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KITTY FOLLOWED CARMY AND SYDNEY out of the kitchen. Spotting Richie speaking to an older woman whom she didn't recognise, with Marcus lingering at the other side of the counter, watching the encounter with a curious expression.
Richie scoffed when he noticed the trio walking towards him, raising his hand to stop them, "No. I can handle this myself, cousin. I got this," He turned back to the woman, "So...You're not Ron?"
Kitty realised what this visit from the woman meant as soon as she heard that name. A freaking health inspection. Something they really didn't need to be worrying about right now whilst they were trying their darn hardest to get The Beef back up running after Mikey's untimely death. It was not a well-oiled machine yet at all.
"Ron's gone," She clarified, "'Gone' gone."
"Ron's dead?" Kitty asked, leaning against the counter where they prepare the sandwich orders each day, folding her arms across her chest.
"Who is Ron?" Carmy asked, looking between Kitty, Richie and the unknown woman, a confused look in his eyes.
"My partner, Ron Pager," The woman explained, "He passed away. I'm running his routes now."
Richie groaned, throwing his head back, "Everybody's dying," He muttered bitterly under his breath.
"Nancy Chore," The woman finally introduced herself, glancing towards Carmy, Kitty and Sydney, "Chicago Board of Health. I'm here to inspect the property."
Carmy stepped forward, shaking her hand, "Hi, Nancy. I'm Carmen Berzatto. I'm the owner."
"He's the owner's brother actually," Richie corrected, his eyes cast down to the floor, hands on his hips, "He's also dead."
Nancy glanced at Carmy, shaking her head, "He doesn't look dead."
Kitty furrowed her brows.
Carmy shook his head, "No, no, I'm not dead. My brother's dead," He clarified. His voice low and clearly filled with pain, no matter how much of a front he put up, Mikey's death very clearly still had an effect on his younger brother. It still had an effect on everyone.
Kitty gulped as she glanced down for a moment. Her mind trying its hardest to think back to her best friend, wanting nothing more than to relive the times they once had together, but she didn't allow herself to. Doing her best to put on a mask that didn't let her emotions seep through as she looked back up. Keeping her head held high. Hoping no one noticed the slip in her demeanour just then.
