“IOM?”

“Trade term,” Toyohara said. “Soybeans from Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan. High in protein, best in the world. Big in the futures and commodities markets.”

“Fair enough,” Masterson replied, “but what’s that got to do with the crash?”

“Haven’t you been watching the weather in your country?”

“I come from California,” said Masterson. “We don’t have weather, we have smog.”

Toyohara smirked. “Bad winter, early frost, late crop and small. People were gambling on a good yield; lost their shirts.”