1 January

“Hullo? Hullo?”

“Is this Mr. Lawrence Coffey?”

“Yeah. Who the fuck is this?”

“Never mind. I’m calling to ask if you want your kid back.”

“What? Who is this, goddamn it? For Christ’s sake, it’s three o’clock in the fucking morning! You’ve got—”

“Just answer the question, Mr. Coffey. Do you want your kid back?”

“You’re damn right I want my kid back! What’s more, I’m going to get him back. Now—”

“Then just keep your mouth shut, Mr. Coffey. That’s all you got to do. You don’t talk to anybody about anything, that’s all there is to it. Not a soul. You just keep your mouth shut a little while, and everything will take care of itself.”

Click.

“Who’s this calling? Who is this?”

“Georgie, is that you?”

“Yes, I’m here.”

“I think he just hung up.”

“But who was it?”

“I don’t have the foggiest. Did you hear?”

“Yes. I’m coming down.”