"Dad, you missed the turn," Alex said quietly.
"I did not miss the turn," his dad said, his voice tight. "I am... taking the scenic route. Checking the... traffic."
"Dad, you are sweating," Alex said.
"It is a warm day," David muttered, wiping his forehead. "Now, listen to me, Alex. These agent people. They talk fast. They promise the world. You do not say yes to anything. You do not say anything. You just... listen. And look smart. I will do the talking. Understood?"
"Yes, dad," Alex said. He was not nervous. His analyst brain was excited. This was data. A new, strange, important set of data.
They found the building. It was not an office. It was a giant tower of glass in the middle of the city. It looked like it had been built by aliens.
They walked into the lobby. It was all white marble. A woman who looked like a supermodel sat at a giant white desk.
"We are... uh... here to see... Milo," his dad stammered, pulling at his collar.
