“This way,” Alexander said, leading me down a quiet hallway to the right of the main boardroom.

He opened a door to a smaller, private office.

Inside, there was a leather sofa, a small desk, and a large glass panel that looked directly into the boardroom.

“The glass is mirrored on their side,” Alexander said, pointing to the panel. “They can’t see you. And this is the intercom.”

He pointed to a small console on the desk.

“I’ve set it to transmit the audio from the room,” he said.

“Thank you,” I said.

He stepped close to me, his hands resting on my shoulders.

“Stay here,” he said. “No matter what happens, don’t come out until it’s over.”

“I promise,” I said.

He kissed my forehead, a brief, lingering touch, and then he turned and left the room.

I stood by the glass, watching him enter the boardroom.

The boardroom was massive, dominated by a long, polished mahogany table.

About twelve people were already seated around it, whispering among themselves.

They were older men and women, dressed in expensive suits, their faces grim.