Page 41 of Furious
“Nah man,” I snort. “It’s noon, so I could let you risk it, but I wouldn’t do that to you.”
Chance looks confused, so I explain.
“Once Noel took over the shop from his father, things were ok for a few months. But then it started to become apparent that Noel loved going to the Seafarers for lunch and he would indulge in a drink or two. Or five. If you go to get a haircut, or worse, a shave, after he’s had a few, it’s at your own risk. His hand becomes unsteady and there’s no way to tell where he’s gonna cut you. It became well known in town that if you want a haircut or a shave here, your best bet is to sit your ass in Noel’s chair before the bar next door opens. People started avoiding the shop altogether, and Noel got a nickname. Noel the knife.”
He snickers. “I’ve never been here. Dad always took us to that chain shop downtown, that his buddy opened when he retired from the NHL. I heard the nickname a few times, but I didn’tknow that was why people called him that. I thought it was because he got into more than one drunken brawl and he might have been armed with a knife?”
“The drunken brawls are why no other place in town will serve him. He’s been banned from anywhere except the Seafarers. But the nickname is because more than one client has been a victim of Noel’s unsteady hand in the afternoon.”
“I’m surprised he didn’t lose his license.” Chance muses.
We’re still sitting in my car, but I lower my voice, anyway. “Yeah, he came close when a few of his disgruntled customers started complaining. But somehow nothing ever happened and his shop is still here. The rumor is that when a few years ago the former mayor started talking about reviving the old marina, most of the businesses in the area were bought by someone who wanted to profit from the project. Noel’s shop was sold too, but the new owner let him stay open until it’s time to break ground for whatever is going to be put here.”
Chance doesn’t make the connection. “What does that have to do with this guy staying open and cutting people when he’s drunk?”
“Every building in the old marina has been bought by the Morelli family.”
That’s all the clarification he needs.
“The mob? Seriously?”
We look at each other, and I know Chance is thinking the same thing I am.
“Do you think the Morellis are Cal’s sponsors?”
“It’s impossible to tell for sure.” I say. “Those people are really good at covering their tracks. The only way to know would be to find out who owns that hangar right outside campus. It might not be directly a Morelli, but one of the ways that family operates is by keeping a legit front. They hide their illegalactivities behind perfectly lawful businesses and have an array of people who will get their hands dirty on their behalf.”
The more I think about it, the more I’m convinced that this must be how Cal managed to get all those bikes and the equipment he needs to race in town and keep everything secret.
My hunch becomes stronger once Chance, and I set foot in the barber shop.
The place hasn’t changed much since the last time I was here with my dad. The same chairs upholstered with red vinyl are lined in front of mirrors that take up an entire wall. Hair washing sinks are lined up along the opposite wall and there’s a counter with the cash register right at the entrance.
Everything looks a little worse for wear, as if it was in desperate need of an update.
“Can I help you?” Noel himself greets us.
I remember him as a young man, learning the ropes of the trade from his father. Now Noel must be somewhere in his 30s, but he looks much older than that.
The barber isn’t exactly fat, but his face has that strange puffiness that is often associated with a drinking problem.
I use the words in Cal’s message. “We have something to settle from yesterday.”
Noel nods, his eyes darting left and right as if he was checking that no one is paying attention.
There is one customer reclined in one of the chairs who’s being shaved with a straight razor by a guy who must be one of Noel’s employees. I can’t help but think thank fuck Noel didn’t decide to do that himself.
It might be barely noon, but his hands are shaking when he invites me and Chance to take a sit in the two empty chairs.
“What are we doing today?” he asks, covering me with one of those capes that are supposed to protect your clothes fromhair. His breath smells of liquor and I begin doubting all my life choices.
We should have told Cal that we would give the cash to Dave at practice or something.
Chance must be having my same thought. “No, we don’t need a haircut. We’re here to settle something from yesterday?” he says the words very slowly, enunciating each syllable.
“Right.” Noel covers Chance with an identical black cape. “I guess you’ll discuss it with my associate. Cal!” he calls.
Calvin Fox comes out from a small door with a sign that says “Employees Only.”
