then indicated Knox. “This is—” “I know who she is. Very nice to meet you, Agent

Knox. Your reputation precedes you, as does your colleague’s.” Knox and Puller

exchanged glances before settling their gazes on Jericho.

 

She looked back at them impassively, cleared her throat, and said, “May I offer

some refreshments? Tea, coffee, bottled water? I believe we also have sodas.”

They both declined.

 

She leaned forward and rested one hand on top of the other. “I know that both of

you are exceptionally busy, so I won’t waste your time. The fact is your

interaction with one of my employees, Anne Shepard, has been reported to me. I

have interviewed Ms.

 

Shepard personally. The result was she was terminated this morning.” “Why?”

asked Puller. “For the same reasons you told her last night, Agent Puller. She

was frequenting an establishment and behaving in a way that breaches the terms

of the contract she had with us. There was no remedy other than immediate

termination.” “Is that why you called? To tell me that? You could have done that

over the phone.” “I like to convey important information face-to-face.” “Josh

Quentin works here, doesn’t he?” asked Puller. “He does.” “Well, he was at the

bar too. Apparently he goes all the time. He has his own room upstairs. He goes

there with a bunch of women.

 

There’s a bedroom up there. Does that violate his contract?” “I wouldn’t know,

not having seen his contract. He’s the CEO of Atalanta. So he outranks me.” “And