JULIAN

David called me around eleven that morning. "Adrian's lawyers haven't responded yet," he said without preamble.

"How long has it been?" I asked.

"Twenty-four hours," David replied. "They're taking their time with this."

I wasn't surprised. Adrian was probably wrestling with the decision, understanding what accepting meant, understanding what refusing meant, both options led somewhere he didn't want to go.

"Let them take their time," I said. "The longer he waits, the more his situation deteriorates, the more pressure his lenders put on him. Eventually, he'll have no choice but to accept."

"You sound confident," David observed.

"I am," I replied. "Adrian's running out of options. He's running out...