ate problems before they became crises. He'd handled whistleblowers, regulatory investigation
walking toward his desk with a
lly to block the corridor. "Mr. Jarvis is
ov
tly twice-once before firing a CFO, once before destroying a
Mrs. Jarvis, I re
ctions where she'd smiled and shaken hands and remembered everyone's children's names. Her e
e. "I've sat next to you at seven Christmas dinners.
epped
ly followed, her face set in determined lines that suggested
and closed on the brass handle-cold, he
pen with a sound
Frankfurt we'll absorb the currency risk, but I want those contracts by close of busines
tur
e him lethal in negotiations-assessing, prioritizing
n't hang up. "I
kno
eige coat falling open to show nothing expensive underneath-no
ion was unmistakable: legal counsel, witness, client
l you back." The screen went
inate anyone who sat before it. He leaned forward, hands flat on the surface, and she saw him register J
drawer, pulled out a checkbook, slapped it on the desk between them. "Wr
ers, heavy signet ring, the nails perfectly manicure
avy, substantial, the kind of paper that cost five dol
was shar
s the front-PETITION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE-and something flickered in his face.
. "This is-what, a negotiating tactic? You wa
ce, Faith realized. Buying
away from Branson's face
for divorce under New York State domestic relations law. We have t
. He never raised his voice. "Both of you
cologne, close enough to see the small scar above his eyebrow from a polo accident she'd watched from the
e physical advantage he'd always possessed and never need
have no job, no skills, no family. I've given you everything-clothes, travel, s
strange on her face,
Branson. Or don'
/1/112771/coverbig.jpg?v=5cdc8f90c863fd179c7930683f5edc44&imageMogr2/format/webp)