"No, it didn't," he admitted as he flopped into the chair. He winced a little at the small stab of pain from such a tired yet casual motion. He rubbed his mouth.

"I didn't expect it to be pleasant, but this went beyond that." He looked levelly at Sage. "I need help taking down Sebastian Shaw. And in the same vein, I need everything there is to know about his right-hand manipulator, Reginald Crane."