has the money to party all night, drag himself in at dawn, and then sleep all day. By comparison my social life has been a lot quieter.” He reached for another container of food but caught Derek’s eye. “I hope that’s about to change.”
Derek was unable to say anything, but he felt the blush on his cheeks and the hope in the pit of his stomach.
His thoughts were obviously transparent because Sam laughed. “Good.”
To cover his fluster, Derek asked another question. “Why do you like it so much? Delivering, I mean.”
Sam contemplated for a moment while he chewed his mouthful of rice, then he said, “I think it’s because they become like family. The clients, I mean. They’re in need of something, and I’m providing it. Of course they’re paying for it, but I’m bringing it to them, and it makes me happy to do that. It’s sort of like giving presents. And I can have a brief chat, check up on them, make them smile. Like Mr. Toledi. He owns the picture framing business next to the jewelry store that got robbed. He’s like seventy and still practicing his craft. His sons and grandchildren aren’t interested in learning, so he’s sad knowing that once he gets too old to work, the business will just close. It’s not like he has customers coming in and out of his store every day, so when I make a delivery, I stop and make sure he’s okay. He doesn’t see a lot of people.”
It was then that Derek knew the man in front of him had a heart that was bigger than the combined countries of North and South Abarra. He cared about people. He cared about an old man that was no relation to him and wasn’t any of his business.
“And Mr. Lee?”
Sam reached for the nearly empty container of barbeque duck. “Mr. Lee? He’s a fabulous cook who I want to tuck under my arm and take home with me to cook me meals daily. Did you want any more duck?” At Derek’s refusal, he dumped the rest of it on his plate. “Mr. Lee would probably skewer me if I tried to take him home, but that’s not to say I don’t want to do it. He’s….” Sam made a face. “There’s something going on with him that he won’t tell me about, but I’m going to wheedle it out of him sooner or later.”
“What do you mean? Do you think he’s sick?”
Sam gave Derek a long look. “Can you keep a secret?”
It was such a stupid question that Derek rolled his eyes. “Sam, I am a walking, talking secret. Do you think I go around telling everyone I’m invisible?”
“True. Okay, then. It’s not so much a secret as a hunch.”
“A hunch?”
“Yes. I’ve been asking questions and putting two and two together, and I think I’m coming up with the right answer.”
“Four? Isn’t four the correct answer?”
Sam looked off to the side. “No. I think nine might be the answer.” Derek waited silently until Sam looked back at him and said, “Someone’s trying to extort Mr. Lee. Not only Mr. Lee, but all the customers along that strip.”
“Extort?” That was one of the last things Derek expected Sam to say. “You mean like taking bribes?”
“No.” Sam was firm on this. “I mean like the mafia. Bullying tactics. I mean there’s this group of people who go around and tell businesses they won’t rob them if they pay a monthly fee.”
Derek was skeptical. “That’s ridiculous. It only happens in the movies.”
“Does it?”
They stared at one another and finally Derek had to give in. “You can’t be serious. Surely the police…?”
“They can’t do anything without a complaint. And as far as I can see, no one’s complaining.”
“Why not?”
Sam reached for his glass, and finding it empty he topped it up with more wine, offering some to Derek who nodded and held out his glass for more as well. It really was good wine.
“This is the bit I’m a little hazy on,” Sam admitted. “I don’t know the history of this gang or what has happened before. I’m new to the area. But there is a definite cloud of fear over the businesses. They won’t talk about what has happened or what is happening. When I ask questions they shut me down. But I’ve seen their henchmen around. You know the type? Flashy cars and jewelry. Testosterone leaking from their pores. Think they’re so good, but go around in groups of three or