“What do you want, Armando?”
“Mr. Savarese would be very grateful if you could spare him a few minutes, no more than five, of your time.”
“He wants to talk to me?” Payne asked, incredulously. “What about?”
“What Mr. Savarese hopes is that you will give him five minutes of your time, in person.”
“He wants to come here?”
“He would be grateful if you would permit him to do so.”
“What does he want?”
“He would prefer to discuss that with you in person.”
“What the hell is going on, Armando?”
“Mr. Savarese would like to ask a personal favor of you.”
“What kind of a personal favor?” Payne asked, just a little sharply.
There was a perceptible pause before Giacomo replied.
“It has to do with your daughter,” Giacomo said.
“My daughter?” Payne asked, genuinely surprised, and then, without giving Giacomo time to reply, asked another question. “Is he there with you?”
“Yes, as a matter of fact, he is.”
“I presume your client is aware that I do not accept criminal cases?”
There was another pause before Giacomo replied.
“Mr. Savarese has asked me to say that this is a personal matter and has nothing to do with the law.”
“But it has something to do with my daughter?” Payne asked, rhetorically. “And when would he like to come see me?”
“Right now, if that would be convenient,” Giacomo replied immediately. “For no more than five minutes.”
Now there was a pause before Payne replied.
“I’m giving you the benefit of the doubt, Armando, based on our past dealings.”
“But you will see Mr. Savarese?” Giacomo asked.
“You want to come right now? You are coming with him, Armando?”
“Yes. And yes.”
“Come ahead,” Payne said.
Payne replaced the telephone in its cradle, shrugged, and then pushed the button that would cause Mrs. Craig’s telephone to tinkle.
She didn’t answer.
She put her head in the door.
“You want me to find the Colonel?”