THE TALL MAN SLIPPED inside the building, hung a left, grabbed an elevator, rode it down, entered the tunnel, skimmed along underneath the streets of Washington, D.C., arrived at another building and turned down a long hall. When he passed one door, it opened and a big hand grabbed him and yanked him inside, slamming the door behind him.

Reuben Rhodes let Alex Ford go. The agent smoothed down his jacket collar and turned to scowl at the others there arranged on busted-up government-issued furniture and packing crates.

“You said the second door on the left,” Alex snapped.

“Brother Caleb got it wrong,” Reuben said. “He meant the first door on the right and we didn’t want to call you on your cell in case they put a trace on it.”

“They need a court order for that,” Annabelle said.

“Like hell they do,” Reuben shot back.

Alex looked at Annabelle. “He’s actually right about that. As a federal agent my life and cell phone are not my own.”

“Sorry about the mix-up, Alex,” Caleb said shamefacedly. “I was a little nervous. I’m not really sure why, though.” He glared furiously at Reuben. “Oh, now I remember. It was when Reuben called and screamed that I had to find a place for us to meet ASAP or we were all going to die and it would be my fault!”

Reuben shrugged. “I didn’t say die. I said we were all going to go to prison for the rest of our lives. And I just said it would be mostly your fault.”

“How do you figure that?” asked Annabelle.

“This Joe Knox character already met with Caleb.”

“So? How do you know I told him anything?”

“Caleb, you’d spill your guts if a Girl Scout got the drop on you.”

Annabelle stood. “Okay, we don’t have much time. It seems Knox has grilled me, Alex and Caleb.”

“And I know he went to the loading dock, but luckily I took a few days off,” Reuben added.

“Reuben, I understand that Oliver called you,” said Alex. “Did he tell you where he was?”

“He wouldn’t tell me where he was calling from.” Reuben went on to tell them about his conversation with Stone. “And he did want me to tell you that he appreciated your burning the letter.”

Alex nodded slowly but said nothing.

Caleb said, “Is there any way to trace the call he made to Reuben?”

Reuben shook his head. “I sort of have an unusual cell phone arrangement. A little convoluted.”

“You mean you steal other people’s minutes,” declared Caleb.

“Anyway, I had a buddy I trust try and do it for me. He’s a real pro with that stuff and it went nowhere.”

“Well, let’s compare notes on what Knox said and see where we stand,” Annabelle suggested.