Why Me? by Donald E. Westlake Read Free Book Online Page B

it is merely a domestic burglar. One of our problems otherwise is diplomatic immunity.”
    â€œDiplomatic immunity?” Mologna shook his head, his expression determined. “This isn’t some parkin ticket, man. There’s no immunity from grand larceny.”
    Zachary and Freedly exchanged a glance. Zachary explained, “Most of these organizations—terrorist groups, nationalist cells, rebel conclaves—have linkages to one or another standing government. Which gives them access to diplomatic pouches. Baggage leaving any of the various UN missions or the foreign consulates and embassies here in New York and in Washington, it all goes through unchecked and unsearched. That’s the diplomatic immunity I’m talking about. Anything at all can go in or out of this country in a diplomatic pouch and no one the wiser.”
    â€œWe’re very lucky,” Freedly added, “that the original group involved in the raid at the airport had already been disavowed by the Greek government, forcing them to find an alternate method for smuggling the ring out of the country.”
    â€œAnd you’re also lucky,” Mologna told him, “that what we’re lookin for this time is just some local hooligan.”
    â€œWe’d prefer to be that fortunate,” Zachary agreed. “Do you have any hard evidence at the moment to support your theory?”
    â€œHard evidence? That bit of wire bypassin the alarm box, how’s that for evidence? The door bein jimmied that—”
    â€œYes, yes,” Zachary said, raising a hand to stem the flow. “I remember all that from the meeting this morning. I meant since then.”
    Mologna and Leon exchanged a glance. Mologna said, “It’s been at best two hours since that meetin. We’re good, Mr. Zachary, but nobody’s that good.”
    Zachary and Freedly exchanged a glance. Zachary said, “But you have taken steps.”
    â€œOf course I’ve taken steps. We’re talkin to our informants, we’re arrestin every known criminal in the five boroughs, we’re puttin pressure on the entire underworld.” Mologna nodded in self-satisfaction. “It won’t take long. We’ll get results.”
    â€œHow soon, do you suppose? If you’re right, that is.”
    â€œIf I’m right?” Mologna and Leon exchanged a glance. “Two days, three days. I’ll keep you informed of progress.”
    â€œThank you. Meantime, we’ll pursue the alternate theory that the ring’s disappearance has a political basis, and of course we’ll be delighted to keep you informed of our progress.”
    Mologna and Leon exchanged a glance. Mologna said, “Progress. On the international front.”
    Zachary and Freedly exchanged a glance. Zachary said, “Yes. On the international front.”
    â€œThe Armenians,” Freedly added, “are looking particularly interesting.”
    Mologna looked particularly interested. “Are they, now?”
    Zachary nodded. “Bob’s right,” he said. “Nationalists without a current nation do tend to go to extremes. The Moluccans, for instance. Palestinians.”
    â€œPuerto Ricans,” added Freedly.
    â€œTo an extent,” agreed Zachary.
    Mologna and Leon exchanged a glance.
    Zachary got to his feet. (Freedly followed suit.) “Interagency cooperation,” Zachary said, “is so important in a matter like this.”
    Mologna heaved to his feet, resting his beer belly on the desktop. “We couldn’t possibly succeed without it,” he said. “I’m very happy to have you fellows aboard in this little burglary case.”
    â€œWe feel the same way,” Zachary assured him. “In such a delicate international affair, we’re delighted to have such able and willing cooperation at the local level.”
    Hands were shaken. Leon drew a little caricature of Freedly, wearing pendant earrings.