Page 77 of Tito

“Oh, I bet he knows,” Rocky said.

“Mr. Descalia is in his study presently.”

We all turned around.

Max stood in the hall a couple of feet away from us. “If you would like, I can serve espresso?”

“That would be great, Max,” Tito told him. “We could use a caffeine pickup right about now.”

Max gave us that famous formal bow. Then he stiffly turned and headed back down the hallway.

I kept staring after him even when he went into the kitchen hall. I blinked my eyes and asked, “How did he know that we…”

“We what…?” Tito asked.

“That we were going to see your uncle?”

“We’re standing in the hall in front of the study door,” Rocky said. “And there are two places you can find Uncle Stephano, the study or the golf course. Besides, he’s Max.”

I looked over at Rocky.

He shrugged. “He’s a phenom,” he explained. “Tito and I have spent years trying to figure him out.”

I shook my head.

Tito took my hand. “Well, since Max believes he’s in the study. Then he is in the study.” He gave his brother a nod. “See you later, Rock.”

“I’ll be at home if you need me. Melainie is thrilled about the lockdown.” He paused, then said, “I mean—”

“Yes, bro. It’s ok,” Tito told him.

Rocky waved at us and headed down the hall.

We both turned as we heard a squeaking sound.

“The trolley,” Tito told me.

I wondered what he meant by trolley. That was when I saw him.

Max, coming along the hallway as he pushed a tray trolley…silverware clinked and cups rattled a bit.

The butler must have had it ready. No one could move that fast. Like Rocky said though. He was Max.

Tito kept a hold of my hand and tugged me to the study door.

As per usual, Max’s expression looked blank and he made no comment as he stepped forward to give the study door a good, solid knock.

“Yes,” Stephano called out.

Max opened the door and said, “Sir, Tito and Valencia are here to see you.”

“Si, si. Come in.”

Max stepped aside and motioned us in. His expression looked as impassive as ever.

We went by him and made our way over to the chairs in front of the large desk. I noted the room looked different now from when I had been here before when it was a sort of war room.

Max followed us with the trolley cart.