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The kid lost all color in his face.

ONE WEEK LATER

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[ ONE ]

Police Administration Building

Eighth and Race Streets

Philadelphia

Monday, January 16, 1:21 P.M.

There was a double knock at the inner door of the office.

“What is it?” First Deputy Police Commissioner Dennis V. Coughlin said without looking up from the report he was reading at his desk.

“Inspector Wohl’s here.”

“Well, send him in.”

The volume on the television across the room was low, and Coughlin heard the Philly News Now anchor announce: “A visibly angry Mayor Carlucci today denied allegations of so-called influence peddling in his office. He has ordered an outside independent investigation into those allegations. And he dismissed as ridiculous the calls for his resignation.”

Coughlin heard Carlucci’s voice and looked up at the TV.

The mayor, standing outside City Hall, was speaking into a half-dozen foam-ball-covered microphones that were held up to his face. “And this is nothing but petty partisan politics. I brought to this office a long history of law and order and can assure you that all accusations will be found to be completely without merit. My good name and that of this office will be cleared of any wrongdoing.”

Edward Stein appeared in the shot as he put a hand on Carlucci’s shoulder and began guiding him away.

“Thank you all very much,” Stein said, leaning into the microphones. “That’s it for questions today. The mayor’s office will release a press release shortly. Thank you.”

Coughlin thumbed the MUTE button on the remote control as the office door opened and Peter Wohl entered.

Wohl was wearing a well-tailored, two-piece dark gray woolen suit—and, Coughlin noted, an unusual expression. He carried a white No. 10 envelope in a somewhat delicate manner, as if he did not want any part of it.

Coughlin got to his feet and came out from behind his desk.

“Everything okay, Peter?” Coughlin said. “You look like somebody died.”

“It’s nothing quite that dire.”

Coughlin tapped the report he had been reading. “I

f it hadn’t been for Matty, Willie Lane would not be able to say the same.”

Wohl gestured for him to continue.

“The two Matty shot who were trying to whack Willie Lane were union guys angry about their coworkers in the coal tower. When the photographs got circulated showing Lane almost running down the protesters in Doylestown, it got worse. Joey Fitz said the two in the minivan were out for revenge.”

Wohl shook his head. “Makes you wonder about what happened with the explosion across the street. Gas Works said it was simply substandard iron gas pipe. Blamed it on China. Convenient . . .”

Coughlin looked at him with an eyebrow raised.

Wohl held out the envelope to Coughlin.

“I tried to dissuade him,” Wohl said, “telling him to take time to think it over, maybe reconsider.”