I don’t know, but when he came here he certainly scared Mendetta. He offered to come in as a partner, but Mendetta turned him down. You’ve seen him, haven’t you? Looks like he’s down to rock bottom, till you look at his face. That guy’s going to be big, and Mendetta knew it. When he turned Raven down he signed his death warrant. Raven promised him he’d fix him, and he has. I think Raven can make me more money than any guy in this town. I ain’t interested in anything else but making a lot of dough. Raven’s good enough for me.”
Lu looked at him admiringly. “That’s the swellest bit of lyin’ I’ve ever heard. It nearly convinces me, but not quite. Shall I tell you why you’re saying welcome to Raven? Because you’re yellow. Because Raven’s a killer, and you know it. Because Raven’s got a little mob that is as tough as hell and could smash us up in half an hour. Yeah, that’s why.”
Grantham got to his feet. “What about you?” he said. “You goin’ to tell Raven where he gets off?”
Lu shook his head. “Sure I’m not,” he said, shrugging his shoulders. “What’s good enough for you suits me.
I’m yellow too.”
“Instead of yapping like this, suppose you go over to Mendetta’s apartment and find out what’s happened.
I’m worried about Jean.”
Lu shook his head. “Be your age. Suppose the cops walk in when I’m there? Where should I be? You’ll have to wait. The papers’ll have it fast enough.”
Grantham said uneasily, “Do you think he’s killed her too?”
“Why should you worry? She ain’t anybody. If you want to know so badly, go an’ see for yourself.”