“Yes, briefly.”

“Did you talk about when I should have the books mailed?”

“Yes, and the answer is not yet.”

“I think I disagree. The safety of this family is at stake, and the sooner we go public, the sooner the pressure will be off them. Once the story is out, St. Clair can’t afford to harm them.”

“You have a point,” Lance said.

“What’s more, I think we should express-mail the books to the mailing list for overnight delivery.”

“Let me make a call,” Lance said, and hung up.

Stone waited impatiently for half an hour, then Lance called back.

“What’s the word?”

“I’ve had word that Nelson Knott is going to release a video announcement this afternoon, in time for the evening news shows.”

“An announcement that he’s going to run?”

“What else would he announce? That he’s not going to run?”

“I guess you’re right.”

“Then I think you should overnight the books. We’ll give Knott the day to do follow-up interviews, then we’ll have it in the media’s hands in time for tomorrow’s evening news. Ed’s book will make a very nice hand grenade to toss into the mix.”

“All right. Have you made any progress with getting a DNA sample from Knott?”

“My people are working on it. I’ll keep you posted.”

“All right, you let Will know that we’re going, and I’ll let Ed Rawls know.”

“Right.” Both men hung up.

Stone called Ed and brought him up to date.

“I didn’t expect an announcement this soon,” Ed said.

“Neither did I.”

“Still, it’s good that we’re ready to go. Are you going to tell me where the books are now?”

“On their way to the post office, for overnight mail.”

“Okay.”

“Lance’s people are working on getting a DNA sample from Knott.”

“The sooner the better.”

“Gotta run.” Stone hung up and buzzed Joan.

“Yes, boss?”

“We need to get the books to the post office right now, and they should be sent express mail, overnight.”

“I’ll call and get them to pick up the books,” she said. “They’ll do that for large mailings.”

“Great. Go!”

Stone called Dino and told him the news. “I’m astonished that St. Clair found the family as quickly as he did.”

“I was, too.”

“I’ll be sure to watch the evening news,” Dino said. “Dinner afterward? Viv is back.”

“Sure.”

“Rȏtisserie Georgette at eight. I’ll book.”

“You’re on.”

Joan came into his office with an envelope. “The post office will pick up the books by noon, and they’ll be delivered by three tomorrow afternoon.” She handed him an envelope. “And the DNA profile came back from the lab.”

Stone opened the envelope and looked at the report. “It’s Greek to me,” he said. “E-mail it to Lance Cabot, please.”

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