Mario - A Story - 15

Mario was in the small break-room off of the kitchen at the restaurant when he heard someone speak his name. He looked up from his book to see two men in suits standing across from him. “I’m Mario Bassani,” he said. “How can I help you?”

“We’d like to ask you a few questions, sir,” one of them said. He took out his wallet to show Mario his badge. “I’m Detective Forson, and this is Detective Oates.”

Mario looked at the badge then back at the Detective. Suddenly he felt a wave of panic. “Something’s happened to Wil.”

Forson frowned. “Who’s Wil, sir?”

“My son.”

“As far as we know he’s fine. We’re here about Jonah Heath.”

Mario slumped in relief. “Jonah? Oh great, what’s he done now?”

“He’s dead. Murdered.” Forson said succinctly.

“He’s what?” Mario sat up straight again as he stared at the Detective in shock.

“His badly beaten body was found in an alley not too far from here. We found your name and address as well as the restaurant’s on his cell.”

“His cell?” All Mario could think was that it couldn’t have been a robbery then, and he said so.

“No sir, nothing points to robbery.” Forson pulled out the chair across the table from Mario, sat down and took out a notebook and pen. “What was your relationship to Mr. Heath?”

“Relationship? We were friends.” Mario hoped his face didn’t belie that statement.

“How close a friendship was it, sir?”

“Close?” Mario tried to play dumb. “We were just…friends.”

“That’s not what his roommate said.”

“Roommate?” Mario whispered. “He doesn’t have a roommate.”

   

“Apparently he did. The man said he’s been living there for the past month. He also told us that to the best of his knowledge you and Mr. Heath had been lovers until Mr. Heath broke off the relationship.”

“No way! He’s not the one…” Mario clamped his mouth shut as he realized what he’d just admitted.

The door opened at that moment and one of the waiters stuck his head in to remind Mario his break was over. Detective Oates told him that Mario would be out when they were finished talking to him and not before. The waiter shot a look at Mario, frowned and left.