The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-03-20
CHAPTER XxIu

A l I had one. I'd been sitting in 1t for the past week. All I had to do in order to get what I, wanted was win cases. There was noth- ing Boggio could refuse me now.
 The office was large and fitted with expensive modern furniture. It was a cross between a show room and motion picture set, and must have cost a fancy chunk of dough.
 Boggio had sprung it on me as a surprise. He'd also sprung my sec- retary on me that way. Her name was Miss Carr, and she was Somber and spinsterish but efficient as hell. I figured I'd never get used to her. Each time I touched the buzzer I hoped a Powers model would glide in for dictation.
 And there was plenty of dic- tating to do. II been making out confidential statements on the Bog gio enterprises and juggling around with figures that took your breath away. I was the fair-haired boy all right. Outside of Boggio himself mo- body knew as much about his fln- ancial empire as I did. For my own edification I'd drawn upa map that would have done credit to a profess sor of economies. Every source of revenue in every city was marked. l had dope on the numbers rack cts, the bookie establishments and the high class gambling joints, and was learning how much graft 1t took to buy of certain officials. I'd also checked the records of those one had to stay away from. All this information had been gathered by Boggio over period of years but 1t had never been sifted out. He himself didn't know how much he was worth. And 1t would take me long time to find out.
 Then there was the other side of the picture, the strong arm methods. The one thing that had contributed most to Boggio's suc- cess was the efficiency with which he'd disposed of unwelcome oppo- sition without sticking out his neck. Nothing had ever been left to chance, and that business with Rugg was the result of a misun- derstanding which would never happen again. The rules were sim pie. For every infringement of the law-from simple misdemeanor to a crime-someone had to take the rap. The law lost its interest in a case as soon as that happened What you had to worry about were the unsettled scores. It was there fore imperative always to find someone or whom you could hang the guilt before making a move. LIE came in late one evening with II with his leather case full of documents for me to check over. He'd made an appointment earlier in the day with Miss Carr, like regular client. He was no dumb bell. Even though my hands were tied he wanted to give me the illu- sion of complete liberty.
 He sat down in the chair across from me and began fumbling through his papers.
 I've got the reports from Chi cago, Denver, and Saint Louis," he said ,"It looks as if receipts have fallen off. want you to figure out just how much. Maybe I'll have to make @ change"
 He snapped the case shut and put 1t on the desk. 'I'll leave you the whole works. Thatu make it sim pler."
 He removed the glasses he'd put on to look at the papers and be- gan fuInbling in one of his pockets. Pulling something out he laid 1t be- fore me and kept his hand over 1t.
 Leo" he said softly, T wouldn't want you to come to any harm now. So look what I've brought you"
 He lifted his hand, revealing a small pearl-handled revolver. Then he saw the expression on my face.
 "Well?" he asked. Whats the matter?"
 I didn't answer. How would I tell him that I loathed firearms and that merely looking at one made me jittery. I'd always been that way. I guess everyone's entitled to a pho- bia. But l could have kicked myself for showing my fear so plainly.
 Take it!' he snapped Tt won't bite you.'
 I'd just as soon have picked up a snake.
 EOR what seemed to be an eter- II nity he kept his arm out- stzetched, then put the gun down on the desk. Neither of us said 8 word. I came out from behind the chair where I'd unconSciously taken refuge and pulled out my handker- chief. Sweat was pouring down my face.
 And then something seemed to snap inside of Boggio. The express sion of disbelieving wonder faded from his features and he began to laugh. First guffaw or two, like motor that's cold and that's just beginning to turn over. Then he let