“No. I want you to use this number from your personal phone and report directly to me. Someone completely outside the counterfeiting case will head up investigating how our evidence disappeared. In fact, you’ll be questioned.”

Douglas stopped pacing the backyard. “Me, sir?”

“Yes. Everyone who was familiar with the case and, more important, the existence of that bogus cash will be questioned.”

Douglas shuddered at the thought of going through an interview that might turn into an interrogation. He hoped nervousness wouldn’t translate as guilt. “Yes, sir. Will we start tomorrow? I’m on duty at ten today.”

“You’re on duty now. I’ve already notified the vice president’s team. I’ve also said you’ll be working away from the office for the foreseeable future.”

“Anything I should do first?”

“If I were you, I’d cruise Old Town till I had eyes on Ethel and Jesse.”

“Yes, sir.”

“But I don’t expect you to find them there.” Director Bradshaw disconnected.

Douglas smiled. The director had given him the opportunity he needed to stay close to the developments, which is exactly where he wanted to be. He turned back to the house and caught a glimpse of Lisa moving away from an upstairs window, the window in Jonathan Finch’s room.

***

Lisa had heard the back door close as Douglas left the house. She used the vantage point of Finch’s room to see where he was going and was surprised that he was in the backyard pacing in a circle. He was on one of his cell phones. His face was tense, and his gait turned into a series of stops and starts. She couldn’t tell if he was angry or unsettled by bad news. He must have left the house not to be overheard, which made her more curious. Was it a call he wanted to keep from Ethel?

Douglas suddenly pulled the phone from his ear and turned toward the house. Lisa quickly withdrew but thought he might have spotted her. Her best course of action was to go downstairs for her coffee as if nothing had happened.

Douglas was sitting at the island when she entered the kitchen. He said a pleasant good morning and pointed at a note on the counter. “Ethel and Jesse have gone into Old Town. I didn’t hear them, so it must have been early.”

Lisa grabbed a mug and filled it. “You on today?”

“I’ve been pulled into the review of how the counterfeit currency disappeared. So, I won’t be traveling as much. I’ll probably be tracing bills, looking for a way back to the source.”

“Right,” Lisa nodded. “You said you were on the original New York case.”

“So?”

“So, you’re one of how many who knew about the currency?”

Douglas set down his cup. “What are you getting at?”