Dumas smirked when he saw the alias flashing on the phone’s screen.  Apparently they’d already worked their way up to the face cards.  Impressive.  Jabbing his thumb against the<span style="font-style: italic">‘receive’</span>button, Dumas answered the call.  “Hello Jack,” he greeted, cutting off the other man before he could speak.  “I’m afraid that your employee of the month can’t come to the phone right now.  He’s...well, he’s<span style="font-style: italic">out</span>.”<br/><br/>It wouldn’t be long before someone realized that his evacuation story had been a load of crap.  So, still talking, Dumas strode toward the bakery exit.  “Believe it or not, I don’t want trouble.  I just want to make a deal with your boss.  If you could put me touch with him, this will all be a lot easier.  For both of us.”<br/><br/>Outside the bakery, Dumas mingled with the thickening crowd.  One hand held the stolen phone to his ear, in case Jack wanted to make any comments or protests.  The other hand retrieved his own phone from his pocket and quickly typed a text to Chester.<span style="font-style: italic"> Get ready for company.</span>Despite his outward display of confidence, Dumas didn’t really expect the cards to submit so easily.  They would send more people out to handle the troublemakers.  However, once those people had been dealt with, the crime bosses should  realize they were up against some serious opposition.  And maybe then they’d be willing to hear Dumas’s terms.