Chapter 69 - A Word From Alden
Alden Voss finally spoke publicly. He said he had requested valuation scenarios in his capacity as audit committee chair and had no knowledge of any unauthorized transmission to journalists.
It was a careful statement. It left open the possibility that someone else had misused a workflow his office created.
Adrian wanted to answer with a list of Alden's old conflicts. His public-relations director told him to let the independent counsel review them. He called me to complain, then stopped midway through his sentence.
“I know,” he said. “You don't want to manage my board.”
“No,” I agreed. “I really don't.”
“It's strange. I've spent years expecting a person close to me to prove loyalty by taking my side.”
“And now?”
“Now I'm being told that sometimes loyalty means allowing a process I can't control.”
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I looked at the unfinished crib drawing on my desk. “That sounds exhausting for you.”
He laughed, unexpectedly and without resentment. The sound reminded me of a younger Adrian, before every relationship had become a position to defend.
