“I wouldn’t think that for a moment,” Raymond said.

“Well, just to be sure,” Vinnie said. “You see, getting a body out of the morgue is no easy task, since they are open for business twenty-four hours a day, and they have a uniformed security man on duty at all times.”

“This isn’t necessary,” Raymond said. “I’d rather not be privy to the details, but I’m very appreciative of your efforts.”

“Be quiet, Dr. Lyons, and listen!” Vinnie said. He paused for a moment to organize his thoughts. “We were lucky because Angelo here knows a kid named Vinnie Amendola, who works in the morgue. This kid was beholden to Pauli Cerino, a guy Angelo used to work for but who is currently in jail. Angelo now works for me, and knowing what he knows, he was able to convince the kid to tell us exactly where Mr. Franconi’s remains were stored. The kid was also able to tell us some other information so we’d have some reason to be there in the middle of the night.”

At that moment the espressos arrived. They were brought in by Darlene Polson, whom Raymond introduced as his assistant. As soon as the coffees were distributed, Darlene left.

“Good-looking assistant,” Vinnie said.

“She’s very efficient,” Raymond commented. Unconsciously, he wiped his brow.

“I hope we’re not making you feel uncomfortable,” Vinnie said.

“No, not at all,” Raymond said a bit too quickly.

“So we got the body out okay,” Vinnie said. “And we disposed of it so it is gone. But as you can understand, it was not a walk in the park. In fact it was one big pain in the ass since we had so little time to plan it.”

“Well, if there is ever some favor I can do for you,” Raymond commented after an uncomfortable pause in the conversation.

“Thank you, Doctor,” Vinnie said. He polished off his espresso like he was drinking a shot. He put the cup and saucer on the corner of the desk. “You’ve said exactly what I was hoping you’d say, which brings me to why I’m here. Now, you probably know I’m a client just like Franconi was. More important, my eleven-year-old son, Vinnie Junior, is also a client. In fact, he’s more apt to need your services than I am. So we’re facing two tuitions, as you people call it. What I’d like to propose is that I don’t pay anything this year. What do you say?”

Raymond’s eyes dropped to his desk surface.

“What we’re talking about is a favor for a favor,” Vinnie said. “It’s only fair.”

Raymond cleared his throat. “I’ll have to talk to the powers that be,” he said.

“Now, that’s the first unfriendly thing you’ve said,” Vinnie added. “My information is that you are the so-called ‘powers that be.’ So I find this foot-dragging insulting. I’ll change my offer. I won’t pay any tuition this year or next year. I hope you comprehend the direction this conversation is taking.”