Page 117 of The List

“Involving what?”

“Bozin left a list of some of your more recent Priorities. It really irritated the hell out of me that one of the guys you whacked was a client. That untimely death cost me $100,000 in hard-earned fees.”

“And what do you want? Payment?”

“I’m a reasonable guy, Hamilton. The way I look at it, the past is the past. What I care about is the future. Seems to me the two of us could work well together.”

“Why would I want to do that?”

“To keep me from doing what I told Reed and Walker I would do.”

“Which is?”

“Go to the press and the appropriate prosecuting authorities with what I have.”

“And what’s to stop me from simply—” Lee paused. “Eliminating the problem?”

He smiled. “You don’t know what I’ve done or where I’ve put everything. And even if you did Prioritize me, you’d still have the problem of Reed and Walker. Dealing with me comes with the benefit that I’ll handle them for you.”

“And how will you do that?”

“Don’t worry. I’ll deal with them. And without all the risky killing you like to use. They won’t be a problem.”

“What if I don’t need your help?”

“I’m betting you can use all you can get.”

“Assuming for the sake of discussion that I may be interested in such an arrangement, what do you want in return?”

He grinned, pleased with the progress. “All I want are some generous settlements on the workers’ comp claims I’ll have against the company. Your people have an irritating habit of fighting hard. That’s fine as long as I’m assured you’ll settle in the end… on my terms. And don’t worry, I’ll be fair with you. I won’t take advantage. Just some reasonable dollars that not only fatten my pockets—”

“But help establish a reputation for you at the same time.”

“Exactly. While you continue with your Prioritizing. Which, by the way, will not include any of my claimants. Kill off the other comp lawyers’ cases, but leave my guys alone. Also, you’re right, I want the money Pabon’s death cost me… in cash.”

“You’ve obviously given things a great deal of thought.”

“I try to be thorough, Hamilton. Especially when it comes to my law practice.”

“I have to think about all this.”

“I understand. Really, I do.” He rose. “I’ll be in Atlanta till Tuesday. I’m staying at the Regency Arms, downtown. Take your time. But if I don’t hear from you by Tuesday noon, I’ll assume you’re ready to read all about yourself in theAtlanta Constitutionon Wednesday.”

Lee stood. “I assure you, Mr. Greene, you’ll be hearing from me long before then.”

1:20P.M.

LEE WAITED FORTY-FIVE MINUTES FORDEFLORIO TO RETURNhis call. He picked up the receiver in the library. “Jon, I want you and your associates back in Atlanta immediately.”

“Is there a problem?”

“We have a matter that needs immediate attention.”

“What about Reed and Walker?”

“Forget them, for now. The problem’s here, not there.”

“How will I receive instructions?”