I closed my eyes. “And when you asked whether she'd called, whether she'd taken her ring, whether I was going to wait—were you reporting the answers back to her?”
“I was trying to keep the situation from exploding.”
“You were helping it continue.”
“That's not fair.”
There it was again, the familiar phrase that meant the injured person was expected to adjust the conversation until the person who had done the hurting felt more comfortable. I looked out the kitchen window at the empty bird feeder. My voice came out steadier than I felt.
“I know about Cincinnati and Nashville being billed to Oak & Stone.”
Ryan swore softly. “Priya should mind her own business.”
“She is minding our business. Literally.”
“Those were business development expenses.”
“Then explain what clients you were developing while staying with my wife.”
“Can we not do this over the phone?”
“We won't. My attorney will contact you. Until we've reviewed the operating agreement, don't approve any new discretionary expenditures, don't alter company records, and don't represent that I have accepted the Westbridge offer. I'll put the request in writing.”
His tone changed. “You're letting your marriage destroy the company.”
“No, Ryan. I'm trying to make sure you haven't already done that.”
I ended the call before he could answer. My hand shook as I set the phone down. I had imagined this confrontation dozens of times during the night. In some versions I shouted at him; in others I demanded he tell me every detail of the affair. The real conversation lasted less than five minutes. It left me exhausted, and I still had to go to work.
When I arrived, Luis was standing in the parking lot beside his truck. He took one look at me and asked if I wanted him to clear the crew out of the main office. I said there was no need. I would not turn our employees into spectators to a private catastrophe. We met with Priya behind a closed door and explained that a review of expenses and management authority was underway. I told her to continue normal payroll and vendor payments, to preserve records, and to direct any unusual request to counsel. Ryan owned part of the company, I said, so nothing about his interest should be changed without legal advice. Priya wrote everything down.