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As Stone was climbing out of the Range Rover outside Triangle Investments, a taxi stopped at the curb and Jack stepped out.

“Perfect timing,” Stone said.

“You look as if you had as much sleep as I did,” Jack said.

They entered the building and made their way up to the offices.

Triangle Investments had been a one-man operation until a year ago when Charley had brought on Jennifer Whitmore as his assistant and protégé.

Jennifer was the one waiting in the outer office when Stone and Jack entered.

“Mr. Barrington, Mr. Coulter, nice to see you again,” she said.

“If you’ll follow me.”

She led them to the conference room Charley used for client meetings.

“Mr. Fox wanted me to tell you he’ll be here in ten minutes. In the meantime, can I get either of you a coffee or tea?”

“Coffee would be wonderful,” Stone said.

“Thank you.”

“Make that two,” Jack said.

She smiled and left.

“I presume you haven’t received any new instructions,” Stone said.

“Not yet,” Jack said.

“And I suspect I won’t until he sends me the meet location.”

Stone nodded in agreement.

“How is Hillary doing?”

Jack’s mood lifted.

“I’m told she’ll be ready to come home on Saturday.”

“That’s great news.”

“Perhaps you can call Hillary and tell her that for me. I was talking to her on the ride here, and she continues to insist she’s ready to come home now.”

“I’m surprised the hospital hasn’t bent to her will yet.”

“As am I. Speaking of people in the hospital, is Fred out yet?”

“Last I heard, his doctor is targeting tomorrow for his release, but I’m sure he’s as anxious to be home as your wife.”

Jennifer reentered the conference room with a tray upon which were a carafe, three empty coffee cups, and dispensers for sugar and cream.

After setting the tray down in front of Stone and Jack, she said, “If you need anything else, let me know,” and then left.

Before the door could shut all the way, Charley Fox entered, carrying a briefcase.

“Stone, Jack, great to see you both.” Charley set the case on the table and shook Stone’s hand first and then Jack’s.

“Is that it?” Jack asked, looking at the briefcase.

Charley released the latches and opened the top.

Filling the case were ninety-nine stacks of one-hundred-dollar bills.

Per Stone’s instructions, a variety of paper straps had been used.

“I’d like to go on record and say that this is making me very uneasy,” Charley said.

“If all goes as planned, the money will be back in Jack’s possession and returned to you by the end of the day,” Stone said.

“How big is that if ?”

“It’s my money,” Jack said.

“If something goes wrong, it’s my own fault.”

“It may be your money, but it’s been my responsibility to this point,” Charley said.

“And I’m not a fan of this kind of high-risk investment.”

“Which is why the rest of my money is staying safely under your control.”

“Speaking of other money,” Stone said.

He removed the envelope holding the stack of hundreds he had received from Strategic Services.

“May I?” Charley asked.

Stone handed it to him, and Charley examined it, taking a particularly close look at a few of the bills.

“These are real,” he said, sounding surprised.

“Forgery is a crime,” Stone said.

“I’m guessing we should probably not put it on top.”

“I was told a few stacks down and to one side.”

Charley moved the stacks around until the Strategic Services bundle was in the right place, and the top layer looked nice and even.

As he reached up to close the case, Stone said, “Hold on.”

He retrieved the envelope with the flash drive in it, laid it on top of the cash, and closed the case himself.

There was a knock on the door.

“Yes?” Charley said.

Jennifer stuck her head in.

“Some people from Strategic Services are here, looking for Mr. Barrington.”

“Please tell them I’ll be right out,” Stone said.

“Yes, Mr. Barrington.” She shut the door.

“Thank you, Charley,” Stone said.

“We’ll get out of your hair now.”

Charley frowned as Stone and Jack stood.

“What’s the matter?” Stone asked.

“I was just thinking,” Charley said.

“This will be the first time I’ve ever watched a million dollars literally walk out the door.”