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T yler Greenley’s morning was packed with meetings, and noon on Tuesdays was a designated working lunch with his team.

Delaying his second appointment for a few minutes, he made a phone call and waited impatiently to be connected.

When the familiar voice sounded in his ear, he didn’t waste time on pleasantries.

“It’s Tyler. We’ve got a problem. Julia Backworth’s niece ambushed me this morning. Reese Decody.”

He listened for a moment, then said, “I mean she just showed up at my table where I was eating my damn breakfast and sat down. She asked about the decision-making that went into the changes for the growth strategy on the trust’s account.

Pretended not to know much about financial planning, but made a point of mentioning the research she did on Merrill and Hathaway.

” Tyler opened a drawer and took out a stress ball stamped with his firm’s name.

Squeezed it reflexively, the repetition soothing.

“They’re another asset management company in the area.

Her series of articles were responsible for the SEC starting an investigation.

People went to prison.” He recalled reading those columns avidly at the time, with more than a bit of sympathy for the poor bastards involved.

When he’d looked up and recognized Decody at the table this morning, instant alarm had stabbed through him, which their resulting conversation hadn’t calmed.

“Easy for you to say. This can go wrong in so many ways, and it’s my ass on the line.

She’s planning to schedule a formal meeting.

” Bad enough that he had to face his supervisors’ pointed questioning of the strategy behind his recent handling of Ben Decody’s funds.

He had iron-clad record-keeping to verify the discussions where Rivers had recommended the changes he made.

But it wouldn’t survive the microscope the SEC would place it under, especially if they leaned on the attorney.

His contact was great at delivering platitudes, but they did little to alleviate Tyler’s anxiety.

“That’s all well and good, but even if Decody isn’t named the conservator, she can still make noise about the account.

She’s a family member, after all. She could petition the court to bring in an outside auditor. ”

He listened for another minute before saying, “If you say so. I just wanted you to be aware. I’ve gotta go.

” He dropped the stress ball into the open drawer, shut it, and rose, pasting a smile on his face as he went out to welcome his next client.

He felt a modicum better but wouldn’t be completely appeased until a new plan was developed to mitigate the threat Decody posed.