Chapter 14

Tino shrugged. “Rarely. I was the owner, and the manager. It would have looked bad if I had.”

“You do have somemorals.”

“A few,” Tino agreed with a smile. “Which leads to another question, having nothing to do with our plans to help the homeless. Well, unless you consider making free and clear money to spend on this as connected to it.”

Armand leaned back, looking at Tino with a mix of amusement and dismay. “About your extracurricular activities, I presume.”

“Yes. Will you help? Or would you rather I keep on doing it on my own?”

“I’d rather you quit altogether,” Armand replied sourly.

As if to accent Armand’s comment, Tino’s phone rang. He frowned at the caller ID, but answered. “You’ve reached Constantino Verona. How may I help you?” After a pause, he said, “Of course, Detective. I’ll be here all evening. In fifteen minutes will be fine.”

“I take it you’re in the line of fire,” Armand said when Tino hung up.