hundred and fifty thou is business.’ So we did. We opened an out for the big boy when he didn’t have any. The kid got mushy with the broad along the road and got knocked for a loop. That was all right with me. If she was worth a hundred and fifty grand to him—fair enough. I came on with Red. I pulled the big tramp out after he stopped the slug. By rights I ought to collect the kid’s dib, too—making three hundred thou for me—but give me the hundred and fifty I started out for and we’ll call it even-steven.”
I thought this hocus ought to stick. Of course I wasn’t counting on her ever giving me any money, but if the rank and file of the mob hadn’t known these people, why should these people know everybody in the mob?
Flora spoke to Pogy:
“Get that damned heap away from the front door.”
I felt better when he went out. She wouldn’t have sent him out to move the car if she had meant to do anything to me right away.
“Got any food in the joint?” I asked, making myself at home.
She went to the head of the steps and yelled down, “Get something for us to eat.”
Red was still unconscious. Nancy Regan sat beside him, holding one of his hands. Her face was drained white. Big Flora came into the room again, looked at the invalid, put a hand on his forehead, felt his pulse.
“Come on downstairs,” she said.
“I—I’d rather stay here, if I may,” Nancy Regan said. Voice and eyes showed utter terror of Flora.