J.M. Griffin - Vinnie Esposito 05 - Season for Murder Page 21
“So you told him what I had planned?” I stared at her, unable to believe she hadn’t thought twice about setting me up with a gangster.
“When I called him, he knew there was more to the story than cookies for his mother. Please, Lavinia, he’s not stupid, you know.”
“So, what did you say to him?” I asked.
We sipped our tea and listened as Muffy explained how she had mentioned there was a traitor in their midst. She also explained Rafe’s relationship to Dona, which I hadn’t realized Muffy was aware of. When my mother’s name entered their conversation, Jimmy understood the need to prove my mother innocent and had agreed to the meeting. He also had said that he had known my father in the past.
Unwilling to ask the question uppermost in my mind, I stuffed down the knowledge that Jimmy ‘The Pipe’ and my father were acquainted. I had known my father was friends with Jimmy ‘The Neck,’ since they’d grown up in the same neighborhood. ‘The Neck’ was an enforcer who now resided as a guest of the State of Rhode Island’s prison system.
Bewildered by the fact that I hadn’t fooled anyone but myself, I leaned against the soft cushions and tilted my head back. Why did I do the things I do, I wondered? My mother’s face popped into my head. I knew the answer to the question. There wasn’t much I wouldn’t do for my family.
We chatted about the police and FBI for a while until the doorbell rang. Auntie rose to answer it, but I said I would get it. She sat back and sipped her tea.
The door opened and outside Aaron Grant stood alive and well on the doorstep. He stared at me for a moment and then pulled me outside and gave me a bear hug.
“Vinnie Esposito, you scare the crap out of me. You really do.” He let go and stepped back to look at me, his hands on my arms.
“I do?” I asked.
“Uh-huh, you do.” He stepped past me into the room and turned as I closed the door. “Don’t ever pull a stunt like that again. Good God, you could have been killed when the gun went off. What were you thinking?” Hands on his hips in a Superman stance, he waited for me to answer his question.
“I wasn’t thinking that far in advance, I guess,” I admitted to him.
In an instant, I found myself once again enfolded within his strong arms and held tight to his broad chest. I could feel his heart beat against my chest. I tilted my head upward and smiled, thanking God that I was indeed alive.
Dark eyes peered into mine, his head lowered, and his warm lips met mine. I didn’t struggle or do anything, but enjoyed the kiss and his embrace. Say I’m stupid, or dumb, or lucky. Whatever. Aaron’s kiss felt good, and I enjoyed it. An eternity could have passed, I wasn’t sure, but he finally stepped away and then smiled at me.
“Who’s at the door, Lavinia?” Muffy called from the other room.
“It’s Aaron,” I called back and led the way into the living room. “He already made bail and wanted to be sure we were fine.”
Dark eyes gleamed at me when we entered the room. Aaron smiled and turned his charm on high when he met Muffy’s skeptical stare. He greeted Lola with a smile and the Julia smile met him in return.
“Would you like some tea, young man, or something stronger perhaps?” Muffy asked with a nod.
“Tea will be fine.” Aaron smiled and sat next to her on the sofa. His charm enfolded Muffy like a warm cloak, I could tell by her reaction.
“I’ll take care of it,” I said to her and went into the kitchen for a cup and saucer. When I returned, Aaron had turned the situation to his advantage and the two women chuckled at his rendition of the story. He related how he’d managed to get out of jail without being charged. The two women nodded, but I knew how he’d managed it. They didn’t know he was FBI.
* * *
Two hours later, I drove into the Salt & Pepper Deli parking lot. Lola gathered her handbag and some recipes Aunt Muffy had shared with her. Before getting out, Lola turned to me and smiled.
“We did it, huh? We saved your mother from going to jail.” Pleased at the prospect, Lola grinned with satisfaction.
“We sure did and I’m exhausted. Thank goodness the holidays are here. Now I can relax for a while.” I laughed.
“Do you think Jimmy will go to jail?”
“Nah, he probably made bail right away. After all, Aaron did say Rafe tried to shoot him, not the other way around,” I said.
“If Aaron returns home tonight, why don’t you two come to the deli for supper?”
“Sure, I’ll call you later.”
The car door clicked shut and I headed up the street toward the colonial I shared with Aaron Grant. The Yukon with the license plates “HIROLLR” sat in the driveway. I parked next to the gigantic beast and swept into the house and up the stairs.
The door to the second floor apartment swung wide as I reached the top step. Aaron beckoned me inside with a wide grin that turned into laughter. He swept me into his arms once more and twirled me around in the kitchen.
As I left his embrace, I asked what he thought he was doing by hiding out in the City of Providence. An innocent look appeared on his face, and I laughed out loud.
“I was not hiding out in Providence,” he insisted and poured a glass of wine that he handed to me.
“Don’t lie to me. Cough it up. The truth—I know you can share it with me. I’ll just badger you until you do, anyway, so fess up, Grant, right now.” I leaned against the counter in the kitchen that mimicked mine.
“Fine, let’s go into the living room and relax.” He walked away from me. I wondered if he was trying to buy time.
Settled in the high-back chair beside the fireplace, I took stock of the room before I turned my gaze toward the man I had missed more than I realized. Aaron stared back at me before he started to tell his story.
I listened as he went through the information that I had already figured out on my own, concerning Iva Lindon’s blackmail schemes. She had stolen the money and journal from Dona’s apartment and hid it in her own for safe-keeping. Dona knew Iva had stolen it and asked Rafe to get it back. He’d approached Iva and she wouldn’t give the money or the journal up.
I listened with rapt attention as the story unfolded.
Rafe was an FBI agent turned traitor. His family background had always been questioned by the agency, but he’d proven himself so many times that nobody thought twice when he put in for the undercover job in Providence. It was an embarrassment to the agency that nobody was aware of his relationship to Dona Desmaris and the mob.
Rafael poisoned Iva Lindon. Dona had told him Iva was an overeater and had a passion for fruitcake. He laced a few pieces of cake with drops of poison, with the intention that nobody else would get hurt. After Iva died, Dona approached Mrs. Galumpky about skimming from the mob. They were outside on the evening of Mrs. Galumpky’s murder. She threatened to let the mob loose on Mrs. Galumpky. They argued and Mrs. Galumpky turned away from Dona. In a fit of rage, Dona raised her cane and struck her with the heavy metal handle. The woman hit the bushes, but wasn’t quite dead. While Mrs. Galumpky lay entangled, Dona finished her off. Rafe had nothing to do with the murder of Mrs. Galumpky, just hiding the fact that Dona had done the deed.
The fact that my mother would have taken the blame and maybe even gone to jail never bothered either Dona or Rafe. I listened to Aaron’s excuses as to why he didn’t tell me of his involvement and how he wanted to help me, so he did what he could from behind the scenes.
“Did you know I was chased across the highway and nearly run off the road by a monster truck?” I asked.
“That had nothing to do with anything, I can assure you. It was a coincidence, honest.”
“Okay, I believe you,” I said grudgingly.
“Where’s Marcus?”
It was the first time he’d asked about Marcus, and I wondered why.
“He’s in New York with his mother for the weekend. Why do you ask?”
“I just figured he’d be around trying to talk you out of meeting Jimmy. That was pretty daring, Vi
n, crazy, too.”
“Yeah, yeah, I know. No lectures, please. I did what I had to for my mother. I realize you aren’t Italian and have no clue what it’s like, but I’m sure you can identify with the need to protect those you care about.” Oops, I’d struck a nerve. Just from the look on his face, I knew I had.
In a soft voice, he said, “Yes, I can. You have no idea how I felt when you walked around that corner with Jimmy.” He shook his head at me. “I wasn’t sure if I wanted to choke you or rescue you from something you wouldn’t be able to control.”
“My life is far from mundane, and I am thankful for it.” I laughed. On a serious note I added, “Even if my actions are often rash.”
Aaron went on to tell me how he’d been ordered to go deep undercover. He hadn’t wanted to take on the task, but when my mother had been accused of murder, he was glad he had. He mentioned the money again and I realized that he and Marcus had spoken. How I knew it, I wasn’t sure. A gut reaction to the story, I guessed.
“Did Marcus give you the money or are the state police holding it?” I asked and watched him closely for telltale signs of a lie.
“He turned it in to the FBI. The Colonel knew of our operation and wanted to make sure we had the evidence we needed. You were smart to hand it over, Vin. Rafe may have killed you for it. He did break into your apartment, right?”
“He did. I nearly caught him, too.”
As he leaned against the sofa, his gaze never left my face. It was as though he couldn’t absorb enough of my appearance. I smiled, but said nothing.
He cleared his throat and asked, “What’s happening for the holidays?”
“Marcus has to work, I’m on vacation, and you’re coming to Christmas dinner.”
His answer was a wide smile.
“Lola has asked that we go to the deli for supper. Would you like to go now?” I asked him.
“I’ll get my jacket. We can walk to the corner if you want.” He left the room for a moment and came back with a heavy jacket on.
We strolled through the late afternoon chill. The cold wind that had been ever present had moved on to parts unknown. All that was left behind was a chilly breeze and cool temperatures. It was refreshing to smell the cold air and not be buffeted around by the wind.
Chapter 24
Christmas arrived with no unfortunate mishaps. No murders, poisonings, or difficulties of any kind. How that had happened was a mystery in itself. With extra time on my hands, I wondered what I would do for excitement until the next semester at the university commenced.
Dinner at my parents’ house in Cranston was a loud and boisterous affair. My twin cousins arrived for dessert after the meal. Nonni was ever present with her sharp wit. Marcus showed up for a bite to eat and ran out the door mid-meal when he was called to an accident on the highway. Aaron stuffed himself with Italian goodies until he couldn’t move. He even undid his belt and unbuttoned the waist of his slacks.
Gifts were shared, laughter abounded, and all-in-all the day went well. I arrived home with arms full of leftovers, gifts, and a feeling of prosperity. Why? I didn’t know, except that I always adored the holiday season and this one was no different.
A knock at the door brought me scurrying from the living room into the kitchen. Marcus stood outside, a red Santa hat sat lopsided on his head, a pair of red pajamas dangled from his fingers. I gawked at him and smiled.
Marcus grinned and said, “I came by for a pajama party.”
I laughed out loud, pulled Marcus inside by his jacket lapels, and locked the door securely behind him.
Merry Christmas, indeed!
About the Author
J.M. Griffin is a student of the human condition, wielding the written craft to stimulate the imagination. Like an artist, J.M. uses blank pages to draw vivid characters. Her other books in the Esposito Series include For Love of Livvy, Dirty Trouble, Dead Wrong, Cold Moon Dead, and the Esposito Series Box Set. J.M. also has an entertaining new series called the Deadly Bakery, featuring a gutsy heroine sleuth who runs a bakery. Her first book in that series is called A Crusty Murder. J.M. lives in rural Rhode Island, a colorful and interesting state.
Table of Contents
Title page
Dedication
Also Available
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
About the Author