Chapter 5 · The Penthouse Tribunal

The deadbolts were still thrown.

Top and bottom. Heavy brass. Marcus Sterling had not moved his hand off the door for longer than a breath, and I was still on the edge of his desk with one shoe gone and his pulse finally slowing under my palm. The test was on the carpet. Two lines, face up, like it wanted a vote.

"Sit," he said.

"I'll stand."

"Stand, then." He set nothing in order. The desk was already a loss. "We'll do this the hard way. I ask. You answer. When you lie, I'll know."

"You're not a human lie detector."

"No. I'm a man who has spent thirty years in rooms full of people who lie for a living." He stayed between me and the lock. "You're not even the best liar in this building. First question's yours if you want it. Use it."

"When were you planning to tell me you bought Vance & Associates before I signed?"

Something moved at the corner of his mouth. Not a smile.

"Section 11C."

"Section 11C," I said. "On acquisition my equity converts and my partnership sits under the new owner's review. That's a material conflict. I can unwind it.