Free Dark Stain by Benjamin Appel Page A

clerk, and held other jobs over a period of four years. At the age of sixteen, he was arrested for the first time for petty larceny. He served a sentence. On his release, he went to work for Martin Handley, British West Indies Negro and an operator at that time in the numbers racket. Big Boy Bose received his nickname at this period. He was the leader of Negro mobsters in their battles with the Italian and Spanish mobs of East Harlem. At the age of twenty-two, Big Boy Bose had become one of Martin Handley’s lieutenants. He served Handley as chief muscle man in the continuing strife between the Negro and the white elements over control of the Harlem numbers racket. Big Boy Bose led this fight. The white elements were dominated by Joseph Fuzzello, who also ran one of the biggest chains of brothels in Harlem. Joseph Fuzzello was found murdered in 1931. Martin Handley was murdered in 1932. Big Boy Bose assumed control of the Martin Handley organization. He acquired an interest in night clubs, in houses of prostitution and gambling. In the next five years, Big Boy Bose solidified his control. He contributed heavily to both political parties and formed alliances with influential whites. Characteristics: He drinks but not to excess. He has never been known to use drugs. His most important characteristic is a hatred for the white man. This dates back to the time when he was the leader in the fight against the East Harlem mobs. Investigations show that he has helped Negroes, porters, laborers, housemaids, etc., who have had trouble with whites. He has been heard to make anti-white remarks in night clubs and other public places. He has contributed sums of money to various Negro anti-white groups. He has been heard to speak favorably of such anti-white leaders as Ralph Judson now imprisoned for pro-Japanese activities, Ahmed Aden, Royal Gibney, etc. This anti-white phobia has handicapped him in his relations with the police and the politicians.”
    Hayden slid the report back inside the folder. “You’ve got the idea.”
    “I’ll have to blackface when I meet the nigger.”
    “You’ll have to be diplomatic. If possible, you will try to see Bose this afternoon or tonight. Bose is very important. We are using him to start our activity. In fact, he is our motor. There are three jobs we want him to do for us. These jobs are to begin this Monday — ”
    “Using a white hater like that nigger,” Bill said. “It’s brilliant.”
    Hayden smiled. “That remains to be tested.” He glanced at his gold watch that he lifted out of its vest pocket. “I have another appointment in five minutes. That’s unfortunate. I had intended to discuss your future in the organization. Let’s see. How about dinner tonight?”
    “I’d be glad to.”
    “It’s necessary for me to enter into details of a personal nature, Bill. However, we’ll save it for dinner. I can definitely promise you promotion after your Harlem assignment. I am confident you will be successful. I can definitely promise you an assistant executive position in some one of our branch offices in the South.”
    “Thank you,” Bill cried. “Thank you.”
    “We’ll save that for dinner, too, if you don’t mind. I have this appointment and I still have to discuss the three jobs our Mr. Bose is going to do for us. They are as follows. On Monday …”

CHAPTER 4
    O UT on the street again, Bill speculated about Hayden’s “details of a personal nature.” To hell with Hayden, he thought. He had work to do. He tapped his hand on the wallet in his rear pocket with its two thousand dollars of A.R.A. money. Dent was first on the agenda. He stepped into the first drugstore, thumbed the fat telephone book’s pages and memorized Dent’s number, dialing it in one of the booths. A girl’s voice singsonged: “Frank R. Dent, Insurance. Good afternoon.”
    “I want to speak to Mr. Dent.”
    “Who’s calling?”
    “The Judge asked me to call. Judge Nuhnen.”
    “One minute