Chapter 6
She owned fifty-five percent of the hotel company. Her late husband's shares had been divided equally between Reed and Grant, giving each son twenty-two and a half percent.
Grant had run daily operations since his father's final illness. Marjorie had stepped back to care for her husband, then stayed back while she learned how to live without him.
"That doesn't make the hotel Grant's," she said. "But I've allowed him to behave as though it does."
She had planned to retire from active management that summer. Before choosing the next management team, she wanted an independent review of the finances.
I knew about that review. She had asked whether I would help her understand the resulting report, and I had agreed.
The appointment was scheduled for the Thursday after our wedding.
"Grant knew?" I asked.
"Yes. He said involving you so soon would make you uncomfortable."
Wendy joined us with the booking record for room 614. Marjorie had requested it in her capacity as the company's managing member, along with preservation of the relevant records.
The reservation carried Reed's name. It had been created through Grant's administrative account, and the charge had been moved to a management hospitality account.
"Who collected the key?" Marjorie asked.
"Grant signed the internal charge slip," Wendy said. "He told the desk that Reed was busy with the group."
Reed leaned forward.
"I never stayed in that room."
Wendy's expression softened.
"I'm showing you what was recorded, not deciding what it means."
That was the first sentence all morning that made me feel steadier.
Grant entered without knocking. He glanced at the papers, then at Wendy.
"We shouldn't be dragging staff into family trouble."
Marjorie did not move the documents.
"Did you book the room?"
"Yes. It was Reed's weekend. I arranged several things."
"And paid through the business?"
"Dad always used hospitality money for family events."
"Your father documented family expenses separately," she said. "Answer the question I asked."
Grant looked at Reed.
"You seriously don't remember asking for a room?"
"I didn't ask."
"People had been drinking."
"I had one beer before Mom called. You watched me leave."
Grant spread his hands. "I'm not accusing anybody."
He had spent the previous evening arranging my departure, but apparently questions were what counted as accusations.
Marjorie asked him to leave while she consulted the company's attorney. He obeyed, though he took the framed photograph of his father off the desk and straightened it first.