Into the room strode Jerry Haggerty, one of Lang’s confreres.
Jerry was the one man on the force who was ever able to make a mobster come clean.
“Let me talk to Gunner, here,” said Haggerty. “You be ready, Lang. I’m going to make him squeal.”
Haggerty leaned over the injured man.
“Look at me, Gunner,” he commanded in a harsh voice. “Got you at last, eh? Speak up!”
“Try and make me,” retorted Macklin, opening his eyes.
Haggerty leaned forward and whispered a few words into the man’s ears. Macklin’s jaw dropped. His eyes became glassy.
“How — how—” he could not overcome his stammer. “How did you know that?”
“You’ve been double-crossed, Gunner,” replied Haggerty. “There’s only one way to get the guy that did it. Tell us.”
“Palermo is The Shadow?” mumbled Macklin incredulously. “I can’t— I can’t believe it!”