Whitney wagged her finger. “People like Tej Gagne are cutthroats. There’s no reasoning with them-an academic like yourself shouldn’t get involved with them.” Frank chuckled. “Now you’re being naive! Like you said, Tej Gagne is a big shot. There’s no way he’d be personally receiving every villager who wants a loan, right?” Whitney realized with a start at Frank’s words-that was true. Even if the villagers would take a loan worth a few hundred grand, Tej still had no reason to personally oversee the transaction.

“So you’re saying that those loan sharks are worried about pushing their luck?” she asked. “That’s why they name-dropped Tej Gagne to intimidate their victims?”

Frank nodded. “Most definitely.”

“Well, let’s go check them out anyway,” Whitney said, feeling worshipful toward Frank.

University students were really different and had a stronger sense of justice too.

“But that’s got to wait until tomorrow,” she said, raising her glass. “We need to get drunk tonight!”

–