“Spencer told the executive committee it was set aside for possible liability settlements.”

“He never said a word to me about a reserve like that,” I said.

“He didn’t explain it to the board either,” Nora said, capping her fountain pen with a sharp click.

“He buried the authorization in section four of the compliance annex.”

“He’s getting ready for something,” I said.

“He’s getting ready to pay somebody,” Nora said.

I walked out of Nora’s office at three thirty and rode the subway back up to Lexington Avenue.

The side door of St.