Luke took a step back. Then another. A circle of cops kneeled and stood around Ed. A few seconds passed, and Begley returned to his conversation with Myerson. Luke floated backwards slowly, as though he were standing still. He retreated into the office. He darted to the computer, pulled out his hard drive, and dropped it into the thigh pocket of his cargo pants. He picked up a blue pen off the desk.

He turned. A cop stood in the doorway.

Luke held up the pen. Almost forgot my pen.

The cop gestured out the door. Come on.

In the main room, Ed had stopped foaming at the mouth. He lay on his side, barely moving. His eyes closed, and then slowly opened. A couple of cops helped him to a sitting position. He blinked his eyes again. He seemed like a person who did not know where he was.

You okay? someone said. You hit your head pretty hard.

Ed took a deep breath. He was clearly embarrassed to be vulnerable in front of all these macho cops. I dont know, man. The stress. The lack of sleep. This only happens when Im rundown.

Luke glanced around the room. To his right, Nassar was off the phone. He stood talking to the cop who had splinted his fingers. Luke made a beeline for him.

Stone!

Luke held out his left hand to Nassar, as though he wanted to shake hands. Nassar, grim-faced, ignored the gesture. Luke reached out, grabbed him by his robe, and pulled him close. They were face to face, close enough to kiss.

I know what you did, Luke said. And Im going to take you down.

You will be unemployed by this afternoon, Nassar said. I will see to it.

Then the cops were everywhere, separating them. A big burly cop put Luke in a full nelson and swung him around.

Enough! Begley shouted. Get these clowns out of here!

In the elevator down, they were surrounded by cops. It was quiet, everyone watching the numbers descending rapidly.

You okay? Luke said.

Ed shrugged. Im tired. I havent had one of these in a couple of years. They wipe me right out. My whole body is still shaking.

On the street, the cops let them go. They walked side by side along the tree-lined street, back to the waiting SUV. Luke didnt speak until they were fifty yards away from the cluster of cops.

A seizure? he said. Youve never had a seizure in your life.

Ed smiled. Seizures are my standby. But to make it work, you have to sell it.

You sold it, all right. When I heard your head hit the ground, even I wasnt sure. I swear I felt it in my feet.

Right. Good thing I have a hard head. And I always keep a couple of foaming pills on me to double it down. Howd you do?