Kiss of Death Page #5

When I used to look at you,

I'd feel just like now.

Every time you kiss me, I almost pass out.

Honestly.

Isn't that silly for an old married woman

to talk like that?

No, it ain't.

I gotta make dinner.

- Who's stoppin' ya?

- I'm dizzy.

Here. You open this.

- Oh, I forgot! There was a phone call for you.

- Yeah? Who?

Mr. D'Angelo.

- What'd he want?

- He wants to see you Saturday afternoon.

- Did he say what for?

- No.

It couldn't have been anything wrong.

He was very nice.

Oh, for goodness' sakes,

I don't know what I'm looking for.

You get me so upset.

You shouldn't come in the kitchen...

and kiss me when

I've got dinner to cook.

Oh, yes! The spaghetti!

Now, leave me alone. Don't bother me.

We go to trial on Monday. I've arranged

for you to get Wednesday off from work.

You say you got a sure case?

I wouldn't go to trial otherwise.

- Then what do you need me for?

- I need your evidence first.

- I've built the whole case that way.

- Evidence from a stoolie...

and a squealer?

- That's not gonna help.

- We've got the ring. We've got Sammy.

- That's not gonna help.

- We've got the ring. We've got Sammy.

And they'll verify everything you say

when we introduce them.

I see. I go on the stand, huh?

Yeah.

- What if I don't?

- You've got no choice.

Do you mean the D.A.'ll kill my parole?

What would you expect, Nick?

I've got kids. I got a home.

People know me like that.

Look, I don't care about me.

Why... Why take it out on 'em

just because I was a mug once?

- Will you listen to me.

- Well, I...

Go ahead. I... It makes no difference.

I've got no other way out.

You're talkin' like a fool, Nick.

You're known as Nick Cavallo in your town.

Your kids are going to school under that name.

Who's gonna connect you

with Nick Bianco? And how?

- My pictures in the newspapers.

- There won't be any pictures.

- How do you know?

- We won't let them take any.

We won't give any out.

Satisfied?

Well, that'll help.

What's the matter now?

I... Nothing. I was just thinking of Udo.

When he finds out...

Look, Nick, I know it isn't gonna be fun,

but remember this:

When it's over, you'll be through.

Yeah. That's something.

I'll try and remember that when I'm

on the witness stand singing.

- Hello, Rosie.

- Hi, Johnny!

Come on, Daddy. Play "train" with us.

Come on, Daddy. Please?

Aw, Daddy, come on. Please.

Not now.

Daddy, please. Come on.

Play "train" with us.

Hello? Yeah, this is Nick.

Well, Nick, I...

I got some bad news for ya.

The jury came in a half hour ago

with a verdict in the Udo case.

Not guilty.

- Hello? Nick?

- Yeah.

Even the fact that Udo

had Larry Young's ring didn't help.

Howser got over the point that there were

made for Young's graduating class.

The jury went for it.

Udo went free

as soon as the verdict was read.

We got a tail on him, but he's pretty fast.

He might shake him,

so keep your eyes open.

You'd better come in

and see me tomorrow.

We're ready to do everything

we can to help you, Nick.

Good-bye.

That was the back screen door.

The wind blew it shut.

Nick, what is it?

That's the third time you've jumped up.

I can't fall asleep.

That's all. Forget it.

Ever since Mr. D'Angelo called, you've...

Nick, if something's happened,

I'll read about it in the papers.

- Maybe I can help you.

- Stop talking about it

and forget it, will ya, honey?

You've been listening for something.

All night you've been lying there, listening.

Yeah, you're right.

You'll read about it in the papers.

Maybe you can help me.

They let Tommy Udo off.

- Oh, Nick.

- He's loose.

- After what you did?

- Yeah.

- After what you did?

- Yeah.

That was the wind again.

- I can't help it. I'm just jumpy.

- The police... We'll call them.

The police can't help me.

Look, honey, I've gotta go downstairs.

- He won't come tonight, Nick.

- Maybe he won't.

Look, I gotta talk to you.

No use hiding it.

He's gonna come sometime.

- You can go away.

- Rizzo went away.

Remember what happened to Rizzo's ma?

Was that Tommy Udo that did that?

Yeah.

- We can all go away together, Nick.

- No.

- Some other town.

- No. Too many mugs know me.

They're all over.

All the guys I met in jail. All the "heisters"

I've known ever since I was a kid.

They don't stay in one place.

They're in every town that you can figure...

coming and going.

I'm the guy they don't like anymore.

The minute they saw me,

they'd go straight to Udo.

Wherever we went...

we'd be just sitting like this...

waiting... waiting for him.

That's no fun.

We've got to get the police to help us,

Nick. They'd be glad to.

Sure. They'd be glad to. Where am I...

What about you and the kids

while I'm at work?

Do you think I could

work while I remember...

how Udo would plan to take care of you

and the kids?

You got a tough break

marrying a guy like me.

No.

Shh. Shh. You'll waken the kids.

It won't happen.

We won't let it happen.

Take it easy. It won't happen...

if you'll help me.

Anything. Anything.

- Start packing.

- Now?

It's all right.

That's Bill Johnson coming home.

- Start packing.

- Now?

Now.

- Will you write to me?

- Yeah.

Wait a minute.

Say, buddy, do you happen to know

when the Number 12 gets in?

No. Sorry. I don't know.

Thanks.

- Daddy! Daddy!

- Be careful. Be careful.

Come here.

- Now, remember:
No letters until I call you.

- You'll call?

- By Friday. Take care of the kids.

- Yes.

- And yourself.

- Oh, Nick, nothing's going to happen.

Now, don't start worrying.

Look. You all are going on a vacation.

I want 'em to have a good time.

I know I...

- I know you'll always

give 'em a good time, Nettie.

- I will.

Daddy, do we go on now?

- Can we go right on?

- Yeah. But first you gotta say good-bye.

- Good-bye, Daddy.

- Good-bye, Daddy.

- I want you to be good,

do you hear? And have fun?

- Yes. Yes.

And always remember to mind Nettie.

She's your ma, and do what she says.

- We'll miss the train!

- Up you go!

- Good-bye.

- Bye.

Up!

Good-bye.

All aboard!

Nick!

Wait for me in the car.

You'd better give me that.

- Why didn't you come in today

like I told you?

- I had things to do.

- Sent your family to the country.

- Oh.

So that was one of your guys

at the station.

- Well, when you didn't show up,

I started worrying about you.

- I'll do my own worrying.

Nick, our man lost Udo

about an hour ago.

I came as soon as I heard.

Sorry, but I've gotta take you in.

- Take me in? For what?

- For protection.

I'll protect myself.

It's him or me now.

Nick, I can't connive

with murder, yours or his.

Look, if it's me that gets him,

it won't be murder; it'll be self-defense.

You're wrong. We haven't got

a thing on Udo. He's acquitted.

If you kill him, murder is what any jury'll

call it. Use your head and you'll be safe.

Yeah, but my wife

and kids won't be safe.

- What makes you think he'd go after them?

- Rizzo's mother.

Oh. Well, we'll take care

of your family too.

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