“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 thatif?”
“It’s my money,” Jack said. “If something goes wrong, it’s my own fault.”
