Summary

The book opens with a scene in which Lionel is on a stakeout with another Minna Man, Gilbert Coney, on orders from Frank Minna himself. It is unclear why the two have been given the assignment, but Lionel explains this is typical of the assignments or ‘errands’ on which the Minna Men are frequently dispatched. On this particular occasion, they are staking out a Zendo on the Upper East Side. Lionel records a woman’s entrance into the Zendo as well as the name Ullman with the intention of reporting this detail later to Frank Minna.

Minna himself appears almost immediately and informs the two they are to serve as backup as he enters the Zendo. Minna gives Lionel a pair of headphones to listen in on Minna’s conversation in order to provide either to enter the building as backup or to follow him in...