Claudia let out a long breath. “I better go dig out the good china.”

She disappeared inside as the world’s first trillionaire started toward the house. One thing that had to be said about Irene Kennedy: she had an interesting group of friends.

“Mitch,” he said, extending a hand. “Nick Ward. It’s a real pleasure to meet you.”

“Likewise,” Rapp said, taking it. The grip wasn’t as overbearing as he’d have expected from someone with Ward’s bank account, and his easy smile was more sincere than the ones plastered around Washington. A man who no longer had anything to prove.

“Beautiful place you have here.”

“Thanks. We’re set up out back. Will that work for you? It’s pretty nice in the sun.”

“Sounds great. Thank you.”

Rapp routed him through the house, stopping briefly for an introduction to Claudia. When they exited onto the patio, he pointed Ward to a weathered table in the grass.

“I appreciate you agreeing to see me,” he said as he took a seat. “Particularly on such short notice.”

“I have a hard time saying no to Irene.”

Ward grinned. “She seems to have that effect on people. Including me.”

“You know her?”

Claudia appeared and instead of answering, Ward chatted amiably with her as she laid out a few hors d’oeuvres and a coffee service.

“What about your men, Nick? Can I get them something?”

He shook his head. “They only eat and drink things they’ve packed themselves. It seems kind of paranoid to me, but I don’t interfere.”

She nodded, gave him a quick smile, and hurried away. It took a lot to intimidate her, but the richest man in history apparently rated. It was more than the money, though; it was the man himself. What he’d created. What he’d accomplished. What he’d dedicated the latter part of his life to. Love him or hate him, he was impressive as hell.

“So, what is it I can do for you?” Rapp asked, pouring them each a cup of coffee.

“Can I assume you’re aware of what happened to David Chism and his people in Uganda?”

“Just what I’ve seen on the news. You had a facility there and it was attacked by Gideon Auma. If I remember right, he killed the facility’s director and burned the place to the ground with your people inside.”

“No bodies have been found and Auma’s people are still in the area. Until a couple of days ago, they were actively calling out David’s name.”

“Remind me. How long ago did this happen?”

“Six days.”