"Over the past few months, money has been moving strangely, out of sight."

"Is it serious?"

"Far more of the honey that should be ours is leaking away than we thought."

"How much are we talking?"

"About three trillion dollars, across currencies and futures."

"Hmm... Who is it? At that size it isn't the Knights... Japan doesn't have the guts to try... Is it Uncle Richard's money?"

"It doesn't look like the senator's money."

"Then is it the Heaven and Earth Society?"

"We traced the IPs of the suspicious account holders. They lead to Hong Kong."

"All that nonsense about gathering strength in the dark, and now they're flexing in the open?"

"I think we need to watch a little longer."

"And you're keeping a close eye on Robert Ryan?"

"His methods are impossible to pin down, but he stays within the law."

"How much has he made in total?"

"About seven hundred billion dollars."

"It reminds me of the Chinese proverb: the bear does the tricks, and the master takes the money."

"He was a variable we didn't anticipate."

A high-rise in Jaffa, Tel Aviv, where a cold winter wind blew in off the Mediterranean.

It was by far the tallest building around.

The moon rising over the Mediterranean lit up the sea.

A woman with a tallit, a prayer shawl, over her head gazed out the window, speaking quietly with the man who stood at attention behind her.

"As the Talmud says, the wise man is the one who learns something from everyone he meets. We should learn from Robert Ryan too."

"I'll tighten the watch on him."

"Make him a friend. In a world like this one, he's a rare genius of investment."

"He's more guarded than we thought."

"He seems close enough to that Korean, Daniel Jang. Is the man that capable?"

"...I'm sorry. I'll do my best to make him a friend."

"You don't have to finish the work. Just don't ever think of giving it all up halfway. The one who gave you the work never loses hope."

The woman's voice was gentle, but…