Page 47

Before Jack could answer the phone, Stone said, “Let it ring.”

“Are you sure?”

“I am.”

Over at the bar, Estrada and Kroger had taken seats at the other end and were pointedly not looking in Stone and Jack’s direction.

As the phone continued to vibrate, Jack asked, “I take it you have a plan.”

“I’d say more of a scientific experiment,” Stone said.

“I’m curious to see what happens with our new friends at the bar when you don’t pick up.”

The phone vibrated a few more times, then stopped.

Stone watched the duo at the bar.

If the person on the phone was indeed working with them, then Stone expected either Estrada or Kroger to receive a call asking why Jack hadn’t answered, but in the minute that followed neither man reached for a phone.

Jack’s disposable vibrated again.

“Go ahead,” Stone said.

Jack lifted the phone to his ear and angled it so Stone could listen in.

“Yes?”

“Let me make this clear,” said the same digitally distorted voice as before.

“If this phone rings, you answer it immediately.”

“I was under the impression you wouldn’t be calling until Friday.”

“I don’t care what impression you were under! You answer. Every damn time. Get me?”

“You’ve made yourself clear, if that’s what you’re wondering,” Jack said.

“Don’t get smart with me, Fratelli. There are a lot of people who’ve been looking for you. All I’d need to do is spread the word about Jack Coulter’s real identity, and more people than you can imagine will show up at your door, looking for a piece of what you have. Get me?”

“I get you,” Jack said through clenched teeth.

“Here’s the deal,” the extortionist said.

“Things have changed. The deadline’s moved up to tomorrow.”

Jack laughed.

“You can’t be serious. I’m having a hard enough time pulling the funds together for Friday. There’s no way I’ll have it for you a day early.”

“I am not unreasonable,” the caller said, as if expecting this response.

“So, Johnny boy, let me tell you what I’m going to do to make it easier for you. I’ll take half tomorrow, and since I’m feeling generous, I’ll give you a week to pay the balance. How’s that sound?”

“Like robbery.”

“I’m glad we’re on the same page. Something else, the terms of delivery have changed, too.”

“How so?”

“You will receive a call at noon tomorrow. I will give you a location, and you will have thirty minutes to get there. For every minute you’re late, another person you know will pay the price. I don’t need to explain what that means, do I?”

“What am I supposed to do at this location?”

“Excellent question. You’ll be dropping off a briefcase. Now, you’re probably asking yourself what will be in said briefcase?”

“I wasn’t.”

“What did I tell you about being smart?” the caller snapped, his voice suddenly icy.

Jack said nothing.

The caller took an audible breath, then in a calmer tone said, “In the briefcase will be two things. The first, one million dollars in unmarked one-hundred-dollar bills. And the second, a flash drive containing valid credentials for a Bitcoin account equivalent to the remaining twenty-four million. Next week, I’ll give you information on how and where the final payment is to be sent.”

“You think I can get all of that done before noon tomorrow?”

“You will if you don’t want anyone else to get hurt.”

“Say I can make it happen. When I arrive at this location, whom am I looking for? You?”

“Do you think I’m an idiot? Someone else will let themselves be known. The first thing I’m going to do when I get the case is check that everything is there. If it’s not, someone’s going to die. Get me?”

Jack stayed quiet.

“And don’t even think of hiding a tracking bug. If I find anything like that, the same thing will happen even if all the money is there. Any questions?” Not giving Jack any time to answer, he added, “No? Until tomorrow, then.”

The line went dead.

“I’m going to kill him,” Jack whispered.

“A sentiment I fully understand, but let’s pretend you were pointing out an example of something you’d never say to your lawyer.”

“Right. What are Estrada and Kroger up to?”

Stone glanced at the bar.

“Drinking beer.”

“No one’s called them?”

“No, and I’m starting to think that’s not going to happen.”

“Why not?”

“I have a strong feeling the person on the phone isn’t working with them, or at least not any longer.”

“Because?”

“During the call this afternoon, everything was phrased like ‘we want this’ and ‘we will do that.’ But just now, the caller never said ‘we.’ He only said ‘I.’ My guess is that he was either trying to fool you earlier into thinking he was part of a group, or he and those he’d been working with have had a falling-out.”

Jack thought back, then said, “You’re right. I totally missed that. It would explain why he’s moved up the deadline.”

“I’d been interested in Misters Estrada’s and Kroger’s take on the situation. Perhaps we should discuss it with them.”

“Perhaps we should.”

They finished their drinks, then headed to the elevators.

As they passed Estrada and Kroger, Jack said, “I should be safe enough here for the night.”

“Come by my office first thing, and we’ll get everything sorted,” Stone said.

“I will.”

They exited the bar.

Once they were behind the closed elevator doors, Jack said, “Think they heard us?”

“No question.” Both men had stilled while Stone and Jack walked by, clearly paying attention.

It was a short ride down to the floor Jack was staying on.

As the doors opened, Jack said, “Good night, Stone. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Good night, Jack.”

Jack stepped out, scanned the area, then whispered, “Clear.”

Stone exited.

It was unlikely Estrada and Kroger would have beaten them there, but it was always best to proceed with caution.

They hurried down the hall.

Jack nodded at an upcoming door and said, “That’s you,” then continued to the next door down, which belonged to his suite.

Stone used the key card Jack had slipped him earlier to open the former.

In the Bronx, right after Jack was being hung up on by her brother, Rosa quickly made her way to her bedroom and quietly shut the door.

Since her brother had used a throwaway cell phone to call his mark, she’d only been able to hear his side of the conversation.

But that had been more than enough to find out Ricky had moved up his deadline to tomorrow, and would be receiving twenty-five million dollars.

She had no doubt he planned to disappear the moment he had it in his hands.

Poor Ricky had no idea she planned on flipping the script and would be the one vanishing with the cash.

As if he’d been listening to her thoughts, her brother knocked on her door and yelled, “Hey, Rosa! I need to talk to you!”

She sucked in a surprised breath and clutched her chest.

“Rosa, come on! Open up!”

“Just a second,” she said.

She affixed a blank expression on her face, walked to the door, and yanked it open.

“Finally,” he said.

“What do you want?”

“I need you to do something for me tomorrow.”

“Like what?”

“Pick up something for me. It shouldn’t take you long.”

She felt a flutter of excitement, wondering if he could possibly mean what she hoped he did, but thanks to years of dealing with him, she was able to keep any of it from outwardly showing.

“Pick it up yourself,” she said.

“I’ll be busy.”

“The hell you will be. I need you to do this.”

She glared at him, then said, “Fine. When?”

“Between noon and one.”

He did mean what she’d hoped.

Feigning annoyance, she said, “You said it wouldn’t take long. That’s a whole hour.”

“It’ll take as long as it takes.”

“What am I picking up and where?”

“I’ll give you the details tomorrow, in plenty of time to get there.”

“And then what? Bring it back here?”

“Nah. I’ll meet you.”

“If you’re going to meet me there, why don’t you pick it up?”

“I’m not meeting you there. I’ll be somewhere else.”

“I suppose you’ll let me know that tomorrow, too.”

“Now you’re getting it.” He reached out and patted her cheek.

She wrenched her head back, said, “Screw you, Ricky,” and slammed the door in his face.

“Dammit, Rosa! You almost hit my hand!” He paused, then said, “Tomorrow. Don’t forget!”

After she heard him walk away, she fished out the throwaway cell she’d used to call Miguel and tapped out a text.

Plans have been moved up to tomorrow.

She moved her thumb over the arrow to send it, but then stopped herself and added a few words.

Plans have been moved up to tomorrow at two.

That should give her plenty of time to get the money and make herself scarce.

She hit Send .