When the first train of the day pulled into the station, a man stepped off and walked with purpose in his stride. He wore a grey fedora and carried no bag.

When the alarm clock went off in a luxury apartment, a woman sprang out of bed. She took a shower, put on some clothes, and had coffee. She put a small packet in her blazer’s inside pocket, and a small bow in her hair. She pressed an elevator ‘call’ button.

The man had entered revolving doors. He sat down in the lobby cafe and ordered a bagel, plain and toasted. The barista asked “Did you see the game last night?” He replied “Always a close one.” The waitress pulled a pen out of her pocket and gave it to him. He sat down with his bagel and pen, put in a bluetooth earbud, and clicked “S.O.S.” with the pen. He sat and listened for 2 hours, and checked his watch regularly. He did not take off his hat.

The woman crouched and made her way to the roof-top door. Stopping at the door to the 38th, she opened the small packet and stuck a piece of tape on the wall next to the door-frame. The tape said “Here” on it. The tape held a flash drive to the wall. Inside, the hallway was full of people, arriving for the day. Suits and flags and potted plants. She walked the hallway from end to end. She pressed an elevator ‘call’ button.

The man saw it was 8:17, and got up from his table. The lobby was full pf people. Suits and flags and potted plants. His cell phone rang once and he answered it, but said nothing. He watched the lobby elevators. A woman with a bow in her hair walked off; he pressed ‘2’ and hung up. She walked to the revolving doors.

She waved for a cab. Reaching for the door, she felt a strong hand on her shoulder. She paused and shivered, but did not turn. The man got in with her and took off his hat.

Heading to the seaport, they did not speak much. “Everything okay?” he asked. “For the most part.” She replied.

They arrived and got out; the man gave the driver a bill of cash, who returned a firm hand shake. The cab sped off. The man looked the woman in the eye.

“You did good, Miss. We thank you for your courage and generosity.” He pulled an envelope out and handed it to her.

She opened it and looked inside, and grew suddenly angry. “Where is it? Where’s my pardon? Jericho??”

He pulled out his gun and clicked the pen once more in his pocket. “Beg your pardon? Oh, I should’ve said something: I’m not Jericho.” Five men appeared from behind a street corner, and helicopters could be heard approaching. He pulled out a zip-tie and bound her wrists, and recited a favorite speech of his.  Every word was sweeter than the last.