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Wearing well-worn jeans, a black T-shirt, and a cheap parka, Derek lingered at one of the numerous kiosks, turning a Samsung MP3 player over in his hands and studying it with intense concentration, as if he were deciding whether or not to buy.
“Looks like the real thing and a helluva deal,” he muttered. “Too bad it’s really a piece of crap worth about two bucks.”
The seller—an Asian-American in his early twenties named John Lee, whose scrawny build was swallowed up by his navy ski jacket—stared back at Derek, his black almond eyes unblinking, his features inscrutable.
“If you say so,” he answered in unaccented English. “I say otherwise. And I have the warranty and user manual to prove it.”
“Yeah, well, let’s say I’m a skeptic.”
“Then it’s good you’re not here to buy. I save my sales pitch for serious shoppers.”
“Gullible shoppers, I think you mean.”
“That’s your take, not mine. Cash is cash.”
Derek leaned forward, pointing at the MP3 player as if he were asking a question about how it worked. “So what’s the word on the street?” He kept his voice low, although the corner they were on was fairly deserted.
Lee looked around furtively before replying. “The meeting’s happening tomorrow night.”
“Where and when?”
“Nom Wo Club. Two A.M.”
No surprise there. The Nom Wo Club was one of Lo Ma’s most profitable gambling parlors. “And the agenda? Property damage or bloodshed?”
“Depends on how it goes. Could be either. Could be both.”
“Who’s showing up?”
“Enforcers on both sides, the Red Dragons and the Black Tigers. Plus backup. I’m not sure how many. But I do know it’s not just the kids.”
“And you’re sure you can get in?”
“No sweat. I’m a regular. I play there three nights a week.”
“Only this time you’ll play with an electronic listening device.” Derek reached into his pocket. “Come to the field office at one o’clock tomorrow afternoon. I’ll prep you and set you up.”
Lee wet his lips with the tip of his tongue. “I can’t be seen at your offices.”
“Give me a break, Lee.” Derek counted out two tens and a five. “Your crowd doesn’t hang out at Federal Plaza. Plus, they’re not even awake until two in the afternoon. You’ll be long gone by then.”
“And this listening device?”
“Tiny. And too well concealed to be spotted. You’re cool.”
A pause, as Lee considered his options. “Yeah, okay,” he agreed. He eyed the bills in Derek’s hand, his gaze shifting to the MP3 player. “You buying that?”
“Hell, yeah.” Derek’s tone was laced with sarcasm as he tossed Lee the bills. “A Samsung MP3 player with an OLED display for twenty-five bucks? That’s a steal.”
Lee shoved the money into his pocket.
“Don’t forget the warranty and user manual,” Derek reminded him. “You can’t be too careful these days. Everyone’s out to rip you off.”
With a grunt, Lee handed over the fake papers. “Sucks, doesn’t it?”
85 West Cocktail Bar
Marriott Hotel World Financial Center
