THE GLASS INHERITANCE

Chapter 6: The Killing Floor

The boardroom on the floor was like a big church made of glass and full of important people. There was a table made of polished mahogany, forty feet long under a big chandelier that looked like ice falling from the ceiling. Twelve men and three women sat around their faces not showing any feelings, like the numbers on a stock market screen.

As Elias opened the doors everyone stopped talking at the same time.

The late Arthur Thorne once said that timing is the thing that separates a king from a dead person a voice said from the far end of the table. This was Sterling Vane, Catherine's husband and the oldest person on the board. He did not stand up he just leaned back in his chair his gold-headed cane resting against the table. You are three minutes late Elias he said. I hope you have a reason for being late or our stock price will go down.

The reason is standing here Sterling Elias said, his voice calm and cool. He stepped aside. Juno was standing there.

Juno felt like everyone was staring at her fifteen pairs of eyes each one worth a lot of money looking for any weakness. She felt her high heels hurting her feet. She remembered the rocks on the island of Skye. She told herself that balance comes from the core, not the feet. She did not look down she looked straight at Sterling.

Juno Mercer Elias said. She is the person who will get the Thorne estate and she is your new main shareholder.

A woman in a suit laughed. A shareholder who until two days ago was cleaning bird poop in the Hebrides she said. This is not what the Unification Clause was meant for it's like a joke.

Juno felt angry not because she was embarrassed. Because she was used to feeling this way when she saw people hunting birds in their nests.

I have spent my life fixing things that were broken by people who did not care about the damage they caused Juno said. Her voice was steady. Her Scottish accent made it sound strange and important in the quiet room. From what I have seen of your reports this company is a very expensive and shiny mess. I think my experience is what this company needs.

The room was quiet. Elias hid a smile behind his hand.

A mess Sterling said, leaning forward his eyes getting smaller. We are the important part of the Atlantic shipping routes. We own the ports we own the fuel. You own some feathers and a family name you did not earn.

I earned my family name when I survived my father who tried to erase me Juno said. She walked to the table each step on purpose her heels clicking like a countdown. She pulled out the leather chair at the center of the table the one with the Thorne crest and sat down.

She looked at the tablet in front of her it was showing a map of a proposed expansion in the North Sea.

This expansion she said, pointing to the screen. You are planning to dig up a protected area. You will be in court for ten years. The cost will be too much before you make any profit.

We have people who will take care of the court cases the woman in red said.

People cannot stop the sea from taking back what you have destroyed Juno said. She looked at Elias. Is this why you brought me here to watch them make a mistake?

Elias stood behind her his hands on the back of her chair. This was a sign to the board that if they went against her they would go against him.

She has a point Sterling Elias said. The North Sea project was my fathers idea but its a problem. Juno sees it because she has not been in this boardroom for thirty years breathing in the air.

This is a takeover Sterling said, standing up. You are using this girl to get what you want Elias. You think we do not know about your debts you think we do not know you need this merger to happen to stay in business.

Eliass hands on the chair got tighter his knuckles turned white. My debts are not what we are talking about he said.

They will be by Friday Sterling said, smiling in a way. The will says that the person who gets the estate has to be involved in the business. If Miss Mercer cannot show that she understands how this company works her shares will be frozen.. If her shares are frozen Elias you will lose your power. You will be out of a job by Monday morning.

Sterling walked to the door stopping by Juno. He leaned down smelling of tobacco and rotten things. New York is not a place, little bird he said. It's a place that will burn you.. You you are just fuel for the fire.

As the board members left the room the air came in. Juno let out a breath she had been holding. She took off her heels her bare feet hitting the cold marble floor with a loud slap.

Is it true she asked, not looking at Elias.

Is what true he asked.

That you are in debt that you are using me to protect yourself.

Elias walked to the window looking out at the city. The sun was setting, making shadows across the rooftops.

Everyone in this city owes something Juno he said. They owe time they owe their ego. They owe money.. I did not bring you here to protect myself. I brought you here to help me. The problem is, I am starting to think you might be a problem for me.

His phone buzzed again the secret number.

Check the safe in his fathers study the message said. The real will is not in the lawyers office.

Elias looked at Juno she was strong and fierce standing barefoot in the room. He felt scared for the time, in his life not because he might lose money but because of what he would have to do to keep her.