“Crestview Partners wishes to inform those present,” Douglas said, his level voice carrying to every corner of the silent ballroom, “that following an extraordinary audit review of SwiftFreight’s balance sheets, we have decided to permanently terminate the proposed investment of three billion, two hundred million dollars.”

The room came apart into noise — gasps, cries, a rising tide of panicked whispers as three hundred sophisticated people all did the same terrible arithmetic at once.

Gavin came stumbling down the steps of the stage toward us, his face gone the color of paper.

“This is a mistake,” he said, too loudly, his voice shaking.

“This is insane.

We have a signed letter of intent.

Our teams have worked together for eight months—”