Sheldon felt the pull of Mitch’s silver tongue trying to per
suade him. “I don’t know, Mitch. I’m not making any promises.”
“What do you mean ‘no promises’? We’re blood brothers,
Sheldon. We’ve always had each other’s back.”
“That was before you crossed the line. Before you went to the
dark side. If you weren’t my brother, I’m not sure I’d even like
you anymore.”
“Ouch.”
“Sorry, but it’s the truth. With a fiancée and a child to watch
out for, I can’t mess around with shady operations. And I know
for a fact that if you joined me in the project, it would turn shad
ier than the shadow of the huge maples in Central Park. You’d
poison it.”
“Double ouch.”
“Do you deny it?”
Mitch shrugged. “Okay, I get it. I know when I’m not wanted
around.”
“Don’t go playing the victim, Mitch. I love you for the
brother you are, and you’re welcome in my home anytime. But
that’s where it ends.”
They were quiet for several minutes. The only sounds were
baby noises coming from the kitchen. Mitch stood up, shoulders
back and head held high. He walked to the kitchen to say good
bye to Rihanna, then came back and stood over Sheldon.
“I’m not going down, Sheldon, and I’m not going away. I just
hope you’re here for me when it’s all over.”
“See ya, man.”
Mitch hesitated with his hand on the door handle. “Hey,
you know what? I’d like to check out what you’ve done with the
Foundling since I saw it last. If I can have an image to hold in
my head, to keep me going, it’ll be a lot easier to face the judge.”
“That’s a bad idea, Mitch. You’ve been told to stay away from
the hospital. Nothing’s changed since the last time you were
300
JULIE HATCH
there. If you’re caught anywhere near Metro, they’ll arrest you
again. It’s not worth it, Mitch. Forget about it.”
“You don’t have any babies there yet, do you?”
Sheldon didn’t answer.
“I need to see it.”
“I’m telling you it’s a terrible idea.”
“I’m going anyway. You coming?”
Sheldon shook his head. He got up and held the door open.
“Good luck, Mitch.”
