“Seven thousand three hundred fifty dollars.”
“The Rolex was purchased May twenty-second.”
“Fourteen thousand six hundred.”
“Both in cash.”
“Both in Mr. Brenner’s name.”
Krista pulled the bracelet off with shaking fingers, as if it burned, and put it on the hostess counter.
She was sobbing.
“I’ll tell you everything,” she said.
“I’ll tell you everything, please.”
Hunter made his last mistake.
He took a step toward me, and he spat the old words out as if they were a charm.
“We’re running a restaurant, Alonzo!”
“Not a charity!”
I looked at him.
I looked at the plaque, and I looked at my mother.
“My mother was a charity, Hunter,” I said.
“For thirty-eight years.”
“That’s why there’s a restaurant.”
Two officers took him by the arms.
He went without a word, with the Rolex catching the light all the way to the door.
