“I don’t know why Grandpa chose to leave the franchise solely to Dad.” I smiled at Aunt Rachel. “I know that the love for and dedication to the team that Dad inherited was also inherited by Aunt Rachel.”
“Did you know?” Uncle Darin asked his wife.
Aunt Rachel smiled. “I suspected. It wasn’t confirmed until Vee called me to her office this morning, and I spoke with her, Cammy, and Ms. Loften.” She turned to her husband. “Vee will take the position eventually. She recognizes that this is best for now.”
“You said you wanted to retire.”
Aunt Rachel shrugged. “What’s another year or two.” She turned to me. “Besides, I got a better offer.”
“And you accepted the offer,” I said.
Aunt Rachel stood. “I did. I have a few years of experience on Vee, but together we’ll work to continue what Dad and Reid built.”
Grant leaned back, exhaled, and slowly clapped. Once he had our attention, he spoke. “Obviously, my opinion doesn’t matter.”
“Grant,” Aunt Rachel warned.
“Nevertheless,” Grant went on, “I’m happy for you, Mom. You’ve deserved this for a long time.”
I sighed with relief. The conversation continued for a few minutes. Finally, I clinked my pen against my coffee mug. “If there isn’t anything further, I’d like to thank everyone who came here today. Please wait until the press release goes out to discuss the position of CEO with anyone outside this room.” When no one objected. “Today’s meeting is officially adjourned.” As people started to move, I added, “I’d like those of you I’ve asked to stay to please remain. We have an update.”
Chapter 3
Vee
* * *
“You’re making your father proud,” Royce said.
I stood. “Thank you.”
Each person who walked past me offered words of encouragement as well as contentment with my decision. Of course, neither Uncle Darin nor Grant moved from their seats; neither did Daphne and Mr. Eads. I hadn’t asked the latter two to stay.
My gaze met my stepmother’s. “Daphne.”
“Vee, I was there yesterday. If this is an update about Bre Stanton, I want to hear it.” She reached out to Joe Eads. “Joe should hear it too.”
Inhaling, I turned to Cammy.
“They’re both interested parties,” she said.
Relenting, I nodded. Daphne’s posture relaxed.
Leigh was the one to speak. “Mr. Eads, I spoke to you yesterday about the charges against Bre Stanton.”
“Yes.” He pressed his lips together. “Shocking. Abhorrent.”
“Charges are all we know,” Leigh went on. “I learned this morning that Ms. Stanton has accepted the aid of the public defender’s office. An attorney, Marc Shiveley, has been assigned to her case.” Leigh looked down at her watch. “They’re most likely meeting now. Ms. Stanton was held overnight at the Fayette County Detention Center.”
A cold chill covered my arms with goose bumps at the thought of spending the night in police custody.
“Judge Chad Gregory from the District Court,” Leigh went on, “will preside. The arraignment is scheduled for two this afternoon at the Robert F. Stephens District Courthouse. At that time, the charges will be read, a plea entered, and rights advised. Since Bre has agreed on representation, the only other matters left for Judge Gregory to determine are the question of bond and the setting of dates for pretrial conferences or hearings.”
“Will they say why they think she did it?” Daphne asked. “I mean, what evidence they have.”
Leigh shook her head. “The charges will be read, but we won’t learn about any evidence until discovery, which will begin after the arraignment.”
“Any idea about bond?” Mr. Eads asked.
