group. “What do you say? Shall we add this rainforest coalition to the agenda for the next meeting?”
The guy in the corduroy blaze r— he was either an attorney or a philanthropist, Martin or Stanzio — consulted his watch. “I’d agree to that. What about a working lunch?”
Marion Dempsey said, “I need to catch a flight , so I’d like to keep forging ahead.”
Etta leaned back in her chair. “I’m going up to Silverthorne to do some hiking tomorrow and wouldn’t mind wrapping up early, as well.”
Daniel Cubrero addressed Mark. “Perhaps you could ask the kitchen to bring our food in here for a working lunch.” Not only did Nora like his idea of sending Mark out of the room while she spoke, she nearly melted at his South American accent.
Mark dipped his head, never losing his grin. “I’m not sure they’ll do that. They’re planning for us downstairs.”
Professor Santa’s voice sounded like a mallet. “We’d appreciate it if you’d do what you can. Cancel the lunch and bring us deli sandwiches if you need to.”
Mark jumped up as if hit with an electric prod. “Of course. I’ll take care of it.”
Daniel Cubrero nodded, satisfied. “ Bueno . Now, let’s see how our finances are sitting.” He smiled at Nora and her legs went wobbly.
Mark pushed back from the table. He walked past Nora on the way out of the room and when his back was to the board, he widened his eyes in what she assumed was a warning.
Etta cleared her throat. “We’re deeply sorry to hear about Darla Barrows. She served as F inance D irector competently and thoroughly for three years. She was always willing to help and ready to answer our questions. She’ll be missed.” Etta leaned over and pulled a tissue from a canvas bag. She honked her nose in tribute.
Bradshaw cleared his throat. “Is there any news on the investigation?”
Etta shook her head. “As I understand it, there are no leads and the detectives will be questioning staff.”
“Perhaps we should hire a private investigator?” Daniel said.
Marion Dempsey shook her gray hair. “We’re here to save the environment, not track down murderers.”
At least they had their priorities straight.
Etta allowed a minute or two of murmurings about the sadness and waste of Darla’s murder and then cleared her throat. “At this time, I’d like to welcome Nora Abbott. Yesterday was her first day , so we’ll muddle through this together as best we can.”
The members turned pages in their board reports to settle on the financial report . Nora stood and hefted her stack of pages. “I studied the financials in the board packet. Unfortunately, they don’t match up to what is currently in our system , so I prepared another P&L. I’m sorry I haven’t had time to work up a cash flow , but I printed out a balance sheet.”
She handed out the reports and gave the board a second to digest the new information. These were professional board members and business people used to cruising financial statements like NASCAR drivers ran a track.
Corduroy guy, Martin/Stanzio, frowned. “What happened to the cash balance in the general fund?”
Bradshaw scowled . “The long-term investment asset balance is substantially down too. ”
After they’d mumbled among themselves for several minutes, Nora spoke. “As you can see, there are some differences from the previous report and generally, they show the Trust is in a worse financial position. I assume December will bring an influx of donations , but until then we’re in for a dry spell as far as cash flow.”
Etta’s double chin wobbled. “Can you give us a quick overview?”
Nora skimmed through, surprised her voice sounded strong and confident because inside, she was a sickening swamp of anxiety. Somewhere in the middle of the report, where Nora kept reminding herself to breathe and speak clearly instead of racing along and mumbling, the door behind her opened and closed. It had to be Mark. If he had an ax e in
The guy in the corduroy blaze r— he was either an attorney or a philanthropist, Martin or Stanzio — consulted his watch. “I’d agree to that. What about a working lunch?”
Marion Dempsey said, “I need to catch a flight , so I’d like to keep forging ahead.”
Etta leaned back in her chair. “I’m going up to Silverthorne to do some hiking tomorrow and wouldn’t mind wrapping up early, as well.”
Daniel Cubrero addressed Mark. “Perhaps you could ask the kitchen to bring our food in here for a working lunch.” Not only did Nora like his idea of sending Mark out of the room while she spoke, she nearly melted at his South American accent.
Mark dipped his head, never losing his grin. “I’m not sure they’ll do that. They’re planning for us downstairs.”
Professor Santa’s voice sounded like a mallet. “We’d appreciate it if you’d do what you can. Cancel the lunch and bring us deli sandwiches if you need to.”
Mark jumped up as if hit with an electric prod. “Of course. I’ll take care of it.”
Daniel Cubrero nodded, satisfied. “ Bueno . Now, let’s see how our finances are sitting.” He smiled at Nora and her legs went wobbly.
Mark pushed back from the table. He walked past Nora on the way out of the room and when his back was to the board, he widened his eyes in what she assumed was a warning.
Etta cleared her throat. “We’re deeply sorry to hear about Darla Barrows. She served as F inance D irector competently and thoroughly for three years. She was always willing to help and ready to answer our questions. She’ll be missed.” Etta leaned over and pulled a tissue from a canvas bag. She honked her nose in tribute.
Bradshaw cleared his throat. “Is there any news on the investigation?”
Etta shook her head. “As I understand it, there are no leads and the detectives will be questioning staff.”
“Perhaps we should hire a private investigator?” Daniel said.
Marion Dempsey shook her gray hair. “We’re here to save the environment, not track down murderers.”
At least they had their priorities straight.
Etta allowed a minute or two of murmurings about the sadness and waste of Darla’s murder and then cleared her throat. “At this time, I’d like to welcome Nora Abbott. Yesterday was her first day , so we’ll muddle through this together as best we can.”
The members turned pages in their board reports to settle on the financial report . Nora stood and hefted her stack of pages. “I studied the financials in the board packet. Unfortunately, they don’t match up to what is currently in our system , so I prepared another P&L. I’m sorry I haven’t had time to work up a cash flow , but I printed out a balance sheet.”
She handed out the reports and gave the board a second to digest the new information. These were professional board members and business people used to cruising financial statements like NASCAR drivers ran a track.
Corduroy guy, Martin/Stanzio, frowned. “What happened to the cash balance in the general fund?”
Bradshaw scowled . “The long-term investment asset balance is substantially down too. ”
After they’d mumbled among themselves for several minutes, Nora spoke. “As you can see, there are some differences from the previous report and generally, they show the Trust is in a worse financial position. I assume December will bring an influx of donations , but until then we’re in for a dry spell as far as cash flow.”
Etta’s double chin wobbled. “Can you give us a quick overview?”
Nora skimmed through, surprised her voice sounded strong and confident because inside, she was a sickening swamp of anxiety. Somewhere in the middle of the report, where Nora kept reminding herself to breathe and speak clearly instead of racing along and mumbling, the door behind her opened and closed. It had to be Mark. If he had an ax e in
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