Ted had fled the office, practically ripping the envelope from Rosemary's hand as he blew past. He sweated bullets when he hit his office, and after slamming the door it only took two seconds to fill a tumbler with straight vodka and choke it down.

Barry frowned at his decision to let Ted go. Now what? He could still move his timetable up, he didn't have to be in Portsdown to access the money. He thought about the travel agent and then he thought about Gwen Hollinger.

Just as a matter of curiosity, he thought he'd give her a call, anonymously, and check out Ted's story. He didn't know why but there were strange vibes around that guy lately. He got up and closed the door then dialled Ted's home phone.

"Yes, who's calling please?"

"Mrs. Hollinger?" Barry used the tired trick of a hankie over the mouthpiece.

"Hello? I can barely hear you."

"Is this Gwen Hollinger?"

"Yes, who's this?"

"A friend." Barry winced. "Did you know your husband was having an affair?"

Gwen let her breath out slowly. "Why are you calling me?"

"To give you a heads-up. Did you know?"

"As a matter of fact I do and if it was anyone else's business we'd let them know. Is that all?" She slammed down the phone and then immediately picked it up and hit star. Nothing. The number had been blocked.

Barry hung up and nodded in surprise. Ted was telling the truth. He wondered now if Ted knew that his wife knew. What a world. He replayed the call in his head and thought about the first pause before she answered. Gwen Hollinger just might be more amenable than he thought.

ööööö

Sandra memorized the room number from Ted, reassured him for the tenth time, and passed it along to Ernie. He wrote everything he was to do on a list and, after memorizing the contents, stuffed it into his suitcase just in case. They made their arrangements for meeting after the job and how she would have a car ready to leave the moment he arrived back.

When he had shown up at the bar with a suitcase all packed, Sandra had nearly had a fit, sending him around to her apartment to stow it temporarily. Next she made him promise to do the job at five-o'clock and be back before ten, she didn't want to be driving all night but she wanted to be well out of town before they stopped. Ernie offered an ear as collateral. Sandra knew he would kill himself rather than be late. She hoped losing him would be so easy.

Gwen listened to the ring of the phone, tapping her foot anxiously for an answer.

"Hello?"

"It's me. Everything set?"

"Yep. The time works and I don't see any problems. We'll be at the boat long before he could get back."

"If Ted ever finds out-" Gwen sighed and took a breath. "Sorry. Stupid remark, of course he's going to find out. I can't believe he would try and set me up like that, I thought there was something left of our relationship."

"It's a lot of money, Gwen. Hey that's why we're doing this. We hit the guy that hits Ted and we leave. What could be simpler?"

"The fact that we'll be using the boat he got is bound to set him off like a rocket."

"By the time he figures it out we'll have dumped the boat and be on a plane out of the country. Quit worrying about the boat. Think about why we're doin' this. Don't go getting spongy on me now, this was just as much your idea, remember."

"I'm not getting, spongy. It's just that he has a mean streak that neither of us would care to see up close."

"We won't, don't worry." .

"Friday at five in the Portsdown Inn. A nerdy little guy named Ernie Stark, right?"

"Right. And hang tough; this is a ride of a lifetime. See you soon."

"Yes, see you soon." Gwen hung up and blew out a stream of air. They were actually going to do it. And why not? Her bastard husband was planning on doing it to her; she would just get it done first. She ran upstairs to select her clothes for packing.

Dinner seemed an awkward affair. Ted was unusually quiet and Gwen couldn't think of any conversation starters other than a weak, "How was your day?" The strange call about his affair was still niggling at the corner of her mind.

"Same as ever." Ted responded. "I guess I'm just wound up about tomorrow."

"Tell me about it. Did you get the train tickets?"

"Yeah. Jesus, Barry nearly gave me a fit. He said he thought he might go for a change."

Gwen clapped a hand over her mouth. "My god! What did you do?"

"Talked him out of it, thankfully. I told him I was having an affair and there was a danger of her telling if I didn't show up as usual." He chewed some meat and chanced a glance at her.

Her jaw tightened. "And he bought that?" Suddenly the call wasn't so strange and the niggling to an uncomfortable form. Gwen now worried that Barry was suspicious somehow.

"Finally, I guess. He's a guy after all." The comment landed with a thud, and he made a big deal of asking for more vegetables.

"The room number?"

"Oh yeah. Four-oh-three. Rosemary practically pulled several muscles trying not to hand me the train tickets."

"She's quite devoted to Barry."

"Devoted! Jesus, the woman's a certified nut. The president should have such protection."

"So what time do you expect to be at the airport?"

"I dunno, as soon as I can safely leave the hotel I'll head right there by cab. That'll be a staggering charge. Why?"

"I just don't want to spend my whole evening in an airport lounge."

Ted gave her a strange look. "What about your guy, where are you meeting him?"

"We had this discussion. That's my end to take care of. You don't have to worry, I'll be there with the money."

"Fine. As long as you are." He wiped his mouth with his napkin and gave her a stern look. She nodded and took in a forkful of squash. A hot dinner on a hot night was her idea of a suitable last supper.

ööööö

Friday morning arrived with a cool breeze and moderate temperatures. Birds twittered outside Gwen's bedroom window and when she rolled over she found that Ted was already up and in the bathroom. She lay back, nervously chewing on an expensive artificial nail, as she pondered the path she was taking.

It was the right move for all the right reasons. Say that three times, she ordered herself. The idea was making her giddy, and she drew a calming breath, stunned by the discovery of her brazenness. Ted came out of the bathroom. His face was pale, and he looked like a sick frog.

"What in god's name is wrong with you? Are you all right?" She sat up in bed.

"Just nerves. It's a big bloody step, Gwen."

"This whole thing was your grand plan, don't start freaking out now."

"I'm not freaking out. It's just butterflies. I don't steal three hundred and fifty thousand dollars every day you know."

Who does? "I understand, honey. Just take deep breaths and think positively. It'll all be over by the end of the day and we'll be winging our way across the wa- through the air." She smiled brightly and held out a hand. "Give momma a big kiss before you go."

Ted bent down and kissed her, feeling his hand pulled onto her bare breast. "What's that for? I don't have time right now."

"Just for luck, Ted. Give you something to remem- to think about on the train ride."

He felt his neck heat a little and he straightened up, fussing with his tie. He'd love to give her something to remember him by besides an empty bed tonight. "Those are always in my thoughts, Babe." He managed one of his roguish winks. "'Til tonight then." He paused and both stared hard at one another. then the moment broke and he left the room with a small wave.

"Your thoughts are all you're going to have I'm afraid, Teddy." She slipped out of bed and took her turn in the bathroom.