“Well, gambling is your business,” responded Yates. “Maybe you think business is good at Seaview City.”
“What if I do?” smiled Big Tom Bagshawe.
“You’ll find it isn’t so good!” replied the police chief. “Listen, Bagshawe. The less trouble there is between you and me, the better we’ll both like it. Seaview City is a good-time spot, but it isn’t wide open, and it isn’t going to be. You’ve got a nice business downstairs. Keep the business down there.”
“Thanks, chief,” declared Big Tom slowly. “I think your advice is probably good.”
“It is good,” asserted Yates. “I’ve had some complaints in the past few weeks, and I came in here to look around. Maybe things have been exaggerated. I’m willing to give you a break. But take my tip and forget any ideas of a big-time gambling joint.
“If you want a quiet game — well, this is a pleasure resort, after all. But nothing big. Otherwise, there’ll be trouble.”
With this statement of policy, Chief Yates arose and left the office. Big Tom accompanied him to the door. They reached the anteroom, and Yates went downstairs.
Outside the Club Catalina, the police chief encountered the detective whom he had seen upstairs.
“What’s up, chief?” the man asked.
“Nothing, Parker,” retorted Yates. “I just dropped in to see that everything was all right, and that you were on the job.”