“I suspect that it may contain ingredients that can’t be bought over the counter.”

“Oh. By the way, the Strategic Services people are here. I started them upstairs, and Fred is with them.”

“Good.”

—

A COUPLE OF hours later the team leader from Strategic Services came into Stone’s office. “You’re clean,” he said, “house and phones. We’re going to have a look next door, too, if that’s okay.”

“Go right ahead,” Stone said.

Ed Rawls called. “I have news.”

“Go ahead, my house and phones are clean.”

“The lady got married eighteen months ago, to a retired army master sergeant, so they have a new last name. More good news—they took a Mediterranean cruise last year and got passports, so they can leave whenever you like.”

“Wonderful. Let me look into transportation. I’ll get back to you.” He hung up and called Mike Freeman at Strategic Services.

“Hi, Stone, are my people finished?”

“Yes, and we’re clean here, thanks very much.”

“Everything else all right?”

“I need to get three people to my place in England on the quiet.”

“Are they legal?”

“They are, and they have passports—father, mother, and a twelve-year-old son.”

“I’m going to Brussels early on the day after tomorrow, eight AM departure. I could drop them at your place.”

“Ideal.”

“I’ll need their names and addresses and copies of their passports first thing tomorrow morning. We have to file a passenger list with the FAA.”

“I’ll get them to you. Mike, once they’re there, they’re going to need armed security to watch over them.”

“How many?”

“Two should do it.”

“I’ll get them down from London.”

Stone hung up and called Rawls. “We’re set for an eight AM the day after tomorrow. Where are they located?”

“In southern New Jersey.”

“Good. I’ll arrange for a car to pick them up and take them to Teterboro.”

“Great.”

“Mike will need their names, address, and dates of birth, and copies of their passports tomorrow morning.” Stone gave him a fax number for Freeman.

“I’ll get it done.” He gave Stone an address in Cape May, New Jersey.

“Tell them the car will be there at six AM. They’ll be going to the Strategic Services hangar at Jet Aviation, Teterboro.”

“Right.”

“What are their names?”

“Henry and Martha Parker. The boy’s name is Thomas. They’re known as Hank, Marty, and Tommy.”

“Got it. Text me when they’ve been briefed, and tell them they’ll have security at my house when they get there.” Stone hung up and called Major Bugg, his estate manager.

“How are you, sir?”

“Very well. I’m sending you some guests, a family of three. They’ll be there in the evening, day after tomorrow.”

“Where would you like them?”

“Where do you suggest?”