Page 183 of King’s Ransom

Audrey returned from the guestroom—moving a little gingerly—now dressed in her suit and with her hair quickly brushed.

‘We have to go,’ I said.

‘Sam . . .’ Audrey said. ‘You’re covered in dust and grime.’

‘No time,’ I said.

I hustled Audrey and Heidi out of the townhouse to the street where we hailed a cab.

‘Where to?’ the cabbie asked.

‘The Steinway Tower on 57th Street, please,’ I said. ‘But we need to make one stop on the way.’

STEINWAY TOWER

Steinway Tower

West 57th Street, Manhattan

31 December, 2335 hours

Even with all the street closures in effect for New Year’s Eve, we made good time going to Billionaires’ Row on 57th Street.

It was almost midnight and I guessed most folks were either at parties or at home, leaving the streets pretty clear.

We made our stop at a 24-hour Walgreens pharmacy: I raced in and made a quick purchase.

Then we continued on our way.

As we did, I told Audrey and Heidi about Winnie Tan hiring Modern Alchemical Solutions and its owner, the Unperson, to arrange everything on December 21st in order to set up Yasmina Ivanova and win Aristo King back. I also told them about the deaths of Monty Woods and the two Russians.

‘Looks like Winnie’s plan worked,’ Audrey said, ‘given that Aristo’s now hosting his party/fundraiser at her place.’

‘Yup.’

Heidi frowned. ‘That dude said his name was Unperson? That’s so creepy.’

‘He’s a creepy guy. Smart, too.’

As we drove, I used Heidi’s laptop and her phone’s hotspot to check something else online: my emails.

I scanned my inbox.

And suddenly one email caught my attention.

It had been sent yesterday afternoon—at 3:31 p.m.—during the hours when I’d been out cold, thanks to the Duramorph. It had come with an attachment.

I noted the sender.

Then I opened the attachment, read it and frowned. ‘Hmmm.’

‘What is it?’ Audrey said.

‘The final piece of the puzzle,’ I said.

I showed it to her and Heidi.

‘Goddamn . . .’ Audrey said.