“Hi, Officer! Nice evening, isn’t it?” he said.

The patrolman stared and gave them both a once-over. “I’m Vito,” he said. “What’s a couple of guys like you doing driving Aldo’s Caddy?” 

Chief gulped. He hadn’t been prepared for the officer to know whose car they were driving. “Well, sir, we’re new employees. We’re just delivering pizzas for him.” 

“Both of you?” Vito shined the light on Chief, then Joe. “You’re both delivering pizzas, together? 

“Yep,” Joe said. “I’m like the co-pilot, kind of like Chewbacca and Han Solo.” 

“Sure, like that,” the policeman replied flatly. “Only Chewie wasn’t Chinese.” 

Out on the street, Sal and Antone pulled up next to Vito’s cruiser and flashed their headlights. Vito nodded in their direction, then he turned to Joe and Chief and said, “You two stay right here. Don’t go nowhere.” 

Vito walked briskly across the street to Sal’s window.

“I think he meant, ‘don’t go anywhere,’ Chief,” Joe said. “That’s just how they talk around here.” 

Sal rolled down his window as Vito approached. Antone leaned over so he could see Vito through Sal’s window and said, “Vito, thank you very much. We’ll take it from here.” 

Page 194