jg.thefirm-第21节

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　　He　sat　and　searched　for　any　small　sign　of　reassurance。　None。　The　partners　rolled　their　chairs　in　his　direction；　squeezing　together　in　the　process。　The　associates　surrounded　him　and　glared　downward。
　　〃What　is　it？〃　he　asked　meekly；　looking　helplessly　at　Avery。　Small　beads　of　sweat　surfaced　above　his　eyebrows。　His　heart　pounded　like　a　jackhammer。　His　breathing　was　labored。
　　Oliver　Lambert　leaned　across　the　edge　of　the　table　and　removed　his　reading　glasses。　He　frowned　sincerely；　as　if　this　would　be　painful。　〃We've　just　received　a　call　from　Nashville；　Mitch；　and　we　wanted　to　talk　with　you　about　it。〃
　　The　bar　exam。　The　bar　exam。　The　bar　exam。　History　had　been　made。　An　associate　of　the　great　Bendini　firm　had　finally　flunked　the　bar　exam。　He　glared　at　Avery；　and　wanted　to　scream；　〃It's　all　your　fault！〃　Avery　pinched　his　eyebrows　as　if　a　migraine　had　hit　and　avoided　eye　contact。　Lambert　eyed　the　other　partners　suspiciously　and　returned　to　McDeere。
　　〃We　were　afraid　this　would　happen；　Mitch。〃
　　He　wanted　to　speak；　to　explain　that　he　deserved　just　one　more　chance；　that　the　exam　would　be　given　again　in　six　months　and　he　would　ace　it；　that　he　would　not　embarrass　them　again。　A　thick　pain　hit　below　the　belt。
　　〃Yes；　sir；〃　he　said　humbly；　in　defeat。
　　Lambert　moved　in　for　the　kill。　〃We　aren't　supposed　to　know　these　things；　but　the　folks　in　Nashville　told　us　that　you　made　the　highest　score　on　the　bar　exam。　Congratulations；　Counselor。〃
　　The　room　exploded　with　laughter　and　cheers。　They　gathered　around　and　shook　his　hand；　patted　his　back　and　laughed　at　him。　Avery　rushed　forward　with　a　handkerchief　and　wiped　his　forehead。　Kendall　Mahan　slammed　three　bottles　of　champagne　on　the　table　and　began　popping　corks。　A　round　was　poured　into　plastic　wineglasses。　He　finally　breathed　and　broke　into　a　smile。　He　slugged　the　champagne；　and　they　poured　him　another　glass。
　　Oliver　Lambert　placed　his　arm　gently　around　Mitch's　neck　and　spoke。　〃Mitch；　we　are　very　proud　of　you。　This　calls　for　a　little　bonus。　I　have　here　a　firm　check　in　the　amount　of　two　thousand　dollars；　which　I　am　presenting　to　you　as　a　small　reward　for　this　achievement。〃
　　There　were　whistles　and　catcalls。
　　〃This　is；　of　course；　in　addition　to　the　substantial　raise　you　have　just　earned。〃
　　More　whistles　and　catcalls。　Mitch　took　the　check　but　did　not　look　at　it。
　　Mr。　Lambert　raised　his　hand　and　asked　for　quiet。　〃On　behalf　of　；　I　would　like　to　present　you　with　this。〃　Lamar　handed　him　a　package　wrapped　in　brown　paper。　Mr。　Lambert　peeled　it　off　and　threw　it　on　the　table。
　　〃It's　a　plaque　which　we　prepared　in　anticipation　of　this　day。　As　you　can　see；　it　is　a　bronzed　replica　of　a　piece　of　firm　stationery；　plete　with　every　name。　As　you　can　also　see；　the　name　of　Mitchell　Y。　McDeere　has　been　added　to　the　letterhead。〃
　　Mitch　stood　and　awkwardly　received　the　award。　The　color　had　returned　to　his　face；　and　the　champagne　was　beginning　to　feel　good。　〃Thank　you；〃　he　said　softly。
　　Three　days　later　the　Memphis　paper　published　the　names　of　the　attorneys　who　passed　the　bar　exam。　Abby　clipped　the　article　for　the　scrapbook　and　sent　copies　to　her　parents　and　Ray。
　　Mitch　had　discovered　a　deli　three　blocks　from　the　Bendini　Building　between　Front　Street　and　Riverside　Drive；　near　the　river。　It　was　a　dark　hole　in　the　wall　with　few　customers　and　greasy　chili　dogs。　He　liked　it　because　he　could　sneak　away　and　proofread　a　document　while　he　ate。　Now　that　he　was　a　full…blown　associate；　he　could　eat　a　hot　dog　for　lunch　and　bill　a　hundred　and　fifty　an　hour。
　　A　week　after　his　name　was　in　the　paper；　he　sat　by　himself　at　a　table　in　the　rear　of　the　deli　and　ate　a　chili　dog　with　a　York。　The　place　was　empty。　He　read　a　prospectus　an　inch　thick。　The　Greek　who　ran　the　place　was　asleep　behind　the　cash　register。
　　A　stranger　approached　his　table　and　stopped　a　few　feet　away。　He　unraveled　a　piece　of　Juicy　Fruit；　making　as　much　noise　as　possible。　When　it　was　apparent　he　was　not　being　seen；　he　walked　to　the　table　and　sat　down。　Mitch　looked　across　the　red…checkered　tablecloth　and　laid　the　document　next　to　the　iced　tea。
　　〃Can　I　help　you？〃　he　asked。
　　The　stranger　glanced　at　the　counter；　glanced　at　the　empty　tables　and　glanced　behind　him。　〃You're　McDeere；　aren't　you？〃
　　It　was　a　rich　brogue；　undoubtedly　Brooklyn。　Mitch　studled　him　carefully。　He　was　about　forty；　with　a　short　military　haircut　on　the　sides　and　a　wisp　of　gray　hair　hanging　almost　to　his　eyebrows。　The　suit　was　a　three…piece；　navy　in　color；　made　of　at　least　ninety　percent　polyester。　The　tie　was　cheap　imitation　silk。　He　wasn't　much　of　a　dresser；　but　there　was　a　certain　neatness　about　him。　And　an　air　of　cockiness。
　　〃Yeah。　Who　are　you？〃　Mitch　asked。
　　He　grabbed　his　pocket　and　whipped　out　a　badge。　〃Tar…ranee；　Wayne　Tarrance；　Special　Agent；　FBI。〃　He　raised　his　eyebrows　and　waited　for　a　response。
　　〃Have　a　seat；〃　Mitch　said。
　　〃Don't　mind　if　I　do。〃
　　〃Do　you　want　to　frisk　me？〃
　　〃Not　till　later。　I　just　wanted　to　meet　you。　Saw　your　name　in　the　paper　and　heard　you　were　the　new　man　at　Bendini；　Lambert　&　Locke。〃
　　〃Why　should　that　interest　the　FBI？〃
　　〃We　watch　that　firm　pretty　close。〃
　　Mitch　lost　interest　in　the　chili　dog　and　slid　the　plate　to　the　center　of　the　table。　He　added　more　sweetener　to　his　tea　in　a　large　Styrofoam　cup。
　　〃Would　you　like　something　to　drink？〃　Mitch　asked。
　　〃No；　thanks。〃
　　〃Why　do　you　watch　the　Bendini　firm？〃
　　Tarrance　smiled　and　looked　toward　the　Greek。　〃I　can't　really　say　at　this　point。　We　got　our　reasons；　but　I　didn't　e　here　to　talk　about　that。　I　came　here　to　meet　you；　and　to　warn　you。〃
　　〃To　warn　me？〃
　　〃Yes；　to　warn　you　about　。〃
　　〃I'm　listening。〃
　　〃Three　things。　Number　one；　don't　trust　anyone。　There's　not　a　single　person　in　that　firm　you　can　confide　in。　Remember　that。　It　will　bee　important　later　on。　Number　two；　every　word　you　utter；　whether　at　home；　at　the　office　or　anywhere　in　the　building；　is　likely　to　be　recorded。　They　might　even　listen　to　you　in　your　car。〃
　　Mitch　watched　and　listened　intently。　Tarrance　was　enjoying　this。
　　〃And　number　three？〃　Mitch　asked。
　　〃Number　three；　money　don't　grow　on　trees。〃
　　〃Would　you　care　to　elaborate？〃
　　〃I　can't　right　now。　I　think　you　and　I　will　bee　very　close。　I　want　you　to　trust　me；　and　I　know　I'll　have　to　earn　your　trust。　So　I　don't　want　to　move　too　fast。　We　can't　meet　at　your　office；　or　my　office；　and　we　can't　talk　on　the　phone。　So　from　time　to　time　I'll　e　find　you。　In　the　meantime；　just　remember　those　three　things；　and　be　careful。〃
　　Tarrance　stood　and　reached　for　his　wallet。　〃Here's　my　card。　My　home　number　is　on　the　back。　Use　it　only　from　a　pay　phone。〃
　　Mitch　studied　the　card。　〃Why　should　I　be　calling　you？〃
　　〃You　won't　need　to　for　a　while。　But　keep　the　card。〃
　　Mitch　placed　it　in　his　shirt　pocket。
　　〃There's　one　other　thing；〃　Tarrance　said。　〃We　saw　you　at　the　funerals　of　Hodge　and　Kozinski。　Sad；　really　sad。　Their　deaths　were　not　accidental。〃
　　He　looked　down　at　Mitch　with　both　hands　in　his　pockets　and　smiled。
　　〃I　don't　understand。〃
　　Tarrance　started　for　the　door。　〃Gimme　a　call　sometime；　but　be　careful。　Remember；　they're　listening。〃
　　A　few　minutes　after　four　a　horn　honked　and　Dutch　bolted　to　his　feet。　He　cursed　and　walked　in　front　of　the　headlights。　〃Dammit；　Mitch。　It's　four　o'clock。　What're　you　doing　here？〃
　　〃Sorry；　Dutch。　Couldn't　sleep。　Rough　night。〃　The　gate　opened。
　　By　seven…thirty　he　had　dictated　enough　work　to　keep　Nina　busy　for　two　days。　She　bitched　less　when　her　nose　was　glued　to　the　monitor。　His　immediate　goal　was　to　bee　the　first　associate　to　justify　a　second　secretary。
　　At　eight　o'clock　he　parked　himself　in　Lamar's　office　and　waited。　He　proofed　a　contract　and　drank　coffee；　and　told　Lamar's　secretary　to　mind　her　own　business。　He　arrived　at　eight…fifteen。
　　〃We　need　to　talk；〃　Mitch　said　as　he　closed　the　door。　If　he　believed　Tarrance；　the　office　was　bugged　and　the　conversation　would　be　recorded。　He　was　not　sure　whom　to　believe。
　　〃You　sound　serious；〃　Lamar　said。
　　〃Ever　hear　of　a　guy　named　Tarrance；　Wayne　Tarrance？〃
　　〃No。〃
　　〃FBI。〃
　　Lamar　closed　his　eyes。　〃FBI；〃　he　mumbled。
　　〃That's　right。　He　had　a　badge　and　everything。〃
　　〃Where　did　you　meet　him？〃
　　〃He　found　me　at　Lansky's　Deli　on　Union。　He　knew　who　I　was；　knew　I'd　just　been　admitted。　Says　he　knows　all　about　。　They　watch　us　real　close。〃
　　〃Have　you　told　Avery？〃
　　〃No。　No　one　but　you。　I'm　not　sure　what　to　do。〃
　　Lamar　picked　up　the　phone。　〃We　need　to　tell　Avery。　I　think　this　has　happened　before。〃
　　〃What's　going　on；　Lamar？〃
　　Lamar　talked　to　Avery's　secretary　and　said　it　was　an　emergency。　In　a　few　seconds　he　was　on　the　other　end。　〃We've　got　a　small　problem；　Avery。　An　FBI　agent　contacted　Mitch　yesterday。　He's　in　my　office。〃
　　Lamar　listened；　then　said　to　Mitch；　〃He's　got　me　on　hold。　Said　he　was　calling　Lambert。〃
　　〃I　take　it　this　is　pretty　serious；〃　Mitch　said。
　　〃Yes；　but　don't　worry。　There's　an　explanation。　It's　happened　before。〃
　　Lamar　held　the　receiver　closer　and　listened　to　the　instructions。　He　hung　up。　〃They　want　us　in　Lambert's　office　in　ten　minutes。〃
　　Avery；　Royce　McKnight；　Oliver　Lambert；　Harold　O'Kane　and　Nathan　Locke　were