The record player turned in the corner of Declan’s quiet place. It was where he went when there was serious plotting to be done. All decisions, big or small, were reached in that room. More often than not, by the light streaming in through the window.

An empire like his took careful consideration to keep everything clear, at least in his own head. His vaults did their job, calling up all the names and places required for his most recent undertaking. The binder was back in the ...