Plot

The emotional story of a lifelong friendship between a Boston rookie cop and a young street-wise delinquent.

Youth gang leader Jerry Florea is shot fleeing from a crime scene by rookie cop Ed Gallagher. Result: "he'll never have children of his own." Ed and Jerry develop a mutually beneficial friendship: Jerry gets the benefit of the doubt, Ed gets information that brings him rapid promotion. As years and jail terms go by, Ed's friendship with this likable rogue becomes strained, as hope for his reform dwindles. Can Jerry redeem himself in the end?—Rod Crawford <puffinus@u.washington.edu>

Fictionalized account of famous Brink's robbery in 1950. Author Joe Dineen gained confidence of convicted Brink's gang leader Tony Pino, whose thinly-veiled story this is.—Chris Dalrymple <CDalrym730@aol.com>