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“I’ll buy you breakfast on the Empire.”
When he entered the diner, Bell was already seated next to an exquisitely dressed gent about their age. Bell jumped up and intercepted him before he reached the table. “Thanks for coming.”
“Of course I came. I’ve been worried. It’s been a while. Since . . . well, you know what since. How are you, Isaac?”
“Keeping busy,” said Bell. “Best thing when you have a lot on your mind.”
“Where’ve you been all month?”
“Back and forth to Chicago. Practically living on the 20th Century. Would you do me a favor?”
“Sure.”
“I’m stopping at Croton—appointment at Pocantico Hills. Would you help that gentleman onto the Ossining train?”
“What’s wrong with him? He looks fit.”
Bell handed Archie a key. “You’ll have to unlock him from the table.”
“Oh. Ossining. Sing Sing. Who are you taking to jail?”
“Laurence Rosania.”
“Rosania?”
Upon hearing his name shouted the length of the car, the Chicago jewel thief tossed Archie Abbott an elegant salute.
“Come on,” said Bell, “I’ll introduce you. High time you met.”
“Isaac! He was mine. I almost had him.”
“I just couldn’t think of a better way to keep busy than to catch a jewel thief.”
—
“Of all the terrible accusations voiced against you,” Isaac Bell told John D. Rockefeller, “I have never heard it said that you don’t pay your debts.”
“You’re implying I owe you something?” the old man said coldly.
“You owe me your life. Twice. Bill Matters in Germany and his daughter in Westchester. Not to mention most of your refinery.”
“I am disappointed in you,” said Rockefeller. “You never struck me as the sort of man who would try to cash in on saving my life.”
“I’m saving another life.”
“What will this ‘debt’ cost me?”
“You will pay me in full by granting Edna Matters an exclusive interview.”
“I never submit to interviews.”
“Speak to her openly and freely for as long as it takes and you and I will be even.”
Rockefeller sat silently for a time.
When he spoke he said, “I’m told Miss Matters is in bad shape.”
“Very bad shape,” said Bell. “She lost her father and she lost her sister. She loved them both.”
