Later that same day, Valko and Knight and Paulie at O’Keefe’s
Valko let Paulie know he needed to talk about something, and they got together that afternoon. Knight was there for moral support, and as his friend. Although Valko seemed pretty upbeat, he knew he needed al the support he could get right now, and didn’t want to screw Paulie over. Not after everything Paulie had done for Knight and him. No one else about.
“What’s going on, laddie?” Valko has actual leave form, if needed “Need to ask for some time. And there’s some other stuff.” Paulie makes a disgusted sound, “Damn, we just hired you.”
So Valko had to tell him. He loathed having to front up and give it all out, hated anything like being the guy who always had a sob story to get to a mark. Almost soon as he started , Paulie pointed to the chair. “Sit down,” and Paulie asked if Valko would tell him more.
Valko did, laid it out clearly, beginning to end. Got the leave, and Paulie offered more help. Valko went over the four weeks he’d need too, brought out Theo’s list of stand-ins for Paulie. Mentioned Theo. And why things were the way and all. Got through all that, thank god.
Then came the really hard part. Valko felt exhausted. Glanced at Knight, took a breath, said he had another thing to say. “Paulie, O’Keefe’s is like family, to me and Knight both, I reckon. There’s something else you ought to know.” Valko had cleared the table of any forms, photos and all. His manner has changed a little. More direct, more authoritative and clear.
” Look, three weeks ago, Mickey got killed out back, Tyler got hurt. At first folks thought it was Knight. You followed it all the way, didn’t you ? How it went?”
“Yes I did, they still haven’t found who did it. Though I knew Knight didn’t do it.”
Valko nodded ” Then they figured Shifter, and Mal’s name came into it. You’d know that, I mean it’s no secret he is one. Shifters like what did that to Mickey? Can make matchsticks of a bar in seconds, if they get inside. You read about things like that on the news, powerful dudes who fuck over things, half the time capes get involved taking them down. Anyway, the cops and DA dropped Mal as a figure in all this, and reckoned someone else. They got a name to look for, dunno if they got warrants out, reckon they might. I mean, you’d know that too, right? The guy’s name is Gabriel”
Paulie shook his head. “Nobody told my sister, and I don’t know Mikey’s family. We all thought that it was some random…something, and that Tyler imagined the whole thing.”
Valko nodded “Well, maybe, but that’s what the word was a bit ago. I mean, they can’t close the case, and have ‘people of interest’ in mind.”
Paulie nodded “It’s not closed, you’re right.”
Now, it’s clear why Valko is talking and laying it out. For one, he is a natural at this, has a way of laying it out that connects, and doesn’t have folks up in arms reaching for weapons. Tone and manner tend to evoke thought, not angry reactions. Now he goes on, glancing at Knight then back to Paulie.
“See, you need to know, and Knight and I are damn confident, none of this is going to come here, to your place, to you. Knight knows what he’s doing, Mal does too. Like I said when you gave me the nod, not bringing any grief with us.” Valko glanced back to Knight, who continued.
Knight nodded emphatically “Mal’s keepin’ an eye out where Gabe is known t’ be, an’ I’m keepin’ an eye out here.” Valko chimed in with ” And you know my past aint good and is left behind. But yeah, no grief’ll walk in the door.”
Paulie narrowed his eyes, “I don’t expect, and I sure as hell don’t want, my place destroyed by some shifter.”
Valko, emphatically “Not gunna happen,” and Knight ” Ain’ happenin'”
Valko went on “All you’re gunna have is the best damn kitchen in the neighbourhood,” he met Paulie’s eyes “Never lied to you yet, not planning to now.”
Paulie looks at Knight, who also holds Paulie’s eyes steadily, and Paulie said quietly “First sign of trouble…”
Knight replies in the same tone, “Not gonna get tha’ far.”
Valko added an “Amen,” quietly .
Paulie finished with “I”m hold ing you to that. Both of you.”
Valko nods “Fair, I give my word I give it for good. Mean it.”
Paulie doesn’t even have to look at Knight – he knows.
Valko finally let go that ‘lieutenant’ demeanour “I better go make things sparkle and all.” And Knight got up, “I have t’morrow’s lunch t’ prep for.” Paulie looked at the two, then back at Valko. “Tell me the dates you need to go to New York, laddie, and I’ll take care of it.”
Valko hopes he might be able to leave next Thursday or Friday, and tells Paulie, and will confirm as soon as he knows more. The three continue, each with their day.