"Yes."

"And it will be my job to help you maximize your return, correct?"

Crispin leaned forward a bit. "Correct."

"Very well, then. It will be my task to help maximize your investment opportunities after you earn it. But I

would not be serving your best interests if I did not also tell you how to make more."

Crispin's eyes narrowed. "I'm not sure I follow."

Zuckerman said, "Win."

Win ignored him. "As your financial consultant, I

would be remiss if I did not make the following recommendation: You need a good agent."

Crispin's line of vision slid toward Myron. Myron remained still, looking back at him steadily. He turned back to Win. "I know you work with Mr. Bolitar," Crispin said.

"Yes and no," Win said. "If you decide to use his services I do not make one penny more. Well, that's not exactly true. If you choose to use Myron's services, you will make more money and subsequently I will have more of your money to invest. So in that way, I will make more."

"Thanks," Crispin said, "but I'm not interested."

"That's up to you," Win said, "but let me just explain a little further what I meant by yes and no. I manage assets worth approximately four hundred, million dollars.

Myron's clients represent less than three percent of that total. I am not employed by MB SportsReps. Myron Bolitar is not employed by Lock-Home Securities. We do not have a partnership. I have not invested in his enterprise and he is not invested in mine.

Myron has never looked at, asked about, or in any way discussed the financial situation of any of my clients.

We are totally separate.

Except for one thing."

All eyes were on Win. Myron, not famous for knowing when to keep his mouth shut, knew now.

"I am the financial consultant for every one of his clients," Win said. "Do you know why?"

Crispin shook his head.

"Because Myron insists upon it."

Crispin looked confused. "I don't understand. If he gets nothing out of it "

"I didn't say that. He gets plenty out of it."

"But you said "

"He, too, was an athlete; did you know that?"

"I heard something about it."

"He knows what happens to athletes. How they get cheated. How they squander their earnings, never fully accepting the fact that their careers can be over in a heartbeat. So he insists insists, mind you that he does not handle their finances. I've seen him refuse clients because of this. He further insists that I handle them. Why? For the same reason you sought me out. He knows I am the best. Immodest but true. Myron further insists that they see me in person at least once every quarter. Not just phone calls. Not just faxes or E-mails or letters. He insists that I go over every item in the account personally with them."

Win leaned farther back and steepled his fingers. The man loved to `steeple his fingers. It looked good on him.