you’re sole beneficiary to your parents’ estate.”
“Yes, that’s fine.” Alex interrupted. She’d already had enough to deal with today. Having her parents’ lives reduced to a stack of legal mumbo-jumbo gave her cold chills.
She supposed emotional trauma over finalizing her parents’ affairs was inevitable, and Norman was right: she’d delayed the process long enough. But every box of papers she opened contained more memories and pain she was not ready to face. Her parents’ tidy preparations for the future made Alex all too aware of her failure to enjoy the present. Grief began to choke her and tears stung her eyes.
“What about the company?” Norman asked. “Have you given any thought to what you want? There’s the parent company here in the States and several foreign subsidiaries. I can help with a sale if you wish. I’ve already had inquiries.”
“I can’t decide that right now.” Alex took a deep breath. “Whoever’s been running it for the last year seems to be doing fine. Let them do it a while longer.”
For most of her childhood Alex had believed her parents ran a simple computer store. They’d tried to convince her to come into the business with financial incentives and properties before she joined the police department, but Alex wanted to make her own way. Their privately owned corporation, the Trojan Horse, handled all facets of high-tech surveillance, from basic night-vision equipment to advanced satellite components. The clientele spanned the globe. Then as now, Alex had been unable to imagine herself doing anything but the job she loved. But selling the business her parents spent their lives building didn’t seem like an option at this point, either. It was too soon and too final.
“Don’t wait too long,” Norman said. “Your parents were dear friends of mine and I just want to make sure their daughter is taken care of.” He paused as if waiting for his comments to register. “I assume you’re keeping the house. The title and insurance have been transferred into your name. What about the cars? Do you want to keep them?”
A lump formed in Alex’s throat. She’d never considered returning to her parents’ home, but now it belonged to her. Her infrequent visits the past year had barely been enough to keep cobwebs from forming in the corners. It felt like her parents’ lives were being disassembled piece by piece and she was being asked to dispose of them. Her knowledge of the business was insufficient to make such important decisions at this point. But her childhood home and all its memories would also have to wait. “I’m not ready for all this.”
Norman shuffled through the stack of papers in front of him, pulled one out, and continued, “There are also the other properties to consider, in addition to the business. The two vacation homes, various real estate investments locally, and a sizeable stock portfolio.”
“But hasn’t everything been going along fine for the past year? The company seems to be doing well from the quarterly statements I receive. The vacation homes are being properly maintained as they were before, and the other real estate properties are currently occupied by long-standing tenants. So what is the urgency today, Norm?”
“The stock investments are due for rollover soon, and with all the recent market fluctuations it’s time for a portfolio review. You could leave it in place or reinvest it in something else. Whatever you decide, we’re on a two-day deadline and I’ll need your signature to make it happen.”
“Fine, just let it ride, if there’s no penalty involved. I don’t need any huge influxes of cash anytime soon.” She signed the proffered form and pushed her chair back from the desk.
“There is one final thing,” Norman added. “The board of directors meeting is next month. I think you need to be there. The CEO and board have been doing a great job running the show, but they need to know the company is still
“Yes, that’s fine.” Alex interrupted. She’d already had enough to deal with today. Having her parents’ lives reduced to a stack of legal mumbo-jumbo gave her cold chills.
She supposed emotional trauma over finalizing her parents’ affairs was inevitable, and Norman was right: she’d delayed the process long enough. But every box of papers she opened contained more memories and pain she was not ready to face. Her parents’ tidy preparations for the future made Alex all too aware of her failure to enjoy the present. Grief began to choke her and tears stung her eyes.
“What about the company?” Norman asked. “Have you given any thought to what you want? There’s the parent company here in the States and several foreign subsidiaries. I can help with a sale if you wish. I’ve already had inquiries.”
“I can’t decide that right now.” Alex took a deep breath. “Whoever’s been running it for the last year seems to be doing fine. Let them do it a while longer.”
For most of her childhood Alex had believed her parents ran a simple computer store. They’d tried to convince her to come into the business with financial incentives and properties before she joined the police department, but Alex wanted to make her own way. Their privately owned corporation, the Trojan Horse, handled all facets of high-tech surveillance, from basic night-vision equipment to advanced satellite components. The clientele spanned the globe. Then as now, Alex had been unable to imagine herself doing anything but the job she loved. But selling the business her parents spent their lives building didn’t seem like an option at this point, either. It was too soon and too final.
“Don’t wait too long,” Norman said. “Your parents were dear friends of mine and I just want to make sure their daughter is taken care of.” He paused as if waiting for his comments to register. “I assume you’re keeping the house. The title and insurance have been transferred into your name. What about the cars? Do you want to keep them?”
A lump formed in Alex’s throat. She’d never considered returning to her parents’ home, but now it belonged to her. Her infrequent visits the past year had barely been enough to keep cobwebs from forming in the corners. It felt like her parents’ lives were being disassembled piece by piece and she was being asked to dispose of them. Her knowledge of the business was insufficient to make such important decisions at this point. But her childhood home and all its memories would also have to wait. “I’m not ready for all this.”
Norman shuffled through the stack of papers in front of him, pulled one out, and continued, “There are also the other properties to consider, in addition to the business. The two vacation homes, various real estate investments locally, and a sizeable stock portfolio.”
“But hasn’t everything been going along fine for the past year? The company seems to be doing well from the quarterly statements I receive. The vacation homes are being properly maintained as they were before, and the other real estate properties are currently occupied by long-standing tenants. So what is the urgency today, Norm?”
“The stock investments are due for rollover soon, and with all the recent market fluctuations it’s time for a portfolio review. You could leave it in place or reinvest it in something else. Whatever you decide, we’re on a two-day deadline and I’ll need your signature to make it happen.”
“Fine, just let it ride, if there’s no penalty involved. I don’t need any huge influxes of cash anytime soon.” She signed the proffered form and pushed her chair back from the desk.
“There is one final thing,” Norman added. “The board of directors meeting is next month. I think you need to be there. The CEO and board have been doing a great job running the show, but they need to know the company is still
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