Chapter 26
Moving On
“JOHN DEVLIN! HOW did you enjoy your little upstate vacation? We missed you—much too quiet without you. Welcome back to Brooklyn!”
“Such a warm welcome means a lot coming from Hugh ‘Boss’ McLaughlin. With all of Brooklyn to worry about, I appreciate you taking the time to come back to Irishtown to sit with an old friend.”
“Never forget your roots. I started as a simple ropemaker in the Brooklyn Navy Yard a few years ago.”
“Now you’re the boss of all Brooklyn Democratic politics—a long way from ropemaking!”
“Sure is. Tell me, though, why are we meeting in the back of a bakery?”
“Well, I try not to draw too much attention to myself or call in any more favors than necessary…”
McLaughlin’s laughter interrupted Devlin. “Good one, John. All you do is draw attention a
