“It’s okay,” I said. “Lilith isn’t with me.” “She isn’t?” Her smile brightened by degrees. “Uh-uh. So, is it all right if I go up and see Mister Marcella?” “Oh, I don’t see why not.” She picked up the phone and dialed a three-number extension. “Let me just clear it with India, okay?” I gave up a thin smile and a nod. “Sure.” “India?” she said. “Detective Spitelli is here to see Mister Marcella. Is it okay to send him up?” I could not hear the other side of the conversation, but I could guess with reasonable certainty how it went. After Melissa told her I was there, India came back with, “Is he alone?” To which Melissa answered simply, “A-huh.” “Does he have anything with him?” “Just an umbrella.” “No flowers or anything like that?” Melissa craned her neck slightly to peer up over the top of the counter. “No.” “How’s he dressed?” “Excuse me?” “Jeans or dress slacks?” This time she had to stand, but I give her credit for making it look like she was only stretching.
