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clients.”
    “They aren’t quite pennies,” I murmured, again thumbing the coin in my pocket.
    “You know what I mean, Nate. Don’t bandy words with me. I know you.” He frowned. “I heard radio chatter on the way over here. I’m guessing it was about you getting snatched up by the police. What did they want?”
    “Just more questions.” I waved a hand, not wanting to continue that line of conversation. “About the company and everything.” I lied.
    Peter’s interest peaked. “Have you finally decided to pick up the reins?”
    “No. But apparently everybody thinks I’m scheming to do just that.”
    Peter grinned. “You, scheming? They must not know you at all .” I smiled back, nodding. “Well if you won’t do it, why don’t you hire me to help? I could use some creative financing to increase your profits.”
    Gunnar suppressed a grin behind his glass, but remained silent. “Your track record is not so great, Peter. I can’t risk that with my parents’ company. It’s much too vast for anyone except well-experienced professionals. It’s not a toy to pass to my friends. No offense.” Peter’s eyes smoldered, his hand idly brushing his new bracelet again. “Why do you think I haven’t jumped in myself, Peter? It’s too big, even for me.”
    Gunnar leaned back, stretching his feet. “Say that again. Your parents would curl in their grav-.” His face paled. “Oh, God. I’m sorry, Nate. It slipped out. I didn’t mean-.”
    I waved a hand, dampening my anger quickly. “No, you’re right. But choose your words more carefully next time.” Gunnar looked ashamed of himself. Good.
    Peter finally broke the silence. “Still, Gunnar has a point. You don’t want to stay in this shit-hole for the rest of your life. What about Chateau Falco? Are you going to sell it? You can’t leave it empty. It’s been in your family for what, a hundred years? You can’t just let it go.”
    “261.” I murmured. Gunnar and Peter glanced at each other for a moment, not comprehending. I rolled my eyes. “261 years . And I haven’t decided yet. It is not for sale at the moment, but who knows? I haven’t been there for a long time.”
    “But you are its new Master .” Gunnar raised his arms to mimic a Hitler salute. “ Master Temple, your wish is my command .” He mocked.
    I rolled my eyes before whispering softly. “The place … scares me. It’s not just a home. It has secrets that even my parents kept close.” I looked at them, a serious expression on my face.
    “You’re not scared of anything . Hence, Minotaur tipping.” Gunnar grinned.
    “Well, I am afraid of that place.” I answered honestly.
    They blinked in disbelief, the silence stretching for a few moments. Changing topic, Peter continued on, wisely sensing that talk of the mansion was off the table. “At least you could hire me as a consultant. I couldn’t hurt anything.”
    Gunnar laughed aloud this time. I shrugged as Peter scowled at Gunnar. “Wrong. I can’t hire anyone because I don’t work for the company. I’m just an investor.”
    “You mean they didn’t leave it to you in the will?” Gunnar stammered in surprise.
    “Years ago they asked me. I declined. Hence my fall from grace in their eyes. I guess they looked at me as God once looked at the young Lucifer.”
    Peter looked baffled. “I just don’t understand you.” He glanced at Gunnar’s tattoo pointedly. “You either, Wolf. You each have the gifts of gods, and you do nothing with them. Well, you go cow tipping.” He waggled a frustrated hand in my direction.
    “It’s just something we were born with, Peter. It doesn’t make us gods. And we do use it. When necessary.” Gunnar idly caressed the crescent tattoo on his wrist again. He had been wetting panties before girls even knew what it meant back in Junior High — the only student with a full beard and a tattoo. Smug bastard. He was easy to hate.
    “But you wallow in filth rather than taking the world by its