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“Rapp, how long has CPOC been around?” Cross didn’t wait for a reply. “Fifteen, twenty years? A long damn time. And what’s it ever done? Not one damn thing, that’s what. Every member on CPOC is frustrated. I’m just the only one speaking up.”

“Why, Lenny?”

“Because there’s pretty much been a murder a day forever. It was Killadelphia then, and it’s Killadelphia now. And it’s mostly brothers. You get what I’m saying?”

Badde sighed. “I’m hearing you.”

“So, I don’t know why the hell you’re pissed off about this. The rally is really getting to the people. You should check out the following we’re getting on the Philly News Now link—”

“I’ve seen it. Trust me . . .”

“Over five thousand viewers have given it one of those bell thumb things. That means there’ll be a big crowd at the rally.” He paused. “It would look good if you showed up, made an appearance. Sure you can’t make it?”

“Not if you keep calling the cops killers, I can’t!”

“Whatever. Your choice.”

“I’ll be there for the turkey day. But, for now, listen to me, Lenny. I can’t make this plain enough. You are putting a lot at risk here, starting with your CPOC position.”

Cross was quiet a moment, then said, “You didn’t just say that. You really mean that? Wait. You want to know what? I really don’t care, Rapp. It’s my last year anyway.”

Badde blurted: “I meant what I said. You’re going too far, and there’s gonna be a price to pay. I’ve got Carlucci’s new guy breathing down my neck because of this, because I got you on CPOC and now you’re trashing the cops.”

“Got Carlucci’s attention? Really?” Cross said. “Then I’m onto something.”

“You’re onto something, all right. Out on your ass, Lenny!”

“Look, Rapp, I told you I don’t care—”

“No, you goddamn look, Lenny! This is not just about you! What you’re doing is putting me in a really bad light that I cannot afford. Got it?”

Cross grunted. “Is that what this is about? Putting you in a light? You’ve got your name on those construction signs all over town. You and ol’ Willie Lane. Showing folks what all you’re doing for them, just like your daddies done back in the day. But you know what, Rapp? They got put in office, and then we put you all in office, ’cause you promised things would get better.”

“And they have . . .”

“Maybe better for you, Rapp! But there’s still that killing a day, and no one seems to care. There’s still good people who can’t sit on their own porch ’cause they’re afraid of crime, afraid of the gangbanging punks running the streets. I’m looking at a bunch of posters of folks—”

“Look, Lenny,” Badde interrupted, his tone frustrated, “we can talk about all this when I get there. Right here, right now, I really need you to back off. Can you give me your word that you’ll do that?”

“So you’re saying that we just stop? Just let the killings go on and on?”

“No, Lenny. I’m saying just dial it down a few notches. Go after the goddamn murders, reach out to our people . . .”

Your votes, you mean, Cross thought.

“. . . but just don’t go after the police. Okay? It’s important for you and for me.”

Cross, silent and in thought, stared across the room for a long moment.

“And one more thing,” Badde said. “You have to call Carlucci’s guy. Just let him know you’re not giving up on all the murders in Philly—that’s your right—but you’ll leav

e the police out.”

Cross was silent for another long moment.

“Lenny . . . ?”

“When do I get that check for the turkeys?”