Due Diligence: A Thriller (59 page)

“Sign them,” he said.

Rob turned to the back page and signed. He initialed the pages. He repeated the procedure with the second copy of the agreement.

Browning did the same. Then he handed the check and a copy of the agreement to Rob.

“We’re done,” said Browning.

Nardini grinned cruelly. “You’d better make that last, son. I don’t think you’ll be getting a job on the Street anytime soon.”

“I don’t think I’ll be looking,” said Rob.

“Really?”

“See, I had a friend. He’d be alive today but for the problems at Dyson Whitney, which your internal investigation proved aren’t part of the culture. I think I might do what he was going to do.”

“And what was that?” said Browning.

“Hunt down corporate crooks. Bring them to court. Put them behind bars. You know what? Turns out the DA’s quite keen to have me on his team. Thinks I might know a thing or two. It doesn’t pay that well, though.” Rob picked up the check and smiled. “I would have walked away without this. But thank you. I appreciate it.” He put the check in his pocket. Then he took his copy of the agreement and got up. “I sure hope you’re right about the problems here, Mr. Browning. Not being part of the culture, I mean. Every one of your associates has my number. You take care. I’ll be watching.”

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

THOMAS DUNNE BOOKS
.

An imprint of St. Martin’s Press.

DUE DILIGENCE
. Copyright © 2011 by Jonathan Rush. All rights reserved. For information, address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.

www.thomasdunnebooks.com

www.stmartins.com

ISBN 978-0-312-55977-9

First Edition: May 2011

eISBN 978-1-4299-2346-0

First Thomas Dunne Books eBook Edition: May 2011