For instance, there is Peppy Rítale, who handles the numbers play in town. He does quite well. Naturally, he would do much better if he did not have to pay you twenty-five percent of his profits each week," Nobile said. "And there is Mr. Bangston, who is the loanshark down on River Street. Another partner of yours. And there is . . ." He stopped and snapped the book closed. The crack of the hard cover lingered in the room like the sound of a pistol shot. "But I guess there isn't any need in going on. You know the names in this book."

Windlow picked up his glass of Amaretto and drained it in one large swallow.

"Who are you?" he finally said. "What do you want?"

"I am who I say. Rocco Nobile. And I am going to be the next mayor of Bay City."

"The election's two years off," Windlow said.

"I am not waiting for the election," Nobile said.

I

10

"I will be appointed, after you resign, to fill your unexpired term."

Windlow tried a small smile. "Oh, you have it all worked out," he said. "I resign, you take over. But suppose I just don't resign?"

Nobile shrugged. "Then I will have to wait until the federal prosecutors indict you for all the crimes in this book. That will put me several months off schedule, but I guess I could wait if I had to."

There was a long, uneasy pause in the room.

"You can prove those things?" the mayor said, pointing toward the notebook which lay on the table between them. His hand quivered as if he were toying with the idea of grabbing the notebook and fleeing.

"You know I can," Nobile said. "I would be a poor fool to aim a gun at you, without being sure first that it was loaded."

"There's room enough in Bay City for everybody. I could use a partner," Windlow said hopefully. "I've been thinking for a long time now that some new blood might . . . well, might improve things here. A fresh outlook. There is enough for everybody."