I climb out of bed slowly, stretching, savoring, letting myself keep the glow just a little longer. Then I pull on a pair of shorts and a soft t-shirt, tug my hair into a messy knot, and fire up my laptop.
Thank God the ship’s internet is working this morning.
Because I’ve spent months reacting. Waiting.
Not anymore.
I place my fingertips on the keys, and without hesitation, search Midtown Investments again.
The same headlines from last night, so I keep scrolling—weeks, then months back. “Unusual trading patterns at Midtown trigger alerts.” I skim the article, not really knowing what I’m looking for but then a name pops out at me—Aurum Micro-PIPE.
“That Aurum Micro-PIPE mess…”The one Courtney mentioned.
How did I not put this together right away? It was listed on every single quarterly bonus breakdown. The bonuses that nearly paid off our house. That kept our kids in private school. That made everything look so darn perfect…
I open a new tab and type it in directly:Aurum Micro-PIPE.
And this time it’s like I’ve hit a goldmine. I click, skimming through the first article until my eyes lock onto two words.“Regulatory scrutiny is increasing...” “Possible indictments coming.”
Regulatory scrutiny? That can’t be good.
Possible indictmentssound even worse.
The words are still echoing in my mind when my phone rings—startling me so badly, I nearly launch the laptop off my thighs.
Guilt hits like a wave, and I slam the lid shut like I’ve been caught doing something wrong. Which, technically, I haven’t. But it feels that way.
Tay’s name flashes across the screen.
I exhale, swipe to answer. “Hello?”
“Hey! I thought we were meeting at nine to start setting up for the bachelorette party?”
Ship.
Ship ship ship!
I’m already hopping on one foot, trying to jam on a sandal, and my brain is sprinting faster than my body.
How the heck did I forget?
Oh right. Last night.
And then, instead of checking my daytimer first thing, I went into full-on PI mode, searching my husband’s employer hoping to come up with something to put my fears to rest. Hoping to find answers, gosh darnit!
How could I forget that it’s the day before my sister’s wedding?I’m in charge of the bachelorette party, for Pete’s sake!!
“Give me ten minutes,” I pant into the phone, but then I get a glimpse of myself in the mirror. “Maybe twenty.”
“No hurry, I'm in the bridal suite now,” Tay says, chipper as ever. “I assume the decorations are in these boxes? Want me to start taking inventory?”
Right. Decorations. Accessories. Scavenger hunt lists.
“You brought prizes, right?” I ask.
“Oh yeah. I’ve got that covered!” Tay snorts a little before laughing.
“That good, eh?”
