“Hey, Violet, how are you?” Finn turned and pulled Eva close. “I’d like you to meet Eva Kendall and Mikey Stallings. Eva, this is Violet Griffin. She’s Lou Griffin’s daughter.”
“Nice to meet you.” Eva shook Violet’s hand. “Let me guess, your father owns the restaurant?”
“Yes, he does.” Violet’s smile didn’t reach her eyes and she glanced at Finn, who frowned as if he’d noticed too. “Dad is here, Finn, if you’d like to talk to him. You know how he likes to keep up on the cop gossip. Follow me. We’re busy, but there’s a table available in the doghouse.”
“The doghouse?” It took a moment for the pun to register in Eva’s brain. The sign above the French doors helped. It read The Dog House—Reserved for New York City’s Finest.
“Sounds good. Thanks, Violet.” Finn held out Eva’s chair for her and then glanced around. “We’ll need a booster seat, too.”
“Got it.” Violet returned a few minutes later with a booster seat, a paper place mat and three crayons. “For Mikey, to keep him busy.”
“Thanks.” Eva was grateful for her thoughtfulness.
“Finn, where have you been?” An older man with grizzled ruddy features and a shock of white hair came over to shake Finn’s hand. “Haven’t seen you all week.”
“Been busy,” Finn agreed. “This is Eva Kendall and her nephew, Mikey Stallings.” After the quick round of introductions, Finn added, “Hey, Lou, are the rumors true?”
“Rumors?” The older man’s attempt to sound surprised was abysmal.
“Yeah. Zach Jameson mentioned something about how you were offered a lot of money by a real estate developer for this place. Did you really turn it down?”
“Zach should learn to keep his mouth shut,” Lou muttered, avoiding the question. The older man glanced back over his shoulder at his daughter. “Although I have to admit, he makes my Violet very happy. The Jamesons are a fine family, such a shame about Chief Jordan. Honestly, I couldn’t ask for a better soon-to-be son-in-law.”
“So you’re not selling,” Finn pressed.
“Not yet,” Lou admitted. He waved a hand. “Go on now, enjoy your meal.”
A waitress came by to take their order. Eva ordered a burger and Finn ordered the same. Mikey wanted chicken strips and a glass of chocolate milk.
“It’s nice they allow dogs here in the patio area,” she said once their server left to place their order.
“Yeah, well, being so close to our headquarters helped. Lou quickly figured out that half his business came from K-9 cops, so he added this outdoor patio for customers with dogs. And he constructed it in a way that it can be sheltered from the elements.” Finn glanced down at Abernathy lying on the floor between his seat and Mikey’s. “The dogs are all very well trained, so it hasn’t been a problem.”
“It’s a nice place,” she agreed.
“Yeah, Lou treats us all like we’re his kids, checking up on us and making sure we’re doing okay.” He leaned forward and lowered his voice. “That’s why everyone is upset to hear some rich real estate mogul wants to buy the building. We’re hoping Lou doesn’t cave to the temptation to sell.”
She nodded, understanding his point. Mikey continued coloring his picture while they waited for their food. Despite how busy the place was, their meals arrived quickly. She cut up Mikey’s chicken so it would cool off.
“Let’s say grace,” Finn said, picking up her hand and Mikey’s. “Dear Lord, bless this food we are about to eat. And provide guidance to Lou as he decides his future. Amen.”
“Amen,” she echoed, feeling self-conscious about praying in public. Then she realized she needn’t have worried. No one seemed to pay them any attention, and, to her surprise, she noticed another couple at a table several rows back also praying before their meal.
“Yummy,” Mikey said, taking a bite of his crispy chicken.
“My burger is good, too,” she confided.
A few minutes into their meal the sound of raised voices from the other side of the restaurant caught Finn’s attention. With a frown, he rose to his feet. “Stay here, we’ll be right back.”