- Mike Hammer: [narrating] The hit was a 160 thousand dollars - birdseed compared to a transport company hold-up in Boston a few years back, but it was big enough to bring the top guns of New York's finest out, including Captain Pat Chambers. The testimony of the office people was typical - there were two hold-up men, there were four - they were in there fifties, their thirties, their teens - they wore charcoal gray suits, blue Levis and G.I. khakis. Depending on which witness you believed, they carried .45 automatics, German Mausers and/or .22 rifles.
- [Mike and Pat are interviewing witnesses to a armed robbery]
- Mike Hammer: How many more ya got?
- Captain Pat Chambers: Just two - an office boy and a bookkeeper, Maria Chamini.
- Mike Hammer: Maria Chamini?
- Captain Pat Chambers: What's the matter?
- Mike Hammer: Well, no, nothing. I just think I know the girl, that's all.
- Captain Pat Chambers: Ha! Wouldn't surprise me.
- Mike Hammer: Wise guy.
- Mike Hammer: Now look... Now look, Pat, have I ever kept anything out on you? Now go on, answer me honestly, have I ever?
- Captain Pat Chambers: Yes.
- Mike Hammer: Well, that just goes to show you who your friends are.
- Mike Hammer: You workin' for your brother now, Nick?
- Nick Barron: I wish I were. I know what the first job I'd do.
- Mike Hammer: It'd be your last - but if you get the urge, bring your friends.
- Artie Barron: I knew you and me could talk this over. We're both smart men, except you're soft inside, Hammer. That's the only difference between us.