“You also have a friend who is good at hacking, I think?” Eugene’s gaze cut to Dan.
Dan shrugged noncommittally. “We might.”
“Have your hacker friend find the offshore law offices handling Caleb’s companies’ paperwork and filings, it’ll be more damning than financial records, and less likely to raise the interest of the SEC. Give the documents—anonymously—to the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists.”
Janie gasped. “Of course! The Panama and Paradise Papers. That’s genius.”
Eugene nodded, sending her a slight, but impressed, smile of approval.
“What are the Panama and Paradise Papers?” Dan glanced between Janie and Eugene.
Janie looked frustrated, like she had so much to say and no time to say it. “It’s a long story, but basically the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists received a bunch of documents anonymously originating from law firms that focus on offshore dealings, nicknamed the ‘Offshore Magic Circle.’ You can look this all up on Wikipedia. Anyway, the documents have brought down a few government leaders, people in the Dominican Republic protested, the Prime Minister of Iceland resigned.”
“Have your journalist friend keep an eye out for the documents. She can report on Caleb’s self-dealing. Have her be the one to suggest a lawsuit for fraud against shareholders in addition to pointing out the obvious illegality of his actions.”
“What about the jacked up prices on generics?” I crossed my arms, giving Eugene a hard look. “I can’t continue to allow that.”
He nodded. “We’ll go to the board together. Share prices will drop, but Caravel has enough cash on hand to weather the storm.”
“And they’ll be better in the long run.” Dan smoothed his hand down my back, giving me a kiss on my shoulder.
After answering a few more of his questions, our impromptu meeting dispersed. As we left the study, Eugene was cornered by Uncle Zip, asking him what he thought the Yankees’s chances were this year, apparently still suspicious of his loyalty to the Sox.
Luckily, Eleanor rescued Eugene, asking for his help in the kitchen, and Dan introduced me to more relatives.
Everyone was really nice except for a few people who were cranky, giving me the impression that being polite wasn’t in their nature. However, nice or not, they made it clear that I was part of the family.
More than once throughout the day, I found my throat clogged with a strange wave of emotion, and I’d have to blink against stinging in my eyes and nose.
I would regulate my breathing, smile, and the emotions would pass. Dan seemed to pick up on these ebbs and flows, stepping into a lag in conversation, making a joke, giving me a kiss, or even pulling me away to someplace private for a quick hug and shared I love yous.
We were on our way back from one such private embrace when Dan stiffened and took a step back.
“Ah God, it’s Aunt Meg.” Dan turned, as though to block me from her view.
“What? What’s wrong?” I whispered, trying to see around his shoulder.
“Don’t drink when she speaks,” he whispered urgently.
“Why not?” I searched his eyes.
“She buries the lead.”
“Buries the lead?”
“Daniel Patrick, there you are.”
He stiffened again. “Too late.” Pasting on a smile, he turned, revealing a dainty, lovely, sweet looking woman who might’ve been over one hundred years old. “Aunt Meg.”
“Let me kiss you.”
She did, and left two red lipstick marks on his cheeks, giving me the impression she’d just applied a new layer.
“And who is this?” She turned her gaze to me, giving me a friendly smile.
“This is, uh, Kathleen.”
She extended a hand and I gave it a gentle shake.
“So nice to meet you,” she said.
“Thank you,” I said, meaning it.
“Welcome to the family.”
“Thank you, I—”
“We’re so happy to see Daniel finally settling down with a nice girl, you have no idea how much his mother wants more grandchildren. And it’s about time one of these boys did something for their mother.”
“Aunt Meg—”
“But they’re good boys, more or less. I remember one time, I think Daniel was just about three, and Seamus must’ve been almost ten or eleven. My Harriet was out in the garden and there was your husband, holding the basket for her. So sweet.”
I smiled at the older woman, bringing my glass to my lips for a sip of water. Dan caught my wrist, forestalling my drink. I glanced to him while Meg continued her story and he gave me a severe look, shaking his head, then tilting it back towards his aunt.