“I’m not sure, but I’m trusting the person who set it up.”

“Your name’s not really Aaron, is it?”

“No.”

“What should I call you then?”

There was a short pause before he answered.

“Aaron,” he said. “It’s probably best for you to just call me Aaron.”

CHAPTER 71 - Lake Placid, NY Sunday, July 11, 2021

CHAPTER 71

Lake Placid, NY Sunday, July 11, 2021

THE BATHROOM DOOR DISINTEGRATED UNDER THE WEIGHT OF THE battering ram, and agents poured into the room. Steam wafted from the door frame and fogged their face shields, which they quickly lifted out of the way.

“Federal agents!” they shouted. “Put your hands in the air. Hands in the air!”

Oliver caught glimpses through the bodies and the steam as he stepped into the room. A man stood naked in the shower. He did not put up a fight, or any resistance at all. He simply raised his hands in a frightened and defeated manner. Two agents manhandled the naked figure out of the shower and forced him to the ground, where they cuffed his hands behind his back.

“Clear,” another agent yelled before shutting off the shower.

The agents took the man by the elbows and lifted him to his feet. Naked and dripping wet, he looked pathetic. It would have been appropriate, since he put up no resistance, to offer the man a towel to cover himself. But Jim Oliver had no intention of lessening this man’s humiliation.

Oliver walked up to the fugitive he had been hunting for years. Even with sopping wet hair clinging to his ears, Oliver recognized the Thief of Manhattan.

“Garth Montgomery,” Oliver said, “I want you to know two things. First, you’re under arrest. And second, your daughter is the reason we found you.”

CHAPTER 72 - Montego Bay, Jamaica Tuesday, July 13, 2021

CHAPTER 72

Montego Bay, Jamaica Tuesday, July 13, 2021

THE EMERALD LADY MADE LANDFALL JUST AFTER TWELVE NOON ON THE third day of the cruise. Aaron Holland watched from the balcony of the second deck as hordes of passengers bottlenecked the exits to storm the island’s tourist traps, eager to buy cheap jewelry and handbags and knickknacks for their grandchildren. He waited patiently for the crowds to thin, then walked back to Cabin 3318. Meghan Cobb sat on the bed.

“Well,” he said, “I guess this is it.”

“Will you be okay?”

He shrugged. “I’ve made it this far. Thanks for everything. I don’t know how you got involved in all this, but I couldn’t have gotten this far without you.”

“What if someone asks about you? The staff or crew?”

“They won’t.”

“Are you sure?”

“No.”

Meghan nodded. There was nothing left to say. “Good luck.”