When they had gone, Schultz said uneasily, “Those guys seem to hate us.”
Duffy stood frowning at the floor. Then he said, “I don’t like this. Maybe English’s loosing his grip.”
He went to his room and dialled. When English answered, Duffy said, “We’ve had a shooting here.” His voice was tense and sharp. “Morgan’s mob knocked off Gilroy and tried to iron me out. They got away.”
English said, “You got to be careful.”
Duffy grinned mirthlessly at the mouthpiece. “You telling me,” he said. “What I want you to know is the cops seemed kind of unfriendly. You’re giving me protection. I don’t like to have it come back on me. These birds were only keeping their hands off me with an effort.”
English said softly, “You’re wanted for a murder rap. You can’t expect too much.”
Duffy stared at the opposite wall. “How long’s your protection going to last, once Morgan’s out of the way?”
English said immediately, “You’ve got nothing to worry about. I’m getting the papers to run the whole case tomorrow, clearing you. You see, you’ll be in the clear tomorrow.”
Duffy said, “We’ve fixed Morgan. You’ll pay twenty-five grand into my bank, tomorrow?”
English said, “Sure, tomorrow. When they got Morgan I’ll do that.”