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She shuddered, pushed the nightmare away. She’d never told anyone about the things he had done. Not one living soul. Even as a child she had recognized how things followed you. Kids at school made fun of her when they saw her in the donated clothes. The many harsh lessons she had experienced had been difficult, but she had learned from them. She’d made sure none of her childhood had followed her. She’d also made damned sure no other man took advantage of her. Ever.
She banished the painful memories and focused on the now.
Laney was the only part of her childhood that Ellen had kept. If not for Laney, she might not have survived. She had given Ellen a real home.
Ellen would do anything for her friend.
Laney had graciously offered her home for tonight’s dinner. Aware of Ellen’s need to have a private meeting with her partners, her friend had also arranged to have dinner with Norine Duncan at Blakedale. Laney knew nothing of the inner workings of the partners; she understood it was better that way.
Certainly Norine needed a good visit after Finley O’Sullivan’s abrupt intrusion.
Ellen had known O’Sullivan would be a test, but she hadn’t anticipated just how good the woman was. Or how relentless. Though she shouldn’t have been surprised. O’Sullivan had a reputation for being dogged, and she was very, very good at her work. She, too, had lost a husband to murder. The two of them had a good deal in common.
Ellen smiled to herself. She had chosen the Finnegan Firm for that reason. She needed O’Sullivan to be very thorough. She also needed her to feel a kinship ... to empathize. So far, so good on that count.
Liz arrived first, of course. Her internal time-is-money clock kept her on her toes and on top of all else. Ellen never had to worry aboutLiz. Her abilities went well beyond numbers. Liz had a sense for the order of things.
Ellen gave Liz a hug and ushered her into the parlor, where two bottles of wine were breathing, ready for their indulgence.
Moments later, Vivian, Daisy, and Joanna arrived. No smiles tonight. They were worried. They all were. Frankly, Vivian’s penchant for protection kept her worried in the best of times. It was the nature of her work. Daisy and Joanna were the best planners in the world of finance. Like builders of architectural wonders, the two could create a stock portfolio like no one else. Each had a kind of sixth sense when it came to investments.
They all had distinct skills.
Jessica, of course, arrived last.
The husband, Ellen surmised. Jessica and her husband were both hard workers. Dedicated. Ambitious. But Jessica was the shark. The marriage would never last.
“Sorry I’m late.” Jessica gave her a quick hug that left Ellen feeling cold.
“No need to apologize. We’ve only just gathered in the parlor for wine.”
There was still time for this to turn out right. For all involved to do the right thing. They had been together from the beginning. To lose one of these women would be like losing a limb. Ellen desperately hoped all would end well, but she had taken the proper steps in case it did not.
She began by pouring the wine. Tonight she served. The way these women served her at the office, this was the least she could do. Tonight was important. Tonight was pivotal.
“Why don’t we move on to the dining room?” Ellen suggested.
Conversation lulled a bit as they settled around the table. Silverware clinked against china; stemware moved up and down from the table to lips.
Her friends didn’t pick at their food—they ate with the same gusto with which they achieved greatness in the finance world. They were good. They had appetites. Strong appetites. Even stronger ambition.
Ellen set her fork aside first. “We’ve reached the stage in this project that we discussed on Friday.”
All eyes shifted to Ellen. These women ... her heart squeezed. She loved each one. Trusted ... each one. The abrupt hesitation she felt was understandable considering what she now suspected of one.
Still, protecting them, protecting herself, was paramount.
“From this point forward we give nothing unnecessarily to anyone, not even our legal representatives. We answer only as necessary, and we stay focused on moving forward. We will not meet with Jack or with Finley alone. We meet together. All or no one.”
Glances were exchanged, as Ellen had anticipated. This was a first in their many projects, and it was the sort of thing that could drive a wedge into the closest of groups. Between the most trusted of friends.
“Should we be worried?” Jessica asked, an edge in her voice.
Of course she would be the first to show fear, to throw that particular question on the table.
“No.” Ellen smiled. “There is no cause for concern.”
Vivian placed a hand on Ellen’s as she scanned the faces at the table. “Ellen is right. There is no cause for alarm whatsoever,” she repeated. “We will carry out the final steps, and it will be finished.”
