“Wouldn’t want to be on the receiving side of that call.”
“No, sir.”
“Who did he call?”
“They dialed for him. They did that way back when he was little, too, but I don’t think he understood what was really happening back then.”
“Now he does?”
“Now he certainly does.”
“And he still did it?”
“Yep.”
“You know what’s worse?”
“What?”
“I think he wanted to do it. When they finished and he hung up, he was smiling. That little shit got off on it.”
“Somebody needs to put him down.”
“They’d never do that. He’s too valuable.”
“No? I bet there is a thick red binder somewhere in this place detailing several ways to end his miserable existence.”
“How did they do it?”
“Do what?”
“The phone call.”
“Lou said the doctor brought an extension in there with her, then someone dialed from up here in the booth and transferred the call. A little light blinked on at the phone, the kid picked up, and did his thing.”
“Efficient.”
“Yeah, I guess.”
“Weird how it works over the phone or in person, as long as it’s live, but not on a recording.”
“One of the world’s great mysteries.”
Silence.
“Would you do it?”
“What?”
“You know.”
“End him? Knock him off? Punch his clock? Put him in the dirt? Kick his bucket? Send him swimming with concrete shoes? Take him for a walk over the rainbow bridge?”
“Yeah.”
“See these hands? How nice and smooth they are? I’m not built for dirty work.”
“I would.”
