Isla's first order of business was to contact the PR firm Gordon had hired. News of Robert's arrest hadn't hit mainstream media yet, but she knew it was only a matter of time. They'd need to respond somehow and being proactive was their best strategy. And so, the next morning she was in the green room going over her key messages when Gordon stormed in.
"You had no business calling this press conference without my permission," he said. There was something different in the tone of his voice. Something that triggered her instinct and made her stand a little bit taller. A little more alert.
She closed her eyes. It was to allow the make-up artist to brush loose powder on her face, but by happy coincidence it also gave her an air of indifference and an opportunity to steel herself. "Robert has been taking bribes."
"That hasn't been proven yet."
"He was arrested. To our clients, there's no difference."
"This is my firm."
"It's our firm."
The make-up artist scuttled away.
"My life savings are tied up in this company. I don't need your permission. I never did."
He took a step toward her, but then retreated to let an assistant pass. "I'm only trying to protect you."
"Protect me from what?" She threw her arms in the air. "Did you think I wasn't going to find out about the arrest? I'm the spokesperson. I'm the one being questioned by reporters on the sidewalk."
The last of the PR staff left the room, quietly closing the door behind her.
"You're opening Pandora's box with this conference." He levelled a cold, hard stare at her, but she wasn't to be intimidated.
Instead, she smiled. "Bring it on."
"Isla, some things are best kept out of the public eye."
"Like what?" she said, folding her arms across her chest.
Gordon slid his hands into his front pockets but didn't reply.
"Why didn't you tell me about the arrest?"
"I don't know," he said with a shrug. "I panicked."
"You panicked," she repeated.
The PR rep poked her head in the green room. "Excuse me, Isla. It's time."
Isla nodded and walked toward the exit. "Funny thing," she said, pausing in the doorway. "In all the time I've know you, you've never panicked."
Isla placed her hands on either side of the podium and looked out over the gathering of journalists. Bulbs flashed and video cameras whirred silently on their tripods. Sandy Miller sat front and centre, and at the back of the room, almost hidden by the brightness of the key light, was Marian Leo.
"Good morning," said Isla. She'd given hundreds of presentations over the years without a hitch. Public speaking had never bothered her, but this was different. Here, she felt as though she was under attack — and maybe she was.
Her speech was set in front of her and she took a moment to straighten the papers before she began. "In recent months, tragic accidents have occurred at the Midshipman and Wellman buildings here in SoHo. Erroneous reports have stated that Kenroy, Morgan & Walters are responsible for these incidents."
Miller looked up at her, his pen poised over his notepad.
"My firm has been a vibrant member of the community for more than thirty years. We've worked with the heritage committee, the city and local businesses to protect SoHo's history and culture. We've ensured that its citizens have safe, environmentally-friendly places in which to work.
"And yet, with all this, two of our recent projects have had devastating — indeed, heartbreaking — accidents. That is simply not acceptable to us, either professionally or personally.
"As a firm, we pride ourselves in our work. We've won countless business awards and have received special recognition from community associations and industry organizations.
"As individuals — as your neighbours — it saddens us. It sickens us. Human nature dictates that in times of difficulty, we pull together. We help one another. That's why we've been paying Mr. Best's medical bills — not because a court has ordered us to, but because it's the right thing to do. That's why we're undergoing a full review of our processes for all projects. And that's why we are happy to work with city officials as they investigate these events.
"There is, to date, no evidence that either accident had anything to do with the work that Kenroy, Morgan & Walters performed. That said, common sense dictates we take a look at everything we did, and identify any possible areas for improvement.
"Both projects were headed by Robert Walters. So, we have begun there. Work has stopped on his current renovations, and we are reviewing his past files going back ten years. As some of you may already know, Mr. Walters has voluntarily stepped away from active involvement in the firm. Although he remains a partner, he has no input into the running of the company or our ongoing jobs.
"Finally, I would like to confirm that last evening Mr. Walters was arrested on charges of bribery. These allegations have not yet been proven, and there is no evidence as of yet, to prove that this involves the work he did on the Midshipman and Wellman buildings. He has since been released on bail pending his court appearance.
"The firm's remaining partner, Gordon Kenroy, and I are ready to assist authorities in their investigation should they request it.
"Are there any questions?"
Hands shot up all over the room, and Isla, who had been anchored by her paper, felt a trickle of sweat run down her back. She pointed to a young female journalist in the front row.
"Did Mr. Walters take money to cut corners on the reconstruction jobs?"
"He entered a plea of not guilty to the charges of bribery. I'm unable to comment beyond that because this is an ongoing police investigation." She pointed to another woman in the centre of the room.
"How long has Mr. Walters been taking bribes and how many lives are at risk because of it?"
This is exactly what Isla wanted to know herself. If she ever got her hands on Robert, she'd strangle him. "At this point, these are allegations only," she said. "Nothing has been proven, and there is as yet, no link to the work he did with the firm. However, we are reviewing each of his projects over the last ten years, and should we find any areas of concern, we will contact authorities immediately."
Miller stood. She'd been avoiding him, and he seemed to know it. "How many other people have been accepting bribes at the firm of Kenroy, Morgan & Walters?"
"I beg your pardon?"
"Surely you don't expect anyone to believe that Robert Walters is the only person taking bribes."
"Those allegations —"
"How widespread is this issue?"
"Widespread?"
"How much money have you been given to cut corners?"
"Me? None!"
"But you have cut corners?"
"What? No, I —"
"How much involvement did you have with the Midshipman and Wellman projects?"
"None." She was gripping the podium so tight her knuckles had turned white.
"But your husband did."
"His company has done work for us, yes."
"Has he received an incentive to cut corners?"
Before she could respond, the PR rep stepped in. "No more questions at this time," she said and, mercifully, led Isla back to the green room.