“The strongest of ’em now is probably Pete the Finn. This stuff we’re drinking’s his. Then there’s Lew Yard. He’s got a loan shop down on Parker Street, does a lot of bail bond business, handles most of the burg’s hot stuff, so they tell me, and is pretty thick with Noonan, the chief of police. This kid Max Thaler⁠—‘Whisper’⁠—has got a lot of friends too. A little slick dark guy with something wrong with his throat. Can’t talk. Gambler. Those three, with Noonan, just about help Elihu run his city⁠—help him more than he wants. But he’s got to play with ’em or else⁠—”

“This fellow who was knocked off tonight⁠—Elihu’s son⁠—where did he stand?” I asked.

“Where papa put him, and he’s where papa put him now.”

“You mean the old man had him⁠—?”