Part 7 (2/2)

”Fair Yes sir, quite fair What exactly can you do for me, or can we do for each other?”

”An even more accurate portrayal my friend, yes, do for each other” Alex paused for effect and to sip his Metaxa ”Sientleman to represent me for a period of perhaps, three oes well Would that fit into your schedule?”

”I see no reason that I htn't be able to, take a sabbatical from my sabbatical ifwell no should I put this”

”that you are adequately compensated to take time away from your valuable projects?”

”Yes, yes quite so Not that I am ordinarily for hire, you understand, it's just that” Alex detected a slight stutter as Sir George spoke

Alex held up both hands in a gesture of understanding ”No need to continue nize the exorbitant costs associated with your studies and would not expect your efforts, on e Toft was negotiating with a man he had never met, for a task as yet unstated The only reason he didn't feel the discom- fort that one should in such a situation is that he was in desperate need of er did seem to knoho he was, and did need his particular type of expertise, whatever that was

”What exactly do you require of me, Alex That is, what forht as well find out what he was supposed to do before nahed ”Merely to be e for that, and some travel, first class and all ex- penses to which you are accustomed, you will be handsoe's reaction to the proposed fees He was pleased hat he saw in George's face

Crikey, this is too good to be true What's the catch<d>

As George ruood fortune and the Metaxa, Alex contin- ued

”The job is quite simple, really, but requires a particular delicacy hich you are well acquainted Each day you will receive a list of names There will be instructions with each name Call them at the numbers provided Say only what is writ- ten Keep notes of each call you make and I will provide you with the means to transmit them to me in the strictest of confi- dence You and I will have no further personal contact, either if you accept or do not accept reeable terms, monies will be wired to a bank account in your nae an envelop ”This is an advance if you accept It is 25,000 American There is a phone number to call when you arrive in San Francisco Follow the instructions explicitly If you do not, there will be no lists for you, no additional monies and I ant thiswarmly but as serious as a heart attack

Alex scanned the contents of the envelope America He had alanted to see the States

”Yes, Alex, I do have one question Is this legal?” George peered at Alex for a clue

”Do you really care?”

”No”

”Off you go then And good luck”

Sir George Sterling arrived in San Francisco airport the follow- ing evening He flew first class and iree and his construed impor- tance What fun After the virtually nonexistent custo three tiht

”Welcoood flight” The voice was Aht attendant friendly ”Please check into the San Francisco Airport Hilton

You will receive a call at 11 AM toht” A dial tone replaced the lovely voice He dialed the nuain

A mechanical voice responded instead ”The nuer in service Please check the number or call the operator for assistance The nue dialed the nuave up in frustra- tion He had over 20,000 in cash, knew no one in America and for the first time in years, he felt abandoned What kind of joke was this? Fly half way around the world and be greeted with an out of service number But the first voice had known his name

The Hilton Why not?

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