Charlie Duffy (Paperback)

My stomach was rumbling telling me it was lunch time. But first there was a matter of business I had to attend to. With my topcoat draped over my arm, I entered the offices of John Lewis Investments and caught the secretary as she was about to leave for lunch herself. "Can I help you?" she asked. "I'm Harry McGrath," I told her using one of my aliases. "I have an appointment with Mr. Lewis." Anxious to leave, she quickly checked the schedule. "I don't know if he'll see you. You're a little late." I smiled. "Sorry, I had some traffic issues." She pressed the button on the intercom. "Mr. Lewis, Mr. McGrath is here for his appointment. "He's late. Give him my apologies and tell him he'll have to reschedule. I have an appointment with the district attorney shortly. The secretary looked up at me and smiled grimly. "Sorry, you heard him. Can I reschedule for you?" "No. That's fine. I'll call another time." I left the office with the secretary following behind me. When she was out of sight, I returned. The office door was locked, but for me that was a matter of no concern. After picking the lock, I entered and opened the door to Mr. Lewis's office. He looked up at me in surprise. "Sorry, my office is closed for now. Did the secretary let you in?" "No, I let myself in. There's an important matter of concern that we need to talk about." "It will have to wait. I have a meeting with the DA," he replied. I grinned. "That's the concern. The family has been good to you. And what do you do? Skim off the top and then plan to turn states evidence on your recent dealings with them." He frowned. "I don't know what you're talking about. Who are you?" There was sweat forming on his brow, and I saw his hand open the desk drawer. I fired the .22 Magnum pistol that was concealed under my topcoat. A moment later, the body of John Lewis slumped to the floor with two bullets through his brain. I walked behind his desk and saw the gun he was going for in the drawer. As I unscrewed the silencer from my gun and slipped both in my pocket, I looked down at him. "I'm Charlie Duffy - Mafia hit man.