Strega - Andrew H. Vachss [98]
It wasn't that cold on the streets, but Strega's cheeks were flushed and glowing. "Hi!" she called out in a voice I hadn't heard before, holding out a gloved hand to me. I took it—she squeezed down hard.
"This is Scotty," she said, pulling a round–faced little blond boy close to her side. "And this is my Mia." She smiled. The little girl was wearing a black coat and scarf like her mother. Flaming red hair peeked out, a halo for a happy little face.
"What's your name?" she asked me.
"Burke," I told her.
"That's a funny name," she said, still smiling.
"So is Mia," I replied.
"It's a special name," the little girl said, a trace of a pout on her lips.
"It's a lovely name," said Immaculata, stepping forward.
"This is my friend, Immaculata," I told them all, spreading my hands to introduce her.
Immaculata gracefully dropped to her haunches, her eyes level with the children's faces.
"Hi, Scotty. Hi, Mia," she said to them, holding out her hands. Mia took her hand right away, babbling on like they were old friends. Scotty hung back. "It's okay," said Strega. He came slowly to Immaculata. "You smell good," he said.
Strega's eyes lashed at me. "This is your friend?"
"Immaculata is going to work with Scotty. Like we agreed," I said, nothing else in my voice.
Her big eyes never shifted. "I'm trusting you," she said.
I met her gaze. Our faces were a hundred miles above Immaculata and the children. "You got any time problems?"
"Just tell me where to meet you.
"How about right back here. About seven–thirty, eight o'clock?"
"Whatever you say.
I lit a cigarette while Strega patted Scotty on the head, telling him he was going with me and Immaculata and that she'd meet him later with Mia. They'd all go to McDonald's and then for ice cream.
"Okay, Zia Peppina," the boy said, holding Immaculata's hand. His eyes were still cloudy with worry but he was going to stand up.
"Say your name again," Mia asked Immaculata.
"It is Im–mac–u–lata," she said, "but my friends call me Mac."
"That's easier," said Mia.
"It is always easier to be friends," Mac told her gravely.
"I know," said the child.
It was time to go. "It was a pleasure to meet you," Strega said to Immaculata.
"And to meet you as well," Mac told her, bowing slightly. "You have a beautiful and charming daughter."
Strega's eyes lit up at this. She bowed back to Immaculata before she realized what she was doing. Mac had that effect on people.
"Let's go, Scotty!" Immaculata said, taking the boy's hand and starting across the street to the Lincoln.
"Are you Mommy's friend?" Mia asked me.
"What did your mother tell you?" I replied.
"She said you were."
"Does your mother ever lie to you?"
"Oh, no," said the child, her mouth rounded in an O of surprise.
"Then you know," I told her. I held out my hand to Strega again.
She smiled at me, trying to crush my fingers into Jell–O. "Bye–bye," she said, turning her back on me, Mia in tow.
I lit a cigarette, watching the two little girls in their black coats cross the street to their Mercedes. Then I started across myself.
74
WHEN I GOT to the Lincoln, Scotty was standing on the front seat looking at Max seated in the back. "Do it again!" he yelled, clapping his chubby little hands.
"Do what again?" I asked him, sliding behind the wheel.
"Max is a protector," Scotty said. "He's here to make me safe."
"That's right," I told him, watching Immaculata nod in approval.
"Max is the strongest man in the whole world!" Scotty practically shouted at me. "Do it again. Please!" he shouted at Max. I don't know what kind of father Max might be, but he sure as hell wouldn't get disturbed by the noise kids make.
Scotty was waving an old iron horseshoe in one hand. Max reached over the seat and took it from him. The Mongol held one end in each hand, breathed deeply through his nose with a clean, whistling sound, and pulled the horseshoe apart until it was just a straight piece of metal. He bowed his head, handed it back to the child.
"See?" Scotty asked.