Sooner was saved from a reply when a knock sounded and the door opened at the same time. A tall, handsome man walked into the room, and asked, “You wanted to see me, Douglas? Lizzie!”
“Hello, John,” Lizzie said as she gracefully rose out of her chair. She allowed herself to be air kissed, then extended her hand. “It’s been a long time,” she said, her voice breathless and intimate-sounding.
“Four years at least. So, tell me what’s going on.”
Douglas Sooner told him while Lizzie sat back down and crossed her legs. She waited while Tyson made a tepid argument that Sooner waved away.
“Just do it, John. The bank does not need any bad publicity or a run on any of our branches.”
Lizzie licked at her glistening lips and did her best not to smile when Tyson winked at her behind Sooner’s back.
“Let’s get to it, then. Come with me, Lizzie. I think we can wrap this up lickety-split.”
“To my satisfaction?”
“Always.” Tyson laughed.
Lizzie turned just as the secretary entered the office. In her hand she held a key ring. She looked at her boss, then at Tyson, and last at Lizzie. With a nod from both men, she handed the key ring to Lizzie.
Sooner walked around his desk, shot his cuffs, and extended his hand. “You’ll be in touch?”
“Absolutely.”
An hour later, Lizzie walked out of the bank into bright sunshine. In her briefcase were the papers that restored Harry Wong’s life. In addition, there was a check and a creative contract approving a loan for renovations to Harry’s dojo. And a special account had been set up with Tyson’s help so that Harry could bank online. As long as Harry didn’t get too curious, his life was now back on track, with Tyson promising to monitor the account and report to Lizzie on a monthly basis.
Chapter 11
The Sisters looked like a row of bronzed water nymphs as they sat poolside, their feet dangling in the water. A few feet away, Myra and Annie sat under a bright orange and green sun umbrella, sipping from frosty glasses of lemonade, compliments of Charles on his last break from the command center. They were close enough to the others that they could participate in the conversation without shouting.
“It’s been five days since Charles put the investigators on Bonnie and Clyde,” Kathryn said, referring to the couple under investigation. “So far all we know is they change their names the way we change our underwear. I even think Charles is having a hard time keeping their names straight.”
“The only bright spot this past week is that Lizzie managed to get Harry back in his dojo. He is so happy. I am so happy,” Yoko gurgled.
“Charles said he would have solid information by the end of the day and we would have something to work on. You know how meticulous he is when it comes to planning a mission. I have to admit I’m getting a little antsy myself,” Annie said as she adjusted the massive sun umbrella over her and Myra.