J.M. Griffin - Vinnie Esposito 05 - Season for Murder Read online

  The pace quickened as Lola and I hauled ass down the length of the mall. I glanced over my shoulder. I thought I saw Aaron Grant off in the distance. In an effort to make sure it wasn’t a mirage, I stopped dead and turned around. The man was now nowhere to be seen. Feeling rather foolish, I figured it had been wishful thinking that he was there. Life was too complicated at the moment, and I could use some of his soothing company.

  At the perfume counter of Macy’s, I purchased my mother’s favorite bottle of scent. Advising Lola it was time to leave while we could, we couldn’t cut back through the mall to where the car was parked. It seemed prudent to walk around the outside of the massive structure. If that’s considered avoidance, so be it. I’d had enough adventure for one day.

  We rounded the last corner toward the car park and stopped in our tracks. Rafael leaned against the hood of the Altima. His arms crossed, and seeming at ease, he waited for us and grinned when we got closer.

  “Have some trouble in the mall, ladies?” he asked with a chuckle.

  “Yeah, Lola dragged me into a store and I tripped.” That was a good enough explanation, I thought.

  “Hmm, I thought you were avoiding me,” he suggested and glanced at both of us in turn.

  “Why would we do that?” Lola asked.

  “That’s what I was wondering.” Rafe’s glance rested on me. “Is everything all right, Vin?”

  “It couldn’t be better. Why do you ask?” I lied. What else could I do?

  “Just curious, that’s all. You seemed a bit frayed around the edges when the salesman called security.” His chest heaved as he laughed in silence. The smile didn’t quite warm his eyes. I wondered if he knew that we realized who and what he was.

  “The twit wanted me to clean up the mess. I might have if he hadn’t been such an ass about it.” I could feel the flames of hell flicking toward my bum cheeks as I stood there thinking of lies to tell this man, who was a liar himself.

  “What are you doing here?” I asked and made it obvious when I looked for the purchases that he may have made.

  “Just searching for that last minute gift for my sister, but I didn’t find it.”

  Another lie, I thought. Lola must have had the same thought, but before she could utter a word, I stepped to the car door and unlocked it. Tossing my bags inside, I watched Lola hang her outfit on the hook inside the car door.

  “Have you heard from the cops yet about the murders of those two women?” Rafael asked.

  “Nothing yet. They probably won’t tell me,” I said. “It’s curious that there isn’t even a suspect for the death of Mrs. Galumpky.”

  “Mmm, if you say so. I know nothing about law and order, so I couldn’t say,” he said with a smile.

  A choking sensation caught in my throat, and I started to cough. Lola slapped my back as I drew in large quantities of air to relieve the lack of oxygen. Tears streamed down my cheeks while I fought to breathe. Damn, this man was a good liar. Convincing, very convincing.

  “Here,” she said. “Have a sip of water.” Lola handed me the bottle of water from the car console. I swigged a few gulps then capped the bottle tight. I handed it back and started to enter the car. Lola made an excuse to Rafe that she had to get to the deli. We left him in the lot watching us drive away.

  “What the hell,” she yelled, her fist clenched. “He is such a liar. I thought you were going to choke to death over it.”

  Clearing my throat, I said, “He’s good, I’ll give him that much. He’s after the money. I think he was the one after the journal last night. Maybe he’s a double agent. You know, an agent for the government and for the mob at the same time.” I pulled the car over to the street curb and turned to Lola. “I never get between family, you know that, but I’ve got to tell you this much. This man is involved in the murders way beyond an investigation. I think he did the deeds, Lola.”

  For a long moment, we were quiet. No sound came from either of us as we both digested what I had just said. The thoughts had scuttled around in my brain, but hadn’t jumped out of my mouth until now. As for Lola, well, I couldn’t begin to guess what was going through her mind. Those deep, dark eyes were difficult to read. Her face was void of emotion.

  “Do you have proof of this accusation, Vin?” Lola’s dark round eyes held mine.

  “No, just a feeling.” Should I tell her of the dream? Would she think I’d gone bonkers? Maybe I had. Who knew for sure?

  The near black-eyed stare held me for a long time, waiting for an explanation. I caved in with guilt.

  “I had a dream last night, and when I woke up, I knew who broke into my house. It was Rafe. The more I thought about it, the more convinced I’ve become that he’s the killer.”

  “You’re not serious, right? This doesn’t make any sense.” Lola rolled her eyes and leaned against the passenger window.

  “He works for those FBI people. How could, and why would, he be the killer?” Lola asked.

  “Say he’s working both sides of the street. On one side, he’s an agent and on the other, he works with crooks. The mob has laundered money through that senior center one way or another for ages. We both know that, right?”

  Reluctant to admit it, Lola nodded and gave an elongated, “Yes.”

  “The more I think of Rafe’s actions, and now that we know he’s been working undercover with the FBI, the more inclined I am to believe he’s been playing both sides. Rafe comes across as innocent and all that, but these guys are excellent actors. I see it all the time with the undercover cops I teach. You never know what personality you’re dealing with from case-to-case. It’s like they’re schizophrenics or something. It’s part of the job.”

  “So that’s it? You have a gut feeling because of a dream?”

  “That about sums it up. I’m sorry if I’ve insulted your family or hurt your feelings, Lola. Honest.”

  A hefty sigh slipped from Lola as she nodded her acceptance of the apology.

  “Look, if you’re right, we have to prove it, and if you’re wrong, we could end up hip deep in crapola. You do know that, don’t you?”

  “Indeed I do,” I admitted. “So, how are we going to prove it either way without ending up armpit deep in shit?”

  “Good question. Let’s both think on it awhile.” She straightened around in the seat and refastened her seatbelt. “Let’s go home.”

  I pulled the car into traffic and headed toward the deli. The silence in the car was nerve wracking, and I searched for a way to break it. Nothing came to mind as we journeyed the back roads toward Scituate.

  When I drew the car to the curb outside the deli, Lola prepared to leave. Her dark gaze met mine and she smiled. “Do you want to come in for a snack? I know you must be hungry again by now.” A giggle ended the sentence.

  Relief that she wasn’t angry, or hurt, ripped through me. I smiled and agreed to the idea. I swung the car into the lot and we headed inside.

  Once the garment bag with her outfit was stowed into the back closet, we sat at the stainless steel table in the kitchen and let Bill wait on us. He served bowls of stew and sandwiches before he disappeared out front. We listened to his conversation with Millie. He explained how to make the best calzone in the northeast. I chuckled and Lola grinned as we ate.

  “Millie should feel special. Bill doesn’t share his cooking secrets with anyone. Have you come up with ideas on how we can prove your allegations?”

  Her troubled gaze met mine.

  I shook my head. “Have you?” I asked and watched her shake her curly head. I dipped the edge of my bread into the soup and said, “I think I’ll let it go and not worry about it any longer. The cops can do their job. My mother is in the clear as far as I can see. I’ll meet with Detective Bellini after class on Monday.” I wiped my lips with the napkin and rose to shrug into my jacket.

  “If you feel that’s the best way to handle it, then see what Bellini has to say and let me know.” With an earnest gaze, Lola smiled. “If I come up with a better plan,
I’ll call you.”

  Chapter 19

  The fireplace roared, and the television blared, while I wrapped the last of the presents for my family. I checked the messages on the phone and realized I had three waiting to be heard. Marcus reported there were no discernible prints from the bedroom and said he was off to New York. My mother remarked that spaghetti was on the menu for dinner. The last call was from Aaron Grant. He said he’d be home within a week and would be glad to be back. His news brought a smile to my face.

  I called Bellini and asked to see him on Monday. He mumbled something about having a lucky day, and suggested meeting later tonight instead.

  A half-full bottle of wine sat on the counter. I refilled my already empty glass once more. This was my second helping and I felt all warm and fuzzy inside. I get a buzz from wine and hardly ever drink anything stronger. I sipped it, and thought long and hard.

  An extra set of keys to Aaron’s apartment hung on an old key rack near the door. I stared at it until I made a decision. Sliding off the chair, I grasped the key ring and headed toward the front of the house. In stockinged feet, I crept up the stairs, listening intently. Nobody was home, Rafe’s car was absent from the driveway, and I considered myself lucky.

  The key slid silently into the lock. I turned it and the handle in one motion. I entered the apartment and gazed around the softly lit living room. The place was neat and clean, no socks or newspapers flung around. I tiptoed across the floor, headed to the bedroom. There were digital film cards on the bed with an empty camera bag. A black hooded sweatshirt with black slacks lay crumpled on the floor.

  Kneeling, I lifted the slacks and sniffed them. Why? I don’t know. Maybe I expected something other than sweat to meet my sense of smell. As I put the pants down and lifted the sweatshirt, I noticed small pine needles attached to the hood. The sweatshirt dropped from my hands. I stood to retrieve the film cards. The tiny square computerized cards flipped over and over in my hand while I considered viewing the pictures.

  Aaron’s state of the art computer sat on a desk in the next room. In an instant, I’d booted the hard drive and slipped the first card into the photo slot. There was a moment when I had doubts of whether I could enter the site until the program clicked in and the viewer scanned the photos. My luck held for now. The first few shots were of Lola, headshots for her book most likely. The next ones were of the delicious dishes she’d prepared.

  I scrolled down the screen and found my own face among the photos. How had Rafe managed to catch me? As more photos came into view, I recognized some of the people in them. One shot was of an undercover cop from a past class at the university. He was making a buy of some kind. Drugs probably, I thought. He worked the gangs, the mob, and anywhere the department sent him. I never asked him about it. I knew better.

  The next pictures on the card were of known mobsters and the wide shoulders and dark hair of a familiar man. Aaron Grant stood in a side view as he spoke to a mobster. I recognized the man as Jimmy “The Pipe” Giannano. Jimmy “The Pipe” was named such since his modus operandi included the use of a steal pipe. Jimmy and Aaron exchanged papers. Aaron had a smile on his face. The next photo showed them shaking hands. This type of photo went on for three or four more shots as Aaron moved away from his encounter with Jimmy.

  I scrolled down again. The pictures were of the senior center. There was my mother at her car, me entering my car, and Mrs. Lyndon in conversation with Dona Desmaris. Dona looked angry, her features contorted, and her hand clenched in a fist. The next photo was of Mrs. Galumpky with a couple of thugs. At least they looked like thugs. Broad shoulders, ham hocks for hands, expensive suits, gold bling, yeah, they were thugs.

  The first card was finished. I slipped the second one into place. More of the same types of photos were on this card. I was absent, as were my mother and Lola from this batch of pictures. This was all thugs, deals, and cops doing deals. Interesting, very interesting.

  I’d just slipped the third card into the computer when the downstairs door swung open and feet sounded in the hallway. I got up, shut it down, and scooped the three cards. I ran into the bedroom and tossed the cards on the bed. I heard a knock on the back hallway door downstairs. I skidded down the front stairs, making sure to lock Aaron’s apartment door before I left.

  Inside the downstairs apartment, I rushed through the house and swung the door open. Rafael had started toward his own staircase when he turned back as I called his name.

  “I was in the other room gift wrapping. Come in, come in,” I said, somewhat breathless.

  “Oh, I didn’t know if you were home or not. The car is outside, but I thought you might be with Lola.”

  Rafael sauntered inside and glanced around the apartment. His eyes lit on the wine glass and half-empty bottle. He turned to me with a smile and asked for a glass.

  “You must be thirsty today. I could have sworn that bottle was full the other day when I was here.” Rafe chuckled.

  “It’s a different bottle,” I lied. I could feel my path to hell growing wider. I pulled a wine glass from the cupboard and poured a healthy measure for him.

  “What brings you to my door?” I asked as I sipped from my glass. The warm fuzzy feeling had disappeared when I’d viewed the photographs upstairs.

  “Just thought I’d check in with you before heading to the apartment. My job here is near its end, and I wanted to thank you for allowing me to stay in the apartment while Mr. Grant is away.” Deep blue eyes regarded me in a thoughtful way.

  “I’ve heard from Aaron,” I said. “He’ll be home shortly, so things have worked out well for all of us.” I smiled. “You’re headed for the Caribbean?”

  “Yeah, it’ll be nice and warm, the sun will be shining, and I can hardly wait.” He smiled and stared.

  “Where in the Caribbean?” Maybe he was headed to some island with no extradition laws and a bank without U.S. government access.

  “The final destination hasn’t been confirmed yet. I just know it’s in the Caribbean.”

  The wine slid down my throat as I tried not to choke on his lie. This man probably wasn’t even headed to the Caribbean for all I knew. I opened my mouth to ask him a question when the phone rang.

  I scooped the phone off the charger. Rafe said he’d be going and saluted with two fingers. With a half-grin, he strode out the door. His footsteps sounded on the stairs as he went up. In a second I answered the phone to hear Aaron on the other end of the call.

  “Hey, beautiful, how are you?”

  “I’ve been better. Where are you?” I asked.

  Aaron chuckled. “Miss me? I’m in Washington. I called earlier, but you weren’t home. What’s wrong?”

  “It would take too long to explain what’s wrong,” I answered. “In Washington, huh? I could have sworn I saw you at the mall today.”

  “You mean there’s another handsome hunk like me loose in Rhode Island?” He chuckled, a rich deep-throated sound that I had really missed.

  “It would seem so, unless of course, you’ve been here in Little Rhody all this time on a secret mission of some kind.”

  “Not a chance. Would I lie to you?” Aaron asked with laughter in his voice.

  I chuckled. “You have in the past, if I remember correctly. When are you coming home?” It was apparent that I wouldn’t get the truth from him, but I somehow knew that he’d been at the mall. My gut said so.

  “I’ll be back in a few days. There are odds and ends to finish up before I can return. How’s the interim tenant working out?”

  I sighed. “Great, just great.”

  “Really? Is he as much fun as I am?”

  “Oh, yeah, he’s a chuckle a minute,” I said sarcastically.

  “What’s happening with your parents, anything?”

  “Why do you want to know?”

  “I adore your mother, you know that. It’s just a simple question, Vin. Don’t get defensive.”

  “The Bake Sale Queen is great. We’ve had a few problems with
the senior center lately, but she’s great otherwise.”

  “I’m not even going to ask what that’s all about. If I know you, there’s probably been an upheaval of some type and you’re in deep trouble.”

  “Something like that. Just get back here, please.”

  “Wow, you must really miss me if you’re begging me,” Aaron said with a hint of humor in his voice.

  “You have no idea what life has dealt me lately, so just finish up whatever it is that you’re doing down there in D.C. and get your ass home.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” he said with a soft laugh. “I’ll see you soon.”

  With a half-full glass of wine in my hand, I wandered into the living room and sat before the fireplace. Tree lights twinkled, the colors chasing one another. It mesmerized me as I relaxed from the heat and the wine.

  My brain worked overtime on how Rafael had managed to ingratiate himself with me, my family, and fool his distant cousin. I couldn’t imagine what the outcome would be if either side he was playing got wind of what he was involved in. The government didn’t take kindly to players, and the mob just terminated your connection to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

  The phone sat close by on the sofa. I grasped it, punched in the number, and waited for my father to answer the call. I heard the gruff-voiced greeting.

  “Hello?” Dad rumbled.

  “Hey, it’s me, Vinnie. I need to ask how you found out about Rafael.”

  “Do you really have to know? Can’t you let it go?” he grumbled.

  “No, Dad, I can’t. I need to know.”

  “I played cards with the guys and one of them mentioned there was an undercover agent nosing around on the Hill. He better be careful or he’ll be dead, ya know? What’s worse is that he’s dealing with people he shouldn’t be involved with.”

  “What kind of deals and who are these people, Dad?”

  “Never mind, that’s all I’m gonna tell you. Stay out of it, Lavinia. I’m warning you.”