Page 59 of The Secret

“But I only just got here. And the neighborhood is so charming.”

“You’re leaving.”

“What if I don’t want to?”

The guy straightened up and opened his jacket. He had a pistol tucked into both sides of his jeans, butts facing forward so he’d have to cross his arms over his body to draw them.

Roberta raised her voice a little and said, “Two guns, huh? Guess the area’s not so great, after all.”

The guy said, “Are you on—”

Veronica stepped out from behind the Suburban. She moved toward the guy. Her left arm was out wide. It was swinging around. She was holding a tire iron. She closed in and planted her feet and twisted from the waist for extra power. The flared end of the tool caught the guy in the temple. His head wobbled to the side. His eyes rolled back. His knees turned to pulp. And he flopped down onto the pavement right at Veronica’s feet. She leaned in and took the guns. Checked his pockets for additional ammunition. Found two spare magazines. Took those, too, then looped around and climbed back into her seat.

Roberta said, “That’s our community service done for the day. Now it’s time for some shopping. We need clothes and radios. And some props, just in case she won’t play ball. Which do you want to get first?”

—

Reacher and Walshwere still in Smith’s assigned office when all three pagers went off. They made their way down the corridor together and filed into the boardroom. Christopher Baglin was already at the head of the table. Reacher and Smith took their places. Walsh made for the window. They all did their best to avoid looking at Neilsen’s empty seat.

Baglin said, “I’m sorry to have abandoned you this morning, but I’m sure you appreciate there were certain arrangements to be made. I trust you’ve had a productive day, regardless. What do you have to report?”

Reacher had nothing. Smith shook her head. Then Walsh raised his hand. He said, “I have more on Neville Pritchard. How he amassed his capital. I had to dig back a long way but I got there in the end. I found multiple records of him selling, then buying, large quantities of obscure foreign currencies.”

Baglin said, “Explain, please? How is that significant? Keep it at a level for the non–financially literate.”

“It’s called the foreign currency loan scheme. Not a snappy name, but highly efficient. It has the effect of covertly transferring funds and simultaneously establishing provenance.”

“So, smuggling money and laundering it at the same time?” Reacher said.

“Kind of. Only it’s legal. And there is some skill to it. You have to accurately predict which currency is about to lose a lot of its value. Here’s how it works. Imagine I bought a million dollars’worth of Venezuelan bolivars and lent them to Reacher. He could immediately sell them, and he’d have a million dollars. Right?”

No one objected.

“Now imagine the value of the bolivar falls by twenty percent. Reacher could buy back the same quantity he just sold, but it would only cost him $800,000. He could return the bolivars to me, discharging the loan in full. And he’d be $200,000 better off. Yes?”

Smith said, “I guess.”

Baglin said, “Ingenious.”

Reacher said nothing.

Walsh said, “Not only would Reacher have the two hundred grand, it would be clean. Heearnedit through currency speculation, which is legal. He’d have a legitimate paper trail for all the trades he made. Much better than trying to account for money made by selling drugs or guns.”

Baglin said, “Pritchard was doing this? You’re sure?”

“Pritchard did it. Back in the early seventies. And yes, I’m sure.”

“Any of the other scientists?”

“I’ve found no evidence.”

“Keep looking. Good work. And Reacher? Smith? I can appreciate you having a slack day today. But tomorrow? No. Be back here in the morning with your heads on straight. Understood?”

—

Walsh waited forBaglin to leave then he moved closer to Reacher and Smith. He hesitated for a moment, then said, “Guys, there’s something I didn’t mention just now. I didn’t know if it was safe, or sensible, with Baglin in the room.”

Reacher said, “What is it?”

---