“So that’s how Vito knows for sure Trini will be there today?”
“Right. He’s due at noon.”
“And Vito is just going to hand Trini to me?”
“That’s the idea.”
“I don’t get it,” she said.
“What?”
“What’s in it for Vito?”
“He makes Eduardo happy.”
“Eduardo is still in this?” Stone asked.
“Up to his ears, apparently, and Vito always likes to make Eduardo happy. In his business, you make Eduardo happy, good things happen to you.”
“This is just crazy enough to work,” Holly said.
“Wait a minute,” Stone said.
“What?”
“Trini was behind Vito’s kidnapping us, right?”
“Right, I guess,” Dino said.
“Well, I’d like to know what Vito told him.”
“Why can’t you just relax
and let this happen?”
“Oh, all right, I suppose Vito could tell him something.”
“You bet your ass he could.”
“What’s the plan when we get there?”
“Vito will tell us then.”
57
THE THREE WALKED into Vito Galeano’s grocery store at eleven sharp. The place was not terribly big—four rows of shelving running up and down the space, a counter at the rear, and, up half a flight of stairs, a loft office from which Vito had a view over half glasses of the entire store. It was old-fashioned and fragrant with hanging sausage and spices. Vito came down the stairs, checking each of the half-dozen customers in the place, and finally, checking out Stone, Dino, and Holly.
“Buon giorno,” he said to Dino.
“Buon giorno,” Dino replied.
“How you doin’?” he said to Stone and Holly.
“Good,” they replied simultaneously.
“This is Gino,” he said, nodding at the aproned man behind the counter, who nodded at them all.
Vito reached under the counter, pulled out an apron, and handed it to Dino. “Here’s how we’re going to do this,” he said. “Dino, you’re the only one who looks like he could work here, so you put on the apron and stand behind the counter with Gino. Pay attention to the way he works while we’re waiting, so you won’t look stupid when Trini comes in.”