Meek stood up and held out his hand.
"Glad to know you, Mr. Hoffman," he said.
Blacky took the proffered hand in some surprise.
"Seems I should know you, Meek, but I don't. Should have heard of you at some time or other. A man like you would get talked about."
Meek shook his head. "I don't think you ever have. I never did anything to get talked about."
"Sit down," said Hoffman and it sounded like a command.
"I got to be going," Stiffy piped, already halfway to the door.
Hoffman poured out a drink and shoved the bottle at Meek. Meek gritted his teeth and poured a short one.
"No use beating around the bush," said Blacky. "We may as well get down to cases. I guess we understand one another."
Oliver Meek didn't know what the other meant, but he had to say something.