“He takes the device in a toolbox, and he brings back an envelope.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
Rolando’s jaw worked.
“Because the first week, I asked Hunter about it.”
“He said, ‘The owner and I are tight.’”
“He said, ‘Alonzo signs whatever I put in front of him. Go ahead, call him.’”
“He said no one would believe me over you.”
That hurt.
It hurt because I could not say he was wrong.
The alley door opened again.
It was Noelia, with a paper bag.
She stopped when she saw us, and then she came forward and knelt on the gravel in her faded apron.
“I saw what he did to you, sir,” she said.
“I’m so sorry.”
“I brought you the rest of your lunch.”
She put the bag in my hands.
It was warm, and it smelled of dumplings.
I didn’t trust my voice.
