Page 28 of Collin: Episodes 13-15
“I could tell you that chains feel comforting and I’m glad they’re rich and I never want to be poor again even though that makes me a terrible person?”
“Yes.”
Collin slumped forward, forearm on his knees. “Okay, then. I want to be here because I want a story I can tell myself where I’m not a terrible person.”
“And if you actually are a terrible person?” Broderick smiled.
“That’s a matter of perspective, right?” Collin smiled back. “I mean, I already know I’m the villain in at least one person’s story. But I’m not the villain in Émeric’s story, or Richard, or my sister’s. I want to feel like the person they tell me they see. The person I see myself as in their eyes. I need that story to be louder than the others.”
“Then that’s what we’ll do.”
Wednesday morning at six thirty, Collin, still yawning, followed Mr. Moreau down to the gym. A brown-skinned man in a turban met them. He held out his hand and clasped Collin’s palm in both of his. “Collin, it’s good to meet you.”
“Collin, this is Nihal. I’ve trained with him at points. He’s one of the most skilled trainers in the city.”
Nihal’s face burst with gratification. “I’m blessed, and I do my best. Now, Collin, tell me, what kind of training have you had before?”
They only had forty-five minutes before it was time to get ready for the office. Mr. Moreau left Collin and Nihal together and went to do his own routine. At the end, Collin ached and was covered in sweat. “I feel tighter now than when I started, Nihal,” he said.
Nihal clapped him on the back. “Day one, my friend. Day one. I see you Friday.”
Collin finished his normal two hours of Chinese still feeling the morning exercises. He left Ash updating buttons with Zhou Laoshi and forced himself to walk without limping into his Master’s inner office. Damian was there. His phone was on speaker, and he and Mr. Reevesworth were both listening intently. Damian motioned Collin in and gestured for him to close the door.
“Thank you for that,” Mr. Reevesworth said to whoever was speaking on the phone. “Of course, we have nothing to hide. If they need to investigate, they can. We’ll be here.”
They said their goodbyes. Damian turned off the phone and put it back in his pocket.
Collin pulled off his coat. It was warmer in here than the conference room where he took Chinese lessons. “What was that?”
“Someone has made a complaint to the Securities and Exchange Commission.” Damian pressed his lips together. “They’re accusing Mr. Reevesworth of insider trading.”
“They can look all they like.” Mr. Reevesworth moved things on his desk. “We knew this could happen.”
“I don’t understand.” Collin looked to Damian. “This is bad, isn’t it?”
“It’s inconvenient.” Damian shoved his hands in his pockets. “We haven’t done anything illegal.”
“It’s not insider trading if we were public about our comments.” Mr. Reevesworth smiled, showing his teeth. “We’ve totally manipulated the markets, but we’ve done it with the truth, and we’ve done it publicly. So, no, it’s a matter of who has friends in higher places.”
Collin swallowed back a knee-jerk retort that it was a matter of who was in the right. With friends in the right places, it didn’t matter who was obeying the law. It only mattered who wanted to tie things up in legal proceedings.
“How high are your friends, sir?”
“We’ll find out. But even if they’re not high enough, we’ll still win in court.”
Damian groaned. “I’m glad you think so highly of your lawyers, sir.”
Mr. Reevesworth chuckled, but it sounded more like a growl. “Go make trouble for them, Pup.”
“Yes, sir.” Damian grabbed his briefcase. He paused at the door and looked back. “Just so you know, when this is over, I want a vacation.”
“You’ll have it.” Mr. Reevesworth smiled, and this time, it was an actual smile. “I got you, boy.”
Damian nodded. He paused one more time as he turned to go. “Collin. You. Me. Ash. Indian food tonight?”
Collin looked to his master. Mr. Reevesworth nodded.
“Sounds great. Have you asked Ash already?”
