"Swimming lessons reminds me, Vinnie. I saw your buddy Billie Wassermann Friday night," Dean said.

"Jeez, don't talk about that," Baratto said, cringing away. "Just thinking of Billie gives me the willies."

"Speaking of Willie," Harrigan piped up as he ended his phone call, "Tuesday's still an open day in the tide pool."

"Billie didn't even say hello, Vinnie," Dean continued to chide.

"Let's change the subject," Baratto protested.

"Hey, that's all right with me," said Dean. "Just make sure you play ball with the FBI and don't let your old pals find you. You'd need more than a lawyer if they catch up with you. They used Billie's privates for an ashtray. Let me tell you, it was pretty gross."

"Shit," Vinnie said, turning away. "And the whole damn thing was a big mistake."

"Watch your language, asshole," Rita snarled, not missing a beat in her typing.

"I'll bet Billie said it was all a big mistake just before they dropped him in the middle of the bay," Dean answered.

"Those guys will get smart. They'll figure out it wasn't me. I got 'em going in the right direction now." Vinnie nodded his head, a knowing look on his face.

"What are you talking about?" asked Dean, his tone suddenly cold.

"Nothing," Vinnie answered, a little too quickly.

Winston crossed over to Baratto with surprising speed and grabbed him by the collar, nearly lifting him off the ground. "Listen, you little son-of-a-bitch, I'll toss your ass right out this door to the street and then advertise on television exactly where you are and sell tickets while we watch them cut you up in little pieces. Answer the man's question."

"Okay, okay." Vinnie spoke slowly. "I just made this call...from the cabin, when your lightweight pals were out having a smoke. I told him maybe this creep Byrne-the one that's missing-maybe he copped the dough, like we were saying. He's checking it out."

"Damn!" Dean said, jumping up and charging toward Baratto, who began to backpedal. "I don't believe it! You gave your low-life friends my name and address so they could ransack my house and maybe kill someone who got in their way?"

"No, no. Just your phone number! I didn't know where you lived!" Dean took a lunging swing at Baratto that missed by a foot as Harrigan grabbed him.

Jonathan Winston pulled Baratto away, and turned to give Dean a scathing look that said It's your fault for not keeping your mouth shut. He pointed his finger. "What did I tell you?"

Vinnie screamed, "You can't hit me! I've got a lawyer!" and yelled over his shoulder, "Hey, Arthur, they're trying to kill me! Get your ass up here! They're going whacko!"




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