the waterfront.
Police whistles were blowing and they could hear the sound of distant sirens.
“This ain’t healthy,” Tux said. “Come on; let’s get the hell out of here.”
“Think they’re after Johnny?” Solly asked, looking along the waterfront at the distant police car and the four cops who were standing in a group, their backs turned to them.
“How do I know?” Tux snarled. “Goddamn it! He could get away in this shindig.” He had a sudden idea. “Maybe Seth knows what it’s all about.”
He set off down an alley, followed by Solly.
Tux knew all the short cuts and the back alleys of the waterfront as well as he knew the geography of his cruiser. But he was surprised to find a number of the alleys were already guarded by cops.
It was only the darkness and his knowledge that prevented them from being seen. By climbing over walls and passing through back yards, they managed to reach the rear entrance of the Washington Hotel.
“Stick around,” Tux said to Solly and, leaving him to wait in the basement passage, he went on up the stairs to the main hall.
Cutler had returned to the reception desk. He was smoking and staring out of the window that overlooked the waterfront.