Indeed held the first Friday of the month, Liz sat at the long table in the conference room of the accounting firm that handled the finances for the charity. The firm also lent them space to hold their meetings because A Friend Indeed didnât want to waste money on an office that wouldnât often be used. Their work was in the field.
Ayleen Francis, a fiftysomething socialite with blond hair and a ready smile who was the president of the board, sat at the head of the table chatting with Ronald Johnson, a local man whose daughter had been murdered by an ex-boyfriend. A Friend Indeed had actually been Ronâs brainchild, but it took Ayleenâs money and clout to bring his dream to fruition.
Beside Ron was Rose Swartz, owner of a chain of floral shops. Liberty Myers sat next to Rose and beside Liz was Bill Brown. The actual board for the group consisted of sixteen members, but the six-person executive board handled most of the day-to-day decisions.
Waiting for Ayleen to begin the meeting, Liz handed the receipts for the groceries sheâd purchased forAmanda and her kids to Rose, the groupâs treasurer, as well as a statement for cleaning services. Liz donated both the food and the services, but for accounting purposes A Friend Indeed kept track of what each cost.
âThank you, Liz,â Rose said, her smile warm and appreciative. But before Liz could say youâre welcome, someone entered behind her and a hush fell over the small group.
Ayleen rose just as Liz turned to see Cain standing in the door way. âIâm assuming youâre Cain Nestor.â
He nodded.
Ayleen smiled and turned to the group. âEveryone, this is Cain Nestor, CEO of Cain Corporation. Heâs visiting us this evening.â
Shock and confusion rippled through Liz. She hadnât seen Cain in three years, now suddenly he was everywhere! Worse, sheâd brought him here. Sheâd given him the name of the group when he followed her to Amandaâs. She couldnât believe he was still pursuing the opportunity to thank her for staying with him while he was sick, but apparently he was and she didnât like it. She was over him. She wanted to stay over him!
âJust take a seat anywhere.â Ayleen motioned to the empty seats at the end of the table.
Cain didnât move from the doorway. âMs. Francisââ
Ayleen smiled sweetly. âCall me Ayleen.â
âAyleen, could we talk privately?â
âActually, I donât say or do much for A Friend Indeed without my executive board present. Thatâs why I asked your assistant to pass on the message for you to meet me here. If youâll let me start the meeting, Iâll tell the group about your donationââ
Liz frowned. Heâd made a donation? To her charity?
âMy assistant was also supposed to tell you that the donation was to be kept confidential.â
âEverything about A Friend Indeed is confidential.â She motioned around the room. âNothing about the group goes beyond the board of directors. Some things donât go beyond the six people at this table. However, none of us keeps secrets from the others. But if you donât care to stay for the meeting, then Iâll simply tell the group Iâm refusing your donation.â
Cain gaped at her. âWhat?â
âMr. Nestor, though we appreciate your money, what we really need is your help.â She ambled to the conference-room door. âAs Iâve already mentioned, everything about A Friend Indeed is confidential. Thatâs out of necessity. We give women a place to stay after they leave abusive husbands or boyfriends.â She smiled engagingly as she slid her arm beneath Cainâs and guided him into the room.
âFor their safety, we promise complete anonymity. But because we do promise complete anonymity to our clients, we canât simply hire construction firms to come and do repair work on our