“I’m ready to go in,” he said, eyeing the building dubiously. “But I’d like to know what’s cooking.”
“You will,” I said, “only don’t rush me. How many boys did you bring?”
“Six. That enough?”
“I hope so. Tell ’em to keep out of sight. We may not need them, but if we do, they’ll have plenty on their hand. While they’re waiting they can make themselves useful. I want the telephone in this joint cut off. Can they fix the outside lines?”
“I guess so,” he said. “What’s the idea?”
“I don’t want anyone to tip the cops if trouble starts. We’ll have enough on our hands without a load of corrupt Law busting in on us.”
“I hope you know what you’re doing,” Hoskiss said. He sounded worried.
“After the way I handed you those Cubans I think you might exercise a little faith,” I said.
“You’d make a swell salesman,” Hoskiss said, resigned. “I’ll tell them.”
I waited. After a while he came back.