'We would prefer that you desist.'
'Because?'
'Because it is in the best interest of the United States.'
'How so?' I said.
'I'm sorry,' he said. 'I'm afraid I can't share that with you.'
'What a shame.'
'And if that is unpersuasive,' he said, 'I might suggest that it would be very much in your best interest as well.'
I finished my sub. It was excellent. But that was true of almost all subs.
'Agreed?' Pale Fingers said.
I finished the rest of my drink.
'Buzz off,' I said.
The guy at my desk was tenting his fingers again. He glanced at the blond guy. The blond guy was still giving me the hard eye.
'Are you sure you want to provoke the animosity of your government?' Pale Fingers said.
His mouth was tight and his eyes, even magnified by his glasses, looked very small.
'If this be treason,' I said, 'let us make the most of it.'
'Unless you reconsider,' Pale Fingers said, 'we may find reason to investigate you.'
'Given your track record,' I said, 'I remain undaunted.'
'And a tax audit is not impossible.'
'Yikes,' I said.
Pale Fingers and the blond guy looked at each other. Pale Fingers shrugged. The blond guy shrugged back. Pale Fingers stood.
'You'll hear from us again,' he said.
'Oh good,' I said. 'I hate when friendships sour.'
We all looked at each other for a moment. None of us seemed scared. When they left, I made myself a fresh drink and went around behind my desk and reclaimed my chair. I put my feet up and looked at the open door into the bright, empty hallway, and thought.
16
I met Epstein for breakfast in a coffee shop near his office. He was there when I arrived, sitting at a table, drinking coffee.
'Get a couple of these inside you and the day looks better,' he said.
A waitress brought me orange juice and coffee. I drank the juice, put cream and sugar in my coffee, stirred, and had a sip. Epstein was right. Orange juice and coffee never let you down.
'This conversation going to be long enough so we should eat?' I said.
'We'd be fools not to,' Epstein said.
I had a raspberry scone. Epstein had two eggs sunny-side up, bacon, home fries, and a bagel.
'Maintaining the old cholesterol?' I said.
'Except for the bagel,' Epstein said. 'The bagel's a gesture toward my heritage.'
'On that basis, I should have had the potatoes,' I said.
'You want to know why I offered to buy you breakfast?' Epstein said.
'I figured you wanted some law enforcement tips.'
'That too,' Epstein said. 'But I been thinking about your old murder case.'
'Emily Gordon,' I said.
'Yes. I was thinking it might help matters a little if you knew the name of the agent in charge of the investigation.'
'There was an investigation?'
'Well, we normally look into bank robberies.'
My scone had a light brush of frosting on the top, which seemed to me an excellent touch.
'So who looked into this one,' I said.
'Of course,' Epstein said, 'I am not at liberty to give you his name.'
'Of course,' I said.
