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“No and that’s the problem. My line of work, stuff happens. But it’s not part of your job description.”
“I’ll be fine.”
Silence.
I said, “How about this: I’ll keep my distance from anything remotely resembling danger. Though I’m not sure how that’ll affect riding with you and your damn lead-foot.”
Queasy smile. He’d stopped eating.
“And if you get to go to Italy, I’ll stay home.”
He rubbed his face, looked up at the ceiling then down at the table. Pushed his plate away.
“No, no, no,” I said. “Don’t tell me you lost your appetite.”
He patted his gut. “That would be so terrible?”
“Indeed it would,” I said. “The world’s tough enough without having my faith challenged.”
“Wiseass.”
“You used to say wise man.”
He stared at me. I stared back. We broke into simultaneous grins.
From behind the counter, Marco said, “Ah, you like thetartufo.Fabulous!”
We both cleaned our plates. Bartolomo came over to bus.
Milo said, “Where you originally from?”
“Sardinia. But I lived in Rome. Studied architecture.”
“No architecture jobs?”
“If only. I hope to certify here but it takes time.”
Milo handed him a wad of cash. “Whatever’s left is yours.”
“Capitano,I cannot—”
“No big deal, stay healthy.”
Bartolomo left looking stunned. Murmured conversation rose from behind the counter. Moments later, he was back with two small plates. A pair of cannoli on each, coated with pistachio bits and dark chocolate.
Milo said, “Thanks but not necessary.”
“Life,Capitano,is not about necessary.”
The moment his back was turned, Milo polished off one pastry and was reaching for another.
All was right in the world.
CHAPTER
6
As we walked back to the station, Milo checked in with Detective Alicia Bogomil.
