Chapter 139
The Foundation Board
The Second Memory Foundation had a board of seven.
Five were judges, doctors, or lawyers. One was Everett Bell. The last was Claire's mother.
Claire stared at the name.
Her mother had been dead for nine years.
“She was a board member,” Daniel said.
“She was a signature.”
“The distinction is not enough.”
The boardroom appeared above the lodge.
Seven chairs surrounded a table. Six were occupied by models. The seventh carried Claire's name.
The model of her mother sat at the head.
“You were always the capable one,” it said.
Claire did not sit.
“You used my name to fund the clinic.”
“I used your future.”
“You gave Mara ownership.”
“I gave Mara control.”
“You gave Everett a market.”
The model looked toward the other board members.
“We gave families a way to continue.”
Aster stepped into the room.
“You gave them a way to stop asking.”
The board chairs began to empty.
One by one, the models disappeared as their real names were spoken.
Only Claire's mother remained.
She placed a contract on the table.
“Sign, and the foundation dissolves.”
Claire read the final line.
All remaining assets transfer to Claire Rowan.
She tore the contract in half.
The boardroom windows shattered inward.
Beyond them was not the lodge.
It was the first room beneath the lake.