“What about me?” he asked. “I’m ready — when you say the word. I can deliver plenty—”
“Not yet,” interrupted Wheels. “Keep on cooperating; that’s enough right now. Your chance comes later, after we hit a snag. You’d better drop Shifter for a while, Hooks. Stick around the hotel to-morrow night — and the rest of the week. Be there in case Carpenter needs you.”
“O.K.,” responded Hooks.
“If Carpenter comes through,” declared Wheels, “we’ll be a half million ahead at the end of this week. That’s counting on Big Tom and Shifter to keep on pumping. There’s two full months ahead, and the big pay-off will be in the middle of September, when the beauty pageant is staged.”
“We’ve paid expenses, and the profits are starting. I’m figuring on six million by the end of this season; a million each for you fellows; two for myself. Fair?”
“Sure thing,” came agreeing voices.
“The little cops are greased,” continued Wheels. “They’ll stay that way. As I figure it — from the inside — there’s not going to be any changes in the city system. That makes it all jake. With the mobsters working cheap, we’re all set.
“I had a hunch some wise bird might butt in and make trouble, but I’m not worried now. Tomorrow is the big day — the beginning of the real money.”
A match flickered, but it did not reveal a face. The pungent aroma of cigar smoke floated through the room. It reminded the gathered men of that other night, when Wheels Bryant had smoked in the dark. Evidently Wheels favored a particular brand of cigars.
“Any questions?”