The two men stare at me in horror, and for the first time I feel like I'm the one in charge. A few silent moments pass, and then Sterling says, "Fine. Let's go sit down."

We all move to the living room and sit on the sofas. I cross my ankles and place my hands in my lap like a pissed-off school teacher. Sterling pours himself a glass of scotch and makes a screwdriver for Gabriel. He doesn't offer me a drink.

"Go ahead, Gabe," Sterling says, sitting beside the lawyer.

"Why me?"

"Because I pay you to make my life easier."

Gabriel sighed. "Fine. Well, after you spoke with...