Lefty nodded. “It’s okay,” he said. “Nobody saw me.”
Raven took a turn up and down the room. “We’re goin’ to get goin’ now,” he said. “Grantham’s been in.
He’s yellin’ about bad business. I want you and Maltz to come with me. We’re goin’ to look Mendetta’s houses over.”
Lefty nodded. “I’ve got the list of dames in each house,” he said. “Shall I bring it along?”
“Of course.” Raven went to the door. “Let’s go.”
In the car Lefty said, “Carrie’s house is the best one.”
Raven nodded. “We’ll go there.”
When they ran up the steps the negro Joe thought they were the cops. He rang the alarm bell. Carrie appeared on the scene, her eyes snapping with fury. When she saw Lefty she ran towards him. “What the hell’s this?” she said angrily. “Do you want to ruin my business?”
Lefty pushed her on one side. “Keep your chest in place,” he said. “The big shot’s come to look the joint over.”
Carrie turned quickly. She had never seen Raven, although she had heard a lot about him. She said, “You can’t come in here. I’ve got my customers to think of. The girls are busy.”