*
SHE approached the podium. The sound of her clearing her throat in the microphone sounded abnormally loud in the absolute silence that followed. She gripped the podium to steady herself.
“First off, let me just say that while you all may have a lot of questions, the chances are I can’t answer them. Most of you probably wonder if you should refer to me as Alice Reed or Addie Durand. The fact of the matter is, I don’t have an answer to even that question at the moment. A name . . . one of the most basic things a person knows about themselves, and yet I’d have to claim temporary ignorance. That’s how new, incredible, and earthshaking this all is to me.
“I’d like to personally thank Dylan Fall, and the Durand board, for being so supportive and patient in guiding me through what’s ended up being a really confusing time. I’ll let Special Agent Lee and Ms. Sparrow answer any questions associated with the kidnapping or the FBI’s investigation. But I just wanted to make one thing very clear. I’m here today because of one man. If it weren’t for Dylan Fall never giving up on finding Addie Durand, I would have died believing I’d been born Alice Reed. Thank you for not giving up on me, no matter how tiny the odds of Adelaide Durand ever being found,” she said thickly, looking at Dylan. She paused, emotion tightening her throat. She took strength from Dylan’s steady, lambent stare. Cameras snapped like crazy in the tense silence.
“Because of the involvement of Durand Enterprises and the trust and the money, I know there’s going to be a tendency for this story to become about all that,” she continued shakily. “But for me, this is an extremely personal story, and it’s got nothing to do with money.” Her gaze ran over the teenagers standing at the back of the room. Judith appeared both anxious and rapt, watching her. “For me, the past several weeks have been about making connections with some incredible people, about learning to trust . . . about finding the faith to hope . . .”
Awkwardness suddenly crowded her conscious at the realization of how emotional and raw she sounded. It wasn’t really like her, to be so transparent in a public venue like that. Rick Preston caught her eye and she nodded once.
“A few questions,” Preston said. The room exploded with shouts, scuffling chairs, and waving hands. Preston pointed and called a name.
“Danny Zarnoff, the Detroit News,” an older, heavyset man called out. “Given the fact that you’re the owner of Durand Enterprises, how likely is it that you’ll be happy working as a junior executive in marketing?”
Alice blinked at the brash question.
“Very likely,” she replied. She glanced at Rick Preston expectantly. Danny Zarnoff looked nonplussed by her simple answer and started to call out a follow-up, but he was eclipsed by the cacophony of shouting reporters. Alice glanced aside nervously. Dylan arched his eyebrows slightly. Even though his face was otherwise impassive, she would have guessed he was amused.
Preston called out a name and one woman was left standing.
“Katie Jordan, Crain’s Chicago Business. You’re now the largest shareholder of Durand Enterprises, and it sounds as if you’ve got a brain for business and a knack for leadership. Any plans to take Dylan Fall’s place as CEO of the company one day?”
Alice braced herself.
“Dylan Fall has made Durand Enterprises the most profitable and fastest-growing company in our industry. As a shareholder, I wouldn’t want to do anything to hinder the growth or value of this company. Alan Durand was smart enough to see his potential, and since then, Dylan has proven himself as worthy of that trust again and again. I told you all that I wouldn’t be able to answer a lot of your questions, but I can tell you this for certain: Dylan Fall will continue as the CEO of Durand Enterprises for as long as he wants the job.”
By the time she finished with two other questions and sat down, Alice’s legs were rubbery from adrenaline running weak in her blood.
Dylan’s full attention appeared to be on Special Agent Lee making the FBI’s statement. Beneath the cover of the white cloth that covered the table, however, his hand closed on Alice’s knee. He gave her a squeeze. As always happened at Dylan’s touch, Alice’s tottering world slowly steadied once again.
*