A Friend for a Funeral

7. In the Board Room

     Adam was ready to go earlier than requested just in case Fiona wanted to leave earlier than planned. She never said anything when she woke up and went back to her room to shower and change. He never took that long to shower and put on something business casual, but not too formal. A dress shirt with no tie, and some nice dress pants. Something that said he wasn't there in an official capacity but also formal enough to be taken serious when he needed to be. He didn't even shave and let the three day old scruff he had grown since the funeral stick around. He left the room around ten after eight, which was about fifteen minutes earlier than he needed to. Rather than knock on her door, Adam stood outside her door and checked for messages and what not on his cell phone and patiently waited. Fiona emerged from her room about five minutes later and was startled to see he was waiting out in the hall for her.

     "Whoa!" she called out when she noticed he was there. "You gave me a freight!"

     "Sorry about that," Adam said, as he pocketed his phone. "I was going to knock at the proper time. I apologize."

     "It's alright," she replied, "I'd rather have you be earlier than late. I prefer to get to this meeting on time and just get it over with."

     "Why is this being held so soon?" Adam inquired.

     "There's no time to waste," Fiona answered as the started to stroll towards the lift in order to take it to the lobby, and the car waiting outside. "We need to find out who is in charge, and of what so there is no chaos. We have to get this over with like ripping off a band-aid. Painful, but completely necessary."

     "Fair enough," Adam said, letting her enter the lift first.

     Once in the lobby, Adam followed her to the fancy car that was waiting for them outside. Once they were both in the back, the driver didn't need any instructions as he knew exactly where they were all going. It took about fifteen minutes for the driver to cross town and come to a stop before the building that was waiting for them. Once out of the car Adam followed Fiona into the building, and there was a surprise waiting for them in the lobby. There was an older woman waiting for the elevator.

     "Cynthia?" Fiona called out as she walked over and gave the woman a hug. "What are you doing here?"

     "I was invited," Cynthia replied, "But I promised not to say why, so please don't ask for the time being."

     "Duly noted," Adam replied, "Can we at least come up with you?"

     "Probably not a good idea," Cynthia said, as she entered the lift alone. "People would get too paranoid. I'll meet you up there."

     Adam and Fiona watched with stunned faces as the doors closed. Adam didn't hesitate to push the button again, as they waited for the next lift. Adam stood there and remained quiet as he was unsure of what was going on.

     "What the hell did that mean?" Fiona finally asked.

     "Don't take it personally," Adam answered, "It might all be clear when we get up there and find out for ourselves."

     It took only a few minutes to take the lift up to the tenth floor as instructed, and into the law offices that represented her grandmother's estate. The lady at the front desk showed them to conference room at the end of the hall, which was huge. Despite it's size, there was only a handful of people in there. Fiona's mother and her brother George who were sitting together, and Cynthia who was sitting across from them. To avoid taking a side, Fiona and Adam sat at the end of the table.

     "What is he doing here?" her brother spat out.

     "I invited him," Fiona replied, "For emotional support."