The call came on a Monday morning, and Ruby knew it was trouble the moment she heard the voice on the other end.
"Mrs. Sterling? My name is Derek Vance. I'm a journalist. I've been investigating the Sterling Foundation for the past several months, and I have some questions I'd like to ask you."
Ruby's grip tightened on the phone. She was in the conservatory, surrounded by her orchids, and the peace of the garden suddenly felt very far away. "What kind of questions?"
"About your family's history. About the garden. About the allegations that have been made against your foundation." His voice was smooth, practiced, the voice of someone who had done this many times before. "I think the public deserves to know the truth."
"The truth?" Ruby's voice was cold, sharper than she'd intended. "I've been telling the truth for years. Everything about the foundation is public record. Our books are open. Our mission is clear."
