“Exactly,” Raymond said. “The bank held the personal guarantees Graham signed using his partnership shares as collateral.”

“That collateral was protected under the partnership agreement,” Graham snapped, glare shifting to Elliot. “Elliot, tell him. You can’t transfer those shares without a majority vote of the partners.”

Elliot did not look at Graham.

He kept his eyes on his own hands, which were folded on the table.

“The board held an emergency vote at six this morning, Graham,” Elliot said.

“Without me?” Graham’s voice cracked.

“You were unavailable,” Elliot replied. “And given the nature of the default, the bylaws permit a quorum of the remaining partners to act to protect the firm’s assets.”

Graham took a step back, his chest rising and falling rapidly.

He looked at the silver flash drive sitting between us.

“Where did you get that?” he asked, his voice dropping to a whisper.

“It doesn’t matter where it came from,” I said. “What matters is what is on it.”

“It’s empty,” Graham said, though he didn’t reach for it. “You’re bluffing.”