He had something fresh in his step as he walked back to the office, just as the pink in the sky finally went to black, and he noticed the gold BMW parked outside his office. He only knew one guy who had a car like that, and he was the last guy Donny wanted to see.

9

The car was a big G-series sedan, an all-electric model that ran on batteries so small the interior was as roomy as a living room. G for green—zero emissions and minimum power despite the maximum size and weight. G for Gepanzert, which meant armored, armored like a tank, armored for the conflict-ridden future bequeathed by a heritage in which consideration of our ecological footprint was an afterthought. And G for gold, with the body plates made from ballistic aerospace-grade brass polished to a gleaming shine. The really annoying thing was that you couldn’t help but think they were cool, even though they cost a quarter-mil without options. Or even when the sight of it outside your place caused a reflexive panic to run through your nerves.

As Donny sucked it in and tried to walk right past the car like it wasn’t there or must be waiting for a passenger, the driver’s window rolled down just enough that Donny could see the guy’s face. It was a hard face, a face that had been in some fights, gray buzz cut coming down below the line of his cap and the tail of some tattoo peeking up above his white collar.

“Mr. Thelen is waiting for you inside,” said the driver.

“What the fuck?” said Donny, as if anyone was listening.

As Donny stepped toward the front door of his office, he heard the car door open and close behind him. He looked back, and saw the full frame of the chauffeur.

“I’ll follow you in,” he said. “If you don’t mind.”

“Suit yourself, Sarge.”

He found Thelen sitting in his office chair, reading one of Donny’s law books.

“I thought this would put me to sleep, but it’s fucking awesome,” said Thelen. “The shit people fight about!”

Thelen was dark prep, a well-bred local with chocolate hair slicked back tight and a sharp-looking blue suit. An account manager with edge, in his thirties, but the lines were starting to show around his eyes.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing in here?” said Donny.

“We own the building, Donny,” said Thelen.

“Since when?”

“Since last month. We’ve been diversifying pretty heavily into real estate this year, especially with all the new no-go zones they’re declaring. And Dallas is hot. The boss asked me to come check this place out, as we’re allowed to do under your lease. Thinking we might do something a little nicer and bigger here. Plus, we have some pending business we need to talk about, right? Come on in. Have a seat and let’s talk.”