The Art of Murder by Kevin Hopkins

Author:Kevin Hopkins [Kevin Hopkins]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kevin Hopkins
Published: 2020-09-29T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Penner turned off Carling avenue onto Preston street. ‘Is the road blocked up there?’ she asked Millar. Parking in Little Italy was limited, so they had decided to drive over together.

‘Looks like they’re detouring traffic around.’

Bright orange barricades were set out across the street. Behind them, a construction crew was working frantically as a backhoe dug up the asphalt. A fountain of water gushed up from the ground, freezing the road in a sheet of ice.

‘Water main must have broken,’ Penner said, turning to follow the detour signs. ‘That’s what, the third one this winter?’

‘Think so. I guess everything in the city is around the same age, so once one starts going, it’s a sure sign more are going to have issues. It must be awful trying to fix that in this type of weather.’

‘Wonder if they’ve closed all the buildings on this stretch of road? Without water, not sure they would be keeping places open,’ said Penner, turning back onto Preston street after completing the detour.

‘Been a while since I’ve been down here,’ Millar said, staring out the window at all the restaurants and bars that lined the street. ‘I remember coming down here after Italy won the World Cup. That was quite the party in the streets. Felt a bit out of place—everyone seemed to be wearing a blue shirt except for me and my buddies. Managed to get a couple of free beers and food, though, so it was worth the walk over.’

Penner’s eyes travelled up and down both sides of the street. ‘Not as many cars down here as I expected. I wonder if they did close everything down.’ She pulled over to the side of the road and parked outside of Pattoria’s office building. ‘Got any change for the meter?’

‘Why not just take a chance? You think bylaw’s going to be coming down here with the construction going on? Besides, if you get a ticket, just turn it in to the finance guys. It’s a work-related expense.’

‘You’re unreal. I’m not going to risk getting a sixty-dollar ticket when I could just put a toonie in the machine.’ She opened the centre console and rooted around. ‘Success. Let’s go.’

Penner walked up to the machine, put in her two dollars and got a printed ticket which she returned to her dashboard. They walked up to the office building. An older man was shovelling snow off the steps.

‘Watch your step, it’s pretty slick,’ the man said, leaning on his shovel and letting Penner and Millar walk by.

Penner grabbed the black metal railing and carefully walked up the five steps. ‘Thank you,’ she said.

‘Are you looking for someone? Most people have gone home where there’s no water. Not sure how many people are left.’

‘Yeah, we’re here to see Mr. Pattoria. Do you know if he’s here or not?’ Penner asked.

‘Nino? I know I saw him come in earlier,’ the old man said, brushing some snow off his woolen tuque. ‘I don’t remember seeing him leave, so he may still be here.

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