Free The Erection Set by Mickey Spillane

you for a nut to even bother with the deal.”
    â€œLet’s say it’s a matter of principle.”
    â€œSure. You toss over the whole European operation to play games. Oh, not that we’re not properly appreciative, buddy. You handed us quite a nut, but I’m not so sure we like you entirely out of the picture. You were the iron fist in the velvet glove that kept everything greased. So far we haven’t found anybody who’s up to your ability.”
    â€œHow about Purcell?”
    â€œStill got too many rough edges. Give him a year and he may mellow.”
    â€œMontgomery?”
    â€œWe’re considering him. If he makes it on the new assignment he may get the spot. Incidentally, we picked up that other block of stock in Barrin from the Woodring kid. He was glad to dump it at the price. We made you a present of it, and as far as I know it’s the last of the stuff floating around. You know a Cross McMillan?”
    â€œUh-huh.”
    â€œHe had tracked it down too, but our price was higher and the kid sold before McMillan could raise the ante.” He stopped a moment, then stared at me, frowning. “You onto something, Dog?”
    â€œJust my ten grand.”
    â€œSomehow I get the feeling you’re holding a fungo bat with the bases loaded.”
    â€œLet me have my fun, Chet.”
    â€œOkay, clam. Just keep the repercussions down. Right now we don’t need any static. We got things fairly quiet on the Continent, John Bull has retired back into politics and you’re nothing but a legend now. That Mafia bunch had a housecleaning, a few mass funerals and even Interpol is sitting back smugly enjoying the scene no matter how it came off. If they only knew.”
    â€œAnd we’re not telling, are we?” I asked him.
    â€œIndeedy no, my crazy friend. The other side carries too much heavy artillery.” He rocked forward and leaned on his desk. “You going to be needing any of the contacts?”
    â€œUnlikely, but keep them open for me.”
    â€œThat fungo bat’s getting longer.”
    â€œNo sweat, kid, it’s just that I’m used to thinking that way. Besides, you never know what’s going to turn up.”
    â€œYeah,” he growled sarcastically. “So what’s on the agenda?”
    I looked at my watch and stretched out of my seat. “Little party tonight. Should be fun.”
    â€œYour buddy Shay showing you the town?”
    â€œHe thinks I need reorienting.”
    â€œDo you?”
    â€œIt’s not like the Old Country, Chet. They’ve screwed everything up back here. The broads...”
    â€œAll broads are alike, Dog.”
    â€œThe kind you pick are.”
    â€œLucky Linden, they call me. My little beauties never give me any trouble. Very clean, very quiet and very commercial. Now take you, what those classy dolls ever saw in you I just can’t figure. I’d think you’d scare them to death.”
    â€œI got class.”
    â€œYou got more than that, but it’s something only the dames can smell.”
    I grinned at him and snuffed the cigarette out. “Where’s that paper you want signed?”
    He slid open the desk drawer, drew out three sheets of printed copy and pushed them toward me. “The dotted line, Dog. Three autographs and you’re on your own. If you do use any of the contacts, make damn sure it’s an emergency and one foul-up will leave you wide open. From here on in you’re out of the picture. Completely. This office is closing down today; the others have already moved. The old numbers and exchanges have been switched and our people have been informed that you’re nothing more than another Johnny-on-the-street.”
    â€œThe picture’s clear, Chet. I know the rules.”
    â€œMaybe you forgot one, Dog.”
    â€œWhat’s that?”
    â€œThey wanted you hit. The board was one vote shy of having you knocked