– The Boardroom –

The next morning, I walked into the boardroom at 9:55 for the Harrington call. Vance was already there, standing at the head of the table, on the phone. He looked up when I entered. His eyes were clear, sharp, professional. No trace of yesterday's stunned silence.

He pointed to the seat beside him. I sat.

The call began at ten sharp. Harrington's face filled the screen, along with six of his board members. I presented the data, clean and confident. I answered their questions. I didn't look at Vance once.

Halfway through, Harrington asked a sharp question about risk margins. I started to answer, but Vance...