The Millionaires

23

“You sure this is a good idea?” I ask, keeping lookout as Charlie punches the number into the Excelsior Hotel’s payphone. It may not be the best hotel in the city, but it is the closest one with the best selection of phonebooks.

“Oliver, how else do you plan on getting on a plane?” he counters as he puts the receiver to his ear. “If we use our real IDs, we’re fools; if we use our credit cards, they track us.”

“Then maybe we should check out some other forms of transportation.”

“Like what? Renting a car and driving? You still need a credit card and ID…”

“What about the train?”

“Oh, please – you really wanna spend two days riding Amtrak? Every second we waste lets the Secret Service tighten the thumbscrews. Trust me, if we want to get out of town, this is our best option.”

Unconvinced, I lean in and make him share the receiver. In my ear, the phone rings for the third time. “C’mon…” Charlie grumbles, staring down at the New Jersey Yellow Pages. “Where the hell are y-”

“Law offices,” Bendini answers without the slightest stutter. “Whattya need?”