Part 6 (1/2)
”G.o.d is the one who gave you a sick son. I'm the one who's going to give you a healthy one. You should reconsider who the real Almighty is.”
”I...” Andrew didn't know how to respond to such incredible arrogance.
”Now, let's talk about the money transfer,” the Broker said.
”The payment is processed in advance and the delivery will occur within the same week. The procedure will take place in a Mexican hospital of our choice, and we will appoint an escort for you who will be with you throughout the trip and procedure. You should know-”
”Wait! You don't understand.” Andrew pulled his hair. ”We can't wait a week and my son won't survive the trip.”
”It's unfortunate you waited this long, then. I'm afraid this is the best I can do.”
* 56 *
”No, you don't understand. My son is dying. Right now, as we speak. Do you understand what I'm telling you?”
”I'm sorry your negligence is going to cost you your son.”
”My what?” Andrew exploded. ”I've done everything possible.”
”Clearly too late,” came the cold reply. ”I'm sorry I can't help you any further.”
”Wait. Please, wait,” he pleaded as he felt his only hope slip away. ”Help me in twenty-four hours and I'll double the money.”
”This isn't about money. It's about time.”
”Surely you can do something for four hundred thousand dollars.”
This time the Broker didn't answer immediately. He heard more clicking. Please let something show up.
”Not possible.”
The finality of the words. .h.i.t him like a tornado. He sat down on the pavement, defeated. He was about to disconnect when a couple and their young son pa.s.sed by.
”Are you okay, mister?” the boy, roughly his son's age, asked before his parents pulled him away.
”I'm going to hang up now,” the Broker said.
”Six hundred thousand.” When no reply came, he repeated the amount. ”In twenty-four hours. You can't possibly turn that-”
”I'm going to need your name and your son's to complete the purchase.”
”Yes!” he shouted. Now all he had to do was reveal his ident.i.ty.
He knew the risk he was taking, but he'd gotten this far and wasn't about to second-think his decision.
”My son is Matthew Schuster.” He wiped the sweat from his forehead. ”I'm Andrew Schuster.”
”Noted.”
”For obvious reasons, maximum discretion is necessary.”
”I am discreet with all my customers, regardless of their social status or...employer. Give me a moment, please.” The silence that ensued was so lengthy Andrew feared they'd been disconnected. By the time the cold voice returned he was near panic. ”Please note the account number for the transfer.”
* 57 *
Andrew fumbled in his jacket for a pen and paper. ”I'm listening.” He scratched down the number.
”The deal will close only after we receive your payment.”
”You'll have the money within the hour.”
”Should it not be there in the full agreed amount by midnight, the consequences are obvious.”
”It'll be there.”
”Your son is at home, correct?”
”Yes.”
”The delivery and procedure will take place tonight, a.s.suming of course the transaction is complete. Be ready to transport him to Forrest General Hospital in Brooklyn as soon as you get the call.”
”Thank you for-” Andrew said, but the line was already dead.
The Broker perused the four matches that came up on the computer: a thirty-seven-year-old woman from Queens, a forty-nine-year-old Brooklyn man, a twenty-four-year-old Chinatown busboy, and a twenty-year-old student who lived on the Lower East Side. Schuster's status and the price they'd agreed on ensured delivery of the highest quality merchandise possible, so the two young men were the best candidates. But since they'd be least likely to be home at ten p.m., the delivery team would get all four addresses, prioritized by the age and health of the prospective donor.
The computer genius on the payroll kept their donor list current with semi-annual hacking forays into the patient records of several area hospitals. Those included on the list had to be single and living alone, in good health, under age fifty, and a registered organ donor.
The Broker ordinarily resisted utilizing the kidnap-and-murder method of donor procurement, but the kind of money that Schuster had offered made it worth the risks involved.
After dispatching the three-man delivery team, the Broker dialed the director of Forrest General to begin preparations.
* 58 *
Eddie Cochran's cell rang as he emerged from the Delancey Street subway station, two blocks from his studio apartment.
”Where are you, dude?” his friend Jason shouted with annoyance over the din of thumping club music and laughter. ”The place is crawling with new blood. I need my wingman.”
”I'll be there in twenty,” Eddie promised him. ”Got hung up at the library.”
”You really need to chill about the chemistry final. You know you'll ace it. Now get the h.e.l.l down here and let's get this party started.”
”Save me a cute blonde.” Eddie shrugged off his backpack as he scaled the steps of his building and fished through it for his keys. He'd just closed his hand over them when a voice from behind startled him.
”Hey, man. Got a delivery here for an Edward Cochran. You know him?”