Julian’s recorded voice filled the boardroom.
“I made sure the seatbelt wouldn’t release easily…”
Several directors stared at him.
