"The car will be downstairs in twenty minutes," Olivia said. "Your introduction is scheduled for ten thirty. Security wants you to use the private garage, and communications would prefer we announce your arrival before you enter the lobby. Do you want the full version or the quiet one?"
"Neither," Madison answered. "Cancel the car. I'll take a cab and come through the front doors."
Olivia set down the garment bag. "Madison, we've spent months keeping your personal schedule out of general circulation. They know your name, but most of the people at Whitman wouldn't recognize your face."
"I know."
"And you're planning to arrive without an escort, without an introduction, in clothes that don't announce who you are."
Madison looked at her. "I thought you understood the plan."
Olivia exhaled, though a reluctant smile appeared. "I understand it. I'm not obligated to enjoy it. What happens if reception can't verify you?"
"Then reception gets an opportunity to show me how it treats a guest whose meeting isn't immediately visible."
"And if security makes a problem?"
"Call me before it becomes dangerous," Madison said. "I'm not asking anyone to risk injury for an observation. But I do want to see how the organization functions when the people at the top aren't performing for me."
Olivia studied her for a moment. "I'll be upstairs with the transition counsel and six new directors. I'll let the building team know an authorized visitor may arrive early, but I won't send a photograph or demand special treatment. Sarah Johnson at reception is the designated arrival contact. She should have the appointment on her confidential calendar."
"If she doesn't, that's something we need to learn too," Madison said.
Madison dressed in a charcoal wool coat, a cream blouse, dark trousers, and flat black shoes. She wore no diamonds, no expensive watch, and no designer emblem that would invite a stranger to guess the price. The portfolio she carried was beautiful but scuffed from years of being placed under airplane seats and on conference tables. She kept the chipped mug by the door until the last possible moment, then put it down and took the acquisition binder instead.
At seven forty-five, the final closing notice arrived. By eight, the purchase had legally completed and the planned governance changes became effective under the acquisition agreement, subject to the corporate formalities already authorized. At nine, the newly constituted board would formally confirm Madison as chairwoman and the transition authority delegated to Olivia and independent counsel. Gregory Whitman was expected to lead a welcome session at ten thirty, although the terms of his continuing role were subject to review.
Madison knew that Gregory considered the transition a formality. He had spent much of the negotiation telling intermediaries how essential the Whitman family name remained to the franchise and how grateful Sterling should be for the privilege of investing in it. His attention had lingered on the purchase price and retention package, not on her questions about employees and customers. She suspected that was a mistake he had made often enough to call it leadership.