Crispin remained the public face of Stroud Enterprises and held a key executive role, but the company he called his empire was no longer under his ultimate control.

He knew the group’s name.

He had signed documents involving it.

He had spoken with its executives.

What he had never done was ask too many questions about the person at the very top of the structure.

It suited him to believe they were distant investors who needed him as much as he needed them.