The kid frowned at Gavin and took the bill. He slipped it into the register and didn’t bring out the change. “Yeah, he’s here.” Gavin waited, took out another twenty, and gave it to the kid. He grinned and shoved it in his pocket. “He’s reading the paper over there. But I gotta warn you, he hates being disturbed before he’s done with the first section.”
“I’ll take that risk. Thanks.” Gavin took his coffee and the scone then headed over to the table of big guys in suits. I took my drink and the kid grinned at me.
I felt scared as hell as Gavin approached. All four guys looked up and stared at him, and the guy named Dante lowered the paper. He was a big man, dark hair, light eyes, and handsome, but he had a hard look to him, like he’d seen some things and they’d left a lasting mark.
“Excuse me,” Gavin said, “My name is Dr. Gavin Majors. I’m looking for Dante.”
The man with the paper leaned forward. “I’m Dante. You’re a doctor?”
“I work at Mercy General.”
“I’ve been there before. Nice place.” Dante put the paper down. “What can I do for you, doctor?” He gestured at the chair across from him, and his associate stood then sat at the next table over. I got the sense that was something they did a lot, and they didn’t need to discuss it.
Gavin hesitated, but sat down. He kept the duffel at his feet. I stood behind him, shifting from foot to foot, and Dante didn’t ask me to sit.
“I was hoping you could help me with a problem,” Gavin said. “Does a man named Cosimo work for you?”
Dante frowned slightly. “He might, he might not. Sort of depends on what you want.”
“My wife here owes him some money,” Gavin said, “and I was hoping you’d give it to him.”
Dante laughed. “Why the fuck would I do that? If you have business with Cosimo, go to Cosimo.” He went to pick up his paper again.
Gavin slid the duffel under the table to Dante’s side. “Please. Cosimo’s been very unreasonable about our situation. See, he thinks he can take payment from my wife, instead of from my bank account. Do you understand what I mean?”
Dante looked up again and his eyes narrowed. “I think I do.”
“That bag has a down payment. You can consider it a gesture of good will toward you, if you want, and more money is coming if only Cosimo would be a little more reasonable.”
“Interesting.” Dante frowned up at me and I felt his eyes stare through mine, like he was weighing me against something. I didn’t like it, and looked down at the floor, heart racing. I had the feeling we’d stepped into a viper’s den and at any moment the snakes would lunge for our throats. “Cosimo is one of my better workers, but I know sometimes he can be a little bit… unreasonable.”
“I’m not trying to start anything,” Gavin said. “I only want to pay what we owe him and move on with our lives.”
“So you come to me, thinking that I can talk sense into him.” Dante shook his head. “How did you even find out about me?”
Gavin opened his mouth then shut it again. “I’m not supposed to say.”
Dante barked a laugh. “Okay then. I guess it doesn’t matter.” He leaned down and unzipped the duffel. Bundles of cash poked out. He nodded to himself and closed it. “That’s what, ten grand?”
“Exactly.” Gavin laughed softly. “You’re good at that.”
“Comes with the job.” Dante leaned back and stared at me again then looked down to Gavin. “The problem is, Cosimo isn’t a good listener. I feel for you, I truly do, but Cosimo goes his own way. I don’t have direct control over him.”
“I understand. Whatever help you can offer would be good.”
“You work at Mercy General, correct?” Dante leaned forward. “I was wondering, doc. What if a few patients appeared at your doorstep? Mutual friends, you understand. What if you were to take care of them, without asking questions?”
“I couldn’t do that at the hospital,” Gavin said, and Dante looked disappointed, but he kept talking. “But I could meet them somewhere else. Perhaps at my house, or at a mutually agreed upon location.”
Dante smiled again. “That would work.”
“But Cosimo needs to leave Erica alone.”
“I feel for you, doctor, so I’ll tell you what. I’ll speak to Cosimo, tell him about your offer, and we’ll go from there. Does that sound reasonable?”
“That sounds reasonable.”
“Good. Now go enjoy your coffee and your scone. It’s a nice day out today. I wouldn’t want to get in a knife fight on such a nice afternoon.”
Dante’s smile sent a chill down my spine. Gavin stood up slowly, calmly, gathered his things, and walked to the door. I hurried to follow, barely keeping it together as we stepped back out onto the sidewalk.