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Chapter 1

Otto Burke, the Wizard of Schame another level

“Coious fervor “I’ive a little We give a little The Titans are a teaer sense I would like all of us to be a team You included Let’s be a real team, Myron What do you say?”

Myron Bolitar steepled his fingers He had read sohtful person He felt foolish

“I’d like nothingthe pointless volley for the uiven as much as we can It’s your turn now”

Otto nodded vigorously, as if he had just heard some philosophical whi the painted-on ser “Larry, what do you think?”

Taking his cue, Larry Hanson pounded the conference table with a fist hairy enough to be a gerbil “Bolitar can go to hell!” he shouted, playing enraged to the hilt “You hearyou? Go to hell”

“Go to hell,” Myron repeated with a nod “Got it”

“You being a wiseass witha wiseass?”

Myron looked at him “You have a poppy seed stuck in your teeth”

“Goddamn wiseass”

“And you’re beautiful when you’re angry Your whole face lights up”

Larry Hanson’s eyes widened He swung his line of vision toward his boss, then back to Myron “You’re out of your league here, Bolitar And you fucking know it”

Myron said nothing The truth of the ht Myron was out of his league He had been in sports representation for only two years now Most of his clients were borderline cases—guys ere lucky to ue’s minimum And football was far from his specialty He had only three NFL players, only one of as a starter Now Myron sat across froest owner in the NFL, and Larry Hanson, for a contract that even in his inexperienced hands would be the biggest rookie contract in NFL history

Yes, he—Myron Bolitar—had landed Christian “Hot Prop” Steele Two-tiht AP and UPI nus All-Ah, the kid was an endorse, articulate, polite, and white (hey, it mattered)

Best of all, he was Myron’s

“The offer is on the table, gentlemen,” Myron continued “We think it’s more than fair”

Otto Burke shook his head

“It’s a load of crap!” Larry Hanson shouted “You’re a godda to flush this kid’s career down the toilet”