Chapter 14
Wacker office again next morning. 9:03. Same room, different chairs. Thomas sat now, not stood. Jacket on. Jake already there, hands around water glass, not drinking. I sat third side of table, folder closed in lap.
Door closed. Margot outside.
Thomas started.
No spin today, he said. Just accounting.
He looked at Jake.
Talk.
Jake stared at table grain. Breathed.
Started three weeks before bar, he said. Met Megan at foundation volunteer orientation. You, Lara, at work late for quarter close. I liked attention. Didn't stop. Invited both to Lake Forest thinking would choose. Didn't.
He looked at me. Eyes red.
I chose poorly like dad said at Clover & Ash. But worse — I let dad choose after. When you caught texts, I called dad before I called you back. Asked him fix it.
Thomas nodded slowly.
I did, he said. Called Megan first, then you, Lara. Offered same deal because benefit donors nervous. Told Jake go home from bar that night, let me handle Lara. Thought control equals care.
Wasn't care, I said. Was containment.
Correct, Thomas said. Realized after you walked out of Palmer House and didn't yell. Walked.
Jake flinched.
At benefit you both crashed, Thomas continued. Lara refused suite. That should have been end of management. Wasn't. I left check again.
I slid check across table.
Still uncashed, I said. December 6 letter says consulting. No consulting happened.
Thomas pushed check back to me.
Shred it, he said.
Can't, I said. Need keep as record. Shows offer made, declined. Not shredded quietly.
Thomas smile thin, not warm.
Keep then.
Jake leaned forward.
Megan and I ended, he said. Last night. She said managed not messy too. She thanked you, Lara, for log photo. We both lied to her same way.
I nodded.
She texted after I left benefit, I said. We good. No jealousy now. Just clarity.
Thomas folded hands.
Here accounting, he said. To you, Lara — I used board funds to pressure two women for donor comfort. Wrong. Will tell board today. Propose policy: no personal settlements without HR and independent counsel. Will take leave from chair through January review.
He looked at Jake.
To you, Jake — I raised son who outsources hard talks to father. Also wrong. You apologize to Lara without my words. Then you step off foundation roster until you work somewhere I don't sign checks.
Jake nodded, tears now.
To both — I won't surveil, Thomas said. Last promise. Lara asked at Palmer House, I gave it. Keep it.
Room quiet. I opened folder. Added new line to card in front of them.
12/14 Wacker accounting - both men admitted managed choice
Closed folder.
Now my part, I said. Heartbroken at Clover & Ash, yes. But stayed three extra weeks after first lie because wanted Lake Forest invite real. Also chose poorly. Not same as cheating, but ignored gut to keep plan.
Thomas shook head.
Not equivalent, he said.
Still mine to own, I said.
Jake turned fully to me.
Lara, I cheated, hid invite, let dad pay to hide. No excuse. You deserved call, not dad at bar. Sorry. Not asking get back. Asking you hear sorry clean, no deal attached.
Heard, I said. Quiet. Believe you mean it today. Still no.
He nodded, accepted. No plea after. That mattered.
Thomas stood. Meeting done. He extended hand to me, not handshake for deal, handshake for close.
May you like
You walk first, he said. Like at benefit.
I picked folder up. Walked to door alone. Father stayed back, son stayed seated. Triangle broken by my steps.
