The whisper rose a little becoming audible throughout the room.
"I'm croaking—I guess—ain't I?" it asked.
"You're all right—Tim," John managed to say.
"I didn't squeal—kid—they got me—I didn't tell 'em it was you and Brennan."
"We know you didn't, Murphy."
"I wanna tell ya something—before I go—see?" The whisper became fainter. "I wasn't workin' for ya—for da jack—ya gave me—see? I did it 'cause—my old man—my old man——" The whisper stopped.
"Yes, Tim."
"'Cause—my old man—my—old—man—was—was—'Red Mike,'—see?"
A quick intake of breath by Brennan was the only sound that broke the tense silence.