Before the print had dried on the final editions of the evening newspapers, another killing took place. Gun shots flashed in a gloomy room where Mike Lombrosi made his headquarters, and Tony Marano became the new leader of that mob.
Lombrosi had long been tottering on his throne. He had paid tribute to the dead Arnold Bodine, and rumor had it that he might have supported Dave Markan in the enterprise. So Tony stepped in with a big gat and ended the discussion.
The killing took place when several of the mob were present, so Tony did not have to wait long for congratulations.
Like Jake Dermott, Tony Marano was pleased with his new connection. Double Z, through Sneaks Rubin, was to be the recipient of the tribute that had once been paid to Arnold Bodine. But that was a matter that Tony intended to keep to himself.
Thus, in less than twenty-four hours, two of the most proficient criminal groups in New York had come beneath the sway of the great unknown — Double Z — and not a word of the change had reached the ever-ready ears of gangland!
Bodine’s death was something of a mystery. The first indication had been the note from Double Z.
Detective Joe Cardona had put men on guard at the Goliath Hotel. Cardona, himself, had camped in Bodine’s rooms.
He had answered a telephone call. It had been Bodine’s cry for help. A slayer was in the big shot’s hideout!
The shooting had commenced before Cardona had arrived. The detectives found the door barred. They were sure some one was in the apartment.
In the alley outside, men sent to guard the flank had discovered the body of Clipper Tobin — a lone wolf in gangdom. Crashing into Bodine’s room, the detective found the body of the big shot, but the slayer was gone.