Chapter Twenty-Nine
The Escalated ResponseAlbany, New York
August 25, 1926
A few hours later, “Legs” Diamond staggered into the alley behind the Rain-Bo Room. Although the news he had just received certainly spoiled his party, he was not upset. He was far too drunk to be angry.
When he ordered the execution of Mike Kelly, earlier in the evening, Diamond was sober. Watching as Kelly was dragged away by five men, gave him confidence that his subordinates could get the job done. “A good leader must be able to delegate work,” Diamond said after Red Monahan returned from the kitchen, leaving Kelly behind.
Of course, Diamond had wanted to pull the trigger himself. But he had been criticized in the past for being too “hands-on,” so he had asked Monahan to handle it personally. Diamond then
