The Millionaires

51

“Secret Service – this is Marta.”

“Hi, Marta,” Quincy said calmly into his speakerphone. “I’m looking for Agent Jim Gallo…”

“One moment and I’ll transfer you to a supervis-”

“I don’t want to be transferred – I’ve already been transferred twice.” Sitting with his hands folded tightly on his desk, Quincy was determined to keep his cool. After last night’s partner meeting… there’d already been enough yelling. Even threatening. Now, though – now was the time for calm. “The supervisor I spoke to transferred me back to Agent Gallo’s voicemail. It doesn’t do me any good,” he explained. “Now can you please find him for me? It’s an emergency.”

“Is someone in physical danger, sir?”

“No, but he-”

“Then Agent Gallo will get back to you as soon as he returns.”

Tightening his grip on the phone, Quincy drummed his fingers against the crystal bowl of caramels on the corner of his desk. The candy was just for clients. Made grown men feel like boys. Beyond the crystal bowl – through the glass paneling next to his door – Quincy eyed the flurry of people who swarmed back and forth across the seventh floor. On the opposite end, the door to Lapidus’s office suddenly flew open and his partner stormed out. When Lapidus was walking that fast, there was only one place he was headed.

“Ma’am, you don’t understand,” Quincy insisted. “I need to find Agent Gallo. Now.”

“I’m sorry, sir – the supervisor transferred you back, and Agent Gallo isn’t at his desk.”

“Clearly he’s not at his desk. That’s why I want to know where he is.”

“Even so, sir, we don’t give out that information.”

“But he’s supposed to-”

“I’m sorry, sir – there’s nothing I can do.”

“But-”

“I’m sorry, sir. Have a good day.” There was a click on the line and a knock at the door. Quincy kept the receiver close as Lapidus stepped inside.

“Yeah… no… don’t worry – everyone’s sitting tight,” Quincy said into the phone. “Okay… Thanks, Jim… I’ll speak to you later.”

“You found Gallo?” Lapidus asked as Quincy hung up.

“Ask and thou shalt receive.”

“So what’d he say?” Lapidus asked.

“Nothing really – he won’t get into specifics.”

“Does he know where they are?”

“Hard to tell,” Quincy said as he reached for a caramel. “But if I had to guess, I’d say it won’t be long now – it’s just a matter of waiting it out.”