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the old man's laugh, and Charlie knew why. It was make-believe imitating life; the fool plays the fool plays the fool. |
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Charlie knew what Peggy wanted. Charlie hadn't seen her in months and hadn't returned her calls over the holidays. Why, he wondered, did she expect him to call now? |
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The phone rang. Charlie glanced at his watch again. Right on schedule. Thoughts of Peggy quickly faded as he waited for the discreet little buzz that would be Hazel, dutifully telling him Kristen was on the line. Good old, ever-screening Hazel; nobody got through to the big man without first walking her gauntlet. When the buzz came, he snapped up the receiver. |
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The aging brunette's voice purred through the line like a cat in heat. "Mr. Frazier, there s a Mr. Raymond Armond calling." |
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"Raymond Armond," Charlie repeated. "Did he say who he's with?" |
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"No sir. The gentleman seemed quite confident you would recognize the name." |
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"Kiss him off," Charlie barked. He hit the disconnect button and immediately began stabbing out the sequence of numbers that would put him through to the only person he did want to talk to. |
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"Well," the voice informed him cooly, "you almost waited too long. I was just on my way out the door." |
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