JULIAN

I didn't go home immediately after the board meeting. Instead, I called David and we went to his office, we needed to talk strategy without interruptions.

David's law office was in Midtown, all glass and steel and expensive furniture, he poured us both whiskey without asking.

"Charles Ashford is the key," David said, settling into his chair. "If we can keep him on our side, the board will hold."

"He's still calculating," I replied. "He wants to know which decision makes him more money."

"Then we give him information that proves your leadership is the profitable choice," David said.

"I already did that," I replied. "With the performance metrics...