Chapter 10: Ended Today

Vivian's POV

Dennis Tidwell walks slowly because of his bad knee, and he talks while he does it.

At eight on Friday morning we had been around the block twice.

"Your Fenwick renewal," he said. "Ninety-one percent."

"Ninety-one point four."

"The point four matters?"

"The point four is the reason I got up this morning."

He grunted, which I had learned was approval.

We passed the coffee cart on the corner.

He stopped, ordered a black coffee, and did not offer to buy mine.

I paid for my own, and I wrote the price on my hand.

"Ms. Stratton," he said. "What would you cut?"

"The Tuesday status meeting."

"Why?"

"It has twelve people and no decisions. It costs about nine hundred dollars an hour, and the output is a sandwich order."

"That is the most expensive sandwich in the building."

"It's also the worst sandwich."

He laughed, a short bark that surprised us both.

"Last year you hardly said a word to me," he said. "At the party you asked about my knee. What changed?"

"I started counting."

"Counting what?"

"Bourbons. Yours was two. Your wife, I understand, wants you to stop at one."

He stopped walking.

I thought for a second that I had gone too far, which in my experience is when I win.

"Walk on," he said finally. "I'll tell you something."

We walked.

"I don't hire for numbers. I get numbers from anyone."

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