Audibon gazed at the water color and said nothing.
"Tooky ran off at the mouth because I wouldn't let him chisel a piece out of a hit tune. That was his knife in my back. You're cancelling because you were a louse last night and I called you on it. It isn't the seller's market or the rating or the galaxy or my personal mess. It isn't anything but revenge because I pasted you in the jaw. This is your knife in my back."
"You Almighty sabotoor!" Grabinett cried. "The deal is off. You hear me? It's off."
"The show's off, Mel."
"And I'm taking it out of your hide. If it's the last thing I do, I'm taking it out of your hide, you Christ Almighty Vandal!"
Grabinett flung out of the office without bothering to slam the door. Audibon sauntered over, closed it gently, then smiled at Lennox.
"So here you are, Jake."
"I'll be on my way. Perish the thought that I should hold up your next appointment."
"You're my next appointment. Sit down. Enjoy." Audibon drifted to the breakfront, opened the lower drawers and revealed a silver-lined bar. "Drink?"
"Thanks. Brandy, please."