Dirty Trouble (4 page)

His brow arched. Bellini asked, “I’m told it’s your aunt in lockup?”

 I would owe this man big time for any favors I requested. It irritated the snot out of me – but you gotta do what you gotta do, ya know? Family is family, after all. As an Italian, Bellini should understand that.

“Yes, apparently there’s been a misunderstanding. My aunt is not, nor has she ever been, involved with racketeering. I’m told you may be able to assist me.”

“Who told you that?” He smirked, aware that I was in a tight spot.

Should any of his primo students need to pass my classes, I’d have to relent and mark them on a curve. How big a curve remained to be seen. Family issues can be a real pain in the ass.

I swallowed my attitude and answered him sweetly. “Officer Petronio mentioned you might have some pity for my unfortunate aunt.”

With a nod, he said, “I’ll call lockup and have her brought in. We’ll see her in a box down the hall. She’s not dangerous, is she?”

He must be joking
. The woman was in her sixties, not some punk-ass chick with a rap sheet as long as the interstate highway.

“Hardly, Detective. She’s a mature woman headed toward her twilight years, who probably became extremely upset at the arrest of her boyfriend.”

“Your aunt dates mobsters?” With a bark of laughter, Bellini dialed the extension for lockup.

It must have been the thought of a woman her age dating someone whose ‘number was up’ that caused his uncontrollable laughter. I listened while he ordered Muffy be brought to Interrogation Room Three.

“She’s my aunt. I know nothing about that aspect of her personal life.” I lied. “I’m just going on what my mother has said. If I know my aunt, I’d say her smart mouth is what got her arrested in the first place.”

“It must run in the family,” he mumbled softly, as we strolled down the corridor and into another room.

Settled across the table from Bellini, I waited in silence for my mother’s older sister to be brought in by the guard. Bellini flipped his ink pen over and over, and clicked the metal against the table until I thought I’d go mad. My instincts told me to be cool, but my nerves were ragged with pressure over what it would cost me to get Muffy out of the slammer.

A smirk lingered around the corners of Bellini’s mouth and I guessed he knew how I felt. He also undoubtedly enjoyed his position. Michael Bellini realized he could name the tune, and I’d owe him the dance.
Dang, I hate when that happens.

The door opened and we both stood at the same time. A lanky guard held the door while Muffy shuffled in. Her hairstyle askew and make-up smudged, she stood five feet tall and ramrod straight. Bodacious breasts were held up by a ‘silver bullet’ long line bra and her round figure topped shapely legs. At her age, you’d have thought there’d be a ton of wrinkles, but Muffy had skin most women would kill for. From the look on her face, I guessed she’d made life hard for herself and everyone else involved.

The officer glanced at me, and gave a brief nod of recognition. A smirk trembled around the corners of his mouth and I knew I was right in my assumptions. He settled against the inside door and waited for Mafalda to sit down.

“Auntie, sit here.” I motioned to a nearby chair.

“Those bastards arrested me. Can you believe that Lavinia? I didn’t do anything to break the law. You know I would never.” She pointedly ignored Bellini as she ranted.

“Do you have anything to do with the charges against Antonio?” I asked in a calm voice and held her hand.

“No, I don’t. Lavinia, I can’t believe you’re asking me such a question. These dickheads are just being ridiculous. Antonio isn’t a racketeer. He’s a
businessman
.”

It was too much for Bellini to handle. He burst out in raucous laughter, and I have to admit I was hard pressed to keep a straight face.

“Mild mannered, just like you, huh?” he asked in a low voice.

“Right.” I said and glared at him. “Detective Bellini, I think my aunt will apologize for her actions. Do you think I could take her home?”

His eyebrows shot upward. “She’s got to face charges for resisting arrest, Vinnie. There’s nothing I can do about that. She’s not a flight risk, is she?”

“No, she’ll show up. I’ll bring her to court personally. I promise.” I stared at Bellini for a moment. He appeared to enjoy this whole thing way too much – while I wasn’t enjoying it at all.

“I could take some heat over this, but go ahead and take her home. I’ll make it right with the captain.” He turned to my aunt. “If you hadn’t lost your temper, you’d have been spared this unfortunate situation, ma’am.”

“Damned straight. If your men hadn’t manhandled me, I’d have been spared more than that,” she spluttered.

I put my hand on her arm and squeezed lightly so she’d shut her mouth. We rose from the table and I assured Detective Bellini all would be well. He smirked and said he’d be in touch.
My God, the things I do for family.

I hustled Mafalda through the station after we retrieved her belongings. In quite a state by the time we reached the car, her usually neat dyed black hair floated all over the place, leaving her totally disheveled. This just wasn’t the way to see an aunt who normally took great pride in her appearance.

“Wait until I back the car out of the space, and I’ll let you in, Auntie.”

Muffy waited. I started the car, and tried not to sideswipe the cruisers parked on either side. It took some maneuvering, but I finally got the car out of the slot and unlocked the door. Auntie plunked into the seat with a sigh of relief and settled back in silence. For once, her mouth was clamped shut, and I wondered what thoughts ran through her brain.

“Take me home, dear. I need a bath. That station is a filthy pit, and only animals belong there. I can’t believe they’ve kept Antonio – he’s such a good man.”

Yeah right. He probably had the racket business down to a fine science. Racketeering fell into a slump, years earlier, when the mob was split and most crime family members were incarcerated.

Things had started to turn around, as most things do. I heard from my students that racketeers were alive and flourishing once again.

This slimy business covered a wide range of bad guy stuff. It had become more sophisticated, devious, and included everything from prostitution, to gambling, to smuggling and more. A visit by the ‘bone breakers’ wasn’t an appointment at the local chiropractor’s office. Instead, it was two big dudes who rearranged your kneecaps when you were in the shits for something.

I pulled into Aunt Muffy’s driveway. After helping her from the front seat of the vehicle, we entered the house. The quaint, tastefully decorated bungalow was a perfect home for her. No crystal chandeliers or gaudy furniture. Instead, everything was clean lines and warm colors. Even the kitchen was streamlined.

With a promise to pick her up for the court date in Providence, I prepared to leave. Muffy made a cup of tea and managed to come to grips with the fact that she’d have to answer for her behavior – an unusual state of affairs, since she refused to answer for anything. Muffy said she realized she’d have to do so this time around. I finally left after she assured me she’d be fine and was happy to be home.

At least one of us was happy. I disliked owing anyone favors, and Bellini would hold it over my head for sure.

Chapter 4

With a glance at my watch, I turned toward home and while I covered the distance I spoke to my mother on my cell phone.

“Muffy’s out of the police station and I took her home.” I explained the charges and that I’d have to take her to court. Thoughts of that unpleasant experience filled my heart with dread, but nonetheless, it was a necessity.

My mother clicked her tongue against her teeth and sighed with resignation over the whole situation. It was apparent that she heartily disapproved of Auntie’s dating habits, but had no control over them.

“Thanks for the rescue, Lavinia. Do you plan to come over for some dinner? I can have your father make you a dish.”

“No thanks. I have a sandwich waiting at home. I was about to eat when you called. It’ll still be good. Lola made it.” My parents hadn’t heard of my accident. What a relief not to have to answer a bazillion questions.

My father, a retired chef, had owned his own pizza restaurant until he took an early retirement. My mother managed it, him, and the books when they ran the restaurant. I ate at their house often and got terrific leftovers to bring home. Life is good in that way.

“All right then, dear. I’ll talk to you tomorrow. There’s a bake sale at the seniors’ center, by the way. It’s to raise funds for a trip to the performing arts center and I’m the chairwoman. I’ll be home afterwards though, if you want to come down for dinner.” She disconnected the call, and I pulled into the deli parking lot.

Not that my mother is old or anything. Lately, she’d become a champion to any and every cause concerning the elderly. I am proud of her for that, but sometimes it creates havoc within the family circle.

After returning the keys to Lola, I hurried up the street. Aaron’s gigantic GMC Yukon sat in the driveway and lights from the second floor filtered over the yard. It wasn’t late, but dark enough for lighting. The days were shorter with autumn underway, and I could smell the crisp, cool air that surrounded the decaying leaves and other foliage.

The back hall entry of the two-family Colonial I inherited this year, gave way to a rear staircase that led to the apartment above mine.

The upstairs door yawned open, and Aaron stood at the top of the stairs grinning. He beckoned me into the apartment with a crook of his index finger in a ‘come hither’ type motion.

“I just opened a couple of beers to go with the sandwiches if you’re still hungry,” he said with a grin. “Lola called and said you were on your way home.”

Anyone who knows me is aware that I never pass up a meal, especially when I can dine with a gorgeous man. I’m not stupid by any stretch of the imagination. I often act that way, but it’s only an act.

With the long strapped handbag slung over my shoulder, I hiked the steps two at a time and entered the kitchen. Lights blazed, and the food sat ready and waiting on the counter. Frothy beer sparkled in frosted mugs and my mouth watered. Yep, I was hungry.

His eyes crinkled at their corners as Aaron watched me dig in with fervor. I hadn’t eaten since early morning and I’d worked that food off. My glance took in the generous smile. I chuckled with my mouth full.

“Not hungry or anything, are you?”

I swallowed the mouthful of food. Between sips of beer, I said with a grin, “I haven’t had a minute to stop for a bite to eat since breakfast. This sandwich is great, by the way.”

“My pleasure,” he said. Aaron studied me for a moment and then asked, “How did you make out at the PPD?”

“Do you already know the answer, or are you truly concerned?”

His hand went to his heart in feigned pain. “You wound me, Vinnie. Is there no trust between us?” Laughter rocked the kitchen.

“Yeah, yeah. All right, I’ll take that to mean you’re concerned. My aunt is determined that Antonio is just a common businessman. Detective Bellini couldn’t handle that theory.” I explained the interview room scene and how Auntie would be arraigned for her smart-ass attitude.

His eyebrows hiked when I made the remark about Muffy. I put my hand up in a stop motion. “I know. Don’t say it. Bellini thinks it must run in the family, too. I figure that good old Antonio is already out of jail. If he’s a racketeer then he probably made bail, and left Auntie to rot in a cell.”

“He was released within an hour of his arrest.” Aaron shook his head. “The bum left her there. Imagine that?”

“If she finds out that’s the case, then Antonio will probably need a chiropractic visit. Muffy has a wicked disposition, takes absolutely no crap and I wouldn’t be in his shoes for anything.” I chomped down the rest of my sandwich, followed by the beer, and then made a huge belch. My hand went to my mouth and I chuckled.

“Must be good food to produce that sound, Vin.” He laughed, his white teeth flashing in the overhead light. “So tell me about Mafalda’s penchant for mob men.” He leaned back, his eyes on the beer mug.

“My family knows a lot of mob-related folks even though we don’t have anything to do with them. When my parents were kids, they grew up in a neighborhood with guys who ended up on the wrong side of the law.” I stopped and thought about Muffy for a minute, then said, “Sometimes women get into the ‘bad boy’ mode and become caught up with the so called glamour of it. My aunt is one of those people. She married Benny ‘The Stromboli’ Perrano, and had a bunch of kids. When he got killed, she just went on with life and took back her maiden name.”

“Tell me about the kids.”

“They live as far away as they can without leaving the States. They are all in good-paying professions and are law abiding, so far as I know. Why?”

“No reason, just want to get a mental picture of your family, that’s all. Do your parents entertain anyone from the mob?”

 “Not that I know of. My dad has an aversion to the way they do things. He drilled honesty into my twin brother, Giovanni, and me as we grew up. That didn’t stop us from acting out of course, but we finally listened to him. Unlike my two cousins, Frankie and Kenny, we’re upstanding citizens.”

“Indeed, Frankie and Kenny aren’t happy about their living arrangements now, but they asked for it. You haven’t suffered any ill effects from the affair this past summer, have you?”

“Not really. I couldn’t believe they were at the bottom of the gem smuggling ring. Well, I could believe it, but don’t want to think they would hurt my mother.”

My two cousins had smuggled high-end gems into the country by way of a ragtag group of people. My Aunt Lavinia, and namesake, found out they used her gift shop to traffic them. She tried to convince the two slime balls to stop their nefarious activities, but before Aunt Livvy could complete the convincing part, she died…under mysterious circumstances.