“Very nearly impossible, sir. It would require millions in bribes to bank staff, and it is very likely a numbered account without his name on it.”

“The insurance company would have the number, wouldn’t they?”

“No, sir. The funds would have been wired directly to the bank, who then, by previous instruction, would have deposited them in the numbered account.”

“Is the strong case still with Stone Barrington?”

“We believe it is very likely that Rawls would have removed it from Barrington’s custody, one way or another.”

“The man’s a safecracker?”

“He is a highly trained and experienced intelligence officer. Opening a safe is not beyond his ken.”

“Anything else new, Erik?”

“Yes, sir. It appears that Rawls built a concealed storage place adjoining his Islesboro house. We believe he has stored many files there, probably associated with what is now in the strong case.”

“Was it destroyed in the fire?”

“No, sir. Apparently it contained an incendiary device that was detonated remotely. We got a look at it as soon as it cooled, and everything inside was completely destroyed beyond recovery.”

“Rawls is very smart, isn’t he?”

“Yes, sir, he is, and that makes him extremely difficult to find.”

“Are police looking for him, too?”

“No, sir, he has committed no criminal act.”

“Do we have any competitor in finding him?”

“I’m quite sure the CIA would be very interested in speaking to him, if they haven’t already. Lance Cabot visited Barrington’s house while Rawls was in residence, but we don’t know if he spoke to the man. Barrington and Cabot had lunch at this club after their initial meeting at the house.”

“What, now, is your recommendation?”

“I have taken the liberty of placing two of my agents in a house within sight of Rawls’s Virginia place, with instructions that one of them must have visual contact with the house at all times. Should he arrive there, we will know.”

“If we find him there, then what?”

“It seems highly likely that Rawls will have a secure place in the house that would contain the strong case. We will find and open it. Also, it would be an ideal place to interrogate him, obviating transporting him to another location for that purpose.”

“Erik, it is extremely important that no permanent harm come to Rawls. That would only make him more interesting to the police, the Agency, or anyone else who is looking for him.”

“As you wish, sir.”

“We have already lost three of your men to this investigation, and that has been a major inconvenience to me, not to mention a major expense, what with having to pay the families large sums of money for their silence.”

“I am quite aware of that, sir, and you may rely on their silence.”

“I should bloody well hope so.”

“Sir, it would be helpful to me if I had some idea of the contents of the case.”