“I think I can do that,” he lied.

“Excellent,” said Lecker.

“I’ll need some hazard pay in addition to my usual fee.”

“I thought we could keep it simple. I hate hourly billing arrangements, all the wrong incentives. I propose a success fee. Say, a hundred thousand dollars.”

Donny wondered if Lecker knew about his deal with Thelen. It should have been a lot of money to Donny, even though it would have been small potatoes for the lawyers like Lou he had come up with, and chump change for a master of the universe like Lecker. But for Donny, it was just enough to cover his immediate needs. Which made him feel all the more pathetic when he found himself begging for a little more, from this guy who was going to pay him to betray the people who trusted him. Betray them again.

“We can start there,” said Donny, trying to project confidence. “But I’ll need a bit more to cover my expenses.”

“Excellent,” said Lecker. “We can throw in another ten thousand up front for per diem. I will have our lawyers draw up the paperwork.”

“While you’re at it, have them send a notice to the court in New Orleans adding me as counsel on your case.”

Lecker nodded.

“And maybe see if you can throw in some life insurance,” said Donny. “Because not everyone there will be happy to see me.”

“You seem like you can be pretty persuasive when you need to get out of a jam,” said Lecker. “And assuming you’re referring to what I think, I for one appreciate you standing up for your principles. A rare thing these days. And the other part of why I was willing to consider this proposal.”

“Plenty of people stand up for what they believe in,” said Donny. “More than ever, I’d say. Like the people you want me to persuade to compromise just that. The problem is that what most people seem to believe in the most these days is the need for people who believe in something else to die.”

Lecker laughed, a sincere guffaw from deep in the belly.

Donny didn’t think it was funny.

“Strong punishments have their place,” said Lecker. “Especially in undisciplined societies. But you were absolutely right that our president, for all his failings, did not deserve to be executed for his politics.”

“He ordered the illegal execution of his own people, Doc. You can call it politics if you want, but it’s murder. The penalty should have been death. I just stood up for my belief that the state does not have the right to murder anyone. And I made my point, even if they killed him anyway.”

Lecker nodded. “Of course,” he said, wearing a knowing grin.

“Is this where you open the door and the disappearing president walks in, tanned, rested, and ready?”