“We got your calling card.”

“That’s just the start. The old man riled?”

“Yep, and this is my end of the business. I’ve got to get back in there and twist tails, but I need to talk to you.”

They moved away from the commotion of people and police cars around the nightclub.

“I’ve been cooperating with Leo Turrin, but this is different. What the hell am I supposed to do if I’m in a joint and you come in spraying lead?”

“Duck!” the Executioner said. “That’s why we talk, so I know where you are and how to get in touch with you. If I’m going to blast some spot, I get you out first.”

“Good, I can buy that.” Nino pounded a fist into his palm. “Damn! I don’t know how I ever got into this. Here I am now with the cops looking for me on one end, and I got to be careful what I say and do so my own people don’t find out I’m a traitor to them. You know what they would do to me?”

“I don’t think you had much choice, Nino. Cooperate or face the electric chair.”

“Damn, I know it. The Feds nailed me good, and Leo turned me around. Now just how much hell you going to raise in my town?”

“Depends on what’s here. Right now I’m just trying to get Nazarione’s attention. The word on the wire is that something big is going down in Baltimore. I want to know what it is.”

Nino frowned. “Damn, I don’t know what the gossips are talking about. Biggest thing I know of right now is that I’m paying two thousand a week to a crooked cop. I’d like to get rid of that bastard. He’s Capt. Harley Davis, a real rogue flatfoot who’s getting rich. He’s the head of the burglary detail, which also handles gambling.”

“And you’re in charge of all Carlo’s gambling operations?”

“Right. I work through Jo Jo Albergetti. He’s a kind of vice president of sales and revenues. Leo figured I could work in from this end and get the fewest people hurt and still be in the middle of things.”