“You couldn’t know. He’s made plans for Joytown, to tear it down and put up some kind of housing project. He’s been waiting for an opportunity to turn on the heat and get his way. He had his secretary listening to the S-W band, if that doesn’t beat all. This murder is the opportunity, follow?”

“Yes, sir.”

“If we wind up in the bag, the Mayor is going to kill us. He’s not any more responsible for conditions down there than anyone else, and he won’t stand still to become Davis’ target. He’ll have to kill us to protect himself. Firing me and shaking up the Fifth doesn’t sound nice, but he’ll do it just the same. You don’t deserve to be a First Grade again and I don’t deserve to be looking for work. So.

“On the other hand, if we break this—and the faster, the better—we have our fifty-fifty chance. Most people know why Joytown exists and that the job we’ve been given is that of keeping the lid on the garbage can. Still, if any criticism is directed at us, even though we’ve broken the case, we can sit tight and take it. You know we can’t defend ourselves. We’re out of order if we make policy statements. We have to take it.

“You offended Davis last night, Joe. Don’t worry, I’m not going to tell you to eat turd. I have only myself to judge these things by, but the people and the newspapers know you and like you. Until now, anyway, you haven’t made a public mistake. If you make one now, I don’t think you’ll pay for it as heavily with the papers and the people as you would if they didn’t know you. If I took you off the case, I’d have to answer for it, not you. ‘What are you doing to our boy?’ they’d want to know. Follow me?”

“Yes, sir.”

“I don’t know if all this has occurred to Davis, but maybe it has. He hasn’t said anything yet about you. I don’t think he will. When he hits, he’ll hit the administration and the Department. The newspapers will seek you out. Don’t figure that because he’s letting you off the hook, you have to defend us. Do your job and treat the papers as you have been. You’re a sophisticated and intelligent man, and I know that if I give you a free hand you won’t abuse it. I have to say no to the flying because some people might think that you’ve been doing it right along and drawing your expenses when it’s something you would do for pleasure anyway. Not that you ever have done it or that I care much. I’m telling Captain Richardson that you’re to handle whatever goes out to the press. Consult him on the moves you want to make. If you’re in agreement, the two of you can have pretty much what you want. The two of you are good cops, and I respect you both. Now let me speak to him, please.”