CHAPTER 3 THE FIFTH FLOOR

1. What is the fifth floor secret?

2. How does the firm try to avoid security risks?

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There were no law offices on the fifth floor of the Bendini Building. The partners' dining-room andkitchen filled the west end, then in the centre there were some empty rooms, and then there was a wall. Inthe centre of the wall was a small metal door with a button beside it and a camera over it. This openedon to a small room where an armed guard watched the door and studied a large number of televisionsurveillance screens. A hall went past the offices and workrooms of a number of men whose job was towatch and to gather information. The windows to the outside world were painted over. DeVasher, thehead of security, had the largest of these small, plain offices.

On the Monday after Mitch McDeere's visit, Oliver Lambert stood in front of the small metal doorand stared at the camera over it. He pushed the button, waited and was finally allowed in. He walkedquickly along the hall and entered DeVasher's office. They talked a bit about McDeere. DeVasherreported that, as far as he and his men could tell, Mitch would not be a security risk for the firm. Heplayed Lambert a tape of phone calls from Mitch's hotel room in Memphis to Abby in Massachusetts.

'Very loving conversations, you see, Ollie,' DeVasher said with an evil grin on his face. 'They're justlike a newly married couple. I'll try to get you some bedroom pictures later. I know how much you enjoythose. She is lovely.'

'Shut up, DeVasher,' Lambert said, and then, after a pause, 'I wish we could find his brother Ray.We know everything about his family, and hers, but we just can't find this brother.'

'Don't worry, Ollie,' DeVasher said. 'We'll find him.' DeVasher closed the McDeere file andopened another, much thicker one.

Lambert stared at the floor. 'What's the latest?' he asked softly.

'It's not good news, Ollie. Kozinski and Hodge are definitely working together now. Last week theFBI checked Kozinski's house and found our bugs. Kozinski told Hodge when they were hiding in thethird-floor library. Now they think everything's bugged and they're very careful where they talk.'

'Which FBI agent is involved?' 'Tarrance. He seems to be in charge.' 'How often has he talked to Kozinski?'

'There's no way to know. We know of four meetings in the last month, but I suspect more. They'rebeing real careful.'

'How much has he given them?'

'Not much, I hope. They're still trying to persuade him. He's frightened. Hodge hasn't talked to theFBI yet, I don't think. He'll do whatever Kozinski does.'

'What have you told Lazarov?'

'Everything. That's my job. They want you in Chicago the day after tomorrow. They want answers,and plans.'

'What plans?'

'Plans to get rid of Kozinski, Hodge and Tarrance, if it becomes necessary.'

'Tarrance! Are you crazy? We can't get rid of an FBI agent!' 'Lazarov is stupid, Ollie, you know that.And that's what he wants from you. Of course, if he does kill Tarrance, the FBI will be all over the place,and all of you lawyers will suddenly have to leave the country.'

'Try to argue with him, will you? And watch McDeere for another month.'

'OK, Ollie. Don't worry.'

After they moved in they were completely happy. The new house was everything they had dreamedabout: large, comfortable and in a _____ _____. Abby _____ _____ buying furniture, whileMitch drove the new black BMW all _____ ____, getting to know the area.

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