Gollowitz sat back. It was a moment of triumph for him. He felt vindicated. Maurer was now doing what he had had to do.
“You’re playing this right, Jack,” he said. “It’s the only way.”
Maurer looked up.
“You’re kidding yourself, Abe,” he said softly. “You think I’m playing it your way, but I’m not. Ferrari is going to take care of the girl, then I’ll take care of Ferrari. That’s the difference between running this organization and letting the organization run you!”
Gollowitz stiffened.
“Take care of Ferrari? What do you mean?”
Maurer showed his teeth in a grin that made him look like a wolf.
“Wait and see, Abe.”
They sat looking at each other for several long minutes, then the door opened and Ferrari came in. He walked silently across the room, climbed into an armchair, wriggled back until he was comfortable and looked at Maurer with alert bright eyes.
“About this girl,” Maurer said. “It’s got me beat. Abe says you can handle it. Can you?”