It was a formal notice of an extraordinary meeting of the board of directors.

The agenda had only one item listed: *Removal of the Chief Executive Officer.*

I stared at the words as the SUV pulled out into the grey Chicago rain.

The windshield wipers swished back and forth, clearing the water in rhythmic strokes.

The city was shrouded in mist, the tops of the skyscrapers lost in the clouds.

As we drove toward the Prescott Global building, my phone vibrated again.

This time, it was a voice message from Martin Voss.

I pressed the phone to my ear.

“Avery,” Martin’s voice said, sounding distant and muffled.

“I am officially withdrawing as Callum’s chief counsel.”

“I cannot represent a client who has lied to his own legal team about federal tax crimes.”

“The board has already contacted me for legal counsel regarding his severance clause.”

“There won’t be one.”

I hung up without replying.

The SUV turned onto Michigan Avenue, the tires splashing through deep puddles.

The Prescott Global tower loomed ahead, a massive column of black glass and steel.

It looked like an obelisk in the rain.