CHAPTER 53: Thomas

POV: Avalon Pierce

Thomas Reeves opened his door before Avalon knocked.

The second time it happened, Avalon began to think the man had cameras.

“Maya Castellano called me this morning,” Thomas said, stepping aside to let him in. “Directly. On my personal number, which I’d like to know how she obtained.”

“She’s resourceful.”

“She was exceptionally clear about her feelings regarding Kofi.”

“I imagine she was.”

The kitchen again. Coffee already made. One cup set out this time, which told Avalon something — Thomas had known he was coming alone. Which meant Thomas was either still monitoring them or had learned to anticipate how Avalon thought.

Neither option was entirely comfortable.

Avalon sat without being invited.

“Kofi,” he said.

Thomas settled into the chair across from him. “Kofi Asante is an architect, and I’ve employed him for two years on three development projects. He has exceptional professional instincts and good judgment.” He paused. “Usually.”

“You sent him to assess Maya.”

“I sent him to understand whether she represented a variable I needed to account for,” Thomas said without apology. “I needed to know if she knew things that could affect the situation or if she was being approached by anyone connected to Hale.”

“She was recovering from cancer and worrying about her sister. That’s what she was doing.”

“I know that now.”

“You should have known it before sending someone to sit across from her in a coffee shop.” Avalon kept his voice level. “She’s been through enough.”

Thomas was quiet for a moment.

“You’re right,” he said.

The directness of it stopped Avalon briefly. 

“Kofi told her the truth,” Avalon said.

“Yes. Against my advice.”

“You advised him to lie to her?”

“I advised him to say nothing but he chose differently.” Thomas picked up his coffee cup. “He said she deserved the truth more than he deserved her goodwill.” A pause. “I couldn’t argue with that.”

Avalon looked at him.

“What exactly did you tell Kofi about Maya?”

“That she was Selene’s sister who had been peripheral to events but potentially significant and I needed a read on her.” Thomas set down the cup. “I didn’t tell him to build a relationship, I only told him to have one conversation.”

“And instead he told her things he meant.”

“Apparently.” Something shifted in Thomas’s expression. “Kofi has always had inconvenient integrity. It’s why I keep employing him.”

Avalon thought about Maya’s text to Selene. The way it had arrived after what had clearly been a good evening — the warmth of the first three messages and then the fourth landing like a cold hand on the back of the neck.

“She’s going to see him again,” Avalon said.

“I know.”

“Thursday apparently.”

“She told me that too in some detail.” Thomas paused. “She also told me that if I had questions about your family, I should ask directly. Her exact words were somewhat more colourful.”

“That sounds right.”

“She’s not wrong.” Thomas looked at him steadily. “So I’m asking directly, this situation with Hale — the prosecution, the asset freeze, the twelve per cent — are you and Selene stable? Is Pierce Holdings stable?”

“Yes,” Avalon said. “More than stable.”

“The board restructure?”

“Three candidates for Patricia’s seat and we are at the final stage.”

“I’d like to recommend someone.”

“Of course you would.”

“Someone clean,” Thomas said. “No connections to Hale, no existing allegiances to anyone currently on the board. Someone who brings something genuinely new.” He slid a folder across the table. “Look at her background but if you disagree after reading it, I’ll say nothing more.”

Avalon looked at the folder without opening it.

“Thomas.” He waited until the older man looked at him properly. “We agreed, no more operating independently or moving pieces without telling us.”

“I’m telling you now.”

“You’re telling me after Kofi and Maya and a folder that already exists.” Avalon kept his voice even. “That’s not the agreement.”

Thomas held his gaze.

“Old habits,” he said finally.

“Break them.”

A long pause.

“The candidate’s name is Dr Amara Osei,” Thomas said. “She’s forty-three. Academic background, corporate ethics, and organisational governance. Currently advising three major nonprofits, no financial conflicts or political allegiances.” He paused. “She’s exactly what the board needs and nothing like what it currently has.”

Avalon looked at the folder.

Then picked it up.

“I’ll read it,” he said. “And I’ll discuss it with Selene, if we agree, we will bring it to the full board.” He looked at Thomas. 

“Agreed.”

Avalon stood.

“One more thing,” Thomas said.

He stopped.

“Hale’s legal team filed a motion yesterday evening. I have a contact in the federal prosecutor’s office.” Thomas’s voice was careful now. “The motion requests access to Pierce Holdings internal communications from the past eighteen months. Emails, board minutes, financial records.”

“On what grounds?”

“They’re arguing the federal case intersects with civil liability, perhaps, Pierce Holdings may have benefited from Hale’s activities in ways that require examination.” Thomas paused. “It’s almost certainly a delay tactic. Hale’s team is trying to complicate the prosecution and create leverage.”

“But?”

“But if the motion is granted, everything becomes discoverable. Including Diana’s communications when she was feeding information to Hale.” Thomas looked at him. “Including anything that might be uncomfortable.”

Avalon stood very still.

“How long before the court rules on the motion?”

“Forty-eight hours. Perhaps less.”

He picked up his phone.

Called Selene.

She answered on the second ring.

“We have a problem,” he said. “I’ll explain on the way home.” He paused. “And Selene — call Diana.”