Chapter 8 chapter eight

When Mason arrived at the office around nine o'clock the next morning, Della asked, "How did you deal with Mr. Bellington last night? Did he check with you about me?" "No," Mason grinned triumphantly. "I hit back hard, and attacked Zizhishield with Zizhi's spear, and asked him about himself in turn. After he finished telling his own story, he fell into an awkward situation, which made him not want to ask any more questions." "Paul just called to say he's got the sketch you asked for. What's that?" "Let's see," Mason said. "See if you can spot it. Call Paul and ask him to come over."

After a while, Derek's knock signal sounded on the door, and Della answered the door. "Did you get it?" Mason asked. "Got it." Derek replied, and handed the sketch and several copies of photos to Mason. After looking at it, Mason smiled, handed the sketch to Della, and asked, "Who is this? Della." "My God, that's the guy, Gidon!" "Very similar, Paul. The best part is that this portrait has been treated as if it were the work of a police portrait expert." "It was," Derek said. "A friend of mine has always done portraits for the police. He drew this portrait impromptu based on old leaflets and crime data used by the police in the past."

"You're dealing with a tough villain," Derek warns. "This guy's IQ is on top of everyone else, and while he's in federal prison, he's picking up enough criminal knowledge to put him up against anybody." "Are you talking about me?" Mason asked. "I didn't say that," Derek said. "But don't think this guy is easy, Paley." "Of course I won't." The phone rang, and Della picked up the extension and said, "Gerdy... who's calling?" Della's face took on an expression of extreme distress. "Just tell him—wait a minute."

She covered the receiver with her hand and said to Mason, "Gidon is online. Should I tell Gertie to hang up on this guy and tell him we don't want to answer? Or..." "That's not necessary," Mason said. "Ask Gertie to take the call, and you stay on the extension, Della." Mason picked up the phone on the table and said, "Hi, I'm Mason." "I'm Gidon," said the voice on the other end of the line. "How is this morning, Mr. Mason." "I'm fine thank you." "I was just thinking of dropping by and meeting you."

"I have nothing more to say." "I guessed that you didn't want to meet with me in private anymore, but I was quite surprised that you answered this call. However, I will go to your office, sit in the outer hall for about half an hour and then leave. As you know , the blind stalker is still on duty at his post, and I don't want to ruin his job yet." "Of course." Mason replied. "Besides," Gidon went on. "I plan to call you at least once a day until I achieve my goal of getting rid of stalking." "How are you going to accomplish that?" Mason asked.

Giton said: "As I have explained to you, Mr. Mason, all effective strategies must be based on gaining a dominant position and acting unexpectedly. If I have five hundred dollars, I can get rid of all the followers. , and then disappear, but don't expect me to discuss it on the phone. The fact that you're willing to talk to me shows that you've taped our conversation and that I'm willing to continue talking to you, too. Show that I have nothing to hide. I want you to help me with something, and I went to your office to hope that you could see me." Mason asked, "Where are you now?"

"You know it!" Gideon said. "Last night, your private eye spotted me outside the office and started stalking me. I stayed at the Eckergate Hotel and got a room, which isn't really a room, but in my current situation, I I can't ask for a luxurious life either. I expect things to improve in a few months. Give me a chance to show my talents outside and I'll find a way to make myself accountable Upwind, Mr. Mason. I'm pretty sure of my abilities." "Oh, I see," Mason said. "So you noticed an increase in the number of watchers last night, didn't you?"

"Oh, Mr. Mason," said Gidon reproachfully. "They were all around me. Of course, the stalkers you sent were very smart, and they didn't seem to be blatantly following me, but I expected them to appear, so I could recognize them. I even found two of the authorities. What about stalkers. So there were five stalkers trailing behind me last night." "Are they waiting outside your hotel right now?" Mason asked. "I didn't see your two men," Gidon said. "Stalkers in the dark are also out of my sight. At present, only stalkers with clear eyes are on duty."

"I was thinking about these things last night," Mason said. "I hope so." "Besides," Mason said. "I believe you deserve a chance to resettle yourself. I will send five hundred dollars to your hotel." "Cash?" "It's cash." "Also," Mason said. "I don't want you hanging around my office anymore, and I don't want to hear from you again." "Yes, Mr. Mason, I vouch--on my credit." "Thank you," Mason said. "You wait an hour or so and the money will be delivered to the hotel."

Mason hung up the phone and said, "Della, go to the safe and take out 500 yuan, put it in an envelope, and then find a messenger to send it to the Aikemen Hotel to Mr. Gitton." Derek sighed, "I hope you know what you're doing." "What do you mean by that?" "Once you ask him for anything, he will know that he has a bargaining chip and can make you fear him after he has tasted the sweetness. He will follow you throughout his life. Before the blackmailer sucks the last drop of blood, he is Will not give up easily.” Mason laughed, "I know. But the five hundred dollars ain't out of my pocket. I'll put him on the expense list, that's what I call 'bait'. You can't use an empty hook Catch a fish? You have to put the bait and the bait has to be good for the fish. Even when baiting, be artistic so that the hook is hidden... When you get to that step Well, Paul, there's a science to baiting."

"Please go on," Derek said. "After the bait is set, you wait for the fish to taste the bait. At that moment, you twitch the rod so that the fish will take the bait. If you twitch too early, the hook will come out of the fish's mouth; but if If the rod is not pulled at the right time, the fish will bite away the bait and leave an empty rod. Therefore, in this case, you must have a good sense of timing, and of course, you need to pay attention to skills when loading the bait and pulling the rod.” "Okay, you're baited," Derek said. "But I want to warn you, in Gidon's mind, five hundred dollars is just an appetizer." "He promised me that after I delivered the five hundred yuan, he would never come back to me or contact me in any way," Mason said. Derek showed a look of disbelief. "He vouched for me on his honor," Mason said. Derek stood up and said unconvinced: "Perry, you can fool yourself as much as you want, but don't fool me." "By the way," Mason said. "Your friend Gidon seems to have a knack for spotting stalkers. He left the office and had no trouble spotting two of your officers following him." Derek sighed annoyedly: "Those two people have excellent skills, not to mention there are people from the government who are watching clearly at the scene. I don't think Gidon will see through these two people." "He has indeed spotted them," Mason said. Derek paused for a moment and said, "I told you, Paley, these guys are getting smarter and smarter in prison." "I know," Mason said. "I think Gidon is especially clever. Let us hope he is not deceived by his own cleverness." "Are you really going to send the money over?" "I'm going to do it," Mason said. "I think Della has put the money in the envelope and sealed it." Derek muttered something like "fool" and "give away the money" and left. When Della came in with a thick bag of envelopes, Mason looked at her firmly. "Is everything going well, Della." "Yes, the letter will be here soon." "Tell him to deliver the money to Gitton at the Elkmen Hotel, and don't bother with the receipt." "No receipt required?" she asked. "You don't even need to sign for receipt on the envelope?" "Nothing," Mason laughed. "We deal in a gentleman's way. Besides, I have Mr. Gitton's credit."