Read Online We All Fall Down by Michael Harvey - Free Book Online Page A

around the shop twice, and left. I popped open the locks and she got in.
    “What the hell are you doing?”
    “This guy here.” I nodded to the passenger’s seat. “He works for Vinny DeLuca.”
    I checked the rearview mirror and saw the tightening around her mouth.
    “He’s not a hitter,” I said. “At least, I don’t think so. DeLuca probably has him tailing you until they figure out what to do. Now you want to tell me who Rissman is doing business with? Or you want me to fill in the blanks?”
    “Jesus Christ.”
    “Vinny DeLuca doesn’t joke around, Rita. Whatever you’re doing, it’s got his attention. And that ain’t good.”
    “You think the Outfit’s going to kill me? Seriously?”
    “I think people have accidents.”
    “This is assault, Michael.”
    She made a move to get out of the car. I locked the doors again. Then I went through my pal’s pockets and found his cell phone. I hit REDIAL and waited. A voice I recognized answered.
    “Johnny Apple, how are you?”
    “Michael Kelly?”
    “Is your boss there?”
    “What are you doing with Chili’s phone?”
    I looked over at Chili. “Is that his name? I remembered the face. One of those guys who hangs around on the fringes, drinking coffee and moving the furniture around every couple of minutes. You know those guys, Johnny. Fuck, you are one.”
    “What are you doing with his phone?”
    “Let me talk to DeLuca.”
    “He’s not here.”
    “Fine. I’ll keep the phone. Tell him to call me when he gets a minute.”
    A pause. Chicago’s crime boss came on the line. “Fucking pain, deep in my balls.”
    “Listen, Vinny. Your boy here is tailing Rita Alvarez. I think I know why. And I don’t like it.”
    “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Kelly. And since when do I give a fuck what you like?”
    “You think that makes sense, Vinny?”
    No answer.
    “She’s a friend.” I glanced in the rearview mirror at Rita, who looked a little green around the gills. “Besides, I think we might have some common ground.”
    “Business is business, Kelly.”
    “I understand that.”
    “Maybe your friends don’t.”
    “She does.” Another look at Rita, who definitely looked like she might lose her breakfast all over the gangster’s upholstery. “Let’s talk.”
    More silence.
    “I can guarantee my friend does nothing until we sit down.”
    “At my age, quiet’s a blessing. You keep it that way, and maybe we can talk.”
    “Until then you call these guys off.”
    “Give my man back his cell phone.”
    I looked over at the passenger’s seat. “He’s not available right now.”
    A sigh. “Fine. Leave him there. We’ll be in touch.”
    “Bye, Vinny.”
    He cut the line. I flipped the phone shut and dropped it to the floor.
    “Take a look at this guy,” I said.
    “I have.”
    “Good. Now let’s get out of here.”
    We slipped out of the car, got into hers, and drove.
    “Where to?” she said.
    “Just cruise the neighborhood.”
    “What did you hit him with?”
    I showed her the rolls. “Quarters, for when you only get one punch. Listen, you need to back off this thing. At least until we can talk to DeLuca.”
    “You think I’m going to negotiate a story with Vinny DeLuca?”
    “You like having all your moving parts moving?”
    “Come on, Michael. I’m on to something.”
    In her eyes I saw visions of those shiny trophies they give to crusading journalists, except this one was covered in seaweed and dripping wet. That was because they’d pulled it off the bottom of Lake Michigan, where they’d found it wrapped around Rita’s neck.
    “Does Rodriguez know about all this?” I said.
    “No. And he’s not going to find out. Help me work this. Maybe I can keep the mob angle out.”
    “Do I have a choice? How close are you to running something?”
    “Couple of weeks. Minimum.”
    “All right. But you have to agree not to print anything until you talk to me.”
    “Fine.”
    “Whose baiting the hook for the