Charles clicked a button, and Dennis Carson’s image appeared next to his wife’s on the plasma screen. “These pictures are compliments of both banks’ summer picnics.

“The couple look like suburbanites. Clean-cut, the kind of people you’d like to number among your friends. The only problem is my people couldn’t find any friends, but it’s still early in the game for that.”

“Do we know where they are now? And how sure are we that they’re the ones responsible for the identity theft?” Nikki asked.

“We do know where they are but only as the result of a fluke. The same neighbor who shared her information with my investigator said that in mid-May she went to a dinner party at the Watergate. She said she saw both Miss Brickman and Mr. Carson, as we know them, coming out of Apartment 1206 and getting into the elevator, and, before you can ask, no, they did not see our informant. She, however, took it upon herself to make inquiries about the residents of Apartment 1206. The names under which they had obtained the apartment were Angela and Derek Bookman. Needless to say, the neighbor was most eager to share this information with my investigator.

“Angela and Derek are each driving a brand-new Lexus. My people are checking what they can, and that’s pretty much where we stand at the moment. And to answer your other question, Nikki, I think the chances are pretty good that they are the ones responsible for Harry’s current problem.”

Charles turned his attention to Yoko. “I know you want instant retaliation, but we have to do this right. If we’re right about this couple, there is a good chance that we can bring down the whole ring. I think Harry would want that, Yoko. We need hard proof before we can invade their lives.”

“When are your people due to check in again?” Kathryn asked.

Charles shrugged. “I have a man and a woman on each of them. I’ve also taken the liberty of leasing an apartment at the Watergate in the Post’s name. We might need it at some point. My best guess would be sometime in the next twenty-four hours.”

“So we just twiddle our thumbs until you hear something, is that it?” Annie asked.

“That pretty much sums it up unless you have a better idea. I hesitate to remind all of you that preparation is the name of our game,” Charles said quietly.

“How far back were your people able to go in checking Angela and Derek Bookman? Do they only go back five years, too?” Isabelle asked.

“I can’t answer that right now. My gut feeling is yes. If my feeling turns out to be right, then I think we can safely assume this couple is up to their necks in this scheme. It wouldn’t surprise me to find out they’re the ringleaders. I say that because they look so normal.”

“Are they renters or owners at the Watergate? How did they pass a credit check?” Alexis asked.