Chapter 12 Chapter 12 The Charming Female Secretary

Lester Torrence, a teller at the First Commercial Bank of New Orleans, had always boasted of two things, one was his knack for seducing women, and the other was his eye for customers.Lester was in his forties and fifties, with a long, sallow face, a Tom Selleck moustache and long sideburns.He was sidelined twice for staff promotions, and as a form of revenge, he used the bank as a base for sex hunting.Lester could spot the kind of frivolous women from a mile away, and it was his greatest pleasure to take advantage of them without paying any price.A lonely widow is the easiest prey for his beak and claws.They look different, they are different ages, they face different challenges, but sooner or later they end up at the Leicester business window.If they were temporarily overdrawn, Lester would listen empathetically and hold off bouncing checks.To say thank you, perhaps find a secluded place to have dinner with her?Many female customers asked him for help, and confided to him a secret that they would never tell others: I want to borrow a sum of money, but I can’t let my husband know... Certain checks I have written must be kept secret... I plan to divorce, please help me settle it immediately A joint account with her husband... Lester is happy to please them, and of course he is willing to accept their courtship.

Speaking of which, on Friday morning, Lester knew he had luck.He saw the woman as soon as she entered the bank's door.She was a stunning beauty, with long black hair falling down her shoulders. The tight jumper and narrow skirt showed her pretty lines. Even a showgirl in Las Vegas would be ashamed. There were four other tellers in the bank.The young woman's eyes flitted from window to window, as if looking for someone who could help her.She glanced at Lester, who nodded quickly and smiled warmly at her.She went to his window—this was what Lester had expected. "Good morning," said Lester kindly, "how can I help you?"

He saw the cashmere tights bulge out of her protruding nipples.He thought: Baby, I really want to help you! "I have a problem," said the girl softly.Lester had never heard such a pleasant southern accent. "My job here," he said enthusiastically, "is to solve problems." "Oh, that's great. I think I've done something stupid." Lester has one of the most touching, fatherly smiles on his face, with the "it's on me" part of it."I can't believe a charming lady like you could do anything wrong," he said. "I did do something stupid." Her soft brown eyes were wide with horror.

"I'm Joseph Romano's secretary. He asked me to order a new batch of blank checks from the bank for him a week ago. I've forgotten all about it, and now the old checks are running out. He If it is found that I have not carried out his instructions, I don’t know how I will be punished.” The girl said these words in a soft voice. Joseph Romano, the name Leicester is too familiar.He was one of the richest customers the bank valued, even though he had only a modest sum in his account.Everyone knew that his main money was kept in secret. He really knows how to choose a secretary, Lester thought.He smiled at her again and said, "Oh, it's not a big deal. What's your name, madam? . . . "

"Miss Hartford. Lureen Hartford." Miss.How lucky you are today!Lester felt sure to catch a fat fish this time. "I'll order you a new batch of checks right now, and they'll be in your hands in two or three weeks, and then..." She let out a soft "ouch".That sweet voice aroused infinite and wonderful reverie in Lester's heart. "It's too late. Mr. Romano is already angry with me, and I'm too anxious to work anymore." She leaned forward, her chest touched the edge of the window, and said delicately, "If you can Send out that batch of checks early, and I'm willing to pay the extra service fee."

Lester said sadly, "Oh, Lorraine, I'm sorry, it can't be..." He saw her on the verge of tears. "To tell you the truth, I'll lose my job if I don't get this done. Please... I'll pay any price." Those words sounded like music to Lester's ears. "Let's do this," Lester said. "I'll give them a call and have them rush out these checks, and they'll be in your hands on Monday. Will that work?" "Oh, how kind of you!" she said gratefully. "I sent the check to your office..." "Better let me fetch it myself. I don't want Mr. Romano to know how stupid I am."

Lester smiled indulgently and said, "It's not stupid, Lulin. Everyone forgets things sometimes." She said kindly: "I will never forget your kindness. See you on Monday." "I'll be here for you on Monday." He wouldn't come to work unless his spine was broken. She smiled at him charmingly, and walked out of the bank slowly.Just her gait is already ecstasy.Lester happily walked to the file cabinet, found Joseph Romano's account number, and called someone to issue a new batch of checks urgently. The hotel on Carmen Street was like a hundred other hotels in New Orleans, which was why Tracy had chosen it.She had lived in this poorly furnished little room for a week.Compared with the prison cell, this place is already a paradise.

After her encounter with Lester, Tracy returns to the hotel.She took off her black wig, ran her fingers through her thick hair, removed soft contact lenses, and wiped the dark makeup off her face.Sitting in the only straight-backed chair in the room, she breathed a long sigh of relief.Things are going fairly well.Finding out where Joe Romano kept his money was not difficult.Tracy had been at her mother's house looking at a paid check from Romano. "Joe Romano? You don't mess with him," Ernestine said. Ernestine was wrong.The first person to mess with was Joe Romano, and then a few others.Everyone's account has to be settled.

She closed her eyes, recalling the miracle that saved her... She felt the cold, dark water of the lake go over her head.She was going to drown, and she was panicked and afraid.She sank to the bottom, reached for the girl, grabbed her, and dragged her to the surface.Amy struggled desperately, kicking her hands and feet, dragging her down together.Tracy's lungs were bursting, and while she held on to the little girl, she struggled to float to the surface, but she was already feeling exhausted.We can't float, she thought.We are going to die.She heard loud voices and felt that someone was taking Amy from her arms.She cried, "My God, my God, no!" She put a strong arm around Tracy's waist, and a voice said, "It's all right now, take it easy. The danger is over."

Terrified, Tracy searched for Amy with her eyes, and saw a man holding her safely on the surface of the water.After a while they were both dragged out of the deep, life-swallowing lake... This kind of thing should have been reported in an unimportant section of the morning newspaper, at most in a short paragraph, but this time it was a prisoner who couldn't swim and risked his life to save the warden's daughter.Overnight, newspaper and TV commentators painted Tracy as a heroine.Governor Harper visited Tracy in the prison hospital himself, along with Warden Brannigan. "You are very brave," said the warden. "Mrs. Brannigan and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts." He was too excited to speak.

Tracy was still weak after her narrow escape. "How's Amy?" "She's fine." Tracy closed her eyes.If something happens to her, I'll lose face, she thought.When the child needs love most, he is as cold as ice.Thinking of this, she was ashamed and ashamed.The incident cost her the chance to escape, but she knew that if it happened again, she would still make the same choice. There was a brief investigation into the incident. "It's all my fault," Amy said to her father. "We were playing with a ball, and Tracy went after it and told me to wait for her, but I climbed onto the embankment to get a better look and fell into the water. .It was Tracy who saved me, Dad." Tracy was kept in the hospital for observation that night, and the first morning she was taken to Warden Brannigan's office.People in the news media are waiting for her.They know what news is most interesting to the public.People from the United Press International and the Associated Press came, and the local TV station also sent an interview team. Tracy's heroic deeds made the news that night, and the national television network covered her rescue, and word spread far and wide. The news was picked up in Time, Newsweek, People Magazine and hundreds of newspapers across the country.As the press continued to report Tracy's deeds, letters and telegrams flooded the women's prison: asking for the pardon of Tracy Whitney. Governor Harper consulted with Warden Brannigan on the matter. "Tracey Whitney came here after a felony conviction," said Warden Brannigan. The Governor mused: "But she has no criminal record, has she, George?" "Yes, Governor." "I can tell you that I've been under a lot of pressure to do something to honor her." "I'm under the same pressure." "Of course, we can't listen to the public's command in managing prisons, don't you think so?" "yes." "On the other hand," added the Governor cautiously, "Ms. Whitney has indeed acted very bravely. She has become a hero." "There's no doubt about it," said Warden Brannigan. The governor was silent for a while, then lit a cigar. "What do you think should be done, George?" George Blanigan said carefully: "You know, Mr. Governor, I have a special interest in the matter personally—she saved my child. And, leaving that aside, I think Tracy Whitney is not a criminal. I am confident that her release will do no harm to society. I recommend without reservation that you order her pardon." The governor, who is about to announce his re-election bid, realizes that the warden's suggestion is a good idea. "Don't talk about this matter for the time being." In political struggles, timing is the key to victory. After conferring with her husband, Sue Eileen told Tracy: "Warden Brannigan and I would love to have you move into the cottage, there is a spare room in the back. You can take care of Amy all day." "Thank you," Tracy said gratefully, "I'd love to move in." This measure has achieved excellent results.Tracy doesn't have to be locked in a cage every night, and her relationship with Amy has changed radically.Amy loves Tracy very much, and Tracy returns love.She enjoyed being with this bright and sweet little girl.They played the old games together, watched Disney TV, and Tracy read to her.Tracy became almost part of the family. But whenever Tracy went to do anything in the prison, she was bound to run into Big Bertha. "You're lucky, you slut," said Bertha viciously, "but you'll be back with us soon. I'm working on something for you, little one." Three weeks after Amy's rescue, Tracy was playing tag with her in the yard when Sue Eileen Brannigan suddenly came out of the house.She stood there watching them play for a while. "Tracey, the warden just called and asked you to go to his office immediately." Tracy panicked.Are you sending me back to the cell?Is it because of big Bertha, or is it because Mrs. Brannigan thinks Amy and I are getting too close together? "Yes, Mrs. Brannigan." The warden was standing in the doorway when Tracy was brought into the office. "Sit down, please," he said. Tracy tried to guess her own fate from his voice. "I have something to tell you." He paused for a moment.He seemed to be filled with a feeling that Tracy couldn't understand. "I have just received an order from the Governor of Louisiana," said Warden Brannigan, "to grant you a full pardon, effective immediately." God, did I hear you right?She dared not say a word. "I want to tell you," continued the superintendent, "that it was not because you saved my child. At the critical moment you acted as unhesitatingly as any decent citizen. I can never imagine a man like you A threat to social security." He smiled and added, "Amy will miss you. We will too." Tracy was speechless.If the warden knew the truth of this matter, I don't know how he would feel: if the accident hadn't happened, his guards would be hunting her, a fugitive, now. "You will be released from prison the day after tomorrow." It's time for her to "fly".Yet Tracy still couldn't believe the good news. "I—I don't know what to say." "No need to say anything. We're all so proud of you. Mrs. Brannigan and I want you to do well when you get out." It seemed that this was indeed true: she was free.Tracy was so excited she could hardly bear it, and she had to grip the back of the chair to steady herself.She finally said in a decisive tone: "After I get out, I have a lot of things to do, Warden Brannigan." On the last day in prison, a female inmate from the same block approached Tracy and said, "Are you leaving?" "yes." The female prisoner's name was Betty Francisquez, she was in her forties, she was still charming and confident. "If you have trouble out there, you can find a man in New York. His name is Conrad Morgan." She handed Tracy a note. "He is very interested in the rehabilitation of prisoners and is willing to help those who have been in prison." "Thank you. But I'm afraid I won't need to—" "That might be. Leave the address." Two hours later, Tracy walked out of the prison gates, past the cameras of the television reporters.She wasn't going to speak to the reporters.But when Amy breaks away from her mother and falls into Tracy's arms, the cameras start rolling.That's the footage that was shown at the newsfest that night. Freedom was no longer an abstract word for Tracy.Freedom is something that can be seen and touched, and it is an identity that can be truly experienced and enjoyed.Freedom means breathing fresh air, not having to be watched, not standing in line for food, and not hearing that annoying bell.It means taking hot baths, using fragrant soap, wearing soft underwear, nice coats and high heels.It means replacing the code with the name.Freedom is escape from the clutches of Big Bertha, escape from the threat of being gang-raped, escape from the dead, suffocating prison life. Tracy wasn't used to this newfound freedom just yet.When walking in the street, she was careful not to bump into other people.Hitting another inmate in a prison can be the spark that starts a fire.What Tracy is most uncomfortable with is that everyone is so polite and no one comes to threaten her. She is free to carry out her plans. In Philadelphia, Charles Steinborg III watched Tracy's release from prison on television.She is still beautiful, he thought.Her appearance makes it hard to believe that she actually committed those crimes.Charles glanced at his exemplary wife.She was sitting there quietly knitting.Maybe I made a wrong choice. Daniel Cooper catches the TV news about Tracy in his New York apartment.He was completely indifferent to the fact that Tracy was released.He clicked off the TV and went back to writing his unfinished report. While watching the news on TV, Joe Romano couldn't help laughing.Lucky this bitch named Whitney.I'm sure she must have learned a lot in prison.She probably really became a hot and sweet girl now.Maybe someday I'll see her again. Romano was very proud.He gave the famous Renoir to a thief, and a private collector in Zurich had bought it.Romano received $500,000 from the insurance company and another 200,000 from the thief. Of course, Romano shared this extra money with Anthony Wusady. He was very careful when dealing with Wusady. Because I have seen with my own eyes what happens to those who misbehave when dealing with Usadhi. At noon on Monday, Tracy, dressed as Lureen Hartford, was at the First Commercial Bank of New Orleans again.At this time, there are many customers in the bank.Several people lined up at Lester Torrance's window.Tracy stood at the end of the line.Lester smiled and nodded at her when he saw her.She is more beautiful than the last time I saw her. Tracy finally came to the window, and Lester thanked him and said, "It's very difficult, but I managed it for you, Lulin." A friendly, grateful smile spread across Lureen's face. "It's so kind of you!" "At your service. It's all here." Lester opened a drawer, found the box of checks he kept carefully, and handed it to her. "Take it. There are four hundred blank checks. Is that enough?" "Oh, of course that's enough, unless Mr. Romano enters the check-writing contest." She stared Lester in the eyes and breathed a sigh of relief. "You saved my life." Lester was overjoyed. "I think everyone should treat each other with kindness, aren't you right, Lureen?" "Exactly, Lester." "You should open an account here yourself. I will take good care of you. Really." "I knew you would," Tracy said softly. "Let's talk about it over dinner in a quiet place, shall we?" "very good." "Where should I call you, Lureen?" "Oh, I'll call you, Lester." She moved away from the window. "Wait a minute..." The next customer came up and handed a bag full of coins to the suspicious Lester. There are four tables in the center of the bank. The metal boxes on the tables contain the bank's deposit and withdrawal slips, and the tables are surrounded by customers who fill out the slips.Tracy walked out of Lester's sight.A customer leaves and Tracy fills in.The box Lester gave her contained eight blank checks.Tracy wasn't interested in the checks, she wanted the deposit slips that came with the checkbook. She carefully removed the deposit slips from the checkbook. In less than three minutes, she had eighty deposit slips in her hands.Tracy was sure no one was paying attention to her, and put the twenty deposit slips in the metal box. She went to another table and put the other twenty deposit slips into the metal box on the table.Within minutes, eighty deposit slips had been placed in metal boxes on several tables.The deposit slips are blank, but each slip has a magnetic combination printed underneath it.Every time a deposit is made, the computer will automatically credit the money to Joe Romano's account according to the password.No matter who deposits money, if Romano's deposit slip is used, the magnetic code will tell the computer to credit the deposit to Romano's name.From her own experience working in the bank, Tracy knew that within two days, the eighty deposit slips with magnetic codes would be used up, and it would take at least another five days for the error to be discovered.In this way, she has plenty of time to carry out her plan. On the way back to the hotel Tracy threw the blank check into a dumpster.Joe Romano wouldn't need those checks. Tracy's next move is to go to New Orleans Holiday Travel.The lady behind the desk asked, "What can you do?" "I'm Joseph Romano's secretary. Mr. Romano wants to book a plane ticket to Rio de Janeiro. He wants to leave on Friday." "Just one ticket?" "Yes. First class, next to the aisle, smoking seat." "A round-trip ticket?" "one way." The waitress turned to her computer.Seconds later, she said, "Okay. A first-class ticket, Pan Am Flight 728, departing Friday at 6:35 p.m. with a stopover in Miami." "Mr. Romano will be very satisfied," Tracy said. "The fare is one thousand nine hundred and twenty-nine yuan. Cash or check?" "Mr. Romano always pays in cash. Pay when you get the ticket. Could you send the ticket to his office on Thursday?" "If you want, I can send it tomorrow." "No, Monsieur Romano won't be here tomorrow. Will you be there at eleven o'clock on Thursday morning?" "Okay. The address is..." "Mr. Joseph Romano is at 217 Poederas Street, apartment number 408." The waiter took down the address. "Very well. Be sure to deliver the tickets on Thursday morning." "Eleven sharp," Tracy said. "thanks." A half block down the street is Acme Luggage Store.Tracy stared at the front of the window for a while before entering the store. A clerk came by. "Good morning. What can I do for you?" "I'm going to buy a traveling suitcase for my husband." "You've come to the right place. We're having a sale. There's really good and cheap..." "No," Tracy said, "not cheap." She walked over to a row of Veydon suitcases lined against the wall. "It's about the same kind of case. We're going on a trip." "Your husband will be delighted to have such a case. We have three sizes, which one would you like?" "Buy one of each." "Oh, yes. Book or cash?" "Pay on delivery. My husband's name is Joseph Romano. Send the suitcase to his office Thursday morning, will you?" "No problem, Mrs. Romano." "Is eleven o'clock okay?" "I promise to deliver it on time." Tracy remembered something, and said again, "Uh...can you have his initials printed on the box—stamped letters: JR." "Of course. It's a pleasure to be of your service, Madame Romanov." Tracy smiled and gave him the office address. From the nearby Western Union office, Tracy sent a pay telegram to the Rio Ozon Palace Hotel on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro: Three days later Tracy called the bank to find Lester Torrance.Hearing his voice, Tracy said softly, "I'm afraid you've forgotten me, Lester. I'm Lureen Hartford, Mr. Romano's secretary, and I think..." How can I forget!He said impatiently: "Of course I remember you, Lulin, I..." "Really? I'm flattered. You get to see so many people every day." "You don't see many people like you," said Lester. "You haven't forgotten our supper?" "I've been looking forward to it. How about next Tuesday, Lester?" "great!" "It's settled. Oh, what a fool! I was so happy with you that I almost forgot what I wanted to talk to you about. Mr. Romano asked me to check his bank balance for him. Please check it and tell me, OK?" "Of course. It won't take much." Normally, Lester Torrence would have asked the inquirer's birthday, or otherwise identified the inquirer, but of course there was no need for it now. "Don't hang up, Lureen," he said. He went to the file cabinet and found Joseph Romano's record card, and was surprised.In the past few days, Romano's account has accumulated a large sum of money.Romano had never saved so much money before.Lester Torrance had no idea what was going on.There must be a big change.Be sure to ask questions when dining with Lullen Hartford.It never hurts to get some inside information.He went back to the phone. "Your boss isn't letting us idle," he told Tracy. "He's got over three hundred thousand dollars in his checking account." "Very well, the same number as I have on hand." "Should I switch to a fixed term? The checking account doesn't earn any interest. I can..." "No. He said the money wouldn't move," Tracy said. "OK." "Thank you, Lester. That's very kind of you." "Wait a minute! Can I call you from the office and make an appointment for dinner on Tuesday?" "I'll call you," Tracy said. The phone hangs up. Anthony Wusady's sleek high-rise office tower sits on Poederas Street, between the riverfront and the majestic Louisiana Tower.The offices of the Pacific Import and Export Corporation occupy the entire fourth floor.At one end of the floor was Usady's office, at the other end belonged to Joe Romano, and in the middle were four young receptionists who also attended to Ussady's friends and business associates at night.At the door of Wu Sadi's office sat two surprisingly burly men, whose duty was to protect the safety of the master with their lives.They also acted as drivers, masseurs and errands for the chief. On this Thursday morning, Usady was in his office reviewing the previous day's receipts from gambling, horse racing, prostitution, and a dozen other lucrative operations controlled by Pacific Entry and Exit. Antoine Wusady was in his late sixties, and he was a strange-looking man.His body is quite stout, but his legs are thin and short, as if he belonged to a shorter person.When standing, he resembled a crouching frog.His face was covered with messy and horizontal scars, like a drunk spider's web.He had a huge mouth, and a pair of round black eyes: at the age of fifteen he suffered from alopecia, and his head was completely bald. From then on he started wearing a black wig, which he has continued to this day.That wig looked awful on his head, but no one had dared to say that to him over the years.Wu Sadi has a pair of cold eyes like a gambler, who can see everything.He has no expression on his face, unless he sees his beloved five daughters.One can only discern Usadhi's feelings by his voice.His voice was hoarse and rasp-like because someone strangled him with a wire on his twentieth birthday and left him, thinking he was dead.A week later, the two men who made the error of judgment were sent to the morgue.When Wusadi was really angry, his voice was almost inaudible, as if someone had strangled him. Antoine Usadhi was a prince who used bribes, violence, and blackmail to maintain his fiefdom.He ruled New Orleans, and the city paid him untold riches.The leaders of several other major families in the country respect him and often ask him for advice when they encounter problems. Antoine Wusady is in a good mood now.He and his mistress had just had breakfast.Wusady put her up at one of his houses in Lake West and visited her three times a week.Had a particularly good time with her this morning.She flattered him on the bed, and he really thought she loved him more than other women.Usadi kept his domain in order.There had been no troubles there, because he knew how to deal with problems in time before they accumulated into disasters.He once taught Joe Romano this way: "Don't let a small problem become a big problem, or it will snowball. If you have a small boss who is greedy and always wants to get more money , you should get rid of him, understand? Don't let it snowball. If some ambitious guy from Chicago wants to do a small business in our New Orleans, ask your permission. You know, It won't be long before his 'little' deal turns into a big one to squeeze your turf. So, you promise him that when he comes, you get rid of that bastard. That way the problem doesn't go down the drain Snowball. Do you understand?" Joe Romano got it. Anthony Wusardi liked Romano very much and treated him as his own son.When Romano was a young hooligan who robbed drunks in alleys, he was spotted by Wu Sadi.He taught Romano himself, and now the boy was able to deal with the most shrewd heroes with ease.Romano was quick, quick-witted, and loyal.Within ten years, he had been promoted to the chief steward of Antony Wusady, in charge of all affairs in the gang, and only obeyed Wusady. Wu Sadi's personal secretary, Lucy, knocked on the door and walked into the office.She is a twenty-four-year-old college graduate, and her looks and figure have won her several prizes in local beauty contests.Usadi likes to be surrounded by beautiful girls. Wusa glanced at the clock on the table.Ten forty-five.He told Lucy not to disturb him before noon.Wusa stared at her unhappily. "What's up?" "I'm sorry to disturb you, Mr. Wusardi. You've got a call from Miss Gigi Dubray. She's very anxious, but she won't tell me what's the matter. She wants you to answer it yourself." Phone. I think there must be something urgent." Wusad sat there, looking up the name with the "computer" in his head.Gigi Dubre?Was it one of the women I recruited to the hotel in Las Vegas?Gigi Dubre?do not remember.He always boasted of having an excellent memory.Out of curiosity, Wusa picked up the receiver and waved Lucy away. "Hello? Who is it?" "Is that Mr. Antoine Wusardy?" she said with a French accent. "What's up?" "Ah, thank God I found you at last, Mr. Wusady!" Lucy was right, this woman was impatient.Antoine Wusady had no interest in her.He was about to hang up when she suddenly said, "You must stop him, I beg you!" "Miss, I don't know who you're talking about, I'm so busy..." "I mean my Joe. Joe Romano, he promised to take me with him, see?" "Hey! Send complaints to your Joe, and I'm not his nanny." "He lied to me! I just found out he wants to go to Brazil without me. Half of that three hundred thousand dollars is mine." Antony Wusady suddenly took a little interest in the matter. "What about the three hundred thousand dollars you said?" "That money Joe's stashing in his checking account! He's--what do you say--scratched it." Antoine Wusady is very interested now. "Please tell Joe that he must take me to Brazil with him. Will you help me?" "Very well," said Antoine Wusa, "leave it to me." Joe Romano's office is quite beautiful, a uniform white tone, a complete set of chrome furniture and furnishings, designed by the most fashionable interior decorator in New Orleans.The only colors in the room are three works of French Impressionists.Romano prided himself on his refined taste.He fought his way from the slums of New Orleans to where he is today, with a little education along the way.He has a certain appreciation for painting and music.When eating out, he was quite expert at having long talks with the sommelier about all kinds of fine wines.Yes, Joe Romano has a lot to be proud of.His contemporaries struggled to get by with their fists; he himself thrived with his mind.If it is said that New Orleans is owned by Wu Sadi, then it can also be said that New Orleans is managed by Romano for him. His secretary went straight into the office. "Mr. Romano, a courier has delivered an airline ticket to Rio de Janeiro. Should I write him a check? It's a 'pay at sight' ticket." "Rio de Janeiro?" Romano shook his head. "Tell him it was wrong." Messenger in uniform stood at the door. "They told me to deliver it to Mr. Joseph Romano at this address." "That's where they got it wrong. What the hell is going on here? A new gimmick to sell tickets?" "No, sir, I..." "Let me see." Romano took the ticket from the messenger and looked at it. "Friday. What am I going to Rio de Janeiro on Friday?" "Good question," said Antoine Wusa.He stands behind the messenger. "What the hell are you doing there, Joe?" "I don't know which stupid guy made a mistake, Tony." Romano returned the ticket to the messenger. "Return the ticket..." "Wait a minute." Anthony Ursad took the ticket and looked at it carefully. "It's printed here: First Class, Aisle Side Seats, Smoking Seats, Friday to Rio de Janeiro, one way." Joe Romano laughed. "Someone made a mistake." He turned to his secretary and said, "Maggie, call the travel agent and tell them the wrong ticket has been delivered. Some poor man must be looking forward to this ticket." Assistant Secretary Jie Ling walked in. "Excuse me, Mr. Romano. The suitcase has arrived. Shall I sign it?" Joe Romano stared at her. "What suitcase? I didn't order a suitcase!" "Bring it in," ordered Antoine Wusady. "My God!" said Joe Romano. "Is someone crazy?" A footman brought in three "Veydon" suitcases. "What's this for? I didn't buy these boxes." The footman checked the delivery note. "It says Mr. Joseph Romano, 217 Poedras Street, Room 408." Joe Romano was angry. "I don't care what the fuckin' delivery note says. I didn't order this shipment. Move it for me." Wuzai looked at the suitcase. "Joe, it has your initials on it." "What? Oh, wait a minute. Maybe it's a gift from someone." "Is today your birthday?" "No, but you know those women's tempers, Tony. They love to give presents." "What business do you have in Brazil?" asked Antoine Wusady. "Brazil," laughed Joe Romano. "This must be a joke, Tony." Wusa smiled slightly, and said to the secretaries and the two servants, "Go out." After the door closed, Antoine Wusa said, "How much do you have in the bank, Joe?" Joe Romano looked at him in confusion. “不清楚。我想有一千五，也许两千。问这干什么？” “好玩，你可以给银行打个电话查一下吗？” “那干什么？我……” “查一下，乔。” “好的，您让我查我就查。” He rang the bell to notify the secretary. “给我接第一商业银行簿记主任。” 一分钟后簿记主任来接电话。 “喂，我是乔瑟夫·罗曼诺。你帮我查一下我目前的支票账户存款结余，好吗？我的生日是10月14日。” 安托尼·巫萨地拿起分线电话听筒，过了一会，簿记员回来了。 “让您久等了，罗曼诺先生。截至今天上午，您的支票账户存款结余是三十一万零九百零五元三毛五。” 罗曼诺能感到自己的脸刷地变得煞白。 "How many?" “三十一万零九百……” “蠢货！”他嚷道。“我没存那么多钱。你搞错了。我要找……” 他觉得有人从他手里取走了电话听筒。安托尼·巫萨地将听筒放回到电话机上。“那笔钱从哪儿来的，乔？” 乔·罗曼诺脸色苍白。“我可以对天起誓，托尼。我真不知道有这笔钱。” "yes?" “唉，您应该相信我的话！我看一定是有人想陷害我。” “这个人一定非常喜欢你。他送了你一大笔告别费：三十多万美元。” 巫萨地重重地坐在“司卡拉曼德”牌绸面安乐椅上，盯着乔·罗曼诺看了很久，才慢悠悠地说：“一切都安排好了，嗯？飞往巴西的单程机票，新旅行皮箱……你好像计划要远走高飞了。” “不，”乔·罗曼诺惊惧地说，“天哪，您应该是了解我的，托尼。我从没对您撒过谎。您就像是我的父亲一样。”他急得出了汗，有人敲了一下门。麦琪探进头来。她拿着一个信封。 “对不起，罗曼诺先生。这儿有您一封电报，不过得由您本人签字。” 凭着一种困兽般的直觉，乔·罗曼诺说：“现在不行，我很忙。” “给我看看。”安托尼·巫萨地说。秘书未来得及关门，他已经从安乐椅上站了起来。他慢慢读完电报，然后用眼睛盯着乔·罗曼诺。 巫萨地的声音低得罗曼诺几乎都听不清了：“让我念给你听吧，乔。'确认您所预订的豪华套房，本周五起算，租住两个月，9月1日。'签名是'里约热内卢，科巴卡巴纳海滩，里奥欧松宫旅店经理，S.蒙托邦德。'这是你订的房间，乔。你不需要这套房间了，是吗？”