The chill that came up through the tile floor had settled in his muscles and joints. His hands were numb from the flex-cuffs. Sal leaned in the doorway, and said, “How long we gonna wait?” “A little bit longer,” Taliferro said. He looked at his watch. “Just midnight now, so we’ll give it a little while. Just in case we need to put him on the phone.” “Should I get the rest of my stuff?” “Might as well.” Sal went out. Taliferro looked down at Benny. “You remember this place? You know what it is?” “I know.” “I shut it down a few years ago. Now it’s like a private club. I use it for shape-ups, keep everybody in line. Everything’s still here, though—jukebox, pool table. I keep the bar stocked. Gives the guys a place to socialize, stay out of trouble. And there’s a bedroom up here if they need one. That’s where your girlfriend is.” Benny opened and closed his hands, felt pin and needles in his fingers, the blood starting to flow back into them. “Patsy bought this place back in the seventies,”
