Authors: J. M. Griffin
The policeman finished his report after a few questions to me and MacNert. Satisfied, he slid behind the wheel of his car and left the scene. The fire truck turned around and cruised by. Aaron and I watched the troupe move away and stood silent until we were alone.
"You said your cousin came by after you'd broken down?” Aaron peered into my face as he held it within his hands.
A frown wrinkled my forehead as the implication became clear. My moist gaze reached his dark eyes as I nodded.
"Yeah, I'd gone about a half mile or so on foot and he picked me up. He also warned me about being alone on a deserted road."
"Which cousin would that be, Vinnie?” His lips tightened and a cold gleam entered his eyes.
"It was Frankie Scorcini.” In a defeated voice I answered and wondered what thoughts sped through his mind.
"Right, well let's get back to the house, shall we?"
"Yeah okay, but I'm going to need a car. I'll call my mother and she'll take me shopping, I'm sure.” I said this without much enthusiasm.
Just what I needed, to have to tell my parents that my car had been torched. My father would go nuts, he'd yell and scream, while my mother would lose it, I just knew it. The scenario played through my mind in a flash.
"No need, I'll take you tonight after dinner.” His warm smile cheered me as his arm tightened around my shoulders in a squeeze.
"Thanks, Aaron. I don't want to have to explain this to my parents right now. My father will have kittens and then he'll rant and rave about me living alone and being single. My mother might agree with him this time and then all hell will break loose.” I rambled and knew it, but I couldn't seem to stop.
"Your father wants you married off, eh?” Aaron chuckled as we slid into the four wheel drive vehicle.
"Indeed, he thinks that's the goal of all women."
"You don't agree, I take it?"
"Right. If Saint Giovanni didn't want to get married or have a bazillion kids, that would be fine. However, I'm a different matter."
"Does Saint Giovanni have any children?"
"Not yet, but I think they're trying. Practicing is what he said the last time we talked.” I chuckled as a guffaw left Aaron. His valiant effort to keep my mind off the possibilities of Frankie and Kenny's actions was appreciated.
"Do you miss Giovanni not being close to home?"
"Sometimes, but the truth is that my life is easier with him at a distance."
When we arrived at the house, I asked him in for coffee. He agreed and we rambled toward the kitchen. Aaron took a quick look around the apartment as we went. He waited as I poured the rich steaming brew when it finished perking.
"This place is nearly a duplicate of mine. The only difference is the bathrooms. Did you live here with Livvy or in the apartment upstairs?"
"I lived upstairs for about six months before she died."
"Where were you when she was found?"
"I'd been skiing in Maine with friends. We were to return the next day when I got the call. It was quite a shock and my parents have taken Livvy's death real hard, especially my mother."
"Did Livvy have any enemies that you know of?"
My gaze lingered on his features. These were questions I'd asked myself along with those that the cops had asked. No answers were readily available so I shook my head.
"None that I know of. She was a good person and had a lot of friends. Her funeral was massive and people came from New York, L.A. and all over. That's all I know. Why are you so curious?"
"I'm concerned for you and can see how distraught you are over the whole ordeal. Would you like to tell me what else has been going on? I've noticed that you look quite strained lately."
"It's just that the whole thing was a shock. I've found the jewels left on the steps and then another package in her trunk, then one in the lion. God knows what that's about, but my life has been a bit frayed around the edges."
"You found some in the lion?"
I nodded. “When my last intruder was here searching the house, we got into a tussle and the lion got knocked over. It was weird how it happened, but the leg turns and there's a compartment inside.” I told him how I'd found it and Richmond confiscated the gems which were from South America. I glanced up at his face while I spoke and found him staring at me.
"What's the matter? You knew I'd found gems, we spoke of it before."
"I know, but I didn't realize you'd found so many. Where is Richmond now, do you know?"
"Not at the moment. Why?"
"I need to speak with him."
"If he shows up, I'll tell pass on the message.” My mind traveled a hundred miles an hour as I watched this giant. He had something going on, but I wasn't sure what. Old worries resurfaced as I ran a hand across my forehead. Not one more thing God, please, I prayed.
Brown eyes scanned my face. Aaron rose from the chair. “I'll be upstairs if you need me. You'll be all right won't you? We'll go out around seven, okay?"
"Sure, I'm fine. Thanks for everything."
He left and I heard his light tread on the stairs. The apartment door closed as I shut mine. I returned to the counter and sat there thinking of my pile of shit life. Instead of getting better it had compounded, and now I was afraid. Me, Vinnie Esposito, scared. Wow, that was a first.
My coffee cup sloshed as I lifted it to dump it into the sink. I took a beer out of the fridge, slugged down about half of it and turned when a car door slammed and the back door banged open. A swift knock announced Richmond as he strode into the apartment with force. His glance took in the nearest rooms before turning to me.
"I just heard about the fire and your car. Are you all right?” He stepped forward to run warm hands up and down my arms. He kissed my forehead and leaned back.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks."
His eyes narrowed a moment before a tight grimace covered his features.
"Want to tell me what happened?"
I recapped my day and then sighed with resignation. “My life is a pile of stinking shit and I've had enough, Marcus."
Hazel eyes crinkled at the corners as a smirk tickled the edges of his fine tasting lips.
"I can see that. I'm sorry about the car. I know it wasn't very worthy, but it belonged to Livvy and had sentimental value for you."
"Well, it's over and done with, so I have to move on."
A sharp rap on the door announced Aaron. His face was dismal. I wasn't sure if it was over Marcus or my circumstances.
The two sets of serious eyes surveyed one another before landing on me. I felt pinned to a cushion by them and squelched the temptation to squirm. Now what? I wondered.
Richmond's strong arms leaned on the counter as he stared at Aaron.
"It would appear we're investigating the same thing, Grant."
The testosterone in the room was thick as pea soup and my need to escape mounted. If these two macho guys were having a pissing contest, I wanted to be as far from it as I could. Unfortunately, there was no option for me but to stay put.
Dark, unreadable eyes took in the trooper with an attitude, before he answered. Aaron glanced at me and then back at Richmond.
"The FBI is looking into the gem situation. I must say that things don't look good for Lavinia Ciano or Vinnie's two cousins. We've had them under surveillance for a while now. I'll step up the security for Vinnie if you can't,” Aaron said.
"We can handle that, but there's also the fact that the Providence shop might be involved.” Richmond's eyes slid toward me for a moment. “I'm curious about the car though."
"Vinnie got stuck with the car and started walking. Her cousin Frankie picked her up and then dropped her here. It was after that the car was torched. Convenient, wouldn't you say?"
Marcus nodded, said nothing, but I could see the wheels turn.
It was as though I wasn't even in the room. My temper soared at being spoken over instead of spoken to. Not only was there an investigation into Livvy, but also into the business in Providence and by none other than the staties and the FBI. Why I hadn't figured out Aaron was FBI, I can't say, it just hadn't occurred to me. My thoughts had turned more toward involvement with a cartel, don't ask me why, but it had.
I stepped forward, arms akimbo and glared at the two men. Both sets of eyes took in the stance and attitude before they glanced at each other.
"I'm in the room guys, and it'd be nice if you'd acknowledge that. Especially when discussing my family and the incidents that have taken place. You're really pissing me off now."
I glared at Aaron. “You didn't tell me you're an FBI agent. Why I wonder? Maybe because I'd have tossed your ass out of the apartment when I realized you only wanted to work me for information. Was your interest just a game? Did you have ulterior motives the whole time? I guess so, huh?"
Turning, I glared at Richmond as he leaned against the fridge his arms crossed. I was on a roll, and a resigned look settled on his face.
"And you Richmond, there's no excuse for your actions. You have used me for information as well. You both assume Livvy was in this up to her eyeballs, and I'm fed up. Where the hell do you guys get off anyway? Livvy's not guilty of anything.” My voice raised an octave at a time while anger shook me. The fact that Marcus knew more about my tenant than I did, annoyed me to no end.
I marched to the door, opened it and stood aside as my arm swept toward them and then toward the hallway.
"Get out, both of you,” I yelled.
At first neither man spoke or moved. They glanced at each other and then with a shrug, Aaron rose from the stool and climbed the stairs to his apartment. I heard the door close while I stared at Richmond.
"Don't you think you might be overreacting?” he asked.
It was the wrong thing to say. “Not really. From where I stand, I think I'm justified in tossing your butts out the door. When you guys can be honest with me, then you'll be welcome. Until then, don't come around. I've had about as much as I can take of this crap."
"Vin, you're making assumptions here that have no merit."
"Really? Well, you have your opinion, and I have mine. Out.” I gestured with my thumb toward the back door.
He shook his head and walked toward the hallway. He stopped an inch or so from me and leaned in to quickly brush his lips across mine. It was nearly my undoing, but I held my ground and watched him leave. Heavy hearted, I locked the door and leaned against it.
My little voice sang praises that I'd made the right choice, but my heart squeezed with pain. I wasn't so sure I'd done the right thing. Maybe I'd overreacted, after all, Aaron did say he was investigating something. I should have realized he was FBI since I hang out with cops, teach them and know the signs. As far as Richmond went, well I'd known all along he thought my aunt and I were in cahoots, or at least, that my aunt was guilty of smuggling.
My mind flew over the past few weeks as I sat at the counter, my chin cupped in my hand. A deep sigh huffed from my body as I thought of Richmond's love making. The way he touched me set fire to my soul. His lips turned my bones to jelly and my knees to water. Good golly, I thought in despair.
The stool slid back, and I wandered through the French doors onto the deck out back. Sweet summer scents tickled my nose. I breathed deeply of the honeysuckle, which climbed the deck rail, in an effort to bring some semblance of order back into my mind. My life, well that was another story. I had no hopes at this moment of clearing Aunt Livvy's name or returning the gems to the bad guys. All I could manage was to buy another car.
The phone jingled and I stepped inside to answer it, but looked at the caller I.D. first. It was Lola so I knew I was safe. With the phone in hand, I headed back outside and plunked down in the lounge chair.
"Hey Lola, what's up?"
"MacNert was just here and told me about your car. What are your plans? Are you all right?” Her worried voice carried a high pitch to it.
"I'm fine, but the car was torched after I arrived home. I think my cousin Frankie did it. But now I need a new car and Aaron pissed me off so he won't be taking me."
"Did I miss something here or what? I'll be right up and we can shop for a car while you fill me in on whatever else has happened. Cripes, you've never had such a busy summer, have you?” Her chuckle tinkled across the line bringing a reluctant smile to my face.
"Come on up, you're about the only sane person I know right now."
"Fair enough, I'll be right there."
The line went dead and I headed inside, locking up as I went through the house.
After a quick change of clothes, I flipped my hair into a clip and waited outside on the front steps for Lola to swing by. Her smart little car turned into the post office parking area and swung out across the street to the curb in front of my house. I hurried through the front gate and slid into the seat in case Aaron or anyone should decide to interfere with my plans. Still frazzled over my experiences, I had no tolerance for anyone else's plans.
With a quick glance at my face, Lola smiled and hit the gas. We took off like a rocket as the little car sped toward Johnston. It was the next town east of Scituate and there were car dealers everywhere. They offered new, slightly used, very used, previously owned and downright battered cars for sale.
"So spill it, come on. Don't keep me in suspense, I can't take it.” Lola vibrated with barely concealed anticipation.
It occurred to me that I might be the only one that wasn't enjoying this whole affair. My eyes tilted toward her and a heavy sigh preceded the latest chapter in what had become a long string of chapters. If I was a writer, this would make a hell of a story. Since I'm not and this was happening to me, then it wasn't such a fun series of events.
The story spread out before her like an unraveled ball of yarn. The more I went on, the worse I felt, and the wider Lola's eyes got. She was so rapt that we drove right past the car dealerships and ended up at Coffee & Donuts for iced coffee.
"They don't sell cars here, Lola,” I said as we swung into the drive through and ordered.