“Don’t kid yourself, he knows.” Frank wheeled around and looked at the photographs on his wall. “Maybe we should cut ties with McBride.”

“No. I hate to admit it, but you’re right. McBride’s probably our best shot. Despite what we think of his methods, he gets the job done. He thinks the Bridgestones might go after his father next. He told my SAC in Sacramento he thinks the bombing is probably a diversion.”

“Some diversion.”

“And on our consciences.”

“The hell it is,” said Frank. “We didn’t make those bastards do anything.”

“You know what I mean. Look, if McBride’s as good as I think he is, he’ll eliminate the problem and we’ll close the book on this.”

“Let’s hope so.”

Three thousand miles away, FBI Director Ethan Lansing hung up and leaned back in his chair. He needed to go home to his wife and kids. If containment weren’t forthcoming, he’d be spending a lot more time there, which when he thought about it, wasn’t an altogether bad idea.

* * *

Leaving Fresno behind, the FBI Lear climbed into the clear afternoon air. Nathan pulled his cell and called Harv.

“You on your way?” Harv asked.

“Yes, we’re just leaving Fresno.”

“We’ve come up with squat on the financial insider.”

“There may not be one. I’m beginning to think they’ve been stockpiling cash. They probably have a huge stash buried somewhere.”

“That’s beginning to make the most sense, but it’s also going make it a lot harder to find them.”

“I know.” Nathan lowered his voice. “Bear with me, Harv. I’m playing a hunch.”

“Okay.”

“I left my name and number with Amber Sheldon. I told her if Ernie calls back she’s to tell Ernie I came looking for him. I asked her to specifically mention me by name.”

Silence from Harv.

“There’s more. Amber’s got a nineteen-year-old daughter. Guess who the father is?”

“No way.”

“Amber never told him.”

Harv paused, thinking about this new twist. “You’re thinking if he discovers he’s got a long-lost daughter he’ll want to see her before bugging out.”

“Yep.”

“Then everything depends on Ernie calling her again. What if he doesn’t call?”

“I’ve got that covered.”

“What’s your plan?”

“Five-by-one,” Nathan said.

“Understood. Want me to pick you up at Sac International?”

“No, Henning’s got a vehicle there. I’ll see you at the hotel in about an hour.”

“Stay safe, partner.”