Vance knew he was talking over this thug's head. He was talking over his own head. But who knew? His fabrication might even be true. The story, though, probably could use some work. "Look," he said finally, "why don't you raise him on that walkie-talkie and let me talk to him?"
Moreau frowned at the idea. "We've gone to radio silence except for emergencies."
"I'd say this qualifies."
“That remains to be seen." He paused. "I'll go and tell him what you said. Then he can decide for himself what he wants to do."
"I don't want to belabor the obvious here, but time is running a little short."
"I'll be back. If he says you are lying, I may just kill you myself."
Whereupon he opened the door and walked straight into a befuddled Isaac Mannheim.