I’m happy to be forty years old,” John says when he calls producer Jack Douglas on November 10, one week ahead of the worldwide release of Double Fantasy. “I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in my life and I feel the best I ever felt.”

Critics pounce on John’s advanced age in rock ’n’ roll years—“The old bugger still has a wonderful voice by the way,” says New Musical Express. John, still celebrating, is unfazed. One recipient of his generosity is Paul Goresh. On their way to the Hit Factory, John and Yoko pose for the photographer in front of the Dakota.

In Poole, England, John’s aunt Mimi receives an extravagant gift. She opens the fancy silver box labeled CARTIER to discover an exquisite pearl necklace and matching brooch. An engraved card reads, “Double Fantasy—Christmas 1980—NYC—John and Yoko.”

“You’re daft!” Mimi scolds John when she reaches him on the phone at the Dakota.

“Go on, Mimi, spoil yourself,” he says, “just for a change.”

—

December 8, 1980

Mark is standing outside the Dakota when he is joined by a familiar face: the woman he met his first day there, Lennon superfan Jude Stein.

“Jeri and I came to meet you the other night,” Jude says. “What happened?”

He feels a lie tingling on his lips. But no, he’ll tell the truth this time. Keep them guessing.

“I went back to my room and fell asleep.” He changes the subject. “We both missed seeing a glimpse of Lennon earlier this morning.”

“And you missed seeing John the other night.” With great delight, Jude describes her conversation with Lennon.

Mark feels the news wash over him.

It’s almost noon, and a crowd is gathering near the Dakota’s entrance, waiting for a chance to see the famous ex-Beatle. A heavyset man with a camera seems annoyed.

“That’s Paul Goresh,” Jude tells him. “He’s some freelance photographer.”

Mark doesn’t like the looks of him.

The cameraman looks right back. He not so casually wanders into their orbit and introduces himself.

Mark keeps to his practiced story—that he’s from Hawaii and here to get Lennon to autograph his album.

“Where are you staying in New York?” Goresh asks.

Why is he interrogating me?

Mark gets in his face. “Why the hell did you ask me that question? What do you want to know that for?”

“Easy, man. Take it easy. I was only making conversation, you know?”

Cool down, he tells himself. Focus.

Mark turns to Jude. “Would you like to join me for lunch? It’ll be my treat.”

They choose a restaurant just one block down from the building—the Dakota Grill. He can keep a close eye on the entrance.

He takes off his hat and his trench coat. The coat holds the gun, so he folds it on his lap.

He orders two beers and a hamburger. Jude has an omelet and coffee.