Chapter 5

“That’s where he lives. Go wish him a Happy New Year. Ask him to tell ya about it,” Frank said with a wink.

“God, thanks, Frank. But how did you find out?”

“Ahhh, I got a friend who’s a friend of a friend of a guy who works for the same outfit your guy does. He owed me so he looked it up. No big deal.”

“Like hell!” Danny shouted and leaned over the counter and gave Frank a big, sloppy kiss.

“Shit,” laughed the older man. “I been waitin’ fer that fer four years.”

Danny turned to leave, turned back and slugged down his vodka.

“For courage,” he said.

* * * *

Standing outside Al’s apartment door, Danny held the scotch in one hand, while the other drummed nervously on his thigh. He was about to ring the bell a second time when the door opened.

“Hi,” he said, trying to muster a confident tone. “Happy New Year.” He thrust the bottle into Al’s hand.

Al stood for a moment, blinking stupidly with his mouth open.

“Well, can I come in?”