“I inherited it, Teddy, from a great-aunt, and now I have to spend the rest of my life scrambling to keep it.”

“Whatever you say, lad.”

Stone handed Teddy a stiff scotch. “I’ve got a night’s work for you. There’s five grand in it.”

“How many children and dogs do I have to murder?”

“It’s a straightforward bedroom job, that’s all.”

Teddy laughed aloud. “Straightforward? Shit, the last bedroom job I did, the woman flew out of the bed and nearly bit my ear off!”

“Those are the risks you take, Teddy.”

“That they are, lad. What’s the setup?”

Stone explained about the apartment building. “There are only two apartments to a floor; you’ll be booked into 9-B. The wife will be across a vestibule in 9-A. You let yourself in—late, I’m advised—find the bedroom, wake the occupants, and take their picture.” He opened the aluminum case and showed Teddy how the camera worked. “You switch on the light; the camera is autofocus, so you just point and shoot. Make sure you get good shots of both faces, and show us a little flesh, if you can. The juicier the better.”

“I think I understand your needs,” Teddy said. “And I’ve used this camera before. Is there anything else I should know?”

Stone shook his head. “If there’s trouble, don’t hurt anybody; if you’re apprehended, say nothing and call me. My client will cover any costs. If a case against you comes to anything, there’ll be another five thousand for you, if you do the right thing.”

“Don’t worry, I’m not getting myself apprehended, and if I do, I’ll take the rap. Nobody’ll trace me back to you. Can I get a look at the place ahead of time?”

Stone shook his head. “I don’t want the concierge to see you twice. I’ll look it over myself.”

“That’s okay with me.”

“Good. When you’ve done the job, take a cab to P. J. Clarke’s and have a drink at the bar. Make sure nobody’s after you. I’ll be there, and, when I’m sure you’re clear, I’ll leave an envelope above the urinal in the men’s room with the five grand in it. You go in immediately after me, leave the camera case, take the money, and go home. That’s it.”

Teddy nodded. “Sounds fine.”

“I don’t want you recognized, Teddy. What can you do about that?”

Teddy put on his hat, took a pair of heavy, black-rimmed glasses from his coat pocket, put them on, then produced a fat cigar and stuck it in his mouth, distorting his face.

Stone laughed. “Good. Simple and good. Oh, and wear your best suit. You want to look prosperous.”

Teddy nodded. “When is it?”