There is no such thing as a free lunch, but it takes Josh Redmont a while to figure that out. The first check arrived when Josh was 27, $1,000, issued by "United States Agent" through an unnamed bank with an indeterminate address in Washington, D.C. The checks continued to arrive once a month, even when Josh changed addresses, with nary an explanation or a peep from the IRS. Seven years later, as he hastens to meet his family for a summer vacation, Josh is approached by a smiling stranger who greets him with, "I am from United States Agent." Dumbstruck, Josh feigns ignorance until he hears the words, "You are now active." Westlake fans will revel in his trademark swift pacing, meaty secondary characters, and tongue in cheek style.