“Nah. Fortunately, it appears the funny money most likely went missing during an archival move a couple of months ago. Thanks for keeping my name out of it, by the way.”

“Sure. But I’m afraid I need another favor.”

“Uh-oh.”

Ethel could hear his wariness through the phone.

“Nothing big,” she assured him. “But I need you to keep what I’m asking confidential. I want you to find out what you can about an agent named Ed O’Hara. He was on the original team for the New York bust. Anything at all.”

“You think he’s good for it?” Hitchcock asked.

“More likely he knows someone who knows someone. That kind of thing. His name popped up in an off-the-record conversation, and I don’t want to trigger something official if there’s nothing there.”

“Okay. I can ask around. How soon do you need it?”

“Sometime tomorrow afternoon would be great. You can call me, or if the info’s not too long, just text me.”

“You got it.”

“Great. I owe you, Warren.”

“Then I’ll collect at my favorite pub.”

“It’s a deal.” She disconnected. There were no more calls to make, and she finally managed to get that elusive nap.

Later, as night fell, Ethel invited Lisa and Douglas to join her for a nightcap in the living room. Jesse declined, saying he had a paper to write. When he heard the steady stream of voices from below, he did as Ethel had instructed. But only after texting Tracy not to try to reach him until he contacted her first. Then he stowed his computer in the backpack, pleased that Ethel’s revolver fit snugly underneath the power cord.

Chapter 28

Lisa Draper lay on her bed fully clothed. Although it was only six in the morning, she wanted to be ready in case Ethel made some kind of move. The woman seemed to have myriad connections in both the Secret Service and the FBI, and a maestro’s skill to play those connections to her advantage. No doubt she had Norwood’s team members identified and was probably even running a step or two ahead of Director Bradshaw.

Lisa’s own boss suspected Ethel knew more than she was sharing. He seemed obsessed with the Parker case, and that put her under his micromanagement. She felt like a bug under his microscope.

But she sensed that today would be a turning point. With Norwood’s death, the investigation would either permanently stall or make a breakthrough. And if a breakthrough, then she needed to be in the room where it happened. She also wanted a look at Jesse’s computer. His “downloading software” comment had rung false. Clearly, he didn’t want her to see what was on the screen. Maybe if he took a shower, she could sneak a few minutes in his room.