"And that is precisely why we have hired you. However, on other levels there are things you cannot do. You have no idea of the larger concerns that govern the operation," the man responded contemptuously and rose up stiffly in his chair. "The other aspects of this project should not concern you or your men."

"There ain't no other concerns right now but that we get our money. Look here, Mr. Big Businessman, you show us the stash of cash, right now, or there won't be no big operation," Billy spat out angrily, suddenly fed up with the stranger's slickness. He leapt to his feet, "Let's see the green stuff!"

The man sat motionless at the head of the table and gazed coolly across the floor past Billy to the rain splattered warehouse window. He seemed to catch everything in his calm gaze in that instant, passing his eyes from the dog sitting tensely at Billy's side to the convict at the table, and slowly flicking them past the two women.

"It's all here for you to look at," the man said and opened his briefcase, withdrawing a stack of one-hundred dollar bills. "One half now. You get the rest, my friend, after the killing."

"How do we know you won't cross us?" Pop suddenly demanded from the far end of the table.

"You don't know, do you?" the man said without raising his voice.

On command from Billy the dog jumped to its feet and moved like a shot towards the man. The man did not lose his composure, he merely said in a normal tone of voice, "Down, Rex!" The huge animal snarled in rebellion, but the stranger continued to stare directly at it. "Down," he repeated. The dog looked questioningly up at his master.

"I just wanted to give you an idea that we ain't foolin' with ya," Billy said nervously, then added, "Down, Rex." His fists were clenched as he glared at the table.