“I know that cost you, Harry, and in your heart you didn’t mean it, but since I love you like a brother, I’m going to tell you. I-do-not-know. All I know is Nikki got a call, and she barreled out of here and didn’t look back. She didn’t say anything other than that she would call me. However…before you punch a hole in the wall, Charles did call right before I headed for the shower. He said they think, think, Harry, that Bonnie and Clyde are in an apartment on the sixth floor of the Watergate. One of his operatives was on her trail and something spooked Bonnie and she went back inside. That’s it. Don’t even think about acting independently, Harry. Your time will come with those two. The girls will make sure that happens.

“Look, I have court this morning, but I can leave around noon. I’ll come by the dojo and pick you up. In the meantime, Myra and Annie are power walking the sixth floor. Dive back under that pink comforter and catch some more sleep.”

Jack blanched at what he heard next before the connection was broken. Harry’s speech could be so colorful sometimes. Ten minutes later, Jack was out the door and on his way to court to file a motion to suppress something or other on a case he couldn’t even remember.

Alexis Thorne walked down the street after she exited Joseph Espinosa’s apartment. She was smiling as she walked along, remembering the stunned look on Joseph’s face when she hopped out of bed, donned her Tyra Banks outfit, and winked at him. “I have to tell you, Joseph, that was some really good sex. Time permitting, I’ll be back for an encore.”

Alexis stepped to the curb and hailed a cab, gave the address of the Watergate, and leaned back to enjoy the ride. Her BlackBerry vibrated. She looked down at the text message from Isabelle, announcing she was safely inside Myra and Annie’s apartment awaiting her arrival.

Thirty minutes later, on the mountain Charles’s closed fist shot into the air. All his chicks were accounted for and were safely in their nest. As far as he was concerned, the Watergate was as good as in lockdown mode. Snowden had assured him every single exit was manned, the garages covered, and, unless Bonnie and Clyde had wings, they weren’t going anywhere.

Charles realized then that he was talking to Murphy and Grady, who surprisingly looked interested in what he was saying. “I think we deserve a break and a treat, gentlemen. Let’s take a walk; I have some bacon strips.”

Both dogs barked their approval as they trotted to the door, where they knew Charles would not only walk them but would throw a ball for Murphy and a stick for Grady.