Halston, if we stepped outside and restructured the terms, I’m prepared to be flexible about anything you name.”

“I asked Mr.

Bennett a question on the shoulder of Route 18 this morning.” Her voice didn’t rise.

“I asked what he did for a living.

He told me he helped companies tell the truth about themselves.”

My neck went hot.

I had said that, standing in the gravel with my good shoes soaking through.

“Then you fired him at nine forty-five for being sixteen minutes late to a meeting that had already collapsed.