Stone's mouth curved, humorless. "Jonathan Clarke pays well. But you pay better." His hands adjusted the cuffs of his suit as he moved deeper into the office, every motion controlled. "And between us, sir, Jonathan never pays in full. He pays in promises. Influence. Invitations. All things that look like wealth until you've cashed them and found the accounts empty. And at my age only money matters."
Victor made a quiet, amused sound, leaning forward just enough for the black stone on his hand to catch the light. "So you sold him information you wanted me to see."
