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“Why don’t I do that instead of Fred?”
“Because he might see you before he sees the report and be moved to act immediately.”
“Got it,” she said. She stuffed the letter into an envelope, addressed it, and went to deliver it to Fred.
—
Eddie Jr. sat in his car and phoned Bryce Newcomb.
“Yeah?”
“They’re gone. Meet me at my place in five.”
“Right.”
They both hung up and arrived at the building’s doorstep simultaneously.
“Let’s go make a plan,” Eddie said, opening the inside door.
“You’ve got mail,” Bryce said, taking the letter from the mailbox and handing it to him. “Hand delivered, too. No stamp.”
Eddie took the envelope and led the way to his apartment. Inside, he tossed his car keys and the envelope on the entrance hall table, then hung up his coat.
Eddie Jr. poured Bryce a drink, and they both sat down. “Now,” Eddie said, “you’re going to have to do the shooting.”
“Why me?” Bryce asked.
“Because everybody in that house knows my face or has seen a photograph of it. Nobody there knows you. While you’re doing it, I’ll be establishing a stainless-steel alibi.”
“And what will that be?” Bryce asked.
“I’ll get into a fight at P. J. Clarke’s.”
Bryce grinned. “What a great idea! You’ve already got a reputation there. Now give me some motivation.”
“Fifty grand. And I’ll do the planning, map it out for you. I’m good at that.”
“That’s right, you are,” Bryce said. “A hundred grand.”
“Seventy-five, but I’ll give you a sweetener. I’ll kill Sandy Beech for you.”
“Done,” Bryce said, offering his hand. “When and where?”
Eddie Jr. shook it. “That remains to be seen.”
“Aren’t you going to open the mysterious letter?”
Eddie picked up a legal pad and began to make notes. “Later. First, I have to plan two murders.”
SIXTY-ONE
Eddie had drawn an excellent floor plan of his father’s house, and he taught it to Bryce, room by room, switch by switch. He gave Bryce the little remote control for the entire house and showed him how to operate its various features. “Pay attention,” Eddie said. “There’s going to be a quiz.” Bryce paid attention and passed the quiz handily.
“Now,” Eddie said. “Show me how Sandy’s place looks.”
“Hers is simple,” Bryce said. “First of all, it’s right behind Barrington’s.”
“No kidding?” Eddie asked.
