“Old guy,” I quip back. Tish, take a breath. “I’m not going anywhere.”

Kate says, “Upon John’s death, the company transferred to me and Ashlyn. It’s all well documented in John’s will. You’re simply wrong.”

Where is my lawyer? We have this all planned. He’d better show up. I take a deep breath. “You are mistaken. There is a new will.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Kate turns her back to me and motions for Sandra and Bob, but she’s still talking loud enough for me to hear her. “John would never do that. I have the copy of his will in the safe in my office. Bob, can you finish escorting her out? I’m done here.”

Bob points a trembling finger at me. “You’ve caused enough trouble, young lady. There is no new will. I drafted John’s will myself. You have no stake in this company. None at all.”

That’s funny. “Oh, Bob, you’re so behind the times. That happens with age.”

Kate holds her phone in her hand. “I’m calling the police chief. He’s a personal friend. One word from me and he’ll be right over.”

“That would be a big embarrassing mistake for you, Kate. And such a bad news story for EventCo, am I right?”

A knock on the office door startles my guests, but I’ve been expecting him. “Come in, George. Meet my lawyer, everybody.”

My trusty lawyer trundles into the room like he owns the place, or at least like he’s been here before. Which he hasn’t. He did slip into the memorial service and give me a quick hug, but I didn’t introduce him around. I thought I’d save the surprise of him until I needed it. And now is the perfect time. He’s not one to be thrown off by tense situations. He thrives in them.

“Hello, all. Sorry to be late to our meeting, but the traffic coming up the interstate was just horrible. I’m George Price, Mrs. Nelson’s attorney.” George takes off his fedora and sticks a beefy hand out toward Kate, who shakes it quickly.

I know she wants to wipe her hand on her pants leg. She thinks George is slimy. And she’s right. But she also thinks I am stupid. She’ll pay for underestimating me. They all will.

“Ma’am,” George says, “You must be the one of the founders of the company. Nice to meet you.” He turns and shakes Sandra’s hand. “And you’re HR, as they call it. And you’re corporate counsel? Nice to see you, Bob.”

George is laying it on thick, full-on country bumpkin. Sandra is speechless. Bob is sweaty. Kate is stunned. I love it.

George turns to me with a wink. “And how’s my favorite president doing?”

“Better now that you’re here. There seems to be a misunderstanding.” I’m acting like an executive now. Measured, serious, confident. “Why don’t we all sit down, over there where it’s more comfortable.”

“Great idea. I’d love a cup of coffee. Double sugar,” George says. “Do you have someone who can fetch that for me, doll?”

I almost don’t stop myself. But I do. “Unfortunately, I haven’t hired an executive assistant yet. That’s one of the many things Sandra will handle for me.”

“Until she does, maybe she could fetch me a coffee?” George says, looking at Sandra, who simply shakes her head and walks out the door.

“You aren’t going to get away with this.” Kate stands arms crossed, refusing to join Bob, George, and me on the couch.

“Listen, ma’am, I don’t like your tone.” George sits, the black leather sighs under his weight. “We’re being nice. Why don’t you try it?”

“Here’s nice. I won’t press charges against you, or your client here, if you leave immediately. John’s last will leaves this company to our daughter and me. He would never leave our business to her.” Kate’s words are measured, superior. She thinks she’s better than me. Better than George. She thinks she’s better than everyone. Her superiority complex is so annoying. I know George agrees. I hope he’s as good at his job as I think he is.

I put my hand on George’s shoulder. “The only way to work through this little issue here is to show them the will. Go ahead, George.”

“All righty, let me get that out.” We all watch in silence as George fumbles around in his beat-up briefcase. It’s probably pleather, I realize. I need to get the man some more professional pieces for the future. Just in case I need him to appear in person again.

“Here you go. You can keep this copy. You are the corporate attorney, correct?” George is so helpful.

“I am one of the corporate attorneys, and I’m Mrs. Nelson’s attorney. The first Mrs. Nelson, that is.” Bob takes the document and skims to the last page.

“Well, I’m the second Mrs. Nelson’s attorney, so glad we could sort all of that out,” George says. “You’ll find everything is in order, sir. John made sure Tish was provided for. He was so very generous because he loved Tish here so much.”

George has all the answers, and he’s killing them with southern kindness. The proverbial honey drips from his tongue. As for me, I relax just a little. I finally have someone on my side. George is very convincing when he wants to be, and it appears he really does know what he’s doing.

He points to the document. “You’ll see it’s all witnessed and the like. It’s all buttoned up, and it supersedes any other wills. It’s the last will and testament of John Williams Nelson.”

Kate has been reading over Bob’s shoulder. Her words are ice. “This can’t be real. I don’t believe it. That doesn’t even look like John’s signature.”

George chuckles. “Oh, it’s real all right, ma’am. You can bet your bottom dollar on that.”

Sandra walks into the room carrying his coffee and hands it to him with a proper napkin.

“You aren’t going to get away with this, Tish. This will cost you, dearly.” Kate glares at me once more. “Bob, come with me.”

“Oh, Kate, one more thing. Just because I want us to get along, for the good of the company, I want to give you a heads up,” I say.

Kate’s voice is ice. “You want to give me a heads up? About what exactly?”

My face is flushed with excitement. “Even though the new will doesn’t give her a penny, don’t worry, I’ll take care of Ashlyn.”

“No. You won’t.” Kate walks out the door.

I yell, “If you need me, you know where to find me. Corner office.”

George and I watch as they scurry away.

Once they’re gone, I walk to the door and gently close it.

George takes a sip of coffee and leans back into the couch, puts his dirty shoes on John’s glass coffee table. “Nice digs you’ve got here, kid.”

I want to yell at him to act more sophisticated, to sit up, to stop being a country hick. When we got together last time, a week before the IPO, down at the Franklin County Courthouse, he didn’t even wear a tie. I was furious. But I must admit his performance just now was quite impressive, so I bite my tongue.

“I’ve come a long way, Uncle George. A long way.” I lean forward. “You need to make sure my momma keeps her mouth shut. Can you do that? Whatever it takes?”

“Your momma? You all haven’t spoken for years. She has no idea where you are.”

“Ashlyn called her. They spoke. Just make sure she doesn’t talk to her again. Understand?”

He’s laughing. “Didn’t think that girl would have it in her. But I hear you.” He takes a sip of coffee. “Your momma will be told to keep her mouth shut, or else.”

“My momma always did try to ruin my life. I don’t care what it takes to stop her,” I say as I stand up and walk to the floor-to-ceiling windows.

“She also called Ron, the dentist, the little brat,” I say without turning around.

“Ron is irrelevant. Don’t worry. Just keep your cool, and stay away from the daughter,” George says.

I turn around and take in the incongruity of George sitting in this sleek executive office. I can’t believe he’s here. We’re here. The weight of the situation settles over me as I walk to my desk. This is a big company. I’m now expected to run it. Actually, Kate will run it and I will help, like John did.

“Breathe, sugar,” George says. “You look tense.”

“I just need to take this seriously. It’s a big job.”

“From assistant to president is a big leap,” George says. “Before you get too comfy as an executive, do you think you could make me another cup of coffee for the drive back? One last menial task.”

“Sure, George. As long as you call my momma while I’m making it.”

“I’m already ringing her number, sugar. Don’t you worry. I know how to put her in her place.”

CHAPTER 37

KATE

As I walk back to my office, I try to keep my face neutral, the anger hidden. I don’t want the team to see Tish is winning this little fight at the moment. The staff senses my mood anyway, and people duck into their cubicles and offices as I pass by.

This is unacceptable. I thought Tish would be long gone. I seem to have underestimated her. A mistake I will not make again. Ever. I saw that man, her supposed attorney at the memorial service. He was the man in the fedora. This is a setup.