"They came to us," I protested.

"That won't be the way they tell it."

"Dammit," I said.

"If you get caught with her it could be trouble for both of us. The Astors' got connections. Ditch the girl and get back home. You were there all night."

"No, Nick," I said. "I can't do that."

"Let the boys in blue bring her in. That'll clear you and me both."

"I'm up on North Avenue, and it's after dark. I'm not leaving a nine-year-old girl out here by herself."

"Ten," shouted the girl, furious. "I'm ten, you insensitive jerk!" She kicked some more, and I kept myself more or less out of the way of her feet.

"She sounds so cute. Just let her run, Harry, and let the criminal types beware."

"Nick."

"Aw, hell, Harry. You're getting moral on me again."

I smiled, but it felt tight on my mouth, and my stomach churned with anger. "Look, we'll think of something. Just get down here and pick us up."

"What happened to your car?"

"Broke down this afternoon."

"Again? What about the El?"

"I'm broke. Nick, I need a ride. I can't walk back to the office with her, and I don't want to stand here in a public booth fighting her, either. So get down here and get us."

"I don't want to spend time in jail because you can't salve your conscience, Harry."

"What about your conscience?" I shot back. Nick was all bluster. When it came down to the wire, he couldn't have left the girl alone in that part of town, either.

Nick growled out something that sounded vaguely obscene, then said, "Fine, whatever. But I can't get across the river very easy, so I'll be on the far side of the bridge. All you have to do is cross the bridge with her and stay out of sight. Police patrols in the area will be looking for you. Half an hour. If you're not there, I'm not waiting. Bad neighborhood."

"Have faith, man. I'll be there."

We hung up without saying goodbye.