The Steel Kiss (Lincoln Rhyme 12)

Vito leaned forward and regarded Nick closely, as if he'd just said that he had plastic skin, take a look.

Nick kept his eyes on Vito's and a sincere smile on his face. "The charges were armed robbery and assault. I didn't do it. I've never done any crime. And I'm working to prove my innocence and I think I'll be exonerated. Maybe I can show you that proof in a few days, maybe it'll take a little longer. But I'm really hoping we can go forward with this anyway."

"You didn't do it." Not a question. But an invitation to continue.

"No. I was trying to help somebody and I got caught up in the system."

"You can't get a liquor license. That's a third of our income."

"My lawyer's working on a waiver with the city. He thinks it'll go through. With an exoneration, there's no problem."

"I don't know, Nick. This is a whole 'nother thing. I been here, I've been the owner for twenty years. Reputation, you know."

"Sure. I understand." Nick was sounding confident because he was confident. "But my lawyer says I can get a court to issue a pardon, complete vindication."

"I've gotta sell soon, Nick." Vito's hands rose, palms up. "Have some issues. Health." He looked across the room, populated by about thirty patrons. One man wanted his check. Gera called to a waiter and pointed it out.

"Help is the problem," he said. "People come and go and don't show up or're rude to customers. They steal. You have to let them go. You're like a father and schoolmaster, you know, headmaster, all the time. And they'll try to rob you."

"I'm sure. A business like any other. You got to be on top of it. I was thinking maybe I could hire you to be a consultant for a while."

"I don't know about that. The health thing. My wife and our daughter're taking care of me. She's moving back into the house. My older daughter. I'll have to take it easy. There're pros out there, you know. Consultants. Food industry consultants. They're pricey but it'd be a good idea in your case."

"I know. But think about it, Vito. I'd be happy to pay you. You wouldn't even have to come in. I could come see you twice a week or something."

"You seem like a nice guy, Nick. And you didn't have to tell me about your past. Not like you're applying to be a fry cook and I check out your references. We agree and you show up at the closing, all I care about is you have a check. But you were straight with me. I gotta tell you, though, I need to think about it."

"I don't expect anything else. And, Vito--the asking price?"

"Yeah?"

"I could go there."

"You're not much of horse trader."

"I know something good when I see it. Okay, think about it. But a favor?"

"What's that?"

Nick said, "Don't sell to anybody else without giving me a chance to pitch my case again. Just give me that chance."

A close examination. "All right. I'll let you know. Oh, and Nick?"

"Yeah, Vito?"

"I liked it you didn't hit on Hannah. My younger daughter." He nodded to the black-haired waitress in the tight uniform. "You scored points there. I'll think about it, Nick, talk it over with my family. Let you know."

The men shook hands. "Now, I got one other question, Vito."

"Sure, son. What's that?"

Nick leaned back and smiled.

CHAPTER 30

I don't know, Amie."

Sachs poured some Twinings black tea and gave an inquiring glance to her mother.