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Back Loitering With Intent Save as PDF
Chapters (64)
  1. Stuart Woods
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  64. AUTHOR’ S NOTE

MANNY’S SECRETARY BUZZED 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?”

“He doesn’t want to do names. Calls himself Joe. But I’ve done a couple jobs for the guy, and he’s always been straight with me. Pays well and on the dot, too.”

“Okay. If you’re vouching for the guy, he can’t be all bad.”

“I was never sorry I worked for him,” Wally said.

“Thanks, pal,” Manny said, then he hung up.

WE’RE ON FOR one o’clock,” Evan said.

“Then we’d better get started,” Stone said. He called the airport and asked for his airplane to be refueled and pulled out of the hangar.

56

56

STONE LANDED AT Tamiami Airport, rented a car and drove to South Beach. When they were a block from Manny White’s office building, he stopped. “Okay, you take the car from here,” he said to Evan. “Put my cell phone number in your personal phone on a speed-dial button, so if you get into trouble you can call us. When you’re done, drive back to this point and pick us up.”

“Okay,” Evan said.

“There’s parking behind his building, and you can go in the rear entrance.”

“Got it.”

Stone had the feeling he was a lot more nervous than Evan. “Don’t hurry it; he’ll think you’re panicky.”

“When do I want this hit done?”

“As soon as possible. Tell him you’re under some time pressure, but don’t tell him why. Tonight is okay, tomorrow. Don’t agree to anything later than that, and insist on knowing when they’re going to do it. Tell him you want to be well away from the action.”

“Okay. Can I go now?”

Stone and Dino got out of the car, and he drove away.

MANNY WHITE’S SECRETAR Y buzzed him. “Mr. White,” she said, “your appointment is here.”