The message was clear. Allie had complained about the Vilcapampa research.

“I agree,” I said.

He looked pleased about that, as if he’d expected an argument.

“So, what do you want?” The largesse would be of use to me.

What I wanted and what I needed—were they the same? Maybe some part of me wanted Alex to say no. Needed Alex to say no and stop me. Because I wasn’t going to stop myself.

“I know it’s short notice, but I need to go to that conference in New York.”

Alex frowned. “I thought we’d decided to skip it this year.”

“I took another look. Seems important for some of what we’re working on.”

Alex took off his glasses, chewed on one stem. You could see the accumulated bite marks had torn the plastic off, revealing wire underneath.

“Kind of a rebuilding year. And you’ve got the pipeline project.”

“Allie’s doing great on the pipeline project. Like you said, she’s hitting it out of the ballpark.”

He considered me. A full-on, taking-my-measure look. Like, was I playing him somehow.

“Allie says you’ve got her on a wild-goose chase, since you mention her.”

He’d brought her up first, but whatever.

“I haven’t let her in on the details, but I think the Vilcapampa companies are a good possible client. They’re international, but have local affiliates. There’re hundreds of subsidiaries. The backing behind some popular brands. Like you said, a rebuilding year. Some of their reps will be in New York. Could be worth millions.”

Didn’t mention Vilcapampa Enterprises owned the knock-off brands, mostly, the second- or third-tier ones that mimicked the brands people knew and loved. Didn’t mention that Vilcapampa had their own in-house security analysts. That the closed familial hierarchy meant even if I’d been serious, getting an in, getting an audience, would be tough.

Alex considered that a moment. One thing I’d never done, or been good at, was generating business. He had me on record as saying I didn’t think that was an analyst’s job. But, mostly, I stood out like a sore thumb. My body made men uncomfortable. Women, too.

“Yeah, she said you were researching that. I have to admit, I wondered why. Still, seems like short notice and the pipeline thing can’t really—”

“Tell you what—how about in return this year Larry takes my place on your yacht retreat?”

Flash of anger. I could see it there, plain. There was a way he had to control his body’s reaction to me calling him on that. How we both knew I’d never get that invite, ever. Then it was gone. But I’d expended capital, and I wouldn’t know how much until the punishment. Maybe the punishment would even be disguised as a perk.