right.
You started the gang.
Looking for me?
Not exactly. I was just
resting my dogs a minute.
On the next investigation, I hope
it's got buildings with elevators!
So far, this one's
just been climbing stairs.
- What are you climbing for?
- It's worth it...
if we can tell the waterfront story the
way the people have a right to hear it.
Don't you think?
Say, didn't I see you in the Garden
three or four years ago...
with a fellow named Wilson?
Thought you were gonna take him
that night. He really dumped you.
He dumped me?
What would you say if I told you
I held that bum up for half a round?
Yeah. I could see he was hurt.
What do you think I was doing
with them combinations? Petting him?
- Just couldn't finish him off, huh?
- Don't monkey around there.
- Why didn't you finish him off?
- What are you talking about?
- I did a favor for some pals of mine.
- Favor?
- That's the way it was.
- That's the way it was.
If I'd have put him down,
I'd have had a title shot.
- I was ready that night.
- That's when I figured it was all over.
It was all over,
except for the lousy bet.
- My own...
- Yeah?
Well, I guess I better get going.
Hit those stairs again.
Say, was that a hook or an uppercut
you caught him with that first time?
I didn't use no hooks.
I was strictly a short puncher.
Looked like a hook.
I had that bum all figured out.
He had a good left hand.
I let him tag me
for a couple of rounds.
Just when he starts...
he thinks he's getting cute...
I step inside a jab with a left,
with a right, with a left.
I had him in my arms,
and from there we were just dancing.
- I see.
- And that's a fact!
When those guys wanna win a bet,
there's nothing they won't stop at.
"Longshoremans Local 374"
I didn't hear them,
but I sure seen them nose to nose.
The flatfoot was eating it up.
So they've been seen together
and he smiled at her.
That doesn't mean
he's going to talk.
There's no evidence
until he gives public testimony.
Thanks for the legal advice.
It's what we always
kept you around here for.
How do we keep him
from giving testimony?
Ain't that what you call
the main order of business?
He's a good kid.
- You know that.
- He's a bum!
After the days I gave him
in the loft, he's got no gratitude.
- You shut up!
- Mac, I'm conducting this investigation.
Look...
this girl and the Father,
they got their hooks in so deep...
he doesn't know
which end is up.
I ain't interested
in his mental condition.
I wanna know,
is he D and D or is he a canary?
I wish I knew.
So do I, Charley.
For your sake.
- What do you want me to do?
- It's simple.
Drive him out to this place
we've been using.
Try to straighten him out.
If you don't, give him the Gerry G.
You can't do that!
Maybe the boy is out of line,
but he's just a confused kid!
Confused kid?
First he crosses me in public,
gets away with it.
Pretty soon, I'm just another
fellow around here!
Johnny, I can't do that.
Then don't.
- Who do you like in the third?
- It's gotta be New Hope.
Definitely.
He's my kid brother.
That's for you to figure out.
You can have it your way or his way,
but not both ways.
- Am I right, Truck?
- Definitely.
Okay, on your horse.
Deep thinker.
I'm glad you stopped by.
I've been wanting to talk to you.
- Sure, kid.
- Where to?
Go to River Street
and I'll tell you where to stop.
- I thought we was going to the Garden.
- I wanna cover a bet on the way over.
Besides, this'll give us
a chance to talk.
Nobody ever stopped you
from talking, Charley.
Listen. The grapevine says
that you got a subpoena.
The guys know you're not
a cheese-eater...
but they think you shouldn't
be on the outside so much...
have a few things working for you
down at the docks.
A steady job,
a couple extra potatoes.
- That's all I want.
- That's great when you're a kid...
but you're pushing 30.
It's time to think about
getting some ambition.
I always figured I'd live