Chapter 754: Serafina
Friday, March 24th, Afternoon
The car dropped her off outside the restaurant on the Upper West Side, W 77th Street and Broadway, to be exact. The greenery of Central Park was visible at the end of W 77th Street. She was just five blocks north of The Dakota and down the street from the Natural History Museum.
Fallon shook her head, entered the restaurant, and checked in. She was shown to her table and found who she was meeting sitting there. He stood up and greeted her with a hug and a kiss on the lips. When they separated, he looked her over.
"Fallon, what's wrong?" Grant Coyle asked.
Fallon choked on her breath, "We'll talk about it; let's sit and eat," she said.
Grant nodded, "Okay," he said, and they sat down. Fallon hung her handbag on the back of the chair and watched Grant settle his napkin on his lap. The server came over and took Fallon and Grant's drink and meal orders. After the server left, Grant looked at Fallon.
"Fal, what's wrong?" Grant asked.
Fallon took a deep breath, "There's some context I need to explain," she said.
Grant nodded, "So, explain," he said.
"I was checking the foundation's books, and I noticed something. So, I looked into it and reported it," Fallon said.
"Sounds like you did the right thing," Grant said.
Fallon nodded, "I thought so, too," she said.
"What do you mean by that?" Grant asked.
"I had to visit the federal courthouse," Fallon said.
"Okay? Why?" Grant asked, puzzled.
Fallon looked away, sighed, and slumped her shoulders. "I had to meet the US Attorney," she said.
Grant looked her over. "Why?" he asked, unsure and worried.
"Well, as the head of the foundation," Fallon said and stopped.
"What?" Grant asked.
"As the head of the foundation, I," Fallon said, choking on the last of her words.
"What?" Grant asked, color draining from his face.
Fallon took a deep breath and let it out. She squeezed her eyes closed. Fallon's fists clenched as she tried to even out her breath.
"Take your time," Grant said, noticing Fallon's distress.
Fallon took several more deep breaths, opened her fists, and finally opened her eyes. "As the head of the foundation, I am also going to be arrested," she said.
"What?" Grant asked.
"Yeah, I guess because it happened under my watch," Fallon said.
"You're going to need a good lawyer," Grant said in panic mode, "I can help you find one."
Fallon nodded, "Thank you, I have found a good one," she said.
"How are you feeling about this?" Grant asked.
"I'm scared," Fallon said.
Grant nodded, "I'm scared, too," he said.
"What's going to happen?" Fallon asked, meekly.
"I don't know," Grant said.
"I don't know either, and that's what scares me," Fallon said.
"Yeah, I get it," Grant said.
Fallon choked up and leaned back. She looked Grant over. With one final sigh, she moved her mouth to speak. "I would understand if you want to break us off," she said.
"Why would I do that?" Grant asked.
"Because I'm probably going to jail," Fallon said.
"You don't know that," Grant said.
"But I'm the head, and the head always falls," Fallon said.
"You reported it and co-operated," Grant said.
"This isn't Law and Order," Fallon said.
"You said you have a good lawyer," Grant said.
Fallon nodded, "Yes, a very good one," she said.
"Could you get off with him?" Grant asked.
"It's possible, but the federal government rarely takes a shot that they can't land," Fallon said.
"You'll be okay," Grant said.
"I'm not so sure," Fallon said.
"You have to think positively," Grant said.
"I think I'm positively screwed," Fallon said.
"Fallon," Grant said.
"Yeah, I know," Fallon said.
The server arrived with their meals. Once it was all set out, Fallon looked at Grant. Grant studied her, and he had a look of concern.
Fallon took a sip of her drink. Placing her drink down, Fallon picked up her fork and poked at her plate.
"What are you thinking about?" Fallon asked.
"You and me," Grant said.
"What about you and me?" Fallon asked.
"How this changes things?" Grant said.
Fallon nodded, "I see," she said.
"Yeah, we do have to look towards the future," Grant said.
"We do," Fallon said.
"Yes, we do," Grant said.
"Don't be a fool and propose," Fallon said.
"Why? You don't want to marry me?" Grant asked.
"I didn't say that," Fallon said.
"What do you mean then?" Grant asked.
Fallon nodded, "It would be pragmatic for us to wait and see how my issues settle out," she said.
Grant nodded, "So, what are you saying?" he asked.
"Let's wait," Fallon said.
Grant nodded, "Okay," he said and started to eat his lunch.