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?”
“Igetyou,” 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.”
