Chapter 82 Section five

"You better have a good reason for calling this number." doodle. "I'm Steve Decker. I'm calling again. I have something important to discuss with Mr. Giordano. It concerns Diana Scolari and..." A man on the other end picked up the phone.There was that tone of command in his voice. "What do you know about Diana Scolari?" "I want to speak to Mr. Giordano." "I am Mr. Giordano," said the man angrily. "You're not Nick Giordano. Your voice sounds too young." "My father doesn't answer calls from strangers. Tell me about Diana Scolari."

"And Brian McKittrick." "Does this name mean anything to me?" "Let your father speak." "You can tell me anything you want to say about Diana Scolari." Decker hung up, waited two minutes, put another coin into the payphone, and dialed the same number. No answering machine this time.Instead, halfway through the first bell, a hoarse old male voice said, "I'm Nick Giordano." "I was talking to your son about Diana Scolari just now." "And Brian McKittrick." The voice sounded nervous. "My son said you also mentioned Brian McKittrick."

"Exactly." "How do I know you're not a cop?" "When we meet, you can search me to make sure I don't have a transponder on me." "That doesn't mean you're not a cop." "Hey, if you're that paranoid, there's no point in making an appointment." For a brief moment, both sides were silent. "Where are you?" "Southern Manhattan." "Stand at the Flatiron Building near Fifth Avenue, and a car will pick you up there in an hour. How does the driver know it's you standing there?" Decker glanced at Esperanza. "I have two dozen yellow roses in my hand."