"Mr. Henson, Ms. Sanchez is hosting a banquet at the Regalia Hotel today to celebrate Secretary Cobb's second anniversary. She's specifically requested that you come and perform for Secretary Cobb. If you'd please."
I frowned.
"Get out of my way, or I'm calling the police."
The lead bodyguard, Val Whitney, let out a contemptuous laugh.
"Go right ahead. Then we'll file a report too."
"Ms. Sanchez says the coat you burned last night was worth a hundred grand. That's enough to land you behind bars for a while."
I laughed in disbelief. So this was the trap they'd been waiting to spring.
"A hundred grand? I'll wire it to her right now."
But Val snatched the phone from my hand and smashed it on the ground at my feet.
"You ungrateful piece of shit."
"Without Ms. Sanchez, you couldn't even feed yourself. Who the hell do you think you are, playing lord of the manor? You haven't even signed the marriage certificate, and you think you're her husband? Take him."
They dragged me into a car and sped off.
When we arrived, the entire banquet hall had been decorated with staggering extravagance.