BRYANT PARK
MANHATTAN, NEW YORK
Three Months Earlier
“Yes, sir. He is seated over there.” The young hostess pointed to a tall, stocky black male seated on the opposite side of the dining area at a table nearest to the restroom. The black male was looking down at his phone and nervously texting a message. He had not seen his lunch partner, Roland Lark, when he arrived at the Bryant Park Grill. He was too preoccupied with something else and did not look up.
“Thank you,” Roland responded.
He then proceeded to the table wearing khaki cargo shorts and a blue sports T-shirt. His attire was barely acceptable for the establishment. Roland did not care for the fancy Parisian-style restaurant, but his guest, Darren Meredith, insisted that, if they were going to meet in person for a discussion,
