“I’m not kidding,” Malone said. “I mean it. The FBI’s investigating mix-ups just like the ones you’re telling me about. We want to stop them.”
Manelli blinked. “You know, Mr. Malone,” he said softly, “I heard about government interference in private enterprise, but don’t you think this is a little too far out?”
Malone shrugged. “That’s what I’m here for,” he said. “Take it or leave it.”
“Just so it’s understood,” Manelli said, “that we’re talking about imaginary things. Theoretical.”
“Sure,” Malone said. “Imagine away.”
“Well,” Manelli said slowly, “you heard about this wrecked night-club in Florida? It happened maybe a month ago, in Miami?”
“I heard about it,” Malone said.
“This is just a for-instance, you know,” Manelli said. “But suppose there was a roulette wheel in that club. Just a wheel.”
“Okay,” Malone said.
“And suppose the wheel was rigged a little bit,” Manelli said. “Not seriously, just a little bit.”