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the need to expand the amount of money in circulation to support it. If we had the same amount of currency in the system today as a hundred years ago, greenbacks would be in very short supply. Loans would be impossible. Our population has doubled in the last century. The nation produces far greater amounts of goods and services. Your dad’s department managed this important aspect of the banking system – keeping up with this growth. Most folks simply refer to this as the ‘money supply.’”
    Reed had indeed heard the term tossed about on various news programs. The phrase was self-explanatory, or at least that’s what he had always thought. “So the money supply is based on the growth of the economy. If I hear the nation’s gross domestic product grew by 3%, then the Fed makes sure there is 3% more money in the system – right?”
    Mr. Agile’s expression changed, this time looking more like a college professor having patience with a slow student. “That’s what the average citizen believes, yes. In reality, it’s not that simple or straightforward. International trade, government debt, and even the time of year all have an impact on the calculation. More hard currency is needed around Christmas than any other season. It’s also important to know that we are not just talking about physical money. In the US economy, physical bills and coin make up a very small percentage of the actual money supply.”
    Reed nodded his understanding, but didn’t want or need a lesson on finance and banking today. He decided to move the conversation along. “This is all fascinating Mr. Agile, and while I appreciate you taking the time to explain it to me, I’m wondering what this has to do with your claim that my father wasn’t a robbery victim.”
    For a moment, Reed thought he had angered the older man. Mr. Agile’s eyes flashed bright for just a moment, and he withdrew his hand from the tabletop to his lap – normally a defensive posture. Whatever the man was feeling, it seemed to pass quickly, and his tone remained even.
    “Most Americans don’t understand the system and don’t take the time to learn. If they did, I’m sure a lot of questions would be asked. Your father was learning, and he asked questions. That’s why I believe he was killed. My evidence is what you legal people would call circumstantial, but I anticipate you’ll find it compelling. What you choose to do with my disclosure is up to you. My only goal is to relieve myself of this burden that has been a weight on my shoulders for over 20 years. I never came forward because I was frightened. Now, the fear of carrying this to my grave outweighs that prior concern.”
    Finally , Reed thought, finally, we are getting somewhere. Mr. Agile took a drink of water and cleared his throat. He paused for only a moment and then began what Reed thought sounded like a practiced confession, repeatedly rehearsed many times through the years.
    “Your father’s time of death was determined to have been on March 8 th , between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. – is that correct, son?”
    Reed had studied the police reports a thousand times. He knew the exact details like the lyrics to a favor ite song. He nodded, “Yes, sir. That is correct.”
    “ I was in charge of the Audit and Security Division at the Dallas office. Even in those days, the Fed had state of the art security systems.”
    Mr. Agile reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a folded sheet of faded, yellowish paper. He carefully smoothed the edges on the table’s surface and then slid the old document to Reed. It appeared to be a computer-generated printout using a dot-matrix type of technology. It was basically a confirmation to remove one Mr. Laurence Wallace from the personnel system at the Dallas Federal Reserve regional building and lock down his office and contents. The document further stated that the whereabouts of Mr. Wallace’s credentials were unknown, as he had been the victim of a violent