Solomon waved that off. "That's an excuse."

"Sure, the tech evolves fast, but the underlying logic doesn't change. With the foundation you built back then, picking it back up wouldn't be hard."

"The real question is whether you want to."

Something stirred in me.

He read my expression and gave a slow nod, then raised his glass. "Enough talk. Everything that needs saying is in the drink."

After that we drank even more. Solomon started telling me about the changes at the institute over the years. Who'd been promoted, who'd jumped ship, who was leading a doctoral team now. Marvin had retired last year. Before he left, he'd mentioned me, said it was a shame.

I listened, nodding now and then.

By the end we were both drunk. He found a hotel nearby and dumped me onto a bed.

"Figure it out yourself tomorrow," he said, and left.

When I woke the next morning, I fumbled for my phone and glanced at the screen.

9:17.

It was packed with missed calls, all from Felicity.

The earliest one was at 7:40. The last one, three minutes ago.

I sat up. My head was still pounding.

I splashed water on my face, went downstairs, checked out, and hailed a cab to the office.

My phone rang twice more on the way. I didn't answer.

By the time I got to the company it was already 9:40.

I pushed open the conference room door and walked in. Every pair of eyes turned toward me.

Otis's expression was ugly. Not the kind of dark that comes with anger, but the quiet before a storm.

"Joseph, do you have any idea what time it is?"

"Work starts at eight. You waltz in at nine forty-five?"

"Wow, bro, you've really got some nerve." Steve leaned back in his chair, one leg crossed over the other. "Making the entire senior leadership wait just for you."

Valerie chimed in. "We all agreed today was the board meeting, and you show up this late. Are you trying to make someone look bad on purpose?"

Otis stared at me, tapping two fingers against the table.

"Where's the business plan?"

I stood where I was, my expression calm. "I threw it away."

The conference room went silent for a full second.

"What did you just say?"

Otis's voice dropped low.

"I said I threw it away." I repeated myself. "Yesterday, in the hallway. Tossed it in the trash."

Steve shot upright in his chair. "Are you out of your mind? The board's been waiting on that, and you threw it away?"