Lisa laughed and sat on the stool opposite him. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to sound accusatory. Hazard of the job.”

Douglas shrugged. “Ten or fifteen of us in the field, and then up the chain of command in counterfeiting, plus the prosecutorial team prepping the case.”

“You have a theory as to what happened?”

“I’d have to see the site where the currency was stored. I’d say most likely an inside job or some very sophisticated high-tech breach to get in and out.”

“Maybe,” Lisa said skeptically. “Or maybe lost in moving from one location to another. That’s when it would have been most vulnerable. Have you checked the chain of custody?”

“I haven’t checked anything,” Douglas snapped.

“Whoa.” Lisa drew back on the stool.

“Sorry. I’ve just had the assignment change, and it’s been only a little over twenty-four hours since my friend and colleague was killed.”

“All right. I didn’t mean to press. I consider any federal agent a colleague. I guess I just want to make sure everything possible is being done to find Jonathan’s killers.” She reached across the island and rested her hand on Douglas’s. “If there’s anything I can do to help, don’t hesitate to ask.” She withdrew her hand halfway, but kept it poised in the air. “Friends?”

Douglas relaxed as the two agents shook hands. “Friends.”

Ten minutes later, Douglas exited through the front door, heading for his car parked on the street. Lisa remained in the kitchen, sipping her coffee until she heard his engine rev and then fade away. She pulled out her government cell phone and dialed the number she’d been texted during the night.

“Director Hauser’s office.”

“This is Special Agent Lisa Draper. I believe Director Hauser is expecting me.”

The officious voice softened. “Yes, Agent Draper. He’s just finishing up a call. Can I keep you on hold?”

“Certainly.”

At first Lisa was afraid the line had gone dead, but after a few seconds, a low beep sounded and was repeated about every ten seconds thereafter. She should have known a private line of the director of the FBI wouldn’t be playing background music. As the minutes passed, Lisa became concerned that Ethel and Jesse would return before she’d even spoken with Hauser, let alone finished the call. Maybe she would be the next person pacing in the backyard.

“Agent Draper?”

Lisa recognized the smooth baritone voice. “Yes, sir.”

“Sorry to keep you waiting. It’s come to my attention that you room with Ethel Crestwater.”

“That’s correct.”

“And it’s an experience, isn’t it?”

“She’s a remarkable woman.”