The October List

than for Daddy Tim. Was he really that bad a husband?’
    ‘Dammit! Answer my question! How’s Sarah?’
    ‘She’s fine.’
    ‘She isn’t fine, and she’ll never be fine thanks to you.’
    Joseph said dismissively, ‘People handle all sorts of trauma and are none the worse for wear. I’m a case in point.’
    ‘I hate you so much.’
    ‘Pity,’ he said, that singsong tone again infusing his voice. ‘If you got to know me, you’d feel different. Now, I notice we’re on speaker. I imagine your good friend Mr Reardon’s in the room with you now, or somebody else, but not the police because after the excitement this afternoon you’re not going to be strolling into any station houses. At least not voluntarily. My, my, you sure made a name for yourself today, Gabriela. That was quite a mess … Glad you’re not my office manager. Now, who’s your avatar ?’ He laughed at this comment. ‘ Is it Mr Reardon?’
    Daniel leaned forward. ‘That’s right.’
    ‘Aka J. P. Morgan. You’re not a cowboy after all. You’re a hotshot venture capitalist. I checked you out. The Norwalk Fund. The article in front of the name’s a little pretentious, but it’s an impressive outfit. Assets of two billion? If I had a retirement account, I’d let you handle it. And still you avoid fracking and unsustainable energy investments? How admirable. Surprised I’d do my homework?’
    ‘Not really.’
    Joseph asked, ‘So, J. P., you’re representing our Gabriela?’
    ‘That’s right.’
    ‘Well, I guess the burden’s on you to deliver the goods then, in a little over an hour. You told me you have the list. How’re we coming with the cold, hard cash?’
    Daniel explained their proposal, the partial payment and several entries from the October List so he could check them out, verify they were real. Then a public meeting for the complete exchange.
    Joseph paused then said, ‘I like dealing with Gabriela better. Let me think, let me think … I’m coming down on the side of no.’ Offered cheerfully.
    Gabriela started to speak, but Andrew calmly gestured her silent. Daniel asked, ‘What’s your counterproposal?’
    ‘ All the money now. Five hundred K.’
    ‘Impossible!’ Gabriela blurted.
    ‘Let’s ask little Sarah how she feels about impossibility, should we? Guess what I’ve been up to this afternoon? I’ve been trimming roses. Snip, snip. You know that it helps them grow to cut back nearly to the roots? Imagine that. It—’
    ‘Stop it!’ Gabriela turned to Daniel with terrified eyes. He nodded. Leaning forward slightly, he said into the speaker, ‘Okay. Full payment tonight. Five hundred K. But only three names from the October List. And we see Sarah in person.’
    ‘That’ll work … Only, let me ask something first. Now, tell the truth, Gabriela, the list? You have it in your hot little hands?’
    The foursome in the room glanced at one another. She said, ‘We have it. Somewhere safe.’
    ‘Do you now? I hope so. Because, let me say this, I’m a very bad person to cheat. If you try to trick me, in any way, or you hold out on me, there’ll be consequences. I’m not going to threaten to kill your daughter because that wouldn’t be helpful for anybody. But fuck with me and I will make sure she disappears into the underground adoption circuit, and you’ll never see her again.’
    ‘No!’ she cried.
    He continued, ‘And that’s not all, Ms Gabriela. I have to say I find you quite attractive – sorry, J. P. Morgan. Don’t be jealous. She’s a good-looking woman, right? I know you agree.’
    Daniel’s jaw clenched.
    Joseph laughed, that giggling again. ‘If things don’t go just the way I want, I’ll find you and I’ll make sure we spend some quality time together. I have a house outside of the city. Very, very deserted. So, Gabriela, you understand what’s at stake here?’
    She nodded desperately, then realized Joseph couldn’t hear her response. ‘Nobody’s going to cheat you! We’ll do just what you want, I promise!’
    ‘All right, J. P. Morgan, there’s a place in SoHo … Elizabeth Street, two buildings north of Prince. On the east side of the street. A warehouse.’ Joseph gave the address.
    ‘I’ll be there at six. With an associate.’
    ‘Who?’
    ‘My insurance man.’
    ‘Ah, that makes sense. But any heroics and you heard the consequences. Sarah ends up in a trailer in West Virginia with a born-again mommy and daddy, and Gabriela and I commence