Gabriel smiled darkly. "You wouldn't believe the places I've worked." And then abruptly the smile turned into a sunny grin, the apparent emotional change so fast that it could have given someone whiplash. "Then I decided I'd be better off doing my own thing."

As if to pinpoint his words, he tossed a few more chocolate chips into his mouth and then added thoughtfully, "And it depends on what the wars about and who the players are."