“Could you locate the people on this list?” Dorn asked.

“Assuming how accurate the names are… probably in two days.”

Dorn looked to his swarthy colleague, who offered an ambiguous, yet approving, shrug. The giant just kept blowing smoke.

“Are you boasting?” Dorn asked.

“I can cross-reference multiple government databases.”

“We tried other agencies with similar resources,” Dorn said.

“I’ve got access to deep systems that are normally off limits to private firms. The fringe benefits of twenty years in the NYPD.” Colby also had a network of strategically placed bribed informants. He wondered why he tried to impress clients that, as far as they knew, needed him more than he needed them. Old habits die hard, he thought.

Colby waved the paper with the names in front of Dorn. “Is this it? The job?”

“Large agencies have too many eyes and ears, Mr. Dretch. I value discretion. I also want someone desperate. Are you… desperate, Mr. Dretch?”

“Hardly,” Colby lied. He started rubbing his hands again to keep them warm, and regretted that it looked like an act of weakness. He turned up the thermostat in the heater behind his chair.

“Don’t be offended,” Dorn said. “I insist that people who work for me make my interests their only priority. There’s a refreshing lack of activity at this firm due to your dubious practices.” Dorn’s smile was shark white. He pulled out a recent copy of the New York Post and scanned an article. “‘Colby Dretch… under government indictment for nine counts of embezzlement and blackmail of his rich, deeply troubled, and well-connected clientele… infidelities, pedophilia, domestic abuse,’ et cetera. And, you never reported your ‘moonlighting’ income to the government. Why, they have you on tax evasion alone.” Dorn moved to the second half of the article on a different page. “Eight civil suits, resulting in your property and finances being placed in escrow. Suspended operating license, at least until the verdict, after which it will be fully revoked. A bit redundant,” Dorn said turning his attention back to Colby. “Not really much use in prison. The vultures are circling.”