I had told Billy I would have what he needed to confront the cops. Instead I got nothing but trouble for myself - satisfaction but trouble. I put a call into the hospital, asked for AJ, lucked out and got Myna who was checking on him and Loren.

She had me spellbound with all the news about the rumble at the Dancing Duck and how Gyn had helped lead Lorne and the others to safety. She told me they rescued a couple of Madame Yu's loyal NoLuks and found the poison that would allow the docs to make an antidote.

I asked where Lorne was and she told me he had gone to get warrants and police help for the arrest of KenBo's gang and do a clean sweep of Chinatown.

"He's at the station?" My tone alerted Myna to something and I had to tap dance my way out of the conversation, promising to see her later.

**************

When I reached the hospital I slipped into a lobby phone booth and dialed a familiar number.

"Tres Gunn! Delighted you called. Please thank your lovely secretary for removing your deficit from my books. Did she get the flowers I sent?"

"You're welcome and I guess, I never noticed. Been too busy, Unger. That's why I called. Cash on the barrel. What can you tell me about police corruption?"

There was a sharp laugh and a throat clearing. "Cash eh? Well I can tell you volumes but I expect you mean the intended takeover of the Irish mob and the Tong."

I covered the mouthpiece and swore into the lobby, drawing annoyed attention.

"I could have used that a while go, Unger. It would have saved a lot of people a lot of grief."

"Ah, Tres, I am of the opinion that the grief, as you put it, would have occurred with or without foreknowledge. Certainly Hiram Smith wouldn't have escaped your wrath. Madame Yu would still have been endangered one way or another and sooner or later your old friend, Lorne Order would have descended on Chinatown to enforce the law."

"There were others, Unger."

"Yes, all emanating from the reasons discussed." He sighed heavily and continued. "To your question. Most certainly the police have orchestrated the events of the past few weeks. There will be one or two members of both the mob and the Tong who will share in their ultimate goal of total control of BG city."

"Who at the cop shop?"

"You did say cash, am I correct?"

"Unger . . ."

"Right. I would look with great care at Commissioner Donovan . . . and be aware, several of the uniforms and a trio of detectives are under his umbrella."

"Names?"

"Ah, Mr. Gunn, even I can learn only so much. I will throw in some speculation though. There may be a federal officer involved as well."

"A Fed! Who?"

"I'll be expecting the promised cash sometime before the end of day, Tres. Good day."

***************

When I got Daisy's room Hunk was staring down a couple of city cops outside the door.

"What's going on?"

"Gunn! You're under arrest for murder." The two cops moved toward me and stopped.

"I'm here to see my secretary, why don't you boys chat with my friend here." I stepped past them into the room and saw Daisy sitting up with a frightened look on her face.

"Hey, Dais, what's wrong? You feel okay? Should I call the nurse?"

"The cops came in and tried to tell me I had to go with them! They said I was an accessory to an assault on a police officer. Hunk arrived and ushered them out. How did he-"

"I called him to come here. Lucky thing too. It's all coming together, Dais. That's why the cops are getting so desperate. I grabbed a chair and sat next to the bed and gave Daisy a complete run down on everything I had just learned along with a few additions of my own.

"I gotta scoot. If something should happen tell Lorne Oder what I just told you."

"What do mean someth-?"

"It's just something you say at times like this. Don't worry. Get better; the office is still a mess."

Hunk still had the two cops corralled and I slipped past and down to the lobby.

Things were moving too fast, I needed one of those wrist communicators like that new comic character Dick Tracy had.

I made a call to the cop shop and asked for Billy. Switchboard said he had left with a team of federal officers about an hour ago. Lorne. Apparently nothing had surfaced about corruption.

Myna had said he needed warrants and that meant a judge. Another call, my last dime, to a court source netted me the fact that Lorne was cooling his heels in the judge's chambers waiting for the warrants to be processed.

Pleading, I had my call transferred and after a few choice words from Lorne I was able to ask where I might find Billy.

"He's supposed to be with you."

"Why? I mean he isn't but why-?" I was getting a headache.

"He was supposed to tell you the police are looking for you."

"Yeah, that I know already." Lorne started in again and I quieted him enough to relay an edited version of events from my most reliable source and the hospital.

"Are you telling me a Federal officer could be involved?"

"Could be, the operative phrase. But Donovan and the other cops . . . that's golden, Lorne."

"What about McCarty?"

"Bent? No way, Lorne, I give you my word." The silence suggested he was weighing the value of that promise.

"My warrants are here, I gotta go. We'll talk when I get back. Find McCarty."

I saluted the dead phone and wiped at my face, happy it didn't hurt so much anymore. Two places he might be. With Loren at the hospital or with Annie somewhere . . . or Lulu?

***************

I got some more change and called Annie's place first because I figured Myna would have mentioned if he was there - unless he came later. Ah well, six of one. The phone was answered on the second ring and the voice was certainly not Annie's.

"Annie O'Cappella, please."

"Who's calling?"

"Who's asking?"

"She ain't here."

"Uh-huh . . . know where she is?"

"She ain't here." Click, dial tone.

I jumped a baby carriage heading for my car. There no time to lose, the cop boat had sprung a leak and they were bailing like crazy. Operating right out openly meant the battle lines had shifted.

Several ignored red lights and some voluble pedestrians later I pulled up to a jerky halt outside of Annie's apartment.

A plan. I needed a plan. I didn't have one I thought as I rushed into the building. Shit! Plan B it was. I ran down the hall to Annie's apartment and right through the door with a shoulder smash, crashing along with door into the room.

The only surprised face to be seen was my own. The room was empty. Well... of people anyway. In the middle of the room was a chair, some rope and a blood stain on the floor. This didn't bode well.

I picked up the horn, onto plan C. I dialed Billy's number. She picked up on the first ring. "Lulu? Tres. I need your help."