Necessary Decisions, A Gino Cataldi Mystery Read Free Page B

Dad. I’ll get it,” Jada said.
    “This smells like bribery to me.”
    “It is bribery. I figure if I make you breakfast every morning and send you out healthy, you’ll be able to find more work in time for the prom.”
    Lonny grabbed his coffee and sipped it. “We’ll see. Don’t give up yet.”
    “I can quit my lessons,” Mars said. “I can go back later.”
    Jada leaned down and hugged him. “Little brother, nothing means more to me than this prom, except seeing my baby bro win competitions. But thanks for offering. You’re the best.”
    Lucia brought an omelet to the table and scooped some on each plate. “This is all there is. Enjoy it.”
    “Where’s yours?” Lonny asked.
    “I’m on a diet.”
    Lonny got up and grabbed another plate, scraping half of his onto it. “You’ll eat this, or I’ll throw it away.”
    Lucia stared at him, but when he didn’t back down, she smiled and kissed him. “All right, mister. Now sit and eat before it gets cold.”
    Lonny joked with the kids during breakfast then grabbed his boots and headed out the door. He drove to a new construction site they had just broken ground on to build a new school. He got there half an hour before the gates opened, first in line. When it was time, a man came to unlock the gates.
    “Foreman here yet?” Lonny asked.
    He pointed to a trailer. “Over there, but we’re not hiring, if that’s what you’re here for.”
    “What’s his name?”
    “Mitch.”
    Lonny started off toward the trailer, praying all the way. He knocked on the door, his gut roiling, turning that omelet over and over.
    “Come in.”
    Lonny stepped up and opened the door. Once inside, he removed his hat. “I’m looking for Mitch.”
    There was only one guy in there, a tall blond-headed guy with a face full of freckles. His hardhat lay to the side, holding down one corner on a set of blueprints. A large glass ashtray held down the opposite side, cigar butts mounded high on thick, gray ashes.
    The man never stopped what he was doing, and he didn’t look at Lonny. “I’m Mitch. What can I do for you?”
    “I’m looking for work. I can do—”
    “Not hiring.”
    Lonny hesitated. Took a deep breath. “I can do concrete, brick, block, stone. Just about any masonry you got. I’ve even done a little stucco.”
    “I’m full, pal. Sorry.”
    Lonny’s hands moved along the rim of his hat, pressing it, squeezing. He had to get work. “Listen, Mr….Mitch, I’ll do anything right now. I’ll do labor, and…” He got the feeling he was about to be cut off again, so he hurried. “If you got anything , I’ll jump in and do it. All I need is a chance. I’m not like these kids today. I work. Tell you what, I’ll work a day for free, just to show you what I got.”
    “I’d like to help, but like I said, I’m full.” The guy still didn’t look up.
    Lonny started toward the door, but then stopped and turned back to Mitch. “Mr. Mitch, I know you said you’re full, and I understand that, but I…I’m gonna lose my house if I don’t get work. My kids…” He stopped before he embarrassed himself.
    Mitch put his pencil down, took his glasses off, and looked at Lonny for the first time. “What’s your name?”
    Lonny stood straight and put his hands at his side. “Lonny Hackett, sir. I been a bricklayer for sixteen years, and I—”
    Mitch stopped him. “I wasn’t kidding about not having any work, but keep checking back with me. Come by once a week and ask to see me personally. Tell them I said so.” He reached into a drawer next to the table, pulled out a business card, and handed it to Lonny. “In the meantime, go see this guy—Brian Robinson. He’s running the new office project on Tomball Parkway. You know where that is?”
    “I know exactly where it is. I’ll go see him now.”
    Mitch held his hand out. “Tell Brian I suggested you see him.”
    Lonny shook his hand. “Thanks, Mitch, I really appreciate it. You can count on me being by