Chapter Two: The Four-Million Blind Spot

“Your recommendation?” Veer asked. “Director Ward submitted it.” “I asked who saw it.” Lin paused. “I did.” Veer put the whistle back in his mouth. There was no praise. “Starting tomorrow, you're on camera two. I want every off-ball movement he makes.” Vidal stayed after training. Lin rolled a ball back to him. “Why me?” Vidal asked. “No elite club asked about me for six years.” “They watched what you did. I watched what you allowed others to do.” Vidal caught the ball beneath his sole. “Who am I supposed to make better?” On the reserve pitch, a tall center back won possession and drove recklessly into midfield. A coach shouted at him. Elias Kovac, twenty-three, had cost Seabridge twelve million a year earlier.