Jennie introduced us and informed me that Special Agent Sanchez was the FBI’s expert in ransom and hostage extremis situations, whatever that means. I was really hoping she was here for her expertise in the former, not the latter.Rita studied me a moment, then said, “So...you’re the sucker, huh?”I must’ve looked a little upset by that remark, because she laughed and said, “Hey, loosen up. You’re gonna be fine. Payoffs are a cakewalk. Hostages are the bitch. I’ve lost only”—she paused and counted her fingers—“only three couriers in my career.” She laughed. “The other guy still sends me Christmas gifts.”For some reason, Jennie also found this really funny.Personally, I thought Rita Sanchez’s bedside manner could stand a little work. Jennie then smoothly backed off and allowed Rita and me to chitchat about inconsequential nonsense for about five minutes. The manual calls this establishing rapport and developing a personal connection. Con men call it sizing up the mark.
