“Today, they are worth pennies.”

“If you don’t sign them over to me by noon, the firm will file for Chapter 11 by five o’clock.”

“And your name will be on the front page of the Wall Street Journal alongside Graham’s.”

He stared at his blotter, his jaw working.

“I built this place,” he whispered.

“Then you should have watched your partner more closely,” I said.

The door opened, and Maren walked in, carrying a thick blue folder.

She placed it on the desk in front of Elliot.

“The transfer agreement is on page four,” Maren said.

“We have already filled in the valuation based on this morning’s market close.”

Elliot looked at the paper, then at the pen in his desk tray.

“If I sign this, do you keep my name off the press release?” he asked.

“I will state that you retired for personal reasons,” I said.

“That is the best I can do.”

He picked up the pen.

His hand shook slightly as he signed his name on the line.

Maren took the folder back, checking the signature before nodding at me.