Page 108 of The List

Two sheets of paper tri-folded and taped closed. A flash drive. And a microcassette recorder with a tape inserted. Written on the outside of one of the tri-folded single sheets was

READ THIS FIRST

On the outside of the other

READ THIS LAST

He did as Bozin instructed, breaking the tape holding the first sheet together. Inside was a handwritten note.

I appreciate you following my instructions. It’s important you do. I’ve prepared a narrative on the enclosed drive. Please read it in private, then open the sheet that says to be read last. Everything will be made clear once you’ve viewed the drive and listened to the recording. I thank you for your service and patience.

Christopher Bozin

His first thought was to ignore the instructions and read the other note now. But the lawyer inside him advised otherwise. Bozin had trusted him with something of importance and obviously went to a lot of trouble to organize things. The least he could do was follow his wishes exactly.

And not here.

Go to the office. This was business.

So he stuffed everything back into the envelope, hustled downstairs, and told his mother goodbye. Outside, he climbed into the Jeep and headed off. About a quarter mile away he passed James and Grant on their bicycles as they pedaled back to his parents’ house.

He honked. They waved back.

Passing the kids, he glanced in his rearview mirror to check on them, seeing only a dark-blue Buick that had just turned onto the street behind him.

1:00P.M.

LEE PATIENTLY WAITED ALL MORNING.

The first call came into the Blue Tower around noon. One-third of Southern Republic Pulp and Paper Company was dead. The twenty-ninth floor went into mourning. Nancy Fringe lapsed into shock and had to be taken to the emergency room. He and Hughes showed their dismay over the untimely death of their partner by retiring to their respective offices on the pretext of being alone. Neither did much grieving.

Instead, they both waited for the next call.

“He was ready for me,” De Florio said. “He cooperated fully. The body was found about ten this morning. The coroner and a doctor came. Death was verified, consistent with the processing. The body was immediately taken to Savannah, cremation is occurring now.”

“Did he say anything?”

“He wished me luck.”

“For what?”

“He wouldn’t say.”

“Did he mention anything else?”

“Nothing of value.”

“Okay, that problem’s history. What about Reed and Walker?”

“Prior to returning home last evening, Bozin visited the Walkers’ residence. He carried a brown envelope inside and was there about thirty minutes. He carried nothing out.”

Not good. “What about Walker?”

“He stayed at the negotiations all morning, then went home for lunch. After a few minutes, he returned to the mill. Carrying a brown envelope.”

Double not good. “And Reed?”

“He was present at the negotiations all morning. An announcement about Bozin’s death was made and he immediately went outside and made a call. The last I was informed Reed was still at the Comfort Inn.”