Israel had gotten to know Mister Santoni from delivering and picking up drop shipments in the company truck, a panel truck, not the old van from back in the day. This was the flagship store down in Highlandtown. He got along well enough with the receiver, Ed, as well. The closer, Stump, who was an assistant store manager and the produce manager, resented the drop shipments, because they were ordered directly by Mister Santoni himself, meaning that Stump did not get any kickbacks or tickets to the ballgame from the deliveries and Stump’s grifting ass did not like that…

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