“Hello?” a feminine voice inquired.

“I’m here to see the doctor,” Vinnie said. “My name is Vinnie Dominick.”

There was a pause. Vinnie played with a bottle cap with the tip of his Gucci loafer. Franco and Angelo looked up and down the street.

The intercom crackled back to life. “Hello, this is Dr. Lyons. Can I help you?”

“I believe so,” Vinnie said. “I need about fifteen minutes of your time.”

“I’m not sure I know you, Mr. Dominick,” Raymond said. “Could you tell me what this is in reference to?”

“It’s in reference to a favor I did for you last night,” Vinnie said. “The request had come through a mutual acquaintance, Dr. Daniel Levitz.”

There was a pause.

“I trust you are still there, Doctor,” Vinnie said.

“Yes, of course,” Raymond said. A raucous buzzing sounded. Vinnie pushed open the heavy door and entered. His minions followed.

“I don’t think the good doctor is terribly excited to see us,” Vinnie quipped as they rode up in the small elevator. The three men were pressed together like cigars in a triple pack.

Raymond met his visitors as they exited the lift. He was obviously nervous as he shook hands with all three after the introductions. He gestured for them to enter his apartment and then showed them into a small, mahogany-paneled study.

“Coffee anyone?” Raymond asked.

Franco and Angelo looked at Vinnie.

“I wouldn’t turn down an espresso if it’s not too much trouble,” Vinnie said. Franco and Angelo said they’d have the same.

Raymond used his desk phone to place the order.

Raymond’s worst fears had materialized the moment he’d caught sight of his uninvited guests. From his perspective they appeared like stereotypes from a grade-B movie. Vinnie was about five-ten, darkly complected and handsome, with full features and slicked-back hair. He was obviously the boss. The other two men were both over six feet and gaunt. Their noses and lips were thin and their eyes were beady and deeply set. They could have been brothers. The main difference in their appearance was the condition of Angelo’s skin. Raymond thought it looked like the far side of the moon.

“Can I take your coats?” Raymond asked.

“We don’t intend on staying too long,” Vinnie said.

“At least sit down,” Raymond said.

Vinnie relaxed into a leather armchair. Franco and Angelo sat stiffly on a velvet-covered settee. Raymond sat behind his desk.

“What can I do for you gentlemen?” Raymond said, trying to assume a confident air.

“The favor we did for you last night was not easy to pull off,” Vinnie said. “We thought you’d like to know how it was arranged.”

Raymond let out a little, mirthless laugh through a weak smile. He held up his hands as if to ward off something coming his way. “That’s not necessary. I’m certain you…”

“We insist,” Vinnie interrupted. “It makes good business sense. You see, we wouldn’t like you to think that we didn’t make a significant effort on your behalf.”