MURDER TAKES TIME

Chapter 32

 

A New Job

 

Brooklyn—3 Years Ago

It was Friday morning, which meant we headed for Cataldi’s for breakfast. As soon as Tony walked in, one of the waiters hustled to get espresso, and another plopped the daily crossword on the table in front of him. 

“Sit across from me, Nicky.”

“Still doing those crosswords, huh?”

“Can’t afford not to be sharp in my business.”

“Tony, I need to get a job.”

Tony set his pen on the table, leaned closer. “Nicky, I know we haven’t talked about it yet, but you know that money from selling the house?”

A rotten feeling gripped me, but I held back, expecting a sad tale of investments gone sour. “What about it?”

“I invested it for you, along with some of my own stuff.” He leaned forward, whispered. “We’re doing good. You got enough to keep you for probably a year without doing a thing. It’ll take a little while to get liquid on it, so let me know when you want me to pull it out.”

I made sure my expression showed nothing, but somehow I let out a huge sigh. I didn’t want Tony knowing what I’d been thinking. “That’s nice, but I need to do something. Besides, there can’t be that much, and from what I’ve seen of prices in New York, it won’t last long.”

“Don’t worry. You can stay at my place as long as you like. Celia loves you.”

“I’ve been staying with you all my life. I need a place of my own. I’ve got a few bucks I saved from prison, but I need to make my own living.”

Tony waved his hand in the air. “I’ll take you to see some people.”  

“It can’t be some half-assed job. I’ve got to make big money.” 

“Yeah, so you told me. Don’t worry, we’ll find something.” He stopped. “Here comes Suit. We’ll pick this conversation up later.”

The three of us talked for more than an hour, reminiscing about the old days, then Tony must have noticed I was getting anxious. “Okay, Paulie. You know what you’ve got to do for the day. I’m taking Nicky to meet a few people.”

“Come in with us,” Paulie said. “We could use you.”

“Not a chance, Paulie. I just got out and I don’t intend to go back in.”

Paulie left the place laughing. Tony paid the bill, then we took off in his Caddy. I played with the radio while admiring the ride. “You always said you were going to have one of these. Guess you hit the big time.”

“The big time is in your head. Remember what Doggs said.”

“Yeah, I remember. ‘If you think big, you are big.’” I laughed. “Let me tell you, Tony, I’ve been thinking big…but it’s not happening.”

We talked to half a dozen guys that day, each one a personal introduction from Tony, but the only thing they had for me was a menial job or an under-the-table one. When we got home that night, I went to bed early, contemplating my new life. I dug deep for Mamma Rosa’s words of wisdom and Sister Thomas’ inspiration. With that on my mind, I woke up the next morning with a smile and a bundle of energy. 

I managed to keep that attitude going for three months, but every day was the same. The three months following that were worse. The economy was horrible, and every time I found a job opening that looked decent, dozens of people were ahead of me, all with no felony records.