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Several blocks away, Manny gave his coffee order to the counter person at a Dunkin’ Donuts and turned to Dominic, expecting him to chime in with what he wanted.

But Dominic was staring at his phone, looking pensive.

“Dom, what do you want?” Manny asked.

Dominic looked up.

“Huh? Forget the coffee. We gotta go.”

“What do you mean gotta go?”

“Not here,” Dominic whispered, then made a beeline for the exit.

He was halfway down the block by the time Manny finally caught up to him.

“What’s the hurry, man?” Manny asked.

Dominic glanced around to make sure no one else was near.

“Cops are at the hotel.”

“What? Are you kidding me?”

“I wish I was.”

“Why would they be there?”

“Why do you think?”

“You—you think they’re looking for us?”

Dominic glanced at him, dumbfounded.

“Yes, Manny. They’re looking for us.”

“Because of last night?”

“What else could it be?”

“But how?” Manny asked.

“You must have left a fingerprint in the truck.”

“No way. I wore gloves the whole time.”

“You’re sure?”

“Yeah, I’m sure. Someone must have sold us out.”

“Ricky’s the only one who knew, right?” Dominic said.

“Ricky would never do that.” Manny had always trusted Ricky more than Dominic had.

“Hey! What about the guy spotting for me? He knew what happened.”

“Do you know who he was?”

Manny thought for a moment, then shook his head.

“Ricky never said.”

“Because he was keeping a tight hold on everyone, and likely didn’t tell the spotter who you were, either. Which means whoever it was couldn’t have ratted on you.”

Both men fell silent as they reached a corner where several people were waiting for the pedestrian light to turn green.

Once they were moving again and had separated from the other pedestrians, Manny continued, “You really think Ricky would turn on us like that?”

“He turned on Buono, didn’t he?”

“Well, yeah, but we all did.”

“We only did it because Ricky turned first.”

When Dominic, Manny, and the other members of the crew had been arrested, they’d kept their mouths shut until they found out Ricky had squealed on Buono.

At that point, they’d had no choice but to do the same or face stiff sentences.

“But…but Ricky told me where to leave the truck so I wouldn’t be seen,” Manny argued.

“Why would he do that, then sell us out?”

“Did you look around when you got out of the truck to make sure there were no cameras? Or did you just trust what Ricky said?”

“I didn’t have time to check.”

“Then we only have Ricky’s word that the spot was camera-free, don’t we?”

“You think he lied?”

“For God’s sake, Manny. Keep up. Yes, I think he lied.”

“That’s not right.”

“Damn right, it’s not.”

“What are we going to do about it?”

Dominic sneered.

“We going to get Buono’s money and we’re not going to give a dime of it to Ricky. That’s what we’re going to do.”

“Okay, Dom. I’m with you. But…but how do we do that?”

“Don’t worry. I have a plan.”

“Will this take long?” Jack asked after letting Stone and Dino into his apartment.

“I was about to go visit Hillary at the hospital.”

“Not too long, I think,” Stone said.

They took seats in the living room.

“I’ll get right to the point,” Dino said.

“The guy who was driving the truck that almost killed Stone is named Manny Kroger.”

Jack cocked his head and his gaze grew distant.

“That name sounds familiar.”

“Probably because Buono mentioned it to you.”

Jack blinked, then nodded.

“That’s right. He did. Manny Kroger was on the heist.”

Dino set the picture of Kroger on the coffee table.

“Meet Manny,” Dino asked.

“You ever see him around?”

Jack studied the picture, then shook his head.

“No. I’d remember this face. So, this is the guy trying to extort me.”

“One of the guys,” Stone said.

Jack raised an eyebrow, and Dino set down the second picture.

“This is Dominic Estrada,” Dino said.

“Ah,” Jack said, eyes widening.

“Eduardo mentioned him, too.” He picked up the photo and looked it over.

“I’ve never seen him, either.”

“He and Kroger are tight. So tight, in fact, that they were staying in neighboring rooms at a hotel in the Bronx.”

“Were?”

“We stopped by for a visit before coming here,” Stone said.

“Unfortunately, neither was in their room.”

“I’ve left some officers there in case they return,” Dino said, “but I doubt they will. It’s the kind of hotel where word that someone is looking for you quickly gets around.”

“These two bastards are the ones responsible for putting my Hillary in the hospital.”

“And my driver, Fred,” Stone added.

“Of course. Fred, too. And hurting you, Tamlyn, and Sara.” Jack turned to Dino.

“Do you have any idea where they may have gone?”

“I’ve issued APBs for both, but no sign of them yet,” Dino said.

“Dino and I were talking on the way over here,” Stone said.

“If they know the police are looking for them—”

“Which we should assume they do,” Dino said.

“—then they’re likely going to want to get out of town in a hurry,” Stone continued.

“But there’s a good chance they won’t want to leave empty-handed.”

“Ah,” Jack said.

“You think I’ll be hearing from them soon.”

“I believe that’s the safe bet.”

“I’d like to assign a few officers to your building until we have them in custody,” Dino said.

“Thank you, Dino,” Jack said.

“I appreciate the offer, but I’d rather you didn’t.”

“May I remind you they know where you live.”

“They do, but this is a very secure building. I fear having officers stationed here would cause my neighbors unnecessary anxiety. I think it might be better if I stay elsewhere until this is all settled.”

Before Dino could argue the point, the front door opened, and Sara’s voice drifted into the apartment, saying, “Right? It was adorable.”

A moment later, she and Ash entered the living room.

“I knew that would be your favorite,” Ash said.

“I absolutely love it,” she said, then noticed her uncle and the others.

“Oh, I’m sorry. We didn’t mean to interrupt you.”

Jack stood, smiling.

“Not at all. Come in, come in.”

Ash looked nervously at Stone but followed Sara over to the couch.

“Sit,” Jack said.

“Tell us how everything went.”

“Ash found the perfect apartment for me,” Sara said, beaming.

“To be fair,” Ash said, “the agent found it.”

“Yes, but you put it on the list of ones you thought I should see.”

Both smiling, they held each other’s gaze long enough that no one could miss the sparks between them.

“Yes, well, that’s wonderful,” Jack said.

“I can’t wait to see it. Have you put in an offer?”

“I wanted to,” Sara said.

“But Ash reminded me I should speak with you and Aunt Hillary first. And, of course, you too, Stone.”

“Your Ash is a smart man,” Jack said to Stone.

“He is, isn’t he?” Sara beamed.

His cheeks reddening, Ash said, “It’s what I’d do for any valued client of Woodman & Weld.”

Jack flashed a smile before turning serious.

“Let’s discuss the apartment later. There’s something else I need to talk to you about first.”

“Oh?” Sara said.

“Nothing bad about Aunt Hillary, is it?”

“No, this is something else entirely. Starting tonight, I’d like you to stay in the apartment Stone offered you. Stone, the apartment is still available, yes?”

“It is.”

“I don’t understand,” Sara said.

“Did I do something to upset you?”

“Not at all, my dear. You have been as lovely as ever. I’m dealing with a situation that might make staying here unsafe, that’s all. And I would feel better if you were somewhere else until it blows over.”

“What do you mean, ‘unsafe’?” she said, concerned.

“The details aren’t important, and likely I’m overreacting. But I’d feel more at ease if you were elsewhere for the time being.”

She frowned.

“Hmm, if that’s true, then can I assume you won’t be staying here, either?”

“I’ll either be at the hospital with your aunt, or I’ll get a hotel.”

“You promise?”

“Of course.”

She studied him for another moment, then said, “All right. I’ll do it. But I want to go on record that I’m not happy you aren’t telling me what’s going on.”

“Noted.” He reached over and gave her hand a squeeze.

“Why don’t you go pack your things? And after, perhaps Ash, if he wouldn’t mind, will help you take everything to your temporary apartment.”

“I would be happy to,” Ash said.

“If you think that’s for the best,” Sara said.

“I do,” Jack said.

She stood.

“Ash, would you mind helping me pack?”

“Not at all.”

As Ash started to stand, Stone said, “If I could keep Ash for a minute, I have something work-related I need to discuss with him. I’ll send him to you as soon as I’m done.”

“Sure. He knows where my bedroom is.” She smiled and headed toward the hallway.