The captain, a gray-haired man named Michael, shook his hand.
“Mr. Bennett, it's an honor to meet you.”
Arthur looked surprised.
“You know me?”
“My father worked for Bennett Holdings for thirty-two years. He always said you were the only executive who remembered the names of the people who cleaned the offices.”
Arthur smiled.
“I wish I remembered more of them.”
The captain shook his head.
“My father passed away last year. He would have been happy to know you were back.”
Arthur thanked him.
Then he turned toward Emily.
“Come on, Emmy. We have somewhere to be.”
It was the first time he had called her that.
She followed him toward the waiting car.
Inside, Daniel received another call.
He listened for a few seconds, then ended it.
“Richard is already at the headquarters.”
Arthur looked out the window.
“Then let's not keep him waiting.”
Bennett Holdings occupied a forty-two-story building in the center of Manhattan.
The company's name was engraved above the main entrance in silver letters.
Emily had seen the building many times in financial magazines.
She had never imagined she would one day enter it beside the man who had founded it.
When the car stopped, two security guards approached.
One recognized Daniel and opened the rear door.
Then he noticed Arthur.
His expression changed.
“Mr. Bennett?”
Arthur nodded.
“Good afternoon, James.”
The guard looked stunned.
“You remember my name?”
“Of course. You used to work the evening shift.”
James smiled.
“I've been here twenty-two years.”
Arthur shook his hand.
“Then you've been here longer than most of the people making decisions upstairs.”
James laughed softly.
But the smile disappeared when he saw the two additional security guards approaching.
“I'm sorry, sir. We've received instructions not to allow unauthorized visitors into the building.”
Daniel stepped forward.
“He's not an unauthorized visitor.”
One of the guards checked his tablet.
“I'm afraid Mr. Bennett is not on the approved access list.”
Arthur looked at the entrance.
“That's interesting. I built the place.”
The guard appeared uncomfortable.
“I'm sorry, sir.”
Emily stepped forward.
“Can you please call someone who can verify his identity?”
The guard nodded.
He made a call.
A minute later, a woman in her fifties hurried through the revolving doors.
She wore a dark business suit and carried a stack of documents.
When she saw Arthur, she stopped.
“Mr. Bennett?”
Arthur smiled.
“Hello, Susan.”
The woman covered her mouth.
“Oh, my God.”
She walked toward him and embraced him.
“I thought I'd never see you again.”
Arthur held her gently.
“I'm sorry I stayed away so long.”
Susan stepped back and looked at him.
“You haven't changed.”
Arthur smiled.
“That's probably not true.”
She noticed Emily.
“And who is this?”
Arthur looked at his granddaughter.
“This is Emily Parker. My granddaughter.”
Susan's eyes widened.
“Margaret's daughter?”
Emily nodded.
Susan immediately reached for her hand.
“Your mother was a wonderful woman.”
Emily swallowed.
“You knew her?”
“Of course. She used to visit the office when she was little. She was always asking questions about everything.”
Susan smiled sadly.
“I'm sorry we lost touch.”
Arthur looked at her.
“Susan, I need your help.”
“Anything.”
“Can you tell me what is happening upstairs?”
Susan's expression changed.
“The board meeting has started.”
“What are they discussing?”
“The sale.”
Arthur nodded.
“Then I think it's time I attended.”
Susan looked at Daniel.
“Does Richard know you're here?”
“He does.”
“Then you need to be careful.”
Arthur looked toward the building.
“I've spent too many years being careful.”
He straightened his jacket.
“Let's go.”
The elevator ride to the thirty-eighth floor was silent.
Emily stood beside her grandfather.
Daniel stood behind them.
Susan held the folder of documents against her chest.
When the doors opened, they stepped into a wide hallway lined with photographs of the company's history.
Emily stopped in front of one.
It showed Arthur standing beside Eleanor and a group of employees at the opening of the company's first regional office.
Her grandmother looked young and happy.
Arthur noticed her looking.
“That was taken in 1989.”
Emily smiled.
“She was beautiful.”
“She was.”
He paused.
“She always hated having her picture taken.”
Emily looked at the photograph again.
“I wish I'd known her.”
Arthur gently placed his hand on her shoulder.
“I'll tell you everything I remember.”
They continued toward the boardroom.
Voices could be heard behind the closed doors.
Daniel stopped.
“Mr. Bennett, there's something else you should know.”
Arthur turned.
“What?”
“Richard has been preparing for this sale for more than two years. He has already negotiated executive compensation packages with Northstar Capital.”
Arthur's eyes narrowed.
“How much?”
“Several million dollars.”
“And the employees?”
Daniel lowered his head.
“Most of the regional offices will be closed.”
Emily looked shocked.
“How many people will lose their jobs?”
“Possibly more than four thousand.”
Arthur's expression hardened.
“Four thousand families.”
Daniel nodded.
Arthur looked toward the boardroom doors.
“Then I have even more reason to be here.”
Susan opened the door.
Inside, twelve board members sat around a long polished table.
At the far end stood Richard Bennett.
He was fifty-one years old, with dark hair, a carefully tailored suit, and an expression of complete confidence.
He was speaking to the board when the door opened.
“...and therefore, I believe this acquisition represents the most responsible path forward for the company.”
He stopped.
His eyes landed on Arthur.