Ellerby disliked and despised Billy, and the feeling was mutual. Even if Ellerby had known that Billy was a Cop, he would not have liked Billy, in fact he was as prejudiced as Dignum. Unfortunately Sullivan was in attendance, and anyway Billy only dared to talk to Queenan, or Dignum, about Sullivan. So...

"Look" snarled Billy, "I need to make a deal with all you organ grinders, not one organ grinder and his monkeys. Keeping both Feds and Costello at bay will take some doing. I know Costello isn't afraid of you, but he is scared by the other organ grinder, or at least about what he can get to know.

"You mean Queenan?" snarled Ellerby in return.

"I suppose so, Costello avoids saying much about such things, bad for morale", which was true.

Finally, Ellerby phoned for Queenan. Billy then explained the situation to Ellerby and what he could do for Ellerby, and by careful implication, for Sullivan as an informant. Finally Queenan came in and Billy explained again. Billy managed to surreptitiously kick Queenan under the table several times. Queenan got the message, Billy had more to say to Queenan alone. Queenan adjourned the meeting, saying that he needed to consider the matter. Unfortunately the Feds were due in an hour.