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Fred was waiting at the curb with the Bentley when Stone and his companions exited Clarke’s.

While Ash flagged down a cab, Sara said to Stone, “Thank you for the wonderful meal. You didn’t have to pick up the tab, though.”

“Of course he did,” Dino said.

“You’re his client. Ash is his associate. I’m his best friend. And Tamlyn is—”

“Careful,” Stone said.

“A new friend,” Dino finished.

“I can live with that label,” Tamlyn said.

“Smooth, Dino,” Stone said.

“Sara, I’m just happy we were able to celebrate with you.”

A taxi stopped behind the Bentley, and Ash opened the rear door.

“Sara?”

“My chariot awaits,” she said.

“Good night, everyone.”

She climbed into the cab.

Before Ash could do the same, Stone said, “Ash?”

The young lawyer looked back.

“First thing in the morning,” Stone said.

Ash nodded, looking a bit pale.

“Yes, sir. First thing.”

After the cab pulled onto the street, the sedan reserved for the police commissioner slid into the vacated space.

Dino said his goodbyes and left Stone and Tamlyn alone.

“Do we need to drop you off back at your office?” Stone asked.

“Or can I take you home?”

“Whose home?” she asked.

“If you’re asking my preference, I’d say mine. I haven’t given you the tour yet.”

“You haven’t, have you.” She slipped her arm through his.

“Let’s do that.”

He walked her to the open back door of the Bentley.

“Fred, Turtle Bay, please.”

“Yes, Mr. Barrington.”

A few moments after Fred turned the Bentley south onto Second Avenue, he said, “I think someone’s following us again.”

“The same person from the other night?” Stone asked.

“I don’t believe so. It’s a different car and the driver’s silhouette is larger. Also, he’s doing a much better job than our previous tail.”

“And yet you still spotted him,” Tamlyn said.

“Advanced tactical driver training, mum. And a few decades of experience.”

“You’re making it harder for me to keep from trying to steal you for Strategic Services.”

“I apologize for any difficulties I may be causing. But my previous stance on the matter remains.”

“Message received. For now.” She glanced at Stone.

“Shall I retrieve my compact again?”

“That depends. Fred, would we be able to see much?”

“Not really, sir. It’s a few cars back. I can tell you if it gets closer, if you’d like.”

“Do that.”

Gennaro was at his kitchen table with two cell phones lying in front of him, each with an active call.

Toomey was on the one that had the speaker phone engaged, and Manny was on the other, connected to Gennaro via an ear pod.

He hadn’t even considered conferencing them together, not with millions on the line.

This way kept Toomey and Manny from talking to each other and put Gennaro in complete control.

“Coming up on East Fifty-Second,” Toomey said.

He was following Barrington.

“What’s the traffic like?”

“Moderate.”

Gennaro muted Toomey’s phone so that Toomey couldn’t hear him and unmuted Manny’s.

“Just a few minutes now.”

“Cool. I’m ready.”

Over Toomey’s line, the updates continued.

At Fiftieth, Barrington’s Bentley was caught by a traffic light that seemed to Gennaro to last forever.

Finally, Toomey said, “We got the green, and he’s moving again.”

Gennaro muted Manny and unmuted Toomey, then said, “When he’s ten seconds out from the intersection with Forty-Ninth, pull over and give me a countdown.”

“Copy.”

Gennaro switched the mute buttons and said to Manny, “He just passed Fiftieth. You’re almost on.”

“Hell, yeah.”

When Toomey’s voice came over the speaker, Gennaro echoed the words to Manny.

“Ten. Nine. Eight…”

“Our tail just pulled to the curb,” Fred announced.

“Maybe he wasn’t following us after all,” Stone suggested.

“It’s possible,” Fred said, though he didn’t sound like he believed it.

The light was green at East Forty-Ninth.

As the Bentley cruised into the intersection, quick movement drew Stone’s gaze to the left.

“Fred! Watch out!”