The front door of Peace Restaurant swung open again.
Foggy Nelson walked in first, already complaining.
“I told you we should’ve come earlier, Matt.
You spent way too much time helping that woman.
At this hour Alvin’s steaks are always sold out.” Matt Murdock simply smiled.
He looked noticeably healthier than he had a few days ago.
The dark circles beneath his eyes had faded, and there was an easy calm about him.
He spun his white cane with practiced ease before lightly tapping Foggy in the side.
Foggy jumped as if he’d been shocked.
“Okay!
Okay!” he protested, throwing up both hands.
“Our fearless attorney was just being a responsible lawyer.
It definitely had nothing to do with the client being gorgeous.” He paused dramatically.
“And she had a very…
attractive voice.” Laughing at his own joke, Foggy danced out of Matt’s reach with an exaggerated moonwalk before arriving at the counter.
He greeted Michael and Scott with a grin before calling to Alvin.
“Alvin, you’ve got to save me.
My stomach is staging a full-scale rebellion.
I don’t care what you’ve got left, just feed me.” Ginny was still perched on her stool behind the counter.
Misty’s earlier accusations hadn’t frightened her in the slightest, but Foggy’s ridiculous performance had completely captured her attention.
Resting her chin in both hands, she watched him with sparkling eyes.
The moment Foggy noticed her watching, he gasped dramatically.
He covered his face with both hands, ran in place like an overexcited fan, and let out an exaggerated squeal.
“Wow!
So this is Hell’s Kitchen’s little princess?
My goodness, you’re absolutely adorable!
You look like a real princess!” Ginny burst into laughter.
She laughed so hard she nearly slid right off the stool.
Alvin caught her before she could hit the floor and scooped her into his arms, shooting Foggy a warning glare.
Ignoring the clown entirely, he turned toward Matt.
“Looking good, Matt.” Matt smiled.
The past two nights of uninterrupted sleep had done wonders for him.
“There’ve been a lot of little birds flying over Hell’s Kitchen lately.” He tilted his head toward Alvin.
“You know anything about that?” Alvin laughed.
“Maybe someone scattered breadcrumbs across the rooftops.” He shrugged.
“Who knows?
Either way, it’s a good thing.” “It is,” Matt agreed.
“I’ve actually slept well for two nights.” He removed his red-tinted glasses, revealing his clouded gray eyes, then pulled a silly face in Ginny’s direction.
Ginny stared in fascination.
Another person who was…
different.
Over the past couple of days she’d met several people unlike anyone she’d known before.
Somehow, she felt they belonged to the same strange little world she did.
Standing off to one side, Misty Knight’s expression had darkened to the color of a thundercloud.
The only thing keeping her from exploding was the last shred of professional restraint she still possessed.
Even she was beginning to realize something about this situation wasn’t adding up.
Alvin couldn’t understand what was going through her head.
She’d barely arrived as precinct captain and had already managed to alienate Michael and Scott, arguably the two most capable officers in Hell’s Kitchen.
Then she’d marched into Peace Restaurant trying to throw her authority around.
It wasn’t exactly a brilliant opening move.
Alvin sighed.
He didn’t particularly want to embarrass her any further.
She was still a police officer.
“Officer Knight.” His tone remained calm.
“I’d appreciate it if you’d withdraw your accusation.” “Everyone in this neighborhood knows exactly where I was last night.” “If you genuinely suspect me, come back with a warrant signed by a judge.
I’ll cooperate.” “But don’t casually accuse people of murder.” “Maybe that works elsewhere.” He met her eyes.
“It doesn’t work in Hell’s Kitchen.” Misty’s face remained icy.
“Yesterday you negotiated with Black Bear, one of Bloody Jensen’s lieutenants.” “When those talks broke down, Black Bear’s entire crew ended up hospitalized.” “At almost the same time, Bloody Jensen’s estate on Long Island was attacked.” “Thirty-six people died.” “Every one of them.” She leaned forward.
“And you’re telling me that’s just a coincidence?” “I don’t care if criminals kill each other.” “But among those thirty-six were innocent employees.” “Housekeepers.” “Gardeners.” “If I find evidence tying you to those deaths…” “You’ll answer for it.” Alvin slowly turned toward George Stacy.
The Police Commissioner had become intensely fascinated by the lemon water in his glass, studying it with such dedication that anyone would think it contained the secrets of the universe.
Apparently, he hadn’t heard a word.
Alvin chuckled.
“Commissioner…” He smiled pleasantly.
“You must really hate her if you assigned her to Hell’s Kitchen.” George could hardly keep pretending after that.
He straightened his jacket.
“Captain Misty Knight is an exceptional officer.” “We believe she’ll make a real difference in Hell’s Kitchen.” “That’s precisely why she’s here.” He delivered the speech with such polished sincerity that it sounded suspiciously like one of those carefully rehearsed presidential press conferences.
Even Misty could tell he didn’t believe half of it.
She slowly turned toward George.
Then toward Michael and Scott.
Neither officer met her eyes.
Her face stiffened.
Only now did she begin to understand she’d made a terrible mistake.
George finally sighed.
“Alvin.” “I know who you are.” “I’ve read your entire file.” “What you’ve accomplished here in the past year has changed Hell’s Kitchen more than the police managed in the previous decade.” “But maintaining public safety is still supposed to be our responsibility.” He glanced toward Misty before continuing.
“The precinct has gone without a commanding officer for over a year.” “I honestly believed she was the best person for the job.” “So I brought her here today because I wanted the two of you to meet.” He looked from Misty to Michael and Scott before shaking his head with a tired smile.
“Now…” “I’m beginning to wonder whether I was right.” There wasn’t a trace of hostility in George’s voice.
Alvin believed him.
He looked at Michael.
“For the love of God…” “Tell your new captain where I was yesterday.” Michael rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.
“Mr.
Satō spent the entire day at the restaurant.” “He met with Black Bear to negotiate.” “The discussion focused on keeping gangs away from local schools and minors.” “And Black Bear is still alive and perfectly healthy.” He paused.
“So I have every reason to believe Mr.
Satō had nothing to do with what happened on Long Island.” “There simply wouldn’t have been any reason.” Misty stood in silence.
For the first time since walking through the restaurant doors, she felt genuinely foolish.
She could practically feel the distrust coming from the officers around her.
On her very first day in command, she’d picked exactly the wrong person to challenge.
Worse, she’d done it in front of her own superior.
Could anyone have made a more disastrous first impression?
Alvin looked at her without a trace of mockery.
“Officer Knight.” “I welcome anyone who’s willing to serve as Hell’s Kitchen’s precinct captain.” “But before people will follow you…” “You have to prove you’re worthy of the badge.” He spread his hands.
“That’s how Hell’s Kitchen works.” “On the streets.” “And inside the precinct.” Misty met his gaze.
“And how exactly am I supposed to prove that?” Alvin laughed.
“Simple.” He leaned back against the counter.
“Take a walk through Hell’s Kitchen after dark.” She blinked.
“That’s it?” Alvin nodded.
“One week.” “If you’re still here…” “And you haven’t been killed or run out of town…” “I’ll be the first person to say…” He smiled.
“Welcome to Hell’s Kitchen.”