ALAMONE PHONED THROUGH TO SOLLAZO’S
rice using one of the prisoners’ call.boxes. The sec retary was dubious. Mr. Sollazo was busy, but she
finally gave in to Salam0ne’s persistence and put him
through.
“What have you got?” SollazQ asked. “It better
be good.”
“I overheard Kelly and his niece talking. She
talked about how she’d hoped he’d be able to make
a break when he transferred from Ossining to Green
Rapids. Some chance. Nobody’s crashed out of here
since it opened.”
“So why should this interest me?”
“She was talking about false passports she’d got
from some forger called Cassidy, who used to share
a cell with Kelly at Ossining.”
“Now that is interesting,” Soilazo said. “Any thing else?” \
z85 “Not really. Oh, yes, he’s going to Green Rapids General Hospital on Tuesday morning to have a heart scan. As I said, he suffers from angina. By the way, she said she was going to see him again in the morning at eleven.”
“You’ve done well, Paolo, keep up the good work.
Just one thing I didn’t tell you. Liam Kelly is actually Michael Ryan, once a big activist in Irish politics on the Protestant side, and never take him for granted.
He’s killed more men than he can remember.” “Jesus!” Salamone said.
“His niece is Kathleen Ryan. She, too, has killed in her time. These aren’t ordinary crooks, Paolo, they are revolutionaries and, as we know, such people are like ,ild dogs, a little touched in the head. Never take them for granted.”
“I won’t, Mr. Sollazo, and you’ll do what you can for me?”
‘”That goes without saying.”
Sollazo put down’ the phone, sat there thinking about it, then buzzed his’ secretary. “Find Mori for me, he should be somewhere about.”
He went back to the legal brief in front of him, smiling slightly as he saw the fatal flaw in the District Attorney’s case. There was a knock at the door and Mori entered.
“Yes, Signore,” he said in Sicilian.
Sollazo sat back. “I’ve heard from Salamone, more information on Ryan and his niece. It seems she got false passports from a forger called Cassidy, who shared a cell with Ryan in Sing-Sing. Find him and bring him to me. Somebody will know him.” “No problem,” Mori told him. I’ll make a few calls,” and he went out.
IT WAS ONLY ONE AND A HALF HOURS I.ATER that he parked his limousine outside the small photo and print shop on a Bronx side street and entered. A black youth was attending a machine that churned out holiday snaps.
He paused and came to the counter. “Yes, sir?” “Mr. Cassidy. Tell him he’s wanted.” “He’s in the back, I’ll get him.” “No need, kid, I’ll handle it myself.” Mori went behind the counter and opened the dOOr.
Cassidy, a small balding man with wire spectacles, was working on what to Mori looked like a share certificate.
Mori said, “Up to your old tricks?” Cassidy, who knew trouble when he saw it, stood up. “What is this?” he blustere.. ‘ “I represent the Russo family, and Don Antonio’s nephew and.lawyer, Mr. Marco Sollazo, would appreciate your help in a small matter.” Cassidy went very pale and removed his spectacles with a shaking hand. “Anything 1 can do.” “I thought you’d feel like that. You do a nice line in false passports, and I take it you’re the careful kind of guy who keeps records. Am I right?” Cassidy licked his lips nervously. “That’s right.
Who are we talking about?” “A guy you shared a cell with at Ossining, Liam
Kelly. His niece came to see you some time ago.” “Sure,” Cassidy said. “I’ve got all the details.” “Then stick them in a file and let’s go. Mr. Sollazo doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”
“IRISH PASSPORTS YOU SAY?” SOLLAZO SAID TO Cassidy, who stood before his desk.
“Sure, Mr. S011azo, in the names of.Daniel and Nancy Forbes. There was no problem getting a current photo of Kelly. They have one of those photo machines at the prison. They’re always needing pictures for various security tags the Cons use up there.” “When was this?” “Eighteen months ago. They’re current passports of the ffaropean Community Variety with brown covers. Kelly’s supposed to be an artist. I thought that was good because he paints in his cell.” “And the girl?” “Nurse, which is what she is.” “I know,” Sollazo said. “And this was first-class work?” “Oh, sure, entry and exit stamps for everywhere from Hong Kong to the U.K. I even gave them visas for Egypt. Good work, I swear on my life, Mr. Sol~ l azo.” “I’m sure you’re telling the truth.” Sollazo turned to Moil. “If he proves false, Giovanni, you have my permission to break both his legs and arms.” “A pleasure.” Mori didn’t even smile.