Part 4: The Trustee's Meeting

Friday's meeting took place in a conference room above the print shop. The trustee, Ms. Reed, the property manager, the contractor, Graham, Vivian, and I sat around a table that had once belonged to my father's workshop. Marisol joined us to explain the production schedule. Priya attended with me.

The contractor began with photographs of the roof. He said the damaged flashing could be repaired in stages, but heavy rain would make the work harder. He recommended moving paper away from the affected area immediately and completing the first repair before the next storm. He did not claim the building was about to collapse. His report described a manageable problem that required a timely decision.

The property manager believed Alder was responsible for part of the repair under the lease. Graham believed the lender should contribute because the damage involved the building's exterior. Ms. Reed asked both sides to identify the clauses they relied on and provide their estimates in writing.

Marisol interrupted politely. “The next print run starts Monday. I need to know which room we can use.”

That question brought the room back to the people who would actually work beneath the roof. The contractor identified a dry section of the warehouse and a temporary route for moving stock. Graham authorized the move. The trustee agreed to consider a short-term repair arrangement while the parties reviewed the lease, without giving up either side's position on the final cost.

Vivian asked whether the refinancing could proceed before the repair was complete. The trustee said the lender would need the revised estimate and schedule. She did not threaten to seize the business or announce a new owner. She asked for information that any responsible holder of the loan would need.

When the meeting paused, Graham followed me to the corridor. “You knew your father bought the mortgage.”

“I learned after the memorial.”

“Why didn't you tell me immediately?”

“Because I was given documents about my shares and my job that same night. I asked my attorney to review all of it before making claims I couldn't support.”

He looked through the window at the loading bay. “I thought your father hated me.”

“He was angry about some of your decisions. He also repaired your first press without charging you.”

“I remember.”

“He wanted the building maintained. The trustee makes the decisions, not me.”

Back in the room, the contractor proposed a repair schedule and the property manager agreed to coordinate access. The lender would review the refinancing once the updated figures were available. Marisol wrote the temporary production plan on a whiteboard so every shift could see it.

Before we left, the trustee asked Graham whether the company had informed all shareholders of the refinancing proposal. He said a notice had been prepared. I had not received it.

Vivian checked her folder. “It was scheduled to go out after the board meeting,” she said.

The trustee requested a copy of the notice and the relevant board records. Priya asked that I receive the same information as other shareholders.

The meeting ended without a dramatic announcement. The roof had a plan, the figures would be reviewed, and my rights had not disappeared because someone placed a folder at my dinner plate. Outside, Marisol showed me the safe storage room. Workers were already moving the paper.

“That's a better meeting than the last one,” she said.

“It had better questions,” I replied.