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'