Mercer found Wren near midnight, sitting alone at the same tavern where they'd first spoken honestly about Hale's original offer years earlier. He looked older somehow, exhaustion carved into features that had grown gradually more tired over recent months without Mercer fully registering the accumulation.
"You went to Hollis," Mercer said, sitting across from him without invitation.
Wren didn't deny it, didn't even seem surprised that Mercer had discovered the meeting. "I didn't accept anything."
"But you listened."
"I listened." Wren's voice carried exhaustion rather than defensiveness. "He offered favorable supplier terms, Mercer. Real relief from the pressure that's been building for months. Nothing illegal, nothing connected to information or betrayal. Simply better business terms
