January

Winston Q is alone in the Nostradamus Room, waiting for you. He's sitting at the long conference table that takes up most of the room, his swivel chair turned away from you so that he faces the glass windows that run the length of one wall, offering a view of the city of Seattle. A curious habit, given that Winston Q was born completely blind.

"Come in," he says, as you stand in the doorway. "Sit down."

You do this. "I confess I feel quite unprepared for this meeting," you say, when he turns to you. "But no one seems to know what it is." Winston Q is Chief Financial Officer of MetaHuman Incorporated, a position of considerable importance. You can't imagine what you could have done to pique his interest. Or, in this case, your wrath.

"For all outward intents and purposes, MetaHuman Incorporated is a biotechnology company," continues Winston. "We use cutting-edge science to improve the human condition. And, of course, we charge a high price for our services. But you've been with us for a while. You know what really goes on in this building. We play with black sorcery and extraterrestrial technology. . We happily cross lines that humanity never should."

"Yes," you reply. "Our company is quite unusual. I still don't understand why you wanted to talk to me."

"I want to talk to you about the two million dollar robbery," he says. "The theft you committed."