Borrango nodded. He spoke a few quick words in Italian, and received a response from Savoli. It meant that Borrango understood, and that he was to explain the rest of the plan.
“You go see Marmosa,” Borrango said, in smooth tones. “I will call him on the telephone before you get there. You will take the place of Eddie Heeny.
“There is a man there now — a gorilla that Joe le Blanc sent to Marmosa. But he will not do.
“You work there, and in all your extra time, keep looking for The Shadow. When you have found him — put him on the spot.”
Steve Cronin nodded his agreement.
The arrangement was better than he had expected. He had anticipated complete dismissal from the service of Nick Savoli. Such dismissal would have ended his career as a Chicago gangster. For those who were barred by the big shot could not join forces with any other mob.
They were men who knew too much, and their association with a smaller faction invariably meant sudden death at the hands of Savoli’s grim killers.
CRONIN had been demoted. That was certain. Yet a new courage had been instilled in him. As the outside man in Marmosa’s place he would be safe from trouble, and he would have a chance to rise again.
Nevertheless, the task of putting The Shadow on the spot brought qualms to the gunman’s troubled mind. He made a feeble effort to regain the good graces of his overlords.
“I’ll work for Marmosa,” he said, “but you may need me here, Nick. You said yesterday that I was doing nice work. I’ve been a good torpedo, haven’t I? I admit I flopped last night, but that — “