When Hudson Nolan watched Ace Kane pull a carton of Nat Sherman cigarettes from the bottom drawer of his mahogany desk, a flicker of irritation crossed his mind, though it was quickly masked by a practiced, professional greed. These weren't just any cigarettes; they were premium, high-end smokes that usually retailed for about $150 a carton. In the world of favors and backroom deals, accepting such a gift meant the trip hadn't been a complete waste of his billable hours. Still, the sight of them sitting there in plain view made him incredibly uncomfortable.
Hudson Nolan adjusted his tie, his eyes darting toward Kate Brolin, who sat quietly beside him. He found Ace Kane’s lack of discretion borderline offensive. In the banking world, there was a certain etiquette to bribery—a subtle slide
