It was Mason, in his own voice, describing exactly how they had hidden marital assets, fabricated corporate debts to frighten me into signing, and worked over the financial statements to hold the fraud together just long enough for Crestview’s cash to land.

“That’s out of context!” Mason shouted, to a room full of people who understood context perfectly.

And then, from the second file, Gavin’s voice came over those same speakers — the threat, cold and clear: Sign it all tonight, or I will bury you in so many lawsuits you won’t be able to make rent anywhere. And behind it, unmistakable, the sound of the belt.

I had not wanted that sound played, and I had told my lawyer so; but it was on the verified file, and it played, and I made myself stand still while it did.