The next day, I spend the afternoon sorting through Jessica’s appointments, brainstorming ideas for a charity auction, and responding to the various invitations sent to her from assorted organizations. In the beginning of the day she reminds me a little bit of Pigpen, except instead of a haze of dirt around her she has this miasma of intoxication. Whether it’s only the prescription drugs that are allowing her to float through her sorrows or she’s adding a little something else to the mix is an open question. But as the afternoon wears on, she comes a bit closer to earth. And when she’s a little more lucid I begin to realize that Jessica is capable of being rational. She’s even got a sharp wit, with a sadness and bitterness that are even more mind-bending than the high she clearly prefers. At five, we’re in her home office and she’s listening to me read off her calendar for the next week.

“I can’t possibly go to David’s party,” she explains with a sigh as I list off yet another event she’s been invited to. “He’s in recovery and doesn’t serve alcohol at his events—and none of his friends are bearable when they’re sober. They’re not great when they’re drunk either, but at least then you can insult them without worrying about anyone remembering it in the morning.”

I laugh as I make a note to send her regrets.

Jessica cocks her head to the side as I turn back to the calendar. “Travis tells me that he’s taking you to dinner tonight?”

I look up from my work, surprised . . . although I shouldn’t be. Travis isn’t the kind of guy who would feel the need to offer any kind of reassurances to his wife, even when there’s nothing of note to hide.

“Mr. Gable is interested in investing in some Spanish start-up, but the CEO isn’t fluent in English so he’s bringing me along to translate,” I explain. “That’s all he told me, but it’s certainly not a social thing.”

Who knows, I think, it might be true. Although the litmus test he used to make the decision to bring me to this meeting—putting me through all that to see if I would buy cocaine for him without question or hesitation—suggests that the agenda will be a little darker than what one would normally expect to find in an investment meeting. At least I hope so.