The Offer.

The information broker sighed. "Your caution is bordering on paranoia. It is good that you are cautious, but you don't need to go to this level of caution with me."

"See, I hope we can cooperate in the future. For that, I have tried to keep our relationship safe and respectful. I haven't tried to investigate you or spy on you at all."

The lie came easily without batting an eye. Kelvin didn't buy it at all. He wrote in his phone and said, "What is this whole thing about?"

The man put his arm to his chest and said, "Let's start with Introductions. I am Pauli, but my friends and enemies call me Spider."

Kelvin asked, "Why? A spider is not an ant. Spiders aren't even insects."

Pauli replied, "They call me Spider because I have a large network of sources of information and because I am always listening. Now what is your name?"

Kelvin's phone replied on his behalf, "You can me, Riptide."