You’re still in shock. It’s so astonishing, you forgot Jessica essentially dumped you. You can’t even sense the suds on your tongue, the news leaving you numb. It takes you long before you can understand what you’re seeing.
Stanley Hoover – your boss, in a manner of speaking, and your target – has been declared dead. Killed in a car crash on the road leading away from the county.
It takes the actual news to hear more, but the tale you hear thus far is chilling. “According to lieutenant Ramirez of the Tyneside Road Patrol, the scene is being investigated as an accident. Preliminary investigations have ruled out foul play for the moment, while awaiting toxicology results.”
More chilling, though, is Cassie’s deduction. “That spot on the road is always empty. Perfect for a hit & run – a slam from behind, one dead guy. But it could easily be a suicide by car crash, judging by what we know.”
“This isn’t good,” you say. Your mind immediately returns to Jessica – past her rejection, into her reasons. “This is a message.”
“Oh, definitely! Don’t mess with Mom or you’ll end up dead.”
You crumple, falling to your knees. “She must’ve told Jess that she’d be next if she didn’t abandon me. She killed Hoover because she wanted to give her a message.”
“It could be for anyone,” Cassie points out. “She wouldn’t risk spiting you just to screw your girl.”
“She just made someone who inconvenienced her die. Imagine what she’d do if she was wronged. She did this to straighten us – remind us of what we’re for her.”
“Bestie, I know you feel odd for helping Mom do this, but think about this with a cold, clear mind. You gave Mom a huge victory. She wouldn’t do this to hurt you. And she wouldn’t make you her enemy just for shits and giggles after proving your loyalty to her.”
“Then explain why Jess dumped me.”
“Again, cold and clear mind. Did you hear her crying?”
“No. She was angry.”
“Oh. Yeah, that’s not good. If she was crying, that meant Mom must’ve bullied her into stepping back. Did she shriek or was she calm?”
“Why does that matter?” Seeing how she refuses to talk, you huff and respond. “Calm.”
“That means she doesn’t feel betrayed. She’s probably asking for time. I can check her up for you, but I can’t promise anything. Just give it time and see how she responds, alright? In the meanwhile, try to bottle up those feelings, but keep them close.”
“Why?” you ask, as you feel relieved.
“Because you’ll need them to cry on command. Your boss died, no? I guess you’ll need to say...”
--
“...he was like a father to me, despite the short time I’ve been working here.”
Cassie’s recommendation works like a charm. The pain of Jessica’s rejection helps you fake all the tears you need to bolster your fake claims. Many people in Hoover Consulting are shocked by the events; only Darlene seems like faking it, and you suspect she suspects of you as well.
You go one step further, though. There is one girl that’s so distraught by his death that can’t spend five minutes before she breaks into tears. You approach her, summoning Rachel’s gentleness to soothe her. “It’s alright to cry. Do you want me to ask Williams if he could give you the day off?”
“Mr. Hoover wouldn’t have wanted that.”
“I’m pretty sure he would.” (You suppose your time as Beatrice gave you some insight, as you feel the real Hoover indeed would have allowed her to grieve.) “You don’t have to act strong before everyone. Just tell Williams or Meade when you’re ready to return.”
“Mr. Hoover owned this place. With him gone, who’ll manage it?” You realize her tears come just as much from fear than from grief, and though you try to appease her with “things will work out in the end”, you can’t give her an answer.
Fortunately, that answer arrives with a last-minute reunion, where you see Beatrice as well as someone who appears be a lawyer. Williams and Meade, the Logistics Managers, are there alongside Darlene, the company’s accountants and the director of Human Resources, who you just meet.
Beatrice’s words quaver, but she summons strength to address you. “As you may have heard, my husband Stanley passed away yesterday. I desire to understand why, but I feel responsible for your well-being, as he saw you as part of his family – another family, distant from us.”
After those brief words and introducing herself, she moved to the business at hand. “With my husband gone, his assets now pass to my daughter’s and my hands. My daughter is still underage, and I have no prior experience in the business; as acting owner, I will temporarily assign Albert Freeman as CEO pro tempore until I can find a suitable replacement.”
The rest was just simple reassignment. Freeman, the director of Human Resources, would handle Hoover’s matters while Williams and Meade split responsibilities in the HR Department while supervising you. This makes Darlene and you acting Logistics Managers – same position, more work, same pay – until everything settles.
Though the reunion was mercifully short, you’re surprised as Beatrice approaches you. You summon your tears once more, repeating the same words you told everyone. “I’m sorry for your loss, madam. I may have been recruited recently, but I saw his work ethic and concern, and I felt him like a father.”
“I know.” (How? She’s never met you...) “You must be that girl he talked about so much.”
Yeah. The one giving him headaches.
“I wish to know you better, young woman. Would you accept an invitation to dinner at Longfellow’s?”
Longfellow’s? “Yes. May I ask why?”
“We have important matters to discuss. I will make the reservation at six. I would appreciate your assistance.”
--
You choose to remain in business clothes as you arrive to the site, a two-story restaurant, with a chic and modern lounge look. Longfellow’s is a restaurant well known for catering to businesses and executives, providing maximum privacy for business deals and buffets for larger events. You know this as you planned to take Jacob Hartzmann here for contract negotiations, a suggestion from Darlene’s mind.
“Good evening,” the hostess greets you. ”Welcome to Longfellow’s. Table for one, or do you wish for the bar?”
“I’m here to meet Beatrice Hoover.”
“Ah, yes. She has been expecting you. Please, follow me.”
The hostess leads you to the upper floors, where the meeting tables are – enclosed rooms that combine a long table, a projector and a whiteboard, and are designed for off-site meetings and celebrations – but doesn’t stop there. She takes you to the private tables – dim-lighted and secluded – and opens the door to one, where you see Beatrice and two men in business garbs.
“Miss O’Leary,” she greets you, and you’re surprised she knows your name. “Please, come in. Anything to drink?”
“A glass of red wine would be nice, if I may.”
“Very well. I’ll ask for the waitress while we talk.” One of the lawyers offers you a seat, and as you sit, she leans forward and addresses you. “Stanley and Clarisse speak wonders about you.”
This isn’t right. Unless Jess gave me a good word with her as Clarisse...
“My husband’s sudden passing made me realize I’ll need some time away from Tyneside to process my grief. I’ll stay for a few days to handle matters regarding Stanley’s political career, but I’ll return to my hometown in Maryland afterwards to begin that process.”
“But what about Clarisse? She’s finishing her life here. Don’t you think--?”
“I’ll make that trip alone.” (That’s even more suspicious than what she claims Stanley talked about you.) “I wish for Clarisse to make her life here, but until she’s of age, she’ll need a legal guardian.”
You blink. The men in suits have a distinct lawyer look. That can mean only one thing. “You’re asking me to be Clarisse’s legal guardian?”
“Indeed.”
“But what about Mr. Hoover’s businesses? Surely, you’ll--”
“Stanley made sure I wouldn’t be left devoid of financial stability. He paid for extraordinary life insurance policies and stock portfolios that’ll ensure I can live comfortably for the rest of my days.”
“Including your participation at Hoover Consulting.”
“That is precisely another thing I wanted to talk about.” Your muscles tense as you hear those words. “I want to transfer my participation in the company to you.”
“But, if I’m assigned legal guardianship of your daughter, that means--”
“You’ll have full control of Hoover Consulting until Clarisse reaches legal age.” She hands you a sealed envelope, legal size, containing what seems to be Hoover’s last will and testament. “He expressed his desire that you held the reins to his company – he said you were the only one he could trust.”
This isn't possible, you say as you read the document. Though he doesn’t make it explicit, Stanley Hoover does mention that, in the case of misfortune where Beatrice was to be absent, he appointed you as Clarisse’s legal guardian and steward of his company, giving credence to those words.
“I wanted you here so we could begin the process of transferring ownership of my part in Hoover Consulting and granting you legal guardianship of my daughter Clarisse. I’m also transferring ownership of Stanley’s house and certain other locations. All I request is that you allow Clarisse to live inside the house until she can purchase her own home.”
One of the lawyers hands you a pen, handing you various documents. They’re all missing a signature. Yours.
Once you sign these papers, you will own everything Stanley Hoover ever had. And perhaps, take away everything from Clarisse.
Will she forgive you if you were to do so?
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