Rachel and Joe traded looks of confusion, but Nick saw a shadow pass over Rachel’s face. “Hell, Gus… I don’t know. He plodded in drunk, sat down, and announced he was hungry as hell. I told him we aim to please, and gave him a menu, offering to hurry a plate of appetizers if he wanted something before his meal. Then I asked him if he’d like something to drink while he looked over the menu. He stood again with a big smile. I backed away from him because he’s huge. Before I knew it, I was pressed into the counter, and he was choking Joe.”
“I only came out to calm him down, Nick,” Joe added. “Hell, if I’d known he was going nuts, I’d have come back out with a lead pipe serenade. Thanks… Jesus… my whole life flashed in front of my eyes.”
Gus saw the naked killer begin to surface behind the frozen smile of interest Nick forced over his features. Gus heard the approaching sirens. “Easy, Nick. The guy’s blitzed. Let the cops handle this.”
Nick gathered Rachel into a comforting hug, trying to let his overworked imagination dissipate the vision of what would have happened if he and Gus had not arrived when they did. “You’re right, Gus. It’s been a long day already for me. I’m glad you both are okay, Joe. Any chance of dishing Gus, Deke, and I something?”
Nick nudged the guy at his feet. “I’m hungry like this guy said he was, but I just want some food.”
“You bet, Nick! Comin’ right up,” Joe headed for the back as the sirens arrived at the front. Joe stopped, looking apologetically at Nick. “Sorry, Hemingway. I’ll get you something the moment the cops load Godzilla in their squad car.”
“That’ll do, Joe. Thanks.” Nick sat down with Deke. Gus sat opposite him, and Rachel poured coffee for both of them, hesitating near the Samoan’s body as if thinking one more kick to the head would be nice before the police came in.
The police wasted no time at all. They took statements from first Joe and Rachel before questioning Nick and Gus. Although it became obvious they recognized Nick from the happenings in the recent past, they took statements, and then discussed the loading of the guy in their squad car with each other.
“I’ll cut off the ankle tape, and then Gus and I will help you if you’d like,” Nick offered.
His offer was accepted with only humorous comments about the tactical steps necessary to get it done. The man regained consciousness in extremely angry stages as Nick cut his ankle bindings. Nick and Gus rolled him to a position where they could help him onto his knees without undoing the arm bindings at his back. Then it was simply a matter of steadying him to his feet. The man sullenly and silently endured his transfer to the squad car, only making a comment before Nick closed the squad car door.
“I see you soon, bro’.”
Nick grabbed his chin, shaking it a bit. “You act like you know me. You’d best pray you don’t see me, but sometimes in spite of all we hope for, the inevitable happens. I think the inevitable may be in your future, big boy.”
Nick watched the patrol car drive away. He walked back inside the Monte Café, where a tray of everything on the Café’s menu list for appetizers was arranged on the table. Gus had already dug in to the finger food, also handing off assorted treats to the attentive Deke. “That looks excellent, Joe. I hope this episode doesn’t wreck the rest of your day.”
Joe waved him off while wiping his hands on his apron. “If you hadn’t gotten here when you did, I wouldn’t have a rest of the day. I’m thinking today is a good day to count my blessings, and go home early.”
Nick sat down to his feast with Rachel next to him. “Sometimes, that is for the best, Joe. Occasionally, taking stock of a narrow escape needs a step back to enjoy the moment. I know I’m happy to have Rach here unhurt, and you in one piece, and a tray full of food in front of me. I know Deke’s happy.”
“Do you think that guy will be back, Nick?” Joe was still wiping his hands on the apron, glancing out his café window as if expecting the Samoan to lumber back through the door at any moment. “Man… that guy was scary.”
“I doubt he’ll be back,” Nick answered. He ate a few appetizers and passed one down to Deke. “When a guy gets goofy in the head like the big sucker that was in here, life has a way of evening the score with their bad choices. You’re right, Joe. He was a big scary guy. With all the drinking and carousing he’s doing, if they let him out, he’ll keep making the same bad choices. He could have a stroke or a heart attack the way he’s going.”
Joe nodded in agreement, missing the look exchanged between Gus and Rachel. “I think you’re right, Nick. I hope he gets help or that he forgets he was ever in here.”
“He won’t be back, Joe. I bet he doesn’t remember how he got here,” Nick stated with conviction. “We were all here too. I saw what was happening to you and Rachel. If they don’t make a plea deal with him, Rachel, Gus, and I will testify in court if it comes to that. The police have our contact information.”