“All set,” growled the newcomer. “Here’s the grand for the info that I’m supposed to get from you, Sneaks.”
“Keep it,” grinned “Sneaks.” “That makes it even. Let’s hear the story.”
“Well,” said Jake, “Dave Markan’s made up his mind. He wants Arnold Bodine bumped off on Wednesday night. He’s payin’ you one grand for wisin’ him up to the lay. There’s two grand more if you can fix the bump-off.”
“Tell him three grand, the cheap skate,” responded Sneaks. “This has got to look like it was on the level. It’ll cost two grand for the rods. I oughta get a cut.”
“He’ll fork over the other grand, all right,” commented Jake. “But you’re sure this’ll go through O.K.? I’m gettin’ leery, Sneaks.”
The pasty-faced gangster laughed contemptuously.
“Everything went right before this, didn’t it, Jake?”
“Yeah. But this bird Double Z is gettin’ kinda chesty. It gives me the bumps, the way he works.”
“That’s his game, Jake. He was right when he picked you. The guy’s always right. He don’t take no chances on a double cross. The first thing to keep a guy from double-crossin’ is to make him scared of you.”
“You ain’t scared of him!”