Page 27 of Cameron's Contract

He looked surprised.

“You’re lucky I’m not a sociopath.”

He scoffed. “Like your father.”

“Funny. You’re a good man. Dedicated to the business. You’ve made it one of the leading corporations in the world. It’s worth fighting for.”

“I’m ready to retire.”

“I know.”

“I was fighting for every Cole who came before me and the ones who I hoped would follow.” His gaze held mine.

“There’s still time.”

“They won’t relent, Cam. They’ve made up their minds.”

“What do you think influenced their decision?”

“Profit margins I suppose.”

“Henry and I didn’t come all this way to do nothing. We’re going to fight to the end, Dad.”

“Three moves, Cameron.”

“Sorry?”

“You won that chess game in three moves.”

“Luck.”

“No, you were three moves ahead.” He narrowed his gaze. “You’re always ahead of everyone. That’s probably why we clash.”

“A healthy disagreement now and again.”

“Your brother was meant to take over, but you were the one who always showed an aptitude. I know you love your profession, but they’re not so unlike each other. Both of them require dedication.” He raised his stare and held mine. “Mindfulness.”

“You have my undivided attention.”

He shifted a thick file across the desk and flipped it open. “Take a look.”

The names of the board members were listed in alphabetical order on the front page.

“You speed read?” he said.

“This is the contract for the board?”

“Perhaps you’ll find something.”

I flipped through and caught the number on the last page. “This is five hundred pages. Perhaps have your attorney who wrote it go over it with you?”

“He’s dead.”

“What?”

“Dan Stork suffered a heart attack on the golf course.”

“When?”