The Famous Mafioso Hired Me to Hear Him, and the Man in the Cell Is Not Who They Convicted novel · Chapter 4 of 24

Chapter 4: Hertel Avenue

The Brancato family kept its office over a bakery, and the bakery smelled the way I imagined heaven would if heaven were run by Sicilians.

It was called Brancato & Sons Bakery Supply, an old red-brick storefront on Hertel Avenue in Buffalo.

There was a counter in front and flour sacks stacked to the ceiling in back.

I drove there on Wednesday morning, between the second and third sessions, because the lawyer's assistant had called to say Mrs. Brancato wished to thank me in person.

I did not want to go.

I went anyway, because you don't stand up a woman who has paid for your mother's surgery.

Gianna Brancato met me at the counter in a flour-dusted apron over a black dress.

Her black hair was streaked with gray and pinned low, and she had warm, heavy hands covered in rings.

She took both of mine in them the moment I came through the door.

"Joanna," she said.

"Jo."

"Jo.

"You are so young.

"Sit.

"Eat."

She sat me in a booth at the back and put a plate in front of me that I had not asked for.

It was a slice of something with almonds, and a cup of coffee strong enough to stand a spoon in.

I ate, because I was hungry, and because I could tell that refusing would be an event.

She watched me with an expression of enormous kindness.

I noticed that she never once looked at my hands.

"My husband has been in that place nineteen years, Jo," she said.

"I have not been permitted to visit him."

"I'm sorry."

"You are kind.

"They tell me he is going deaf.

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