Ann: PAR Appoints Business Development Consultant, page-87

Love your opening line!
I agree with you. I'm thinking, though, there are a number of things at stake for him.

SW has been openly raving about PAR being a great investment opportunity for some time.
He won't want his professional reputation sullied by allowing this ship to sink or walking away with a break even payout.

He understands the mission and I've heard he knows more about iPPS than most of us.

He is in the business of managing assets (rather than the science) to make a profit.
Making prudent financial decisions to achieve this end is practically part of his DNA, I'm guessing.

He might have a friendly relationship with Paul, but he also has a significant holding of PAR shares that he would want to see achieve their full potential, and he is driven to succeed enough that he is not going to let the value be further eroded so as not to hurt Paul's feelings.

That's my positive take. I'm happy to give him a chance.