The American Broker by Andrew Hill

Author:Andrew Hill [Hill, Andrew]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Andrew Hill International
Published: 2012-01-13T04:30:00+00:00

Chapter XXXVI Which Mr Lindon?

Chris made another call that night. Tina had taken Bob to her hotel where he had made his call earlier. Chris remembered that Bob had asked for 'call collect'. That meant that the operator should have a number. After several attempts, he got through to the Greek equivalent of an international operator who could manage English and she was able to liaise with her colleagues to find out which had helped put the call through for Bob. Then, putting on a pretty poor, but adequate, imitation of his older companion, he made out that he had lost the scrap of paper on which the number he wanted had been written.

"You know these flimsy whojamaflips, honey...napkins, or whatever you Greek people call them...well, honey, I sure did write it down on one but I can't find it anywhere. Could you do me a favour and get it for me again? Name's Lindon, Robert Lindon."

A few moments later, a real American voice came on the line.

"Gordon & Devereaux, can I help you?"

Chris dropped the false accent.

"Hello, I'm calling on behalf on Mr Lindon. He wanted to know if there were any messages for him."

"Which Mr Lindon is that, sir? Mr R K or Mr C J? We handle both Mr Lindon Senior's and his son's affairs."

"'His son's...'" Chris repeated the words to himself and had to make an effort to hold back his surprise. Bob had never mentioned a family. "Er, no, sorry. Er, just anything for Mr R K Lindon - you know, he called earlier."

"Yes sir. Well, I'm afraid Mr Devereaux is out now and I haven't anything on my desk in that connection. Would you like us to call you back tomorrow morning... you're in Greece, aren't you. Gee, I bet it's beautiful out there. Such a pity about his poor son, isn't it. Still, those doctors over in England can work wonders. They can make him as good as new. Tell Mr Lindon all of us here wish him all the best and we're rooting for him. I'd better take your name, sir..."

Chris did not like to push his luck by asking anything else. He had already found out a lot more than he could have dreamed from just the one chance phone call. Neither could he see any point in inventing a name.

"My name's Christopher Austin. I'm working with Mr Lindon here at the moment."

"Oh right, Mr Austin. Thank you for your call. Did you want me to ask Mr Devereaux to call back tomorrow?"

"Er, no thanks. If you don't mind the charge, it might be easier for Bob, I mean Mr Lindon, to call you when he gets up. Pretty late over here, you know!"

"That's fine, Mr Austin. It all goes on the account, anyway! Goodbye."

Chris forgot the earlier panic after the Michaelis conversation and walked slowly out of the hotel.

"Parakalo! Excuse! Mister...!" The hotel receptionist was running after him. "You pay, you pay!"

Chris turned and apologised, handing the excited man a 5000 bill, telling him to keep the change if there was any.

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