“So, girls, what do you think?”

“What I think,” Nikki said, “is we stepped into a giant hornet’s nest, and what we thought was some couple scamming a few dozen people is now a giant fraud ring. The big question is, are Bonnie and Clyde the ringleaders, or is there someone over them?”

“My gut is saying Bonnie and Clyde are the ringleaders,” Myra put in.

The other Sisters all agreed.

“So where do we go from here?” Kathryn asked Charles.

“We need to formulate an airtight plan. We’re now open for input. Bear in mind, we just purchased an apartment in the Watergate complex that is in move-in condition. This,” Charles said, waving a sheaf of papers in the air, “is a schematic of the entire complex, along with their current security system. At best, it’s mediocre. My people also learned that there is no maid, live-in or otherwise, in Bonnie and Clyde’s apartment. When the couple leaves, the place is empty. A little B&E might be called for. Their security system can be dismantled in under sixty seconds if you know what you’re doing.”

“Are we sure Bonnie and Clyde had no idea they were being followed?” Alexis asked.

Charles looked out over the top of his glasses and squelched Alexis with a stern look. “Puhleze! I do not operate a Mickey Mouse operation. The couple are clueless at the moment. As far as they are concerned, it’s business as usual. Which is good for us. I would like surveillance on both of them for at least another week. I think they’re big, but not that big. If it’s as my operative suspects—that they take a trip every two to three days—it’s just the Eastern Seaboard. Who knows where they were operating before they descended on the nation’s capital. Documentation, as we all know, is everything.”

“Are we going to wait it out here on the mountain, or are we going to go to the Watergate?” Annie asked.

Charles looked around at the expectant faces staring at him. “I’m going to leave that up to all of you. If you think you can be more effective on the scene, then I will arrange transportation for you to the Watergate. If you prefer to stay here on the mountain until all our information is confirmed, that’s all right, too. It’s your call.”

Isabelle frowned. “Seven people…seven new faces in a condo might raise eyebrows.”

“I could stay at my old house if I have enough cover,” Nikki said.

“I can stay at Harry’s dojo,” Yoko volunteered.

“I would be happy to stay with Joseph,” Alexis said. “That leaves only four to move in. Myra, Annie, and their two daughters, Kathryn and Isabelle. My personal opinion is it would be too dicey for Kathryn to hang out at Bert’s pad.” The others nodded, even Kathryn. “If you want to count it down to three, Kathryn or Isabelle could stay with Maggie. Then we could visit as the need arises.”

Charles pondered the suggestions presented to him. He nodded. “Work it out among yourselves, and get back to me first thing in the morning. I have a mountain of work ahead of me, so we’re adjourned for now.”