Free Countdown by Fern Michaels Page B

precisely, just like you said. And it’s flurrying outside, in case anyone cares. They’re really shacked up! Wow!” Dennis said, his face beet red.
    “We don’t care if it’s snowing. It’s been snowing off and on for days, so that’s nothing new. Can we get down to business here? I have a class in forty minutes,” Harry said, sipping at what Jack called his shitty tea. He nodded approvingly, to Dennis’s relief.
    Jack whistled to get everyone’s attention. “Listen up. We have five days to pull this off. Now let’s all get serious here. For starters, the Sandfords and their Christmas decor will be running in the Post every day, along with the other entries in the local Christmas contest. Ted and Maggie came through on that, and Espinosa, I have to say, those were some real gritty pictures. You did good.
    “Dennis, you’re on top with Luther Jones, right?”
    “Got it all locked up tight. We own him. He’ll do whatever we say. He got the other gang leaders to agree to a meet, and things actually worked out. All they want is a decent neighborhood. The Christmas festivities at the church are all taken care of. We can ride in, do what we have to do, ride out, and it’s like we were never there. In other words, Luther and his boys have our backs. There is only one little problem. Luther said if we don’t come through for them, all bets are off. I assured him we were sincere, to which he replied that actions speak louder than words. I’m certain we have a lock on it.”
    “Sounds good. Any blowback from any of the girls? I’m not talking about Maggie here.”
    “All quiet,” Espinosa mumbled as he continued to send text after text to both Maggie and Ted.
    “Annie and Myra?” Jack asked.
    “I can answer that,” Harry said. “They’ve been spending a lot of time with Nellie. Elias is not doing well. Nellie is a basket case, so they’re helping out and, from what I understand, will be spending Christmas with Nellie and Pearl. It’s not a joyous time, so they didn’t want to do all the traditional things they normally do. I got this from Yoko, who got it from someone who came to buy a tree. Is it gospel? I have no clue but have to believe it since neither Annie nor Myra have been in touch with any of us.”
    Jack nodded. He looked over at Abner, and said, “Speak, Mr. Computer Guru.” Jack thought he’d never seen Abner look so jittery. The computer hacker was always in control. Not today, though. He couldn’t help but wonder if what he was seeing had anything to do with the holiday season and Isabelle an ocean away.
    “I have here,” Abner said, waving a thick sheaf of papers in the air, “all of Lieutenant Governor and Mrs. Sandford’s accounts. And there are many. They are also spread far and wide. I did find them, however. There’s only one glitch. I cannot crack their passwords. I used every program there is to no avail. The only way we are going to get them is if the Sandfords ‘voluntarily’ give them to us. That’s pretty much it, guys.”
    Jack smiled. “Not to worry. By the time we’re done with them, the Sandfords will beg us to take their passwords and their money. Trust me on that. So, what is the devil and his mistress worth?”
    “A nice round $480 million. Chump change,” Abner said, trying for levity.
    “Well that should certainly help clean up Luther’s neighborhood and pay me back the money I’ve already spent,” Dennis said, clapping his hands together. He was grinning from ear to ear. “But just so you know, if it didn’t work out this way, I wouldn’t mind a bit footing the bill for all those people. I’m just glad I could do it.”
    Jack moved the files on his desk from one spot to the next. “Let’s get down to business, boys. Christmas Eve will be here before we know it. I want to make sure each of us knows what part we’re playing in our little Christmas play. Now, listen up.”

Chapter 11
    Jack Emery groaned and rolled over, his hand slapping at