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Blushing even more than earlier, Ash stammered, “I-I-I only know where her room is from when I brought her home after the accident.”

“Methinks the gentleman doth protest too much,” Dino said.

“It’s true. I swear.”

“Ignore Dino,” Stone said.

“I believe you.”

“Oh, thank God.”

“The reason I wanted to talk to you is that I think Sara will feel more at ease if you stay at my place.”

“You want me to stay in Sara’s apartment?”

“Did I say stay in Sara’s apartment?”

“Not specifically, but—”

“You can stay at my place, in my son Peter’s old room. You’ll be moments away from Sara if she needs anything. Only if you’re willing, of course.”

“Absolutely,” Ash said eagerly.

“Good. Check in with Joan when you get there, and let her know what’s going on. She lives in the apartment below the one Sara will be in.”

“All right.”

“Also, I’m going to have Strategic Services send over a security team to keep watch over the apartment building.”

Ash glanced at Dino and Jack, then asked Stone, “What’s going on?”

“Nothing you need to worry about.”

Ash frowned.

“From where I’m sitting, it seems very much like something I should be worried about.”

“He has a point,” Dino said.

“You are aware of the concept of client confidentiality, are you not?” Stone asked Ash.

“I am,” Ash said.

“Which includes not sharing that information with someone you are growing close to.”

“I would never.”

Stone turned to Jack.

“How do you want to handle this?”

“Allow me.” Jack turned to Ash.

“There are some people from my past who are trying to cause problems for me. I don’t want more of my family or friends to get hurt.”

“More?” Ash paused.

“Are you talking about Sara and your wife’s accident?”

“And Stone’s last night.”

“You were in an accident last night?” Ash said to Stone.

“You didn’t say anything earlier.”

“At the time, it wasn’t necessary for you to know.”

“Did anyone get hurt?”

“Fred, but he’ll recover.”

Ash’s jaw tensed.

“Who’s doing this?”

“That’s something you don’t need to know,” Stone said.

“If you say so,” Ash said, not looking happy.

“Would you be opposed to me bringing my pistol to your house?”

“You own a gun?”

“I do. A SIG Sauer P365 9mm.”

“And you know how to use it?”

“My father is a retired army ranger. He trained my sisters and me on all aspects of gun use, from before we were teens.”

“Do you have a carry license?” Dino asked.

“Of course.”

“Then, no, I don’t mind,” Stone said.

“But please inform the Strategic Services team.”

“I will.”

Stone excused Ash to go help Sara, then made a quick call to Mike Freeman.

“I should be able to have people there within ninety minutes,” Mike said, after Stone made his request.

“My associate, Ash Williamson, should be there by then. Please have your people coordinate with him.”

“Will do.”

“Hold for a second.” Stone put his hand over his phone.

“Jack, I know you’re going to say no, but I think it might be a good idea for you to have a team watching you, too.”

“You’re right,” Jack replied.

“I’m going to say no, but I do appreciate the thought.”

Into the phone, Stone said, “That’s all for now. Thanks, Mike.”

After Stone hung up, Jack said, “Dino, I hope you don’t mind, but I have something I’d like to discuss with Stone alone.”

“This must be one of those client confidentiality things Stone mentioned,” Dino said.

He stood.

“Shall I wait in the car?”

“I’ll catch a cab,” Stone said.

“Whatever you’re planning, try not to get caught.”

“Who said anything about planning something?”

Dino left without answering.

As soon as Stone and Jack heard the front door close, Jack got up and checked the hallway to the bedrooms.

After he returned, he said, “Sara’s door is closed, so they won’t be able to hear us.”

“Let me guess,” Stone said.

“Waiting for Estrada and Kroger to make their next move is not something you’re interested in doing.”

“I do tend to prefer a more proactive approach.”

“And you want my help.”

“If you are willing.”

Jack hadn’t hesitated to help Stone when an assassin had been after him, and Stone wasn’t about to hesitate helping Jack.

“Whatever you need.”

Jack smiled.

“That’s what I was hoping you’d say.”