“No, that stuff is just in case he searches you. Tell him your name is Joe, just Joe. All he should know about you is that name and the number for this phone.” Tommy handed him a phone. “Memorize the number. It’s a throwaway. Don’t call anybody but Manny from this phone.”
Stone handed him another phone. “Use this for general purposes, like calling us.”
“Am I going to have to wear a wire?” Evan asked.
“No,” Tommy said, handing him a well-used briefcase. “The briefcase is wired, so keep it within about eight feet of you and Manny. It’ll pick up everything and record it. It’s a solid-state recorder, very small, and it’s concealed under the lining of the case. We’ve put a few pens, paper clips and other junk in there, just to look like you use it every day, but there’s room for the money, too.”
“Got it,” Evan said.
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L o i t e r i n g w i t h I n t e n t
“It’s okay if you’re a little nervous,” Stone said. “Anybody would be, under the circumstances. Try and stick to the script we’ve talked about, but you can improvise, if you think it will help. Just don’t talk too much; you might make mistakes.”
Stone described Manny’s office, so he would know what to expect. “Okay, you ready to make the call?”
Evan took a deep breath and let it out. “Okay.”
MANN Y ’ S S E C R E TAR Y B U ZZE D him. “There’s a man who says he needs to talk to you, says it’s urgent.”
“What’s his name?”
“Joe, just Joe.”
Manny picked up the phone. “Manny White.”
“Mr. White, my name is Joe. I’d like to speak to you about a job, a very important job.”
“So speak,” Manny said.
“Not on the phone,” Evan said. “I can meet with you around midday today, if you’re available. In your office or wherever you choose.”
“Give me some sort of idea about what you want,” Manny said. “I may not do your kind of work.”
“Wally Millard, in New York, says you might be able to help.”
“Oh, okay, then. How about one o’clock, in my offi ce?”
“Then we’re good.”
“You have the address?”
“No.”
Manny gave it to him, then hung up and called Wally Millard.
“Millard.”
“Hey, Wally, it’s Manny White.”
“Hey, Manny, how you doin’? Funny you should call. I sent you some business yesterday.”
“Yeah, he just called. Who is he?”
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S t u a r t W o o d s