Ivy showed Sterling the message immediately, and watched something sharpen behind his eyes, exhaustion giving way to focus.

"Brentwood Analytics," he said slowly. "I remember that name. Small data firm, went through a messy leadership shakeup a few years back. I never connected it to Trent."

"The reporter thinks it's a pattern."

"Then we find out if she's right, before we go anywhere near a public comment." Sterling was already reaching for his phone. "Reagan needs to see this."

By morning, Reagan had confirmed enough to make Ivy's skin crawl. Trent Calloway had joined Brentwood Analytics four years earlier as a minority investor, quietly acquired shares through shell entities remarkably...