Chapter Twenty Seven

December, 1949

 

Two weeks before Christmas, he called at Tommy’s restaurant at the usual time, and found the longshoreman tucking into a massive steak and fries.

‘Join me,’ said Tommy. ‘And have some grub. ‘

Bill was almost tempted. The steak and fries looked tasty, but then he noticed how Tommy was chewing over the same piece of meat for longer than necessary, and decided against it. He ordered a coffee and doughnut instead. As soon as he got the order, he leant across the table and spoke quietly to Tommy. Because of the noise and babble in the restaurant, it wasn’t strictly necessary, but he wasn’t taking any chances.

‘You thinking of teaming up with Altieri?’

‘Why? What’s the problem?’

‘Let me give you a piece of advice. Don’t do it, Tommy. ‘

‘Why not?’

‘The man has bad guy, hood, mobster, crook - you name it - written all over him. Soon as he shows up at Sunnyside, they’ll call the cops. ‘

Tommy looked up from his plate and gave Bill a knowing look.

‘Something tells me you’d like him to get caught. ‘

‘What gives you that idea?’

‘You’re still on the run and planning to go straight. If Altieri was caught using the same modus operandi as Willie the Actor, it’d take the heat off you. ‘

Bill grinned at his friend. ‘You ain’t just a pretty face, Tommy. But if you think I’m setting Altieri up, then forget it. That bank’s there for the taking. It’s just that I don’t think he’s capable of it. My instinct tells me he’s untrustworthy. ‘

Tommy ate quietly for a while, then fixed Bill with a steady look.

‘You were right to trust your first instinct, Bill. Know what I found out about Altieri. Tells people he was banged up for robbery. Turns out it was rape. Fifteen year old girl. ‘

An unpleasant image flashed into Bill’s mind of a young girl, a sweating Altieri, naked hairy buttocks, thrusting away on top of her. He stared at his coffee cup, lost in his thoughts of Jenny. Was she vulnerable, without a father to care for her and protect her? She was eighteen years old now. A young woman, and he’d missed her journey through childhood into the blossoming years of young adulthood.

‘Maybe Altieri deserves to be set up’ said Tommy. ‘All it’d take is one phone call. ‘

Bill drew his lips tightly together and shook his head. ‘Much as I detest sex crimes, Tommy, I’m not an informer. It goes against my nature. ‘

‘Same here,’ agreed Tommy.

‘Besides, I have another instinct about Altieri. I don’t think anyone need set him up. I don’t think he’s up to it. ‘

Bill watched as Tommy dipped his last piece of steak in ketchup.

‘And what about you, Tommy? You’re all square with the law. You’ve served your time. What tempted you?’

Tommy shrugged. ‘I guess I didn’t have much of a life. So it was no great risk. ‘

Bill knew exactly what he meant. He could picture Tommy at Christmas, alone in his room, listening to the radio.

‘And another thing,’ Tommy added, ‘I don’t think my job’s secure. They’re laying men off all the time. I may be next. ‘

‘So what are you going to do?’

‘I’ve saved a bit. I might move to Florida. Soak up some sun. I’ve had it with this place. ‘

‘Well,’ said Bill, ‘I hope it works out. ‘

He went to get a dollar out of his wallet, and Tommy stopped him with a hand.

‘It’s on me. ‘

Bill stood up. ‘Thanks, Tommy. Merry Christmas. ‘

Tommy waved it aside.

‘How long is it you’ve been out? Two and a half years? Stay lucky, Bill. Move on. There’s a great big world out there. You can get lost in it. ‘

‘Yeah, I’ll think about it. So long, Tommy. ‘

But he knew he never would leave New York. It was in his blood. And he lived with the hope that one day he might see his daughter again.