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Tribeca Coney Island was no ordinary restaurant. Saul Anagnostopolous was a New York transplant. He did everything he could to bring New York with him. His restaurant was even sectioned off into triangles and named appropriately Church, Chambers and Canal streets. Memorabilia hung on the walls. A framed New York Law sweatshirt. Pictures of Saul with JayZ and Derek Jeter. The most noticeable were art pieces from the Tribeca Open Artist Studio Tour that he had collected each year.
Saul was hardworking and respectable. Always visible during the peak rush hours. He greeted us when walked inside.
“Detectives, sit anywhere you like. We’ll get you taken care of right away.”
We sat down in the back corner. I knew we were going to talk about the case and this was out of earshot.
A familiar face appeared from the kitchen carrying a tray of food. It was Brenda. She looked a bit older now but not much about her had changed. Catching my eye she stood there for a moment. It was entirely awkward.
“I’ll be right back to take your orders.” She walked back into the kitchen. My expression must have said it all.
“Something wrong Roman?”
“Brenda”
“You mean?”
“Yes, that one.”
“Are you two ready to order?”
Lonnie ordered the house special which was two of their famous Coneys. I opted for grilled chicken and ice water.
“What’s your gut say Lonnie on the two we found?”
“Sick individual or cult maybe. What about you?”
“Could be drugs. High levels of epinephrine in her blood. Body hacked to pieces. Cartel possibly.”
“You think they pushed this far north?”
“Could be. Gruesome enough. You’ve read the same intel as me. I’ve heard of them sewing faces of rivals on soccer balls. Real sick stuff.”
“Wouldn’t we see some of these local dealers getting pushed out?”
“Maybe it’s just getting started.”
“The note?”
“Not exactly a Manifesto but it clearly states intent.”
Brenda set the plates down in front of us. She looked at me for a moment.
We ate in silence for the most part. Lonnie mentioned that he was going to need some antacids before the day ended. We were almost finished when she came back.
“I’m sorry what happened to your parents Roman. I really liked them. They were great people.”
“Thanks.”
“I watched your game on the Internet when you played in London. You would have been awesome.”
“Thanks for cheering me up. Can we get the bill?”
She wrote on the back of it and set it down.
“No rush on it. Roman my number is on the back. I’m back in town finishing up school at Huron University. “I’d like for us to talk sometime.”
Brenda walked into the next section to wait on another table. I could feel a pair of eyes looking at me with inquisitive interest.
“What?”
“Nothing, just that after all that time that’s it?”
“What were you expecting?”
“Never mind. You going to call her?
“You’re relentless you know that. Let’s get my truck.”
Lonnie walked back to the table while I paid.
“Forget something?”
“You forgot the tip.”