Greed (The Deadly Sins)

“Then why does Daddy look like that?” she said and pointed to her father. “That’s how he always looks when you’re in trouble and the next thing you know we’re on the Cessna heading for Freeport.”

Shy stopped moving and she and Black looked at each other like, she’s your daughter.

“I’m not a little kid anymore,” she said, staring at her parents with her fists on her hips. “I deserve to know what’s going on in this family.”

Shy went and sat down on the bed, then motioned for Michelle to come sit next to her.

“It’s nothing. The police just asked me some questions about a case their investigating.”

“What kind of case?”

“A murder.”

“Did you do it?”

“No, Michelle, I didn’t do it.”

She looked back and forth between her parents. “So, it’s nothing. Like Daddy said, right?”

“Right.”

“Cops ask this family questions all the time. We talked about that,” Black said.

“I know, Daddy.” Michelle kissed her mother on the cheek. “Thank you for being honest with me.” She stood up, hugged Black and then she left their bedroom.

Black sat down next to Shy and took her hand in his. She kissed his hand.

“Our little girl is growing up,” Shy said, and thought about Barbara.

“Yeah, I know.” He had the same thought. “Faster than I’d like.”

Shy kissed him on the cheek. “I’ve been telling you that for years.” When she stood up, Black did too; he followed her out the room and down the stairs. “You ready, Chuck?”

“Just waiting for you,” he said, and followed them out of the house. He got in the SUV and started it up.

“I’ll see you later,” Shy said, and Black closed the door. Then he stood and watched them drive off before going back in the house.

“Let’s go for a ride, William.”

He stood up. “Where we going, Boss?”

“To the Bronx.” Black held the door opened for William and then followed him to the SUV. “A place off the Concourse called Rincón Tropicana.”

When they arrived, Black went inside and asked to speak to Eddie Dominguez. He had known Eddie since the days when he worked for Andre. When he heard that Mike Black was waiting to see him, Eddie got scared. Going back years or not, Mike Black coming to see you was never a good thing.

“Is Bobby with him?” he asked the hostess on the way to the table. “Black!” Eddie smiled and said when he saw that Bobby wasn’t with him.

Black stood up and the men shook hands before they sat down at the table.

“What can you tell me about Ezequiel Simmonds?”

“He’s a hatchet man for the Comodoro’s here in New York. They need something dirty or violent, he’s their guy. Other than that, not much. I try to give the Comodoro’s a wide berth. They are bad news.” Both men sat back as a waitress put a drink on the table for Black and one for Eddie. “I hear he’s been asking around about you,” he said once the waitress had left.

“What have people been telling him?”

“That you’re out and he needs to talk to Rain.”

Black shot his drink and stood up. “Thanks, Eddie,” he said and walked away. “But he hasn’t been anywhere near Rain,” Black said aloud, as William followed Black out of Rincón Tropicana.