Helen Caldwell’s lawyers attempted to secure bail, but the judge denied it due to her flight risk.

I felt no anger when I saw their mugshots in the local paper.

I only felt a profound, exhausting emptiness.

One Tuesday afternoon, Lorna and Arthur Bell met me in the newly painted library at Whitaker House.

The smell of fresh paint and lemon beeswax filled the room.

“The emergency board meeting is scheduled for Friday,” Lorna said, setting her briefcase on the table.

“We have the proxy votes from the remaining trustees,” Arthur added, tapping a thick blue folder.

“They are ready to ratify the new bylaws.”

I sat opposite them, resting my hands on the clean wood surface.

“Let’s review the main provision,” I said.

“The Whitaker Foundation will be governed by a seven-member independent board,” Arthur read aloud.

“No member of the Whitaker or Caldwell families may hold an executive seat or have voting rights.”

“And the endowment?” I asked.

“Placed in an irrevocable trust managed by a third-party fiduciary,” Marcus answered, entering the room.

“Neither the director nor the board can touch the principal.”