Kator might just as well have left out the “please.” His voice was clear, machine-like. The English was so perfect that Jesso was sure that Kator spoke another language, one that he must like much better.

Jesso sat.

“Now that you are working for me, I will give you all the necessary leeway to do your job. However, I require a report of every step you take. The nature of your job and my interest in its outcome-“

“What’s the job?”

“Did you understand my instructions?”

“Sure, Kator. Sure. What’s the job?”

Jesso had been talking fast. The way he was starting to feel about Kator, it helped to talk fast.

Kator pulled up his chair and turned his head right, then left. The stiff collar made a scraping sound on his neck.

“A member of my organization has disappeared. You are to find him, Jesso. His name is Joseph Snell. He is, in fact, hiding out from me, apparently under the impression that I wish him ill. I know he is in New York. However, I do not know how long he will stay here. You can see it is imperative that he be found quickly. Those, in brief, are the facts. Find Joseph Snell, inform me of his whereabouts, and your job is completed.” Kator stopped.

“That’s it?” Jesso lit a cigarette.

“Yes. How do you propose to start?”

“I’ll start with you. What’s your business?”

Kator blinked. “I fail to-”

“If I don’t know what your boyfriend Snell’s been doing, how can I look for him in the right places?”

“It will be sufficient for you to know, Jesso, that I am a businessman. A businessman with far-flung obligations, and Joseph Snell is one of my associates.”

“Why do you want him?”

“Mr. Jesso.” Kator turned his head with that slow squeeze of the neck. “I will tell you what you need to know, and I will decide what you need to know I regard any questions as impertinence.”