Page 33 of In the Nick of Time
They tooka Lyft to Old Town.
“How do we know where to start?” Nick asked. Doug noted that his attention had been on the city outside while they’d been driving.
“She was last seen at Nitti’s, so we’ll start there. It’s supposed to have decent food and they have entertainment that starts fairly soon.”
“What kind of entertainment?”
Doug had not been looking out the window watching the city go by, he’d been on his phone researching Nitti’s and the neighborhood where Agent Carroll had been staying.
“They have an Elvis impersonator.”
“Bah.” Nick sounded disappointed. “Every place here has an Elvis impersonator.”
“This one’s name is Velvet Elvis,” Doug said, ignoring Nick’s accurate remark.
Nitti’s had supposedly been modeled after a mobster hangout back in the day. The owners had recreated a 1930s Chicago-style deli with marble floors, a tin ceiling, brass fittings, and lazy ceiling fans. The real crime was the price of the food.
“Thirty dollars for a Rueben sandwich?” Nick hissed. “Is the sauerkraut fucking magical? Maybe it can trace its lineage to some sauerkraut Frank Nitti ate back in 1939?”
Doug had to agree with his partner.
“This is highway robbery,” Nick continued. “I hope it’s worth it. Maybe this, uh, ourfriendis back at her place living on avocado toast because surely it’s less pricey than this.”
A waitperson stopped by their table.
“Hi, I’m Sherry, I’ll be your server today,” she said with a forced smile.
Sherry looked like her feet hurt and she maybe had a headache from the tight bun at the back of her neck.
“I’ll have a soda water and lime,” Nick said. “Still looking at the choices here.”
“When does the entertainment start?” Doug asked. “A friend of ours said the Elvis guy is incredible.”
Sherry glanced across the room. A grand piano was positioned in front of a dark curtain on the stage and a spotlight lit the empty bench.
“An hour, I think.”
“Do you know if he signs autographs?” Nick asked. “I’m collecting all the Elvis autographs I can while we’re here. My boyfriend is indulging me.”
Doug stared at Nick. Nick simpered.
“I guess so,” Sherry said with a shrug. “I mean, I’m sure Marvin would be pleased. Usually, people just kind of nod off. I don’t know why management keeps him here, but I guess he brings in money.”
“A friend of ours is supposed to meet us. Can you direct her to our table? She’s tall and blond.”
“Sure, but that could describe just about anyone.”
“Don’t you have a picture from in front of the fountain?” Nick prompted. “Or maybe from that Boresville work event a couple weeks ago?”
“Oh, right, I do,” Doug said.
“I’ve got to go take other orders, but I’ll be back for yours and take a look if your friend doesn’t show up by the time I’m back.” She moved on to the next table.
“Nicely done,” Doug said.
Nick’s eyebrows rose. “A compliment, even.”
“I give compliments when they are deserved.”
