THE APPROACH

Dr. James Corbin lived in a colonial revival house in suburban New Jersey, surrounded by oak trees and the kind of prosperity that insulated its inhabitants from the consequences of their professional decisions. He drove a Tesla, sent his children to private school, and vacationed in places where no one asked about his work at pharmaceutical pricing meetings.

He was also, Detective Chen discovered, profoundly unhappy.

She approached him through professional channels, identifying herself as a freelance journalist working on a book about pharmaceutical industry ethics. Corbin's assistant initially refused the interview request, but Corbin himself overruled her, seeming almost eager to discuss the subject that had made him notorious.

They met in a coffee shop near MediCore's headquarters, a sterile corporate space where the espresso cost eight dollars and everyone was dressed in business casual. Corbin arrived early, dressed in a blazer that didn't quite fit, his eyes carrying the hollow look of someone who hadn't slept well in months.

"Detective Chen," he said, extending his hand. "Or should I call you Ms. Chen? Your journalistic credentials are impressive, though I couldn't help noticing your other professional background."

Chen felt a chill. He'd researched her. "Dr. Corbin. I didn't realize you investigated your interview subjects."

"I investigate everyone now. Paranoia is an occupational hazard when you've become the public face of pharmaceutical greed." He smiled, but there was no humor in it. "Don't worry, I'm not offended by your presence. In fact, I'm curious why a police detective would pretend to be a journalist to interview me."

Chen considered her options. Corbin was smarter than she'd expected, more self-aware, less defensively evasive. She decided to meet honesty with honesty.