You said you want to talk to Charlie ..." "We'd like to surprise Mr. Crandall." "Oh, he'll be surprised, all right, don't worry. An interview with Charlie Nichols? Oh, he'll wet his pants, believe me. When's this thing gonna be in the paper?" "Next Sunday." "You work that close, huh?" "Yes." "Here it is," Mary said, and handed the address book to her husband. The chimes suddenly began playing "Mary Had a Little Lamb." "I love this song," Mary said. Gruber waited until the entire little song had played. Then he said, "Who is it?" And a man answered, "Police." 10 It was as if someone in the platoon had yelled "Charlie!" His heart stopped. He almost threw himself flat on the ground. But the ground was a thick white carpet, across which Gruber was now walking to the front door. Michael glanced quickly at Connie. Connie smiled back mysteriously. It occurred to him that Mary's little hot rum toddy had done a real number on her. Gruber opened the door. There were two men standing there. They were both wearing blue jackets with yellow ribbed cuffs and waistbands.
