Cochran made a note. “Wallace Marchant.”
Our uncle puffed out his chest. “Open. I intend to do great?—”
Cochran spoke over him. “Emilia Marchant.”
Mila’s fingers squeezed mine, and her voice came out clear. “Open.”
Oh God, I was last. And the deciding voter. Nerves crushed my belly tight, and every face watched mine. The consequences flew around in my head in a rush of white noise, but I’d already decided. I’d known at witnessing the passion in my sister when she talked about the good the company did. How well she knew it and what it could do in exchange for a second lease of life.
Good would always overcome evil. I’d seen that with my own eyes.
“Open,” I told them.
A cheer came from the family members.
Mila’s lips parted. She stared at me. “You did that…”
“For you? Yes. But also so we can make it pay back.”
She covered her mouth, shock in her eyes but happiness too. I didn’t look at the grandmother we’d acted against.
Cochran made his final note. “Then our business here is concluded. In accordance with Austin’s wishes, Darcy, Emilia, and Wallace now own and may direct Marchant Haulage as they see fit, subject to the usual legalities.”
Wallace raised a hand. “What legalities?”
Cochran spared a glance at Primrose then back to her son. “Should any of the three be imprisoned, they forfeit all rights.”
Wallace huffed and left his seat, merging with the stream of people leaving the room. We fell in with the mass, Tyler’s arm around my shoulders. I kept him close, nervous again for what I needed to do next.
Outside, Wallace stepped up to the centre of the waiting journalists. Cameras rattled with pictures taken and people shouted questions.
He made a simmer-down gesture with his hands. “Now, now, wait for me to speak then ask your questions. I am very glad to tell you that I have saved my father’s business. Today, we voted successfully?—”
The two plain-clothed police officers moved in on him, each taking an arm and rumpling his brown suit.
Wallace swung his attention between them. “Excuse me.”
“Mr Wallace Marchant, I am placing you under arrest for the suspicion of murder,” the male officer said. “You do not have to say anything. But it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned…”
Wallace blustered. “You can’t do this! I am innocent. Release me at once.”
They dragged him away, the cameras picking up his contorted expression. His protests and yelling.
Mila stared wide-eyed after them. “They picked their moment. That actually makes sense because then the company is out of deadlock so there’s no messy legal situation. Then thatleaves you and me to run the company.” She peered around. “But where’s Primrose?”
She hadn’t come out. I hadn’t noticed her leave.
The police would be looking for her for sure. I didn’t know if I wanted them to find her.
Deeper in the crowd, a familiar face leaned to talk to another man. Lovelyn, Manny and another crew member guarding her. Kane went straight to her side, his glare on the man she spoke to who had to be her detective contact.
She sought me out and lifted her eyebrows.
I raised a pausing finger. I had to do this now or I never would.
Stepping forward, I gathered the attention of the assembly. “My name is Dixie. You might know me as Darcy Marchant. Not a name I use anymore.”
Every microphone swung my way. Cameras snapped my face.
