“Suing them? Outfit guys?”

“It’s the only way I can get an accounting.”

I shook my head. “Sounds dicey to me.”

“Where would they be without Continental? They’re making noises about starting up their own wire-let ’em try it!”

I sat forward in the booth. “I don’t know where you think I fit into this, Jim, but I don’t do mob-related work. I gave that up the day Frank Nitti blew his brains out.”

He smiled his tight smile. “You played intermediary in the Guzik kidnapping, I hear.”

“Yeah, but it wasn’t my idea.”

“I hear Greasy Thumb thinks you’re aces.”

“Let’s keep it that way. And let’s keep him a distant admirer.”

He frowned. “They’re trying to spook my lawyer, Nate. He’s been getting threatening calls; nasty notes.”

“Telling him to drop the case.”

“Yes.”

“Sounds like swell advice to me.”

“His secretary’s been getting the calls. It’s a small office- there’s no receptionist; just one girl, and him. And they’ve threatened her, too.”

“That’s a little nasty, I’ll grant you.”

He leaned forward; spoke softly. “The secretary is my niece. I feel a responsibility, here: I got her this job. Her father died last year, and the family business went with him. I’m trying to help the lass out.” He sighed. “She’s a good girl, though she has a bit of a wild streak that gets away from her sometimes.”

“And you mean to straighten her out,” I said.

“Yes. But my concern right now is her safety. Her family’s had enough tragedy…they lost the only son in the war.”

I sucked some air in. “Yeah, well.”

“Bataan,” Ragen added.

I winced. “What do you want me to do?”

“Spend some time with her.”