On the night of Mr. Melvyn's murder, Stiches was listening to his friend Monk rambling on about some paintings he'd sold. It was a diversion he didn't really need, with the job he had to do for Cuban Pete needing his full attention, but Monk had come through with tickets for tonights fight, so Stitches felt generous enough to let him finish his story.    His sister, Sprinkles, was unusually quiet during that dinner, but he didn't really notice that. His mind was already ringside.