Valerie Hayes sat on his left, her hands hovering over a laptop keyboard.

The screen above them showed a slide title in bold blue letters: *Executive Leadership Proxy and Medical Transition Plan.*

Garrett broke off mid-sentence when the door clicked shut against its frame.

He adjusted his silver wristwatch, his eyes locking on mine for two seconds before he smoothed his face back into place.

“Dad,” Garrett said, stepping out from behind the podium with his hands held flat out in front of him.

“You shouldn’t be here.