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Back at Stone’s office, Jack said, “I think I know who the caller is.”

“I thought you said you didn’t recognize the voice,” Dino said.

“You’re right. I did say that, and I still don’t recognize it. I’m talking more in a general sense.”

“Go on,” Stone said.

“I believe it’s either someone in Eduardo Buono’s crew from the JFK heist, or someone connected to them.”

Stone said, “Because of the ‘you have something of ours’ thing?”

Jack nodded.

“They likely believe Eduardo’s share should be theirs. Since it’s rumored that he gave it to Johnny Fratelli, and they’ve figured out he’s me, I’m the target.”

“A rumor that’s true,” Dino pointed out.

“How large was the heist team?” Stone asked.

“Eduardo told me seven people, including himself,” Jack said.

“Was it an old crew? Young?”

“Eduardo was in his late fifties at the time. I had the impression the others were at least a decade younger than him, probably more.”

“Figure early twenties to mid-forties when the job happened, then,” Stone said.

“That sounds right.”

“Which means they’d be between fifty and approaching eighty now. I wonder how many of them are still alive.”

“Alive and possessing enough resources to intimidate you by harming your family and friends,” Dino added.

“Do you know who was on the crew?” Stone asked.

Jack thought for a moment, then shrugged.

“I’m sure Eduardo told me who they were, but no names are coming to mind right now.”

“They’ll be in the case file,” Dino said.

“I’ll check and let you know.”

“Did you ever meet any of them?” Stone asked.

“Not knowingly,” Jack said.

“And they’re lucky I didn’t. I would have killed them for turning on Eduardo to save their own skins.”

“Metaphorically speaking,” Stone said, with a head tilt toward Dino.

“Of course,” Jack said.

“What?” Dino said.

“I didn’t hear anything.”

Fred was sitting up in his hospital bed, with Helene in a chair beside him, when Stone entered the room.

“Mr. Barrington,” Fred said.

“My apologies for missing work this morning. Rest assured, I’ll be there tomorrow.”

“You most certainly will not,” Helene declared.

“My love, another night’s sleep and I’ll be good to—”

“Fred, let me stop you right there,” Stone said.

“I’m going to have to side with Helene on this. You are on paid medical leave until you receive clearance from your doctor.”

Helene cleared her throat.

“And your wife.”

“That’s quite generous but not necessary,” Fred said.

“I’ve been hurt worse and still done what was needed of me.”

“You’re not in the Royal Marines anymore,” Stone said.

“So, it is unnecessary to soldier on despite your condition. Besides, do you really think you’ll be able to drive with that on your foot?”

A soft cast covered his right foot and went halfway up his calf.

“I can remove it whenever I want,” Fred said.

“The doctor said it’s merely precautionary.”

Helene huffed.

“Your doctor said no such thing.”

“What didn’t I say?” asked the doctor, who just entered the room.

To Stone, he looked as if he was barely out of medical school.

“Please tell my husband he is crazy if he thinks he is going back to work tomorrow.”

The doctor looked at Fred, amused.

“You think you can go back to work tomorrow?”

“I’m already starting to feel better,” Fred said.

“I don’t see why it should be a problem.”

“What exactly is it you do, Mr. Flicker?”

“He is my factotum,” Stone said.

“Your what?”

“My factotum.”

A light went on in the doctor’s eyes.

“You mean like a jack-of-all-trades?”

“Close enough.”

“I’ve only seen that word in books. I’ve never heard anyone say it out loud before.” The doctor looked back at Fred.

“I’m afraid that you’ll be spending a few more nights with us, and for ten days after you’ll be home but with no factotum duties, and then only light work.”

“What about driving?” Helene asked.

“I know my Fred. He will consider that light work if you don’t tell him specifically it is not.”

“No driving for a month,” the doctor said.

“A month?” Fred said.

“That seems unreasonable.”

“If you wanted to drive sooner, you should have sprained your left ankle instead of your right.”

“He’s got you there,” Stone said.

“Don’t worry, Doctor. Helene and I will make sure he doesn’t do anything he shouldn’t.”

“If only all my patients had such supportive families and employers.”

The doctor spent a few minutes checking Fred over, proclaimed everything was as it should be, then left to continue his rounds.

“I should be on my way, too,” Stone said.

“Before you go, I was thinking that if you need a driver, Fred’s niece is arriving tonight,” Helene suggested.

Fred brightened.

“That’s right. I’m sure Alicia would be willing to fill in during my absence. She’s my sister’s daughter.”

“Does she have chauffeur experience?” Stone asked.

“She drove personnel carriers and tanks for six years in the British Army, and since her discharge has been driving tour buses throughout the U.K.”

“She sounds more than qualified, but I would hate to ruin her vacation.”

“Not a vacation,” Helene said.

“She’s been accepted into the NYU film program,” Fred said.

“Starts next semester. We suggested that she come out early so she can get used to living in the city before she dives into uni. She’s staying with us until she moves into the dorms.”

“In that case, I’d be happy to try her out,” Stone said.

“You might also want to mention her to Peter. I’m sure he could line up an internship at Centurion Pictures, if she’s interested.”

Peter was Stone’s son and an Oscar-winning film director working out of the studio run by Dino’s son, Ben Bacchetti.

“I’ve already talked to him,” Fred said.

“She’ll be spending her summer break there.”

Stone’s next stop was the automotive division of Strategic Services.

They had been the ones who had armored his Bentley, and it was where he’d had his car towed to last night.

“That must have been some accident,” Reginald Winters said.

He was the head of the department.

“Let’s say I have no interest in doing it again,” Stone said.

“What’s the prognosis?”

“Not great, I’m afraid.”

“?‘Not great’ as in it’ll be a while before it’s repaired?”

“More. It’s time to find a new vehicle.”

As much as Stone had been hoping that wouldn’t be the case, deep down he’d expected the news.

Still, it was hard to believe a sedan that had protected him through gun fights and high-speed chases had finally met its match in the form of a garbage truck and a delivery van.

“I do have some good news,” Reginald said.

“I’ve located a new Flying Spur in tourmaline green, like yours, with a similar amenities package. It was destined for D.C., but my contact at Bentley tells me the person who reserved it backed out. I’ve had him put a hold on it, which will be good for another two hours.”

“I’ll take it,” Stone said.

“How long until it can be here?”

“It was taken off a boat in Maryland on Monday and has already cleared customs. I can have it on a truck first thing tomorrow morning, and it should be at our garage by lunch. Mr. Freeman said you would likely want us to armor it like your previous vehicle.”

“Mr. Freeman would be correct. How long will that take?”

“To do the job properly, two weeks. We can loan you a vehicle from our fleet, if that’s amenable.”

“Very much so.”

“I have a Range Rover or a BMW 760i sedan. Both armored.”

“The Range Rover would be perfect.”

“Very good. It should be ready in two hours.”

“Can you have it delivered to my home?”

“Of course.”

Stone’s phone vibrated.

He checked the screen and saw that Dino was calling.

“Do you mind if I take this?”

“Not at all,” Reginald said, then stood.

“I’ll go get my team started on prepping your loaner.”

He left the office and Stone answered the call.

“Hi, Dino.”

“Where are you?” Dino asked.

“At Strategic Services’ transportation garage.”

“How’s the car?”

“Being prepared for the scrapyard, I believe.”

“My condolences.”

“Thank you.”

“Are you going to be there long?”

“As a matter of fact, I just finished up.”

“Good. I’m not too far away. I’ll pick you up. I’m heading somewhere I think you’ll want to be.”

“Where?”

“You’ll see.”