The next evening, Philip’s assistant waited in a parked car outside a quiet Street The night air was cool, the sound of engines passing faint in the distance. Soon, Mr. Kenny arrived, dressed in a simple dark suit. He opened the car door and got in.

“When you get to the peak,” the assistant began, “is when you might fall and hit rock bottom. That’s what my boss said was the answer.”

Kenny frowned slightly. “Your boss always talks like that?” he asked.

Philip’s assistant smiled faintly. “Sometimes… he pointed at the black briefcase sitting between them.

Mr. Kenny glanced at it, raising a brow. “What is this?” he asked,...