He looked surprised. “Did I hear right?” he asked in tones of wonderment. “Did I hear you say you were less than one hundred percent thrilled with your life in crime?”

“Piss off,” I quipped wittily. “Just look at those shell suits! They’re the business. If this wasn’t a surveillance operation, I’d be over there right now buying those suits. Take a look at the colors!” I couldn’t take my eyes off two of the suits, one gold, one teal blue. I just knew I’d look wonderful in those colors.

Richard got to his feet. “Poor old Brannigan,” he teased. “But I’m not working.” He moved towards the neighboring table.

“Richard!” I wailed. A couple of heads turned and I lowered my voice to a piercing whisper. “Don’t you dare!”

He shrugged. “Who’s to know? Anybody asks you, I bought them for you as a present. You didn’t have to know they were copies, did you?”

“That’s not the point,” I hissed. “I do know. Sit down right now before you blow me out of the water.”

Richard reluctantly did as I asked him. His face had sulk written all over it. “I thought you wanted one,” he muttered.

“Of course I do. I also want a Cartier tank watch, but I can’t afford the real thing. I dare say if Dennis had offered me a copy before I got involved in this assignment, I’d have bought it. But this job changes things. I’m sorry, Richard, I know you were trying to please me. And if you want one for yourself, I won’t mind.”

Richard shook his head. “You and your bloody morals,” he commented darkly.

“Oh, come on! Who was it who read me a lecture a couple of months ago about how immoral it is to make tapes of my albums for my friends when it means taking the bread out of the mouths of poor, starving rock stars like Jett?” I reminded him.

He grinned. “OK, Brannigan, you win. Now, have you seen enough, or do I have to spend the whole day in this dump?”

I glanced over at the next table. The man had got to his feet, empty-handed, and was heading over towards the door, followed by most of his audience. I guessed the rest of his stock was in his car outside. “I’m nearly done,” I told him. “Let’s just