Matteo clamped a hand over his shoulder. “You did fine, kid. Hard to hide a scene like this,” he murmured. “I want to know everything that happened, but not here. Go home and clean up. Meet me at Angelo’s in an hour, okay?” The kid nodded, then trudged off with his head down. Behind us, the paramedics clicked a metallic gurney into place before loading their patient into the nearby ambulance. Matteo took out his phone. “We need a cleanup crew to 51st and First Avenue.” His message received, he hung up and began to walk back to the car. “Without Alonzo, we’ve got a gap in leadership.” It might not be the greatest time for this conversation, but it was fitting, nonetheless. “I’m aware.” “I want to take his place. I’ve been at your side for years now, Teo. It’s time for me to take my place as
