Jack sniffed. “There are half-carat earrings and quarter carats, but women are embarrassed to wear them. Jill and Patsy at Dorchester Jewelers told me that in confidence. I don’t think they’ll mind me sharing with you. Maybe if we all go there and buy the earrings, they’ll give us a discount.”

Harry leaned over and reached for Jack’s ear. “I’m going to kill you! First, you tell me I need to change my decor, and now you’re telling me I have to buy four earrings. Is that what you’re telling me, Jack? Considering my precarious financial situation, that is not what I want to hear.”

Jack moved closer to the window. “It was a suggestion. Now, if you want Yoko to be embarrassed, well, that’s your business. You already screwed up with all that pink crap you bought…on sale, I grant you. You might be able to get away with a quarter carat, because Yoko is so tiny, but I don’t think so. You know what, Harry? I’m tired of helping you. You are so ungrateful, I can’t stand it. I’m going to talk to Jill and Patsy, and I’m getting two sets. I’ll get a part-time job to pay for them. What about you guys?”

“Yeah, I’m in. I don’t want Alexis to be embarrassed. She’s too beautiful, and she deserves four earrings,” Espinosa said generously.

“Good thinking,” Jack said, smacking his hands together. “What about you, Ted?”

“Yeah, yeah, count me in,” Ted said.

“Harry?”

“Shut the hell up, Jack. I’ll buy my own present.”

“You dumb shit, you couldn’t even come up with a good color scheme. Oh, I feel so sorry for poor Yoko. Now, gentlemen, you have one more decision to make. Gold or platinum? Jill and Patsy said platinum, but the choice is yours.”

Further discussion stopped on a dime when Espinosa said, “Okay, we’re here. There’s a guardhouse, and you have to show a pass, or the owner has to call and say a visitor is expected. What do you want to do?”

“Harry, get out and put the guy to sleep. How long, guys?” Jack asked.

“We can ask the guard if anyone else has come through for Newsom. If Snowden’s men aren’t here already, I’d say two hours,” Ted said.

Harry rolled his eyes in disgust. “And you think that schmuck stopped here and asked for directions! He probably dropped from a helicopter or rode in on a horse to confuse the guard,” Harry said.

“You think?” Jack said airily.

“No, I don’t think. I was making conversation, so I don’t go with my instincts and kill you on the spot. Stay here. I will take care of matters.”