“So, how much did your friends win last night?” Jack asked in a jittery voice. “Uh-huh. Yep, that is a lot of money! They can’t stop the boys from gambling if they aren’t doing anything wrong. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I get that security is tight and they are being watched. So what? Some people are just out-and-out lucky. You could pull the discrimination card if it’s getting out of hand. I guess. I’m not up on casinos and how they operate and do things. I’m talking to you now from a lawyer’s perspective. Just call the guy and see if it’s even possible? Or have your guys call the 1-800 number and place an order for the gold.

“How much longer are the guys here for? Timing is everything, Harry. Talk to them, Harry, then call me back. Did I just hear you right? The boys have a charter plane at the ready! Well, damn, Harry, do you or your friends really think a Brink’s truck is going to pull up alongside a charter plane bound for someplace in Asia and unload five million dollars in gold without anybody saying a word to anybody? I get the part where they believe if they can’t hold it, then they don’t really own it. Truth in advertising. That’s crap, Harry. I’m hanging up now because this is giving me a headache.”

Jack handed Ted back his phone and snarled, “Don’t anyone say one word. Not one word.” He massaged his temples as he looked at Dennis and nodded. “Dennis will fill you guys and Maggie in on our night’s adventure while I try to figure out Harry’s next move.” Jack continued to massage his temples as Fergus poured him a fresh cup of coffee and Dennis recounted their nonadventures of the early morning hours.

After letting the coffee cool down some, Jack was about to take his first sip, but he almost jumped out of his skin when Maggie shrilled at the top of her lungs, “You two went without me?! How could you do that?” The cup Jack was holding flew into the air, the coffee splashing everywhere.