Because hidden financial relationships often looked ordinary until someone placed them beside each other.
I called Julian.
He answered quickly.
“Phoebe?”
“Hi, Julian.”
“Well, this is a surprise. Congratulations, by the way. Your father sent a photograph.”
I looked at Dad.
He became interested in his tea.
“Thank you.”
“How are you?”
“Tired.”
“That sounds correct.”
I smiled despite myself.
Then I got to the point.
“I’m looking at a commercial lease you approved last year.”
There was a pause.
“Should I be worried?”
“Mercer & Lane Hospitality.”
A longer
