RANSVESTIA

that's the right word, until his Momma and Poppa agree to his marry- ing a non-Italian girl."

She shook her blonde hair vehemently. "I went to bed early, in my own room, last night. I never left here at all. Danny tried to run my life and I have no feelings left for him at all, but I'll tell you, I know who and what I am, even though Tommaso doesn't. I know too what I will be. Before Tommaso marries me, I'll be a complete woman. Look at me." She stood and smoothed the tiny dress over her breasts and thighs. "I'm already more of a woman than any girl you ever met. All I need is one delicate operation."

"I doubt you'll get it in the State or Federal pen." Hamilton stood up. "I'm afraid you'll have to come with us. Not only Tommaso, but the whole city, by tomorrow, will know about the Mezlivsky brothers."

He reached out as if to take the smooth hand, tipped with pale pink fingernails. Suddenly, the bedroom door was flung open. Tom- maso Truppi, gun in hand, still in his undershirt and pants, burst into the apartment's main room. "No!" he screamed. With a reflex move- ment that matched the speed of Truppi's violent entrance, Ellis' gun leapt into his hand and roared twice, filling the room with the sound and smell of gunfire. Truppi was hurled back into the doorway, red blotches appearing on the white T-shirt, his unfired gun falling to the floor beside him. "Aaaargh!" a low moan came from his lips.

"Darling!" a shriek came from Rachel's lips. She sped over the floor to fling herself down by the body. "Tommaso!" Tears flowed from her eyes. "Oh, darling, please don't die. Oh, I'm so sorry."

"It's all right, baby," Truppi's voice was forced and husky. He looked up at Ellis, his gun still trained on the fallen figure. "It was me. I killed Danny." He looked back at Rachel, wincing in real pain. “I knew about your condition all the time, babe, but I couldn't let Danny spread it all over town." He coughed. “I'd have lost everything, too."

Hamilton knelt beside the wounded hood and picked up the gun, a .38, that Truppi had had in his hand. "Is this the weapon?" he ask- ed.

Truppi nodded. Rachel was sobbing openly, cuddling Tommaso's head against her bust. "It still doesn't take Rachel off the hook," said