Page 4 of Sacked
“If she did anything to facilitate Dad’s death, I don’t.”
Leigh put her arm around me. “I’ll call the public defender’s office, and the office will offer representation. It’s really up to Bre. She may want to hire her own private attorney.”
“Okay.”
We all nodded before making our way around the curtain. Scanning the tables, it appeared that everyone was seated with plates of food. The play that sacked our family, leaving us breathless on the field, was over.
The crowd watching never knew what occurred.
My gut told me it was only the beginning.
Accepting condolences from others, I made my way to the chair beside Fin. There was a large salad and honey roll on a plate.
He stood and reached for my hand. “I thought you might try to eat.”
I let my gaze wander from his handsome face to the V of his suit coat, as my senses appreciated the sandalwood scent of his cologne. “Try,” I repeated.
Fin pulled out my chair.
Lip narrowed his gaze from the other side of the circular table. “I want to know what went on.”
“Later,” I said. Lifting my cheeks, I smiled at the man to Lip’s side. “Chris, thank you for being here.”
Where Lip was blond like his brother and sister, Chris had dark hair and eyes. They complemented one another well.
“Vee, I’m so sorry.”
“Thank you. We all are.”
I searched for Daphne, finding her seated at another table with Uncle Darin, Aunt Rachel, Grant, and Joe Eads. Thankfully, she appeared more in control than she had a few minutes earlier. I couldn’t help but wonder if she knew about Dad and Bre. Her reaction had been more visceral than I would have ever expected.
“Vee,” Lip whispered, pulling me from my trance.
“Hmm?”
“Is it bad?”
“I’m afraid it could be.”
Chapter 2
Vee
* * *
The following morning, I looked around the table in the Carroll meeting room. All eyes were on me, wondering who would be named the Coopers CEO. The executive board was present as well as a few additional guests. I invited Leigh to join the meeting, also Coach Tilson, Cammy Wilcox, Joseph Eads, Royce Beasley, Coordinator Pratt, Coordinator Brown, and Trish Loften. Daphne was also present. She reached out to me last evening after the celebration of life.
Considering the circumstances of the day, my stepmother sounded surprisingly lucid and sober. She said Grant told her about the meeting and the announcement of the Coopers CEO. Recalling that Dad said he was considering bringing her into the franchise with ten percent of the team, I didn’t refuse her request.
Earlier this morning, I met with my new attorney, Trish Loften, and Cammy Wilcox. The last thing I did before coming to this meeting was to speak to the person I hoped would be willing to take the position of CEO, albeit temporarily. The decision was a relief. In my heart of hearts, I wanted to name myself. I also knew I wasn’t ready for the immense responsibility.
As I stood at the head of the table, I hoped I’d considered all aspects of my choice. I’d promised an announcement of the new CEO, and even the arrest of a possible murder suspect wouldn’t change the course of events.
“Thank you all for being here,” I began. While my heart pounded against my breastbone, I maintained a façade of calm as I took a seat. “While most of us know one another, I think for all present, it would be good to introduce ourselves.”
The only person not known by everyone else was my new private attorney. When it was Trish’s turn, she stood. As a confident woman in her mid-fifties with a lovely mahogany complexion, dark hair, and dark eyes, Trish reminded me of Viola Davis with the same commanding presence.
“I’m Tricia Loften, a partner at Davis and Barnes Law Firm. I’m here as the personal attorney of Maeve Hubbard.”
