Wrestling the Kraken

Vito

Vito

Inside Vito's restaurant, a woman with black shoulder length hair sat by herself. She wore a black mini dress with tall black boots and a tan trench coat. Her bangs were thick and reached her eyes, which looked down most of the time. Taking a sip of her coffee, she grabbed her purse and rose. Then made her way to the counter, where she dug into her purse. Vito eyed her as he wiped down the counter with a rag. Finding what she was looking for, she approached the counter and pulled out a thin white envelope.

Vito stopped wiping, placing the rag over his shoulder, watching as she placed the envelope folded into a tip box. With a nod, she turned to head out the door, placing large orange tinted glasses on. Vito grabbed the box and placed it behind the counter.

Mahone and Stavo walked up to the door of Vito's restaurant. Stavo held the door open for a woman with dark hair and orange tinted glasses.

"Ma'am" Mahone nodded at her. She smiled faintly and nodded back, making her way out and down the street.

Mahone walked in first. He made his way over to the counter, where Vito was standing, watching them approach. Stavo came up beside him.

"Vito! How you've been?" Mahone asked.

Vito kept a hard expression, staring at him, then pointed a finger at him. "You don't come here anymore. What you too good for my food?" Then he turned to Stavo. "And you. I see too much of you. Bad for business."

Stavo grinned. "Ah, come on, where else am I gonna get the best meatball sub around, eh? You gonna deny me this delicious food?"

Vito laughed. "You're full of it, but him I like." He pointed at Mahone. "So you're okay."

"Yeah, I promise I'll stop by more often. Been busy, you know. These murders, they just keep piling up."

Vito's face went flat. "I heard you're not working those anymore. Rumor is those other guys with fancy suits have the case now."

"Ah, where'd you hear that? You know this is our neighborhood. You really want those guys who know nothing about our streets go poking around? Come on, who'd you rather talk to?"

"No one, because I ain't talkin'. Never have, never will. Now either order something or get outta here. I got a business to run and your badges are scaring away all my customers." Vito turned to walk away.

"We're just looking for someone, is all. She's been talking to the cops." Stavo said, following him.

Vito stopped, took the rag off his shoulder, tossing it in the bin. He placed both hands firm on the counter. "Who you looking for?" His voice grew dark.

"All we know is that she found the body. She gave a statement and started asking a lot of questions. She's got to be in this neighborhood somewhere." Mahone answered.

"I'll find her." Vito straightened up. "You can count on that."

"You'll let us know, right?" Mahone tilted his head.

Vito lifted his chin up, "Yeah, sure."

Mahone tapped on the counter and pointed at him. "I'll see you around."

Vito watched them as they walked out. Once they were out of sight he called out for his son. He came out quickly, sleeves rolled up, sweaty from working in the back. "Yeah, Pop?"

"I need you to do something for me." Vito still kept his eyes on the door.