Corporate fraud.

Procurement scandals.

Financial misconduct.

Michael once joked that my career existed because people like him needed someone paranoid enough to annoy everyone.

I told him his career existed because journalists kept companies honest.

We laughed.

Mostly.

The house was the kind of place people photograph for magazines.

Double-height living room.

Marble kitchen island.

A Christmas tree tall enough to require a ladder.

Dining table for twelve.

Only six people were eating.

Michael.