Chapter Sixteen
Power Play
The next morning Mrs. Roman awoke me early. After I showered and shaved, she showed me the clothes she had laid out for me: a black suit, white shirt, cardinal red tie, black socks, and black patent leather shoes. “We’re color-coordinated,” I said, looking at her outfit.
She wore a cardinal red, wool business suit, her black leather gloves from the night before, a black ascot, and understated jewelry. Her hose—certainly pantyhose this time—were black, as were her patent leather pumps. “Big day,” she explained tersely.
She described her plans while we both got dressed. “I will present you to a group I call my Star Chamber at 9:30 this morning.”
I tightened the knot of my tie. “To see if they approve of me as CEO?”
“As president,” she clarified. “I’ve decided
