"Thanks for the advice fella," Billy said and slapped the dog affectionately on the rear. "But let's get on with it."

Ellen tried to appear disinterested in what was going on around her, but she found it difficult not to follow the discussion. It was obvious that the men were planning a murder that would effect the political and social life of the entire area, if not the whole country, but it was still impossible to discover the reason for the assassination or who was to be shot. Ellen almost didn't want to know, as she was aware that the very possession of such knowledge would make things increasingly hard for her. She also felt that Billy had little, if any, understanding of the implications of the horrible act he was about to commit, yet he appeared to rush headlong into the plot like a blindfolded animal being led to its slaughter.

"I want you and your friend here," the man said, pointing to Cash, "to be at the entrance to the rally before the parade begins. This will give you the opportunity to survey the area. Our men will be waiting at the first exit to pick you up after the job is completed. The senator should be the first speaker on the program, and you'll have a perfect vantage point to get a bead on him from behind his head."

"And what if they see us?" Cash asked. "There's gonna be a big crowd there and if they get a look at us, we're done for."

"There will be no problem. On the opposite side of the stadium there will be a fist fight planned – and some of our own men will be doing it – and just before you shoot, the crowd's attention will be deflected from Senator Jorgens."

Ellen suppressed a gasp of recognition on hearing the senator's name being spoken. She realized that the man they were about to assassinate had been an important figure in Florida politics for several years, and had developed several enemies in the underworld that centered around Miami because of his brave attack on organized crime.