Chapter 4 - The Corporate Coup
Monday morning. The Vance Enterprises headquarters in downtown Atlanta was a monument to my father's hard work.
Sylvia had called an emergency board meeting for 9:00 AM. Her goal was to push through the final liquidation of the company's real estate holdings, effectively cashing out before the police investigation into the estate could catch up with her.
She sat at the head of the massive glass conference table, wearing a sharp white power suit, looking every bit the grieving, capable widow. Derek sat nervously beside her.
"Gentlemen," Sylvia said, offering a tight smile to the board of directors. "As you know, my late husband’s vision for this company requires capital. Selling the downtown developmental blocks to the Horizon Group is our best path forward."
"Actually," a voice rang out, "the best path forward is having you escorted out in handcuffs."
The boardroom doors swung open. I walked in, flanked by two federal agents and Thomas. I wasn't in civilian clothes. I was in my Army dress blues, every ribbon and medal catching the fluorescent light.
Sylvia’s face went completely bloodless.
"Security!" Sylvia shrieked. "Remove this woman! She has no authority here!"
"I have every authority," I replied, throwing the real, notarized will onto the center of the glass table. "My father left a trust. I am the sole executor. Furthermore, the Fulton County Judge signed an emergency injunction an hour ago freezing all corporate assets due to suspected embezzlement and murder."
The board members gasped.
"Murder?" the Chief Financial Officer asked, standing up.
"My father's body is being exhumed as we speak," I announced, locking eyes with Sylvia. "The toxicology screen will check for heavy metal poisoning and targeted cardiac suppressants. The exact drugs we found receipts for in your son's briefcase."
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Derek cracked.
He pushed his chair back violently, holding up his hands. "I didn't know! I swear to God! She told me she just slipped him sleeping pills because he was stressed! I didn't know she was killing him!"
