“He does,” I replied evenly. “The firm is called Brooks Global Corp.”

Dominic blinked rapidly. At first his brain completely failed to process the data. Then the realization hit him like a physical blow.

Brooks Global. Charles Brooks.

The titan whose face regularly graced the covers of tier-one financial journals. The corporate predator who authorized major infrastructure investments, controlled bank syndicates, and cleared multi-billion-dollar developments with a single signature.

The surname that opened every closed door in the country without ever needing to ring the bell.

Dominic’s face went entirely, beautifully bloodless. “No… no, that’s mathematically impossible.”