“I think he likes you, Dino.”
“Huh?”
“He told me he has the greatest respect for your intelligence and integrity as a police officer. Those were his very words.”
“You’re kidding.”
“He also told me that he approved of Mary Ann’s marrying you.”
Dino snorted. “He gave you some of that Quinto de somethingorother port, didn’t he? It makes you hear crazy things.”
“I think you’ve underestimated Eduardo, Dino.”
“That, I would never do.”
“I mean as a man, as a father. He’s growing old; he wants to see his family happy…and safe.”
“And he thinks I can’t protect them? The son of a bitch!”
“Has he interfered in your investigation in any way?”
“Not yet, but just watch him!”
“Maybe he can help you.”
“I don’t want his help. He’s not gonna make me dirty.”
Stone sighed.
“That’s what your little talk was about, wasn’t it?”
“He made it clear he wants to help, but he doesn’t want to get in your way. He just said to call him if we need help.”
“I told you, I don’t want his help.”
“He might have sources that aren’t available to us.”
“If he knows something, he can call the precinct and report it.”
“Somehow, I don’t think he’s accustomed to doing things that way, do you?”
“He wants to be the hidden hand, the way he’s always been, but this time, he wants to manipulate me; he wants to pull the strings with the law. I hate that.”
“Dino, you would use any pusher or pimp on the street as a snitch, but you won’t accept out-of-channel information from your own father-in-law?”
“Stone, I know what you’re saying is perfectly logical, but I can’t go against my own best instincts on this. If I accept his help, then I’m no better than he is. That’s the way I feel about it, and that’s an end to it, all right?”
“All right.” Stone drove along in silence for a few minutes. “You know,” he said, finally, “Dolce was playing footsie with me under the table.”
Dino’s mouth dropped open. “Right there, in front of Eduardo? No kidding?”
“No kidding.”
Dino burst out laughing. “Did I tell you she has balls? She’s some piece of work, isn’t she?”
“She certainly seems to be.”
“Stone, don’t call her; don’t get involved.”