Knock Knock Who's There?

"You're a tryer, Joe. I have to work by rule. If it was me I'd let you have it for ten, but this will be New York money and it comes pricey," and he hung up.

Massino sat for a long moment, his face ugly with rage. Then, shoving back his chair, he strode out into the passage and into Andy's office.

Lieutenant Mulligan, a fat, freckled-faced man was examining the safe. Two other plain clothes detectives were fingerprinting. Benno and Ernie had gone. Andy stood just inside the doorway, nibbling his thumb nail.

"The road blocks are going up, Mr. Massino," Mulligan said. "If he hasn't got away by now, he won't get away."

Knowing some thirty vital minutes had been wasted, Massino glared at the detective and then spat on the floor.

Toni Capello had been told to find Johnny. As he got into his Lincoln, he decided that the most likely place where Johnny would be found was with his girl friend, Melanie.

Toni envied Johnny. This lush, well built girl was his idea of a good lay. He thought it would be fun to batter on the door and get Johnny out of bed. Who knows? The girl might even come to the door herself.

He knew her name and where she lived. Once, he had spotted Johnny and the girl leave a restaurant and because he had the hots for her and nothing better to do, he had followed them back to Melanie's pad.

It took him only a few minutes to reach the street and he saw Johnny's car parked outside the apartment block. He grinned as he pulled up behind the car.

So Johnny was up there with his whore, Toni thought as he crossed the sidewalk. Man! Was he in for a shock!

He rode up in the elevator. Reaching Melanie's front door, he dug his fingers into the bell push and kept it there.

There was a long delay, then the door jerked open. Melanie, holding a cotton wrap around her, stared at him, terror in her eyes.

"What is it?" she demanded, her voice strident. What goes on? Toni wondered. This chick's flipping her lid.

"I want Johnny . . . get him out of bed! The boss wants him pronto."

"He's not here!" Melanie began to shut the door, but Toni's foot came forward, blocking it.

"He is here, baby. Don't fool around. His car's outside. He's wanted." Then raising his voice, he yelled, "Hey, Johnny! The boss wants you!"

"I tell you he's not here!" Melanie cried. "Get out! He's not here!"

"Is that right?" Toni moved forward, pushing her back. "Then where is he?"

"I don't know!"

"His car's outside."

"I tell you I don't know!" She waved imploring hands to the door. "Go away . . . get out!"

Suspicion lit a spark in Toni's mind. Why was she so frightened? Why was Johnny's car outside if he wasn't here?

Shoving her aside, he went into the bedroom and turned on the light. He looked around, then saw Johnny's tie on the floor.

"He's been here," he said as Melanie, shaking, came to the bedroom door. "Where did he go?"

"I don't know! I don't know anything! Get out!"

Jesus! Toni thought, it couldn't have been Johnny? Not Johnny! He caught hold of her wrist, swung her around and flung her down on the bed. He bent over her.

"Talk, baby, or I'll soften you. Where's he gone?"

Shuddering, Melanie tried to sit up. Toni placed his hand over her face and flung her back, then he repeated, "Where is he?"

"I don't know," Melanie sobbed.

He slapped her twice, jerking her head from side to side.

"Where is he?" he yelled at her. "Come on, baby, spill it!"

She lay stunned by the force of the slaps.

"I don't know," she mumbled, trying to shield her face. "I don't know anything!"

Toni hesitated. He was almost sure she was lying, but to knock Johnny Bianda's girl about could be asking for real trouble if he was making a mistake.

If Johnny suddenly walked in and caught him with this chick, Johnny would kill him. Toni had no doubt about that.

"Get your clothes on," he said. "You and me are going for a ride. Come on!"

"I won't go with you! Get out!" Melanie screamed. Then sliding down the bed away from him, she was on her feet and out into the sitting-room before be could stop her.

Cursing, Toni rushed after her, caught her at the front door and dragged her back into the bedroom. He pulled his gun and shoved the barrel into her chest.

"Get dressed!" he snarled.

She looked with horror at the gun, then he had no more trouble with her.

Twenty minutes later, he led her into Massino's office.

"Something stinks here, boss," he said as Massino glared first at him and then at Melanie. "Maybe you can talk to her." He went on to tell Massino about Johnny's car, about Melanie's terror and no Johnny.

"What are you trying to tell me?" Massino snarled. "You telling me Johnny took the money?"

"I'm telling you nothing. She'll tell you."

Massino turned his bloodshot, enraged eyes on Melanie who shrivelled under his glare.

"Where's Johnny?"

She began to sob helplessly.

"I don't know. He went out on a job . . . that's what he called it. Don't touch me! He told me I was to be his alibi. He lost his medal . . ."

Massino drew a long slow breath.