The Archfornicator of Canterbury

76 Black is Black

The phone rang in Richard Black's office.

"Black."

"Avon calling."

"Where are you Jack."

"Somewhere over the rainbow. Do you have the money."

"It's here. Do you have the stone."

"Never leave home without it. Here's what I want you to do. Put the money in a suitcase and bring it personally to Café Olé. Maybe you remember where it is. It's the one you tried to have me killed in some time ago."

"You're exaggerating as always Jack. I know where it is. When."

"Right now would be a good time. You have ten minutes. And tell the Neanderthal brothers to stay home. Give them something to keep them busy. A coloring book or something."

"I can't make it in ten."

"You'd better if you want your stone."

The line went dead. Black reached into his desk drawer and pulled out a Glock 17, exactly like the one Jack dropped in the trash at Apollinaris airport. He holstered the weapon, put on his jacket and headed down to the garage with the heavy suitcase full of US dollars. On the way down, he reached for his VHF radio.

"Eagle Two this is Eagle One. Do you copy. Over."

"Eagle One this is Eagle Two. Read you loud and clear. Over."

"The bird is back at the coop. Repeat. The bird is at the coop. Catch the bird on the corner when he flies. Over."

"Copy that Eagle One. Over and out."

There was no way that Jack could get away this time, Black thought.