The folder sat in front of James with the guarantee page open.
He didn't look at the number again.
He turned back two pages instead, to the clauses Kavanagh's pen had found, and put his finger on the first one.
"If I sign this," he said, "can Team Zero still negotiate a sportswear partnership with another company?"
The director didn't pretend the question was strange.
"Under that clause, we'd hold first-negotiation rights over any sportswear agreement involving a team or guild you belong to. And matching rights if a rival offer came in." She folded her hands. "We can't invest at this level in your international image, Mr Ganner, and then watch a competitor build their flagship campaign around a Team Zero that has you standing in the middle of it."
James closed the folder.
"Then this isn't only an offer for me."
"No," the director said. "It isn't."
At least she didn't dress it up.
