“Plan B?” Eddie was incredulous. “Are you sure?”
“That’s what he said.”
“But.” Eddie opened and closed his mouth. “Man. Are you?” He shook his head.
“Shit.”
“I know.” Allan nodded. “I know.”
“Well,” said Eddie, standing. “We better get on with it, then.”
***
Allan and Eddie stood by the car.
It was the only protocol Sam insisted on.
They would call when they arrived. Sam would say he’d be right down.
They’d wait for him to get up, have a coffee and a shower. Then, when they saw the private lift start to rise to the penthouse, they’d get out the car.
As the lift returned Allan would walk to the lift door to meet his old friend. He’d take his case, and put it in the boot of the car.
Eddie would hold the back door open and, once Sam was settled, cross to the other side and get in.
Finally Allan would get in and drive.
***
The first stop was a meeting with a supplier at an old meeting house that was rumoured to be the second most protected building in The Tow.
Only Jefe’s was more secure.
However, once they arrived, they were told there was a problem with the room. With much apology from the old man who ran the place, they were kept in a waiting hall for half an hour. As they were, eventually, seated, Sam quietly told the owner that, if that ever happened again, security or not, he’d have the building burned to the ground before the day was out.
Eddie watched the from the corner of the room. That was his job. Any twitch that was out of place, he’d note it; remember when it happened and, five minutes later, lean in and whisper to his boss about it. Five minutes after that, Sam would refer to it.
Meetings with Sam were torturously long.
Eddie walked up to Sam for the fifth time this meeting, leaned in and whispered “Boss, I’m breaking me neck for a piss. Any chance I can slip out for one?”
Sam kept his lips from twitching and kept his head straight. If he looked at his mate he’d dissolve into a fit of giggles. “I see.” He said. “Very well.”
Eddie walked back to his corner and signaled to the camera. 30 seconds later the chamber hissed open.
“We’ll break here,” announced Sam. “Coffee, I think.”
Eddie nipped out and met the old man in the toilet. “Well?”
“Well, we have no idea what we’re dealing with. Tech from up top could be light years beyond what we know about. But – as far as my system can tell…”
***
The meeting continued.
After a 20 minute, unbroken stretch, Sam glanced at Eddie, who shook his head.
Sam nodded slowly. Took a deep breath and turned to the supplier.
“Well, that seems to be in order. Organise the shipment and we’ll deal with the paper work.
They shook hands and left.
***
The rest of the meetings were scattered around town. A mixture of meet and greets, personal appearances and some charity work. That done, the ritual was reversed.
Allan retrieved the case walked with Sam to the lift door, and handed it to him.
Sam stepped into the lift and smiled.
