Tower of Babel. Ted knew the story. Twenty-some years of Catholic education had not been wasted on him, but he had spent more time studying the Acts than Genesis. “I’m more of a New Testament guy,” he said.

“The Lord punished the people for their arrogance. They tried to build a tower to heaven, and he destroyed them by creating different languages, so that when they spoke, they couldn’t understand each other.”

“I remember something about Nimrod,” Ted said.

“An arrogant king.”

Ted didn’t remember that part. “A mighty hunter?”

“The god of the Hebrews will return and stop this abomination. Look around you here. The confusion of tongues has already begun.”

“Yeah, well, I think that’s been going on for quite a while now.”

The man straightened to his full height and glared angrily. His hands became apple-sized fists. As Ted was a full head taller and at least thirty years younger than the man, the effect was more comedic than threatening.

“Ron Reisner is the devil!” the man bellowed.

“You’ll get no argument from me.”

Somewhat mollified, the man relaxed his stance and took a step closer. “You carry a world of troubles, son. Lay down your load.”

“Are you a preacher?” Ted asked.

“One does not need to be ordained to see the light.”

Ted needed a guide. “You know the neighborhood?”

“My flock.”

There was no profit in being coy. Ted plunged ahead. “How about a lady named Barbara Miller?”

“The name is not unusual.”

“She owned property on the next block.”

“I don’t know her, but I can introduce you to people here who might. Why do you seek her?”

“She’s owed some money. I’d like to see she gets it. I can make it worth your while.”

The man shook his head in disbelief. “There is more to that story.”

Ted nodded in agreement. “And I plan on taking a cut. That’s what I do.”

“An honest thief.”

“Maybe. Maybe I’m only a mercenary.”

“Meet with me tomorrow morning, and I will introduce you to some of the people I watch over.”

Ted handed him a twenty. “Eleven o’clock all right?”

He took the bill reluctantly. “I don’t ask for handouts.”

“It’s not a handout. It’s payment in advance for services rendered. If this pans out, there will be more.”

“It will go to a good cause.”

Ted hoped that meant the man was going to get a hot meal rather than a cold drink.

Uber would be backed up taking Mets fans home. “Where’s the best place for me to get a cab around here?”

-12-

-12-

The next morning, Ted grabbed an egg sandwich on the corner and ate it while waiting for an Uber. Why was it tougher to get a ride after rush hour than during? He checked in with Lester after giving the driver his destination.