Then McDermott said, “That’s why I signed you in with the Squad. I was hoping you’d get the message. It couldn’t come from me. It hadda come from someone closer to you. Inside you. Deep inside.”

Corey nodded very slowly. He gazed past the detective-sergeant. His voice quivered just a trifle as he mumbled, “Will you do me a favor? A personal favor?”

“Depends.”

“Lemme hold onto the badge. Lemme stay with the Squad.”

“I’ll think about it,” the detective-sergeant said. He smiled dimly, put his hand on Corey’s shoulder and pressed down hard. Then he placed some money on the counter and they walked out of the diner. They went across the street to the city hall courtyard and got into a squad car. About ten minutes later the car came to a stop at Fourth and Addison. Corey got out. The car made a U-turn and started back toward the bridge. Corey walked down Fourth toward the rooming house where he lived.

Approaching the rooming house, Corey saw someone sitting on the doorstep. It was Carp. His head was bent forward and he was dozing. Then he opened his eyes and saw Corey. He said solemnly, “A most welcome sight, indeed. I’m quite pleased to observe that you’re still among the living.” And then, getting up from the doorstep, Carp applied tender fingers to a slight bump on the side of his head.

“Who gave you that?” Corey asked.

“Nellie,” the little man said. “I knocked on her door and asked for your address. She was somewhat annoyed at being awakened so early in the morning. After considerable discussion, she replied to my query and—” he broke it off as he saw the look on Corey’s face. He murmured, “There is something you wish to tell me?”

Corey nodded slowly. He said, “Grogan’s done. There ain’t no Grogan no more. I put a bullet in him.”

The little man closed his eyes for a moment. He didn’t say anything. Corey stood still, waiting for a comment. Finally the little man looked at him and said slowly, very distinctly and with quiet formality, “It will benefit the neighborhood. It will be of considerable benefit. As a resident of this neighborhood I wish to express my deepest gratitude.” Carp bowed ceremoniously. Then he turned and walked away.

Corey Bradford stood there for some moments; then he headed south on Fourth, going toward Ingersoll. Specifically, he was heading toward the first-floor back of 617 Ingersoll.

At the door of the first floor back he knocked several times, and presently the door opened.

Lillian stood there in the doorway, wearing a tattered robe and blinking the sleep from her eyes. She muttered, “Whaddya want?”

“Can I come in?”

“What for?”

“Some things I gotta tell you.”