“Have they beefed up their security?”

“Same as before, plus they’ve got two new cameras and one more guard—that’s it. We can handle it, no problem.”

“And you’ve got Gene Ryan and Al Parisi?”

“Al caught a bullet over the weekend. Gene brought a reliable guy with him.”

“Give me a couple minutes, okay?”

“Sure, Frank, take your time.”

Frank got up and walked down the hall to his partner’s office. “Charlie’s back. He wants to do the bank again, tomorrow at one.”

“What about the horse parlor?”

“It got raided, so it’s postponed for a week. Charlie’s brought in two guys from Jersey.”

“I thought we were going to do the horse parlor, then dump Charlie. It’s time. I hear he’s loose of the lip, spends too much money.” He thought about it for a minute while Frank waited. “Have you got a sentimental attachment to Charlie? I know you two worked together for a while.”

“Not a bit,” Frank said. “When we’re done, we’re done.”

“Tell him it’s a go, then.”

“Okay.” Frank walked back to his office. “It’s a go,” he said. “A quarter of the take is good.”

“Thanks, Frank.” They shook hands and Charlie left.

—

Down the hall, Frank’s partner picked up the phone. “Hey, it’s me. I’ve got a tip for you. Remember the bank west of here? It’s going to be hit again tomorrow afternoon at one, same guys. Right. And listen, in return for the tip, we’d like it if you made a clean sweep—no loose ends. Can you handle that? Great, handle it, then.”

Chapter 50

Dino swept into One Police Plaza, shaking hands, waving at people, smiling, even though it hurt his head to smile, and doing everything he could to look healthy, hardy, and ready to run a police department.

His secretary beamed at him and took his coat. “Chief Harrigan is already in there,” she said.

“Oh, swell, I’ve missed him so!” Dino strode into his office, and Harrigan sprang to his feet. “Welcome back, boss!” he said, pumping Dino’s hand, which also hurt his head.

Dino swung into his chair, opened a drawer, shook a couple of aspirin into his hand, and washed them down with water from a thermos. “Okay, Dan, anything new since last night?”

“Not a thing, boss.”

“Then get the hell out of here. I’ve got work to do.”

“Righto. Oh, Public Affairs wants a photograph of us to show that you’re back in harness.”

“Jesus. All right, get ’em in here.”

Harrigan opened the door and beckoned the photographer and the deputy chief for public affairs into the room. The two men pretended to examine some papers on Dino’s desk, then smiled broadly for another one. Dino kicked everybody out and took off his jacket.