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An hour later, he nails the video presentation, answering the prospective client’s questions succinctly and patiently, while Nia and I fist-bued the account—or at least he’ll be invited to London for a face-to-face that will seal the deal

But at the end of it all, Wynam’s folks merely thank us for our time and advise us they have other possible vendors they intend to talk to They’ll be in touch

They mean Reservoir

Evan turns to me as soon as the call is over “Work faster, buddy”

To get the competition out of the way “On it”

“You’d be my hero if Wynam didn’t even hear Reservoir’s pitch”

“They won’t I’ll et back to my mission

He claps me on the shoulder, then takes his wife’s hand as they head out the door “Thanks And don’t worry about anything Stratus-related toot this place Focus on the assignave you”

After going ho nearly twelve hours, I tear into the office, order in food, then dig through the statement Sloan sent Overall, the financial health of the corowth on the consumer side, which has been their lifeblood since inception Their s slowly, but I can’t argue that it’s ely cash poor It doesn’t make sense Granted, I don’t have the detail I’d like, but it’s glaringly clear that whoever co the truth, because two and two aren’t adding up

My conclusion: so’s rotten at Reservoir

Does Sloan know?

She shouldn’t beout how to use this infore But I can’t deny that some stupid-ass part ofher by fucking with the whole organization

When I reach that likely conclusion, it’s nearly five pm here in Maui Normally, I wouldn’t think there’s any chance my counterpart five time zones to the east would answer her phone, especially on a Friday night But Sloan is different I don’t know her well, but I’m convinced she’ll either have some idea why this report is twenty kinds of fucked-up or she’ll dig straight in and figure it out I’ll bend her for inforuard, maybe she’ll spill details I can exploit

Squashingher It’s ten o’clock there, but I’m not really shocked when she answers “McBride?”

Though the question is sharp, her voice sounds a little slower, almost mellow She’s relaxed Because she’s curled up on her couch with a movie? Or because she’s curled up in bed with a man?