'Did you talk to Abanks?' 'Yes.' 'Did he get the money?' 'Yes. It was wired on Friday.' 'Is he ready?' 'He said he was.' 'Good. What about the man who's making us new documents?' 'They call him the Doctor. I'm meeting him this afternoon. He's an old friend of Eddie's. Eddie said he was the best in the country.' 'I hope so. We need new names. Are you OK for money?' 'I've nearly finished the fifty thousand you gave me.' 'How about another fifty thousand?' 'Fine.' They smiled at each other as he left. ♦ Late that night Ray McDeere walked out of prison. It was as easy as that. A guard came to fetch him. 'I don't know who your friends are,' he said, 'but they must be important.' He took him out to the prison walls. 'The lights are going to go off for a while,' he said. 'You'll find a rope ladder on the wall. All you have to do is climb over the wall. Someone will meet you on the other side. I don't believe this. Your face will be all over the papers tomorrow, but tonight you can do what you want.' Twelve hours later Ray was in Mobile, Alabama.
Chapter 20
Major Trouble
On Wednesday morning Tarry Ross climbed the stairs to the fourth floor of the hotel. Vinnie Cozzo opened the door at his knock. 56
