That was why Celeste had lasted fourteen years with us.
She was careful even when frightened.
“Do not send anything else to Grant or Paige tonight,” I said.
“I haven’t.”
“Good.”
“Marian?”
“Yes?”
“You should also know the document is unsigned.”
Relief moved through me.
Small.
Useful.
“No board approval?”
“None.”
“No executed resolutions?”
“None.”
“No filing?”
“No.”
“Then it is a proposal.”
“Yes.”
I closed my eyes.
Important distinction.
A frightening proposal.
Still a proposal.
Celeste continued.
“I’ve frozen Paige’s consulting invoices pending review.”
“Can you do that?”
“Yes.”
“Under the existing vendor controls.”
“I also removed automatic payment authority from the old administrative account.”
“Good.”
“Grant’s approval access remains active.”
I hesitated.
“Leave it.”
Celeste sounded surprised.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“I am not suspending my son because his wife may have abused an account.”
“Not before we know what he actually did.”
“Understood.”
Then she said:
“Do you want me to call outside counsel tonight?”
“Yes.”
“Our regular firm?”
“No.”
That answer surprised even me.
Northstar’s regular attorney had worked closely with Grant for years.
Nothing wrong with that.
But independence mattered now.
“Call Miriam Cole.”
Celeste knew the name.
“Whitlock & Pierce’s former governance partner?”
“Yes.”
“Retired?”
“Consulting.”
“Tell her I need an independent review.”
“I’ll call.”
I hung up.
Then my phone rang.
Grant.
I stared at his name.
The part of me that had raised him wanted to answer immediately.
The woman with a bruise on her face did not.
I let it ring.
He called again.
Then a text.
Mom, please. I need to explain.
I almost laughed.
Everyone always needed to explain after documents appeared.
Before documents, they tended to need silence.
I replied:
Monday. Bring everything you know. Do not delete anything.
Three dots appeared.
Then:
I didn’t know about the restructuring draft.
I wrote:
Then Monday should be easy for you.
He did not answer.
Saturday passed strangely.
I canceled Mother’s Day dinner.
Not dramatically.
I called the restaurant and released the reservation.
Then I sent Grant one sentence.
Dinner is canceled. We will meet Monday at Northstar.
Paige sent six messages.
I read none.
Diane sent one.
That I read.
Marian, I had no idea Paige used your spa membership under your authorization. I am embarrassed and sorry. I will reimburse my own appointments.
I stared at it.
There was dignity in that.
I answered:
We can discuss the charges after the review. Please do not send money yet.
Diane replied:
Understood.
No accusation.
