Dead Wrong (12 page)

Chapter 16

Altimas are swift little cars. They keep pace next to the beasts with larger engines and heavier bodies. My Altima scooted along in the traffic. It was quarter to four when I swung onto Magnolia Street in Cranston. Dean Estates is a lovely old neighborhood in western Cranston that has large, stately homes built within the last forty years, or less.

The road snaked around, ending in a cul-de-sac. Great Aunt Lena lived near the cul-de-sac entrance and I parked in front of the wide garage doors. Leaving the car, I glanced around to see who was out and about.

Two vans were parked a few houses apart. The side of one boasted carpet cleaning while the other advertised plumbing and heating. I'd bet they were both FBI surveillance, but what did I know? The doorbell chimed after I pressed the button. Footsteps clattered on the hardwood floor.

The massive oak door swung open. I fought off a great temptation to turn and wave to the agents who recorded activity from the van. Since they have no sense of humor, I refrained from making an ass of myself, and stepped inside the Edwardian house.

The housekeeper announced that my great aunt would see me in the parlor. Who used the term ‘parlor' anymore? Nobody I knew, that's for sure. I nodded, following the plump woman into the thick-carpeted room where a fire burned in the fireplace. Heavy brocade-covered furniture sat lumped together in front of it.

My great aunt gestured that I should come in. For a moment it felt like the Queen of England had just beckoned to me to sit down. What the hell is this?

I quick stepped toward Great Aunt Lena, and took a seat across from her on the brocade sofa. She sat in a wing backed chair. Her short stature disappeared in the height of it, though her fluffy body filled it from side to side. Spindly legs swung over the edge of the seat, her feet not quite touching the floor. Another person who reminded me of the land of the little people, I thought, as she swung her legs back and forth. Most of my aunts were short and their feet didn't reach the floor when they were seated either.

“Elsie,” she said to the housekeeper, “you can bring in the tea now.” Her grandiose attitude pricked me a bit, but what the hell, I didn't have to live with her.

My hand folded hers within it and I said with feigned concern, “How are you these days? It must be difficult without Nate.”

“Ach, he was such a bastard to live with that I could hardly wait until he kicked the bucket. Now I realize I loved the old rascal more than I thought.” Her stiff hair flexed as she moved her head from side to side.

“At least he left you taken care of,” I murmured.

Keen black eyes narrowed as she stared at me. Magenta lipstick on her thin lips had sneaked into the cracks of the surrounding fine lines. Powder adorned the sagging face and rouge spots formed round circles on her cheeks.

“How do you know he left me taken care of? For all you know, he might have left me penniless. The cheap bastard.”

A wayward pulse thumped in my throat and I took a breath. “Of course I don't know auntie. I can only assume that he would have left you cared for. He did seem like that kind of man. I mean, your kids went to good schools and colleges and all.”

“Yeah, that they did.” She sighed. “He was a scoundrel, though.”

Elsie brought the coffee to the table in a silver tea service. What was I missing here? This was twice in one week I'd been served from a silver tea service. Everyone seemed to have money, at least more than I had anyway.

The tea steeped in the pot until Aunt Lena poured it into the elegant English tea cups. Crust-free sandwiches, cut into triangles, and dainty lemon glazed cookies lay on lovely rose-flowered plates. My aunt served me and then settled back in her own chair, wiggling her plump bottom into the soft cushion. She savored the flavor of the tea with every sip by lightly smacking her lips together.

The sandwiches were made with some type of meat paste. I almost gagged at the taste of it. The cookies were better so I ate those instead. Great Aunt Lena stared at me as though she weighed each word before she spoke them. I wanted to squirm in my seat, but held off.

“I hear your brother is home?” she asked with a sly smile.

“He's here for a medical conference at Rhode Island Hospital. I guess he'll be with us for Thanksgiving and then will return to Nebraska. My mother is elated that he's been able to stay with them.”

“Nebraska, huh? Who the hell would want to live way out there?” She smiled that sly grin again and I wondered if she knew about Jill.

“My thoughts exactly, Auntie. It would take more than a medical practice to get me out of Rhode Island.” I chuckled nervously.

“Is his wife, er, Jane?... Will she be here for the holiday?”

“Her name is Jill and no, she plans to spend the holiday with her parents,” I said.

“I thought perhaps they had separated or something of that nature when I found out Giovanni was home without her.”

I smirked and said, “No, nothing like that. I've never known two people so in love as they are.” Could I lie or what?

“I see, well Nonni had mentioned that Giovanni was here and I wondered.” Her eyes held suspicion.

I sipped the tea, thinking fast. What was I supposed to do now? How could I get information? Dang.

“You know, in all the years that you have lived here, I've never seen the entire interior of the house. It is so beautiful Auntie, you must be proud of it.” Maybe I could find a clue on a tour.

“Yes, it has taken a long time to get it this way.”

Aghast, I stared at the ugly wallpaper and carpets that clashed with the brocade furniture pattern. I could only imagine how much time it had taken.

“Well, you've certainly done a splendid job.”

A door banged in another part of the house. I glanced around to see who had arrived. Muffled voices accompanied laughter as footsteps strode down the corridor.

My cousin Angelo stood in the doorway. He smiled at me and came over to kiss his mother.

“Mama,” he said, “how are you today?”

“What the hell do you want anyway?” Lena's voice became strident.

I stared at her and Angelo in turn.

“What do you mean, Mama, it's me, Angelo. I've come to visit you, Mama.” His smile dimmed as he turned toward me.

“Sometimes she doesn't remember things very well. It happens more frequently now and she swears a lot, too.”

Angelo snitched a sandwich and gagged after he chewed it. Spitting it into a paper napkin, he glared at his mother.

“What is this, cat food? Have you been eating cat food again, Mama?”

“We don't have a cat, Stupid-o.” She snapped.

My stomach rolled. I reasoned that I could keep cat food down. It was only cat food, not poison. Before I popped another cookie into my mouth, I held it up to Angelo and asked if it was something other than a cookie.

“No, it's a cookie. You're safe there.” He smirked, but concern filled his eyes as he turned toward my aunt.

“We have to keep an eye on her all the time.”

“You don't need to discuss me as though I'm not here, young man. I'm old, not deaf, you know.”

This was such an unexpected twist that I was completely taken aback by my old aunt. Senility or Alzheimer's had set in. Which one, I couldn't be sure.

“Auntie was just about to show me around the house, Angelo. Maybe you'd like to do that instead?” I asked.

His eyes swiveled to his mother before he nodded. “If you'll give me a moment, I'll get Elsie to come in and stay with her.”

I nodded and watched him leave the room.

A faint cackle left the mouth of the woman across from me. I stared in bewilderment at the wicked gleam in her eye and the sneer on her lips.

“He tries to make me out to be batty you know,” she whispered. “That way he and his brothers can cash in on me, but all the money is in offshore accounts. They can't touch it, the dirty little bastards.” She cackled again and then settled back as footsteps echoed down the corridor from the back of the house.

Stunned, I sat in awe of this calculating woman. She not only knew where the money was, but surely knew how it had gotten there and where it came from. Unable to contain my curiosity, I leaned forward and asked, “Was Great Uncle Nate really a cat burglar?”

Footsteps neared and she nodded in ascent. “He was the best, the old bastard. He left me taken care of for the next five lifetimes and these little shits won't get a penny of it, I tell you.”

Confused, but intrigued, I turned when Elsie and Angelo entered the room.

“You go ahead with Angelo, I'll stay with Lena.” The round woman said with a kind smile.

We sauntered across the floor toward the rear part of the house. Angelo guided me through every room on both levels, explaining his mother's incompetence as we walked. The Oscar winning performance nearly convinced me that his mother was dotty, except, I was now certain she wasn't.

We arrived at the parlor once more and Angelo made his farewells to us. Lena appeared relieved when he'd left the house and turned toward me with a knowing smile.

“Did he tell you how inept I've become? How they have to baby-sit me all the time?” She bobbed her head up and down. “He tried to coerce Elsie into testifying before a judge that I am off my rocker. I've made it worth her while to keep her trap shut about my life.”

“He seemed concerned over your welfare, Auntie,” I said.

“Sure, he'd like nothing better than to toss my ass out of this house and into some old folks home, or into an Alzheimer's ward, but let me tell you, it ain't happening.”

“How long has this been going on, anyway?” I asked with real concern. I'd heard horror stories in the past about families who shoved their only parent aside so they could cash in. It made me sick to think about it.

“Since Nate passed on,” she said. “He wasn't even cold before the three boys started making noises. Their wives are barracudas, as well.” Her long dagger-like fingernails drummed the arm of the chair.

Leaning back against the firm, ridged sofa, I imagined how alone she might feel now. Guilt ran rampant through me for having used her to gather information. It was on the tip of my tongue to say goodbye and never return when she leaned forward.

“It isn't really cat food, but pate, ‘French pate.' ” Her eyes glittered with humor and she gave me a genuine smile. “Now why don't you explain what you really want, Lavinia.”

A sigh escaped me. She'd seen through the ruse and I felt rather foolish and guilty. No Oscar winner here, I'm afraid.

“Giovanni found some artwork stored in a unit under Jill's name in Nebraska. It was wrapped up and had Nate's name on it. She denied any participation in fencing the work, however, she admitted she'd stored them for him. Then we cleaned out the garage loft at my house and found a couple more paintings.” Defeated, I stared at her and watched the grin widen and spread across her face.

“So that's where the old bastard hid the most recent stuff.” She chuckled. “No, Jill didn't fence for him. She merely stored it, I guess. I know the fence. He's local. It always goes to him. Nobody else. I'll need that work she has and will contact her for it.”

“Auntie, don't tell me anything else. I don't want to know, understand? I haven't had this conversation with you and we never spoke of any stolen artwork.”

“Right, I know the feds are outside watching me. I'm not stupid, Lavinia.” Her eyes gleamed and she smiled. “I can share my plans with you though. Nonni and I will cruise around the Caribbean. If I like it, I may stay onboard and live there as a guest or take up residence in an island hotel. An island without extradition laws. No house, no taxes, no kids, and no bullshit. Nonni says she must return here, so that's that.”

“When do you expect to take this cruise?”

“Within the next few weeks. Why?”

“I'd hurry it along if I were you. Will you stop over in the Grande Caymans? They are the most gorgeous islands you'll ever lay your eyes on. Forget the artwork that Jill has hidden. You don't need it and she can do without the problems that the pieces will rain down upon her. Understand?” Glad that she had a firm grip on her future, I still worried that the greed factor had moved in.

Those black beady eyes stared at me for a very long time while we sat in silence.

“You wired?”

“Not a chance, Auntie.” I grinned. There was no way on God's green earth that I would wear a wire to sandbag my elderly aunt.

“Good, don't go there. It isn't a good thing to do to family, Lavinia. Now, go home. I'm sure you have better things to do than keep me company. I'm glad we have had this opportunity to chat.” She nodded and a tiny grin tipped the corners of her lips.

Wondering if she'd speak to Aaron, I asked, “Have you spoken to any FBI agents?”

“No, and I don't intend to either. Now, go home.”

Chapter 17

Darkness had descended by the time I left Lena's house. Backing the car into the street, I glanced at the clock on the dashboard. Nearly five thirty, still time to get home and set the table before Gio arrived.

I peered down the street where the vans had sat. Everyone was gone and I wondered if the FBI had taken residence in the huge house directly across from Lena's. Could they hear our conversation with their spy dish satellite gizmo thingy, I wondered. That's how they'd caught so many mafia dons who swaggered their way down New York City streets. The same dons who now resided with Bubba and his friends in prisons across the country.

I whipped the car into my driveway. A rental car sat next to the Yukon. Gio had arrived early.

I parked and strode into my home. My handbag and jacket hit the counter as I stepped to the oven and turned the temperature gauge up. A bottle of wine chilled in the fridge. I grasped it and headed up the stairs to Aaron's apartment.

Once inside, I glanced at the two men who laughed at my expression. Why? I couldn't say.

“What's that look for, Vin?” Gio asked with a grin.

“I don't have a look on my face. I wondered why you were early, is all.” I handed the wine to Aaron and watched him open and pour the fragrant liquid into heavy crystal goblets.

“Where's dinner? I thought you'd cooked dinner,” Gio exclaimed.

“It's in the oven, goof. Are you starving or what?” I asked with a smirk.

“Well, yeah. I figured you'd have something really special to feed me. After all, it isn't everyday I'm in Rhode Island.” His cocky attitude would have fooled me if I wasn't his twin and didn't know his dilemma.

“Why don't you join us for dinner, Aaron?” I turned to the huge man and saw him smile.

“Sure Beautiful, I'd love to,” he said.

“Let's go then. You guys can set the table while I throw a salad together,” I said and went down the stairs ahead of them.

Aaron brought the wine bottle and Gio brought himself. It wasn't long before the table was set and we were seated, the tasty casserole sitting between us. I tossed the salad the way Aunt Muffy had taught me and slid the bowl toward Gio. Aaron dug into the casserole, smiling as he breathed in the fragrant smell of beef medallions and diced potatoes underneath the crusty pastry top. Green beans and pearled onions graced the chunky mushroom gravy.

We chatted over dinner, the conversation light and interesting. Giovanni talked of his life in Nebraska and football games, the University of Lincoln and mundane stuff. Aaron kept up with stories of his childhood and how we'd met. When he told of the paint bucket that had exploded all over me, I thought Giovanni would lose control of himself.

“Only you would end up in a situation like that,” he said and held his sides as he laughed.

It was good to see his humor, the light back in his eyes—he'd become so miserable over the Jill issue. I had all I could do not to spoil his good mood.

“Yeah, I often find myself in untenable positions. Take today for instance,” I said with a smirk.

Gio's eyes turned serious as he watched me. I smiled and shared the story of my trip to the university. I spoke of how the woman had followed me until I became a paranoid wreck.

“Are you sure she lives in that neighborhood?” Aaron asked, his face a mask of concern.

“That's what the trooper who stopped her told Marcus.” I shrugged. “I found it a bit unbelievable that someone would follow me that far, and quite coincidental that she lived right down the road from the school. However, that's what I was told.”

“Huh, I guess you never know about people,” Giovanni said with a relieved smile. He'd undoubtedly thought I'd been about to blow the whistle on my visit with Lena. Stupid-o.

Dessert from the goody bag my mother had previously sent home filled dessert bowls and I heaped whipped cream over the top. Eyes the size of saucers met mine when I handed the mouth-watering confection to each man.

“Eat up, guys. I don't want any leftovers, do you understand?”

“Yes, ma'am,” Aaron said with a wide grin.

Gio never uttered a sound, just stuffed his mouth full and nodded.

I loaded the dishwasher while they finished and sipped my wine at the kitchen counter until they settled back, satisfied and stuffed.

We'd managed to kill two hours. Aaron glanced at his watch when his pager beeped.

“Do you have to leave?” I asked.

“Yeah, the Gaming Commission never sleeps,” he said with a smirk.

Rising from the chair, he said goodbye to Gio and kissed my cheek as he left. A few minutes later, the outer door closed and his truck left the driveway. I wondered if he was headed to Aunt Lena's house.

“He has it bad for you, Vin,” my brother said with a smirk. “Two men, wow.”

“We're just friends. He is a terrific guy—don't get me wrong—but Marcus, well, he's the one that makes my temperature rise.”

“I thought you didn't date cops.”

“Yeah, well that was before Marcus managed to get under my skin.” I chuckled and sat across from Gio at the dining room table. With my chin propped in my hand, I waited until he spoke first. It didn't take long.

“Do you think Jill will be arrested?” he asked. His eyes filled with worry.

“I don't know, Gio. One thing I can tell you though, is that she's no fence. Aunt Lena said so.” I recapped my visit, including the part about Angelo and his siblings.

Wide eyes stared back at me, relief apparent on his features.

“No shit, the kids want to put her away?”

“Yeah, but she's got a plan. I told her to hurry it along. No way do I want to see her or Jill arrested as Nate's accomplice. We have to figure some way to get Jill out of this mess.”

“How can we do that from here?” he asked.

“I don't know yet, but surely we can come up with something together.” I sighed. “Giovanni, you have changed so much. There'd been a time when you'd have risen to the challenge of this situation. I think you've been out of touch with your inner self too long.”

“What the hell are you talking about, Vin?”

“When we were kids, you'd hatch a plan. I'd execute it and after the crap hit the ground, you'd figure a way to get my butt out of a sling. Remember?”

He emitted a chuckle followed by a full-blown laugh.

“You did get caught most of the time, if I remember correctly. Remember when you and I swiped that street lamp? The cops came to the house and Dad was wild. We've grown up since then and now we're both upstanding citizens, right?”

“Right, but we can still work out a plan to relieve Jill of the responsibility of holding those works of art.”

“How do you propose we do that?” he asked.

“I'm not sure. Tell me about the storage unit she has the artwork stored in.”

“The facility holds sixty units, all small and well kept. No rats, no trash, and nobody pries into anyone's business,” Giovanni said.

The chair rocked on its back legs as I teetered and thought hard. How could we get Jill out of this?

Brain farts, that's what I had. Plain and simple. Nothing came to mind and from the look on Gio's face, he was knee-deep in brain farts, too. He shook his head when I shrugged a shoulder and let the chair settle back onto the floor.

“Nothing helpful springs to mind. Sorry. Let me mull it over for a few days. I'm sure we'll find a solution,” I said.

“You think so?”

“No, I hope so.” I grinned.

Gio rose from the table and slipped his jacket on. We walked to the door and I watched him drive away.