“She’s being well provided for. What does she need anyway? A better wheelchair? Two scoops of vanilla on her dessert? She’s in one of the best assisted-living homes in Queens, for which she pays nothing. She’s got twenty-four-hour care. The best doctors. How much longer has she got? Months? A year?”

The old man was miles ahead of him. Of course, he had come prepared, but who had prepped him? Where had he come by this detailed knowledge? How much more did he know that was still hidden from Ted? Ted chose the all-encompassing question: “How do you know so much about this?”

The Judge smiled as though from on high. “People talk to me. That’s how these things get done. You know that.”

Ted’s phone pinged again. The car was waiting. There was no reason to stay any longer; the Judge had delivered his message and would offer no more information of use. Ted stood and walked to the door. “It’s time for you to leave.”

“Think about it, Teddy. I’d like to help.”

Ted opened the door and made a show of getting out his keys.

“You will have some important people beholden to you. People who don’t forget. This isn’t just some local pissing match. It goes to Albany. To the top.”

Ted was shocked—not only at the revelation itself, but also at the fact that the Judge had presented it so casually. But Ted also understood that this was as much threat as inducement. He let none of this show in his face but jiggled the keys. He needed to give this some thought. And he needed to get away before the Judge saw that he may have scored a hit.

The Judge sighed and rose to his feet. He stopped in the doorway, blocking it. “Do it for Jill.”

They both knew that Ted would not let her be harmed. But would that protection extend to the family? No. To Jackie? Jacqueline. Ted wasn’t so sure. He needed to shake the old man. A thought flashed through his mind, and he gave it voice before he had the chance to temper it. “Answer me one question. Why did Richie have to die?”

“Who?” For the first time, the old man appeared to be genuinely confused. Maybe he was a great poker player.

Ted pushed further. “Who saw him as a threat? Christ, you could have bought him off for pennies on the dollar.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Was he lying?

Nothing Ted could say or do would crack that Fitzmaurice carapace. There was nothing more to be gained by talking with him.

“Leave,” Ted said. “You couldn’t tell the truth to save a life.”