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“I love you too, nonno.” Squeezing his hand, I blink back tears, not wanting to cry. “I’m going to go find a nurse to see if your doctor is coming soon to talk about your tests.”
Standing, I turn away from him and take a shaky breath in, hiding from him how what he told me scared me.
It has to be that kid. He knows us. It’s not like the deli is a place that looks like they’re carrying a lot of cash on hand. Plus, nonno’s office is a small hidden room beside the kitchen. Why would someone robbing the place even know to ask about an office in the first place?
Stepping into the hall, I close the door behind me and turn to the left to look for the nurse’s station when a voice startles me. “A detective is on his way.”
“Oh!” I gasp and turn to face Vinny who’s sitting in a chair beside the door. “You’re still here…”
“I am.”
“I thought you were leaving.”
“I never said I was leaving.”
“You weren’t calling someone to bring you a car?”
“No,” he says casually, stretching his legs out in front of him. “I said I could have a car brought to me. I didn’t say I was making that call.”
“Okay…why are you still here?”
“I called a friend in the department and he’ll be here soon to take Frank’s statement.”
“You uh…that’s not…” I pause, not sure if I should thank him or tell him I don’t want his help.
“Lexi, Frank is a friend to the whole city, and I have friends in the department who will make this case their top priority. Although, it seems you already have a lead that will help things along.”
“You were eavesdropping?”
“I wouldn’t say that.”
“What would you say you were doing?” I don’t know why I’m choosing to challenge him, but it’s kind of fun to see the spark in his eyes when I do.
“I would say that I heard a conversation through an open door.”
“That’s called eavesdropping when it’s not meant for you to hear.”
“Regardless of that,” he says, shrugging one shoulder, “he lost everything. And the guys who did this clearly know the both of you.”
“I know that,” I grind out. “There are only a few people who know about the safe and knows the way he does business.” I walk a few a paces past him and then turn back. “I told him keeping his money there was a bad idea, but he never listened. He doesn’t like banks.”
“He’s old school. I understand.”
“Of course you do,” I say sarcastically, rolling my eyes. “You probably have a lot of cash on hand since you can’t put it all in the bank without having proof of its source.” Oh my God, did I just say that? I clamp my lips shut.
“I see you have me figured out.”
“There’s not much to figure out.”
“Let me guess. You’ve seen a few movies and shows, and now you think you know everything about me.” I roll my lips between my teeth and stay quiet. “Exactly,” he says.
“Thank you for calling your friend, but I have to go find a nurse to see if the doctor is coming soon to tell me what’s going on. I also have to figure out if the deli is okay because he said they shattered the doors to get inside, and aside from your friend coming here to take my grandfather’s statement, are the police going to the deli? And whose responsibility is it to board it up or whatever so no one else can get in and steal more stuff or go up to his apartment. I don’t know anything.” Tears well in my eyes and I turn away from Vinny. Panic rises in me and I don’t want him to see me cry when I was just judgmental and mean to him.
“Hey,” Vinny says softly behind me, placing his hand on my elbow. “Lexi.” He turns me back towards him. “When I made my call, he told me officers were already at the deli collecting any evidence they find. The neighbors called it in when they heard the glass shatter. I also told him to take care of it all when they’re done. They’ll board it up and place crime scene tape over it. Everything is going to be fine. I also have one of my guys out front watching the place.”
“You don’t have to do that,” I say, but he shakes his head at me to stop.
“My family takes care of this community and their own. Frank is a big part of this town, and has been for a long time, so we’re taking care of him.” His eyes hold mine captive. “And you,” he adds, making my heart sputter in my chest.
