J.M. Griffin - Vinnie Esposito 06 - Death Gone Awry (15 page)

“O-okay, then we’ll go outside and wait,” Lola said as she pulled dish cloths from a drawer.

Sirens blared, a rescue rolled to a stop, effectively blocking the driveway, and police cars halted in a line just past the rescue. Officers glanced around and then looked up the steps at Lola and me. Though they needed no invitation, we motioned them upward and waited until they reached the landing before we said a thing. I assured the rescuers they weren’t needed. The head honcho of the crew glanced at a cop, was given a nod and the emergency guys trooped back the way they’d come and drove away. If I wasn’t mistaken, the youngest of the group had been disappointed that nobody was bleeding, dead, or nearly so. It was a guess, at best, that he was a new recruit.

At first glance, I recognized Harvey Bernard, along with a couple other local cops I’d seen around town. I nodded as they stood waiting for information, and then whispered softly to Lola. “Tell them the bare facts, nothing more, understand?”

Her back stiffened and she said, “My house was broken into.”

That’s my girl. A little lie never hurt anyone, right? My inner voice chimed in.
Wrong, so very wrong.

“Ma’am, is the perpetrator still on the premises?”

“Not that I know of,” Lola replied. “I entered the house and found a complete disaster. I didn’t waste any time looking about, but came out here when Vinnie arrived. She called for assistance before I could get myself together enough to do so.”

Attention fell to me and I shrugged. “I stopped at the deli, but Millie said Lola had come home. When I got here, I called for you guys.”

The cops strode past without a word, suspicion rolling off them as certain as waves to the shore. Yeah, like they believed anything I would say. My reputation for nosiness, and what that entailed, didn’t serve me well, not at any time.

While the police checked out Lola’s property, I whispered to her, “What did Slaggard say, exactly?”

“He sounded desperate, scared, there were crashing sounds and the line went dead. I left the deli and drove home like a maniac, but he was no longer here.” Lola glanced past me and murmured, “You shouldn’t have called the cops, Vin. The situation could get complicated, you know?”

About to ask another question, I nodded and heard a policeman call to Lola. “Could you join us, ma’am?”

We both turned at once, nodded, and entered the living room. Again, I gave the scene a steady scan and wondered how many people had come to retrieve Tim. How had they known he was in residence? There were only a few people who knew Tim was Lola’s guest.

Questions were asked, answers given, and Lola breathed a sigh of relief when all but Harvey left the house. He stared at her for some time, his notepad handy, and then he asked, “Was Mr. Slaggard here, Lola?”

“Why would you think that?” she demanded.

In an instant, Harvey knew he was on to something. Plainly, he had no idea what it was. I read him like an open book. It’s unusual for a cop to be readable, but there was a possibility that he hadn’t been on the force long enough to thoroughly develop his skills. Marcus and Aaron popped into my head. Yeah, they could teach this guy a thing or two.

“So, he was here?” Harvey stated.

“I didn’t say that, I simply wondered why you’d assume he was in my home, of all places,” Lola returned.

“It was a yes or no question. You’ve become defensive, which leads me to believe you have something to hide. Do you have something to hide?”

Her dark eyes narrowed as I watched Lola glare at the man she’d once thought was a tempting morsel.

“I think it’s time you left. I need to get my house in order and return to work, so if there’s nothing else?”

A battle of wills was underway, Lola’s chin had risen a notch as her glare grew haughty. Harvard’s cheeks filled with color while he considered how to get her to tell him what he already knew. It was a case of using what he’d learned in Cop 101, but apparently, Harvard Bernard had never taken on such a strong-willed woman. Lola had begun to show just how obstinate she could be.

His eyes slid in my direction and Harvard asked, “What do you know about Slaggard being here?”

“I have no idea why the man would be in Lola’s house, or on her property. If Lola had a guest, that’s her business, not mine, and certainly no one else’s.”

He dipped his hat to us and marched out the door. I peered at Harvard from the edge of the window casing as he spoke to another police officer. Moments later, they drove away.

Lola huffed and puffed like a petite dragon. “Imagine, he thought he could intimidate me?”

I snickered and said, “Imagine this, you just out and out lied to a law enforcement officer. Handled him pretty damn well, too, I might say.” I pushed up my sleeves, straightened the sofa cushions, slid it back to its former position, and heard Lola’s light chuckle.

“You must be rubbing off on me, Vin.”

“God forbid. Your brother would have a fit, my father would be beside himself, and Marcus and Aaron, well, let’s not go there, shall we?”

Done with that, we then stood on the deck in silence.

Pensive, Lola said, “I wonder who came for Tim, and why? He must have tussled with them, because they rearranged and broke a ton of my stuff. How can we find out what happened?”

“I’ll reach out to Porter and Dario, they might know more about this than anyone else would. You reach out to your brother. We’ll see where we end up and take it from that point on.”

Now that he’d returned to Little Rhody, I also knew I’d be in touch with Aaron, who would have his finger on the pulse of what was happening.

“Great, I’ll stop by on my way home tonight to compare notes,” Lola said. She grabbed her sweater and made for the door.

“Right, I’ll see you then,” I said.

Lola’s car passed mine with a honk of the horn, as I pulled into the driveway and parked in front of my garage. I’d gotten out and was about to enter the house when Aaron pulled to a stop in the driveway and motioned for me to wait.

Looking unhappy, he walked with me. Foreboding lay like a heavy sweater over my shoulders, yet I greeted him with a smile that wasn’t returned. Instead, he offered a straight-faced glare, an arched brow, and then he placed a hand on my arm, effectively marching me indoors.

“If you don’t tell me what you’ve been up to, I’ll . . .”

I wrenched my arm away and said, “You’ll what? Don’t look now, but you’ve been home one day and you already sound like Marcus. Have you two been comparing notes, or what?”

“I heard Lola had a home invasion. It wouldn’t be unreasonable to think you were somehow involved, so speak up.” Aaron folded his arms across his chest, stood in the hallway and glared while I searched my key ring for the house key.

When I opened the door, he followed me inside. I played for time, but the effort was wasted.

“Vinnie, tell me.”

“Why should I? You never tell me anything.” So it sounded childish, so what? It was true.

He sighed, shook his head and leaned against the door jamb.

“I checked Slaggard out today, dug deep in fact. He’s been associated with the mob for many a year. I don’t understand why he hasn’t come to light before, it must have been an oversight.”

“Go on,” I said breathlessly.

“I’m not sure how much more I can say that isn’t classified, Vin.”

Sure, he would use the classified angle, just when he’d sent my conjecture off into the universe where the likes of Slaggard were concerned. Crap. “He was in the hospital, said someone was going to kill him, and asked me to rescue him. I did as he asked and Lola took him in for the night.” There, I’d admitted Lola was involved.

“Lola? Of all people, Vinnie, you brought Lola on board to do what, ride shotgun? You should have asked for my help.”

Okay, so he was hot under the collar, big deal. Why did everyone think Lola was a sweet little soul who might easily fall apart? I’d watched her take on the local cops today with enough nerve to earn her the balls-of-the-year award, if there was such a thing.

“Don’t get all protective of Lola. She’s tougher than you think, and readily came along to make sure I wasn’t blind-sided by the unexpected.”

“If the killer was still there, he could have murdered all three of you, don’t you understand that?” Aaron thundered.

I counted to ten, counted again, and then asked, “Coffee?”

Breathing hard, Aaron shot me a small nod and said, “Don’t evade the question. Why did you draw Lola into it?”

Hesitating, I wondered why I had done so and said, “I’m not sure, maybe I needed back-up and she was the most trustworthy person who came to mind. Slaggard would never have come out of his hiding place if I’d shown up with you, Marcus, or the PPD. Besides, Lola has a soft spot where he’s concerned.” Certain he’d follow that path, I said, “Don’t ask me why, because I have no idea.”

Assuaged, he readily accepted the coffee mug I offered. I pushed the sugar bowl and milk jug across the counter when a knock on the door preceded Marcus. My day just kept growing more and more complicated.

I took one look at his stiff features, lifted the pot, and asked brightly, “Coffee?”

Chapter 15

I washed the coffee pot and set it to dry on the sideboard, all the while surreptitiously studying the two lawmen while they quietly conversed. Both handsome as ever, they were the epitome of law enforcement, each with their own rules to follow, one more secretive than the other, but both masters in the art of keeping things to themselves.

My silence brought their heads in my direction. Two pairs of eyes, one set chocolate brown, the other hazel green, were filled with questions.

“You’ve become too silent, Vin,” Marcus remarked softly.

“Just clearing up, and letting you two discuss whatever it is you must.” I gave him a cool stare and asked, “I’m curious though, what brings you by, Marcus?”

“What’s the story on Lola’s home invasion?” Marcus asked in return, his eyes filled with speculation.

I glanced at both men and then said, “I wasn’t there until it was over. I’d stopped by the deli and Millie said Lola had gone home.”

They nodded in unison. I fought to keep the smile that threatened to erupt. Puppet dolls, whose strings were manipulated by one person, came to mind, and I yanked the milk container from the counter to place it in the refrigerator. For a brief moment, I allowed the humor of their nods to take over. The door had hidden my face as I leaned down to put the milk away, and it was just enough time to replace the smile with a serious face.

“Was anything missing?” Aaron asked.

I shook my head. “Not that Lola could tell.”

“The police responded and then what?”

“They took pictures, asked a bunch of questions, and then left. Harvard Bernard, a local cop, was first on the scene.”

“Was any positive information gleaned from his questions?” Marcus insisted.

I gave a shrug and said I couldn’t tell what he thought of Lola’s answers to his questions.

“Vinnie, if anyone can read a person, it’s you. You teach criminal justice, for God’s sake,” Marcus complained.

“Yes, I do, and I can’t tell if he got a lead from Lola or not,” I remarked in a cool tone.

His mouth opened once more, but Aaron interrupted him. In peace-maker mode, Aaron smiled and said, “I’m sure Lola was upset over the whole affair.”

“Indeed, she was. It’s unfortunate, but I guess someone thought they could break in and toss the place.”

Doubt filled his eyes, and Marcus said in a snappy tone, “Come on, Vin, we know Slaggard was at Lola’s. Be honest for a change and let us help with this.”

“I don’t need your help, Marcus Richmond, nor do I need you coming in here and getting all bitchy with me. Why don’t you go play state trooper and leave me the hell alone?”

Aaron studied the countertop, while the expression on Marcus’s face turned to stone. I took a breath and waited for the storm to erupt. He slid off the stool, grabbed his trooper campaign hat, and left with a slam of the door. I blew out a breath of air and turned to stare through the French door windows.

“Kind of hard on him weren’t you?” Aaron asked gently.

“That would be none of your business.”

“Sure thing, my mistake, sorry.”

I could feel moisture layer my eyeballs as I continued to study the treed landscape beyond the fence that marked my property line. I mentally shook off the sadness left by the fact that Marcus and I had become so cool to one another. I blinked furiously and apologized for being rude.

“These past days have been hard, but I shouldn’t take it out on you, Aaron. Sorry.”

His smile brightened the room. “If you ever want to talk, I’m here for you.” With a glance at his wristwatch and then at me, Aaron asked, “How about a drink, or some dinner?”

There were contacts to be made, info to gather, and Lola would be by to share findings with. As tempted as I was to take Aaron up on his offer, it was important that I refuse. “I’m not hungry, but thanks anyway.”

“Maybe next time. Oh, uh, Monica moved out today, she’s back in her own place now. Her repairs are complete and she won’t be inconvenienced any longer,” Aaron said with a look of relief on his face.

As hindered as I was by his company in making an attempt to find out what I could about Slaggard’s abduction, Aaron’s expression held me captive. “Did Monica make you uncomfortable?”

His laughter brought my own and he nodded. “It’s weird when someone sees far more than you want them to. Were you cautious where her spookiness was concerned?”

Laughing at this tall, broad-shouldered FBI agent who’d been reduced to a fearful sot, I said, “In the beginning Monica caught me off guard, but as time went on, I grew to like her and understand the difficulty those abilities cause her. She’s nobody to fear, and certainly has a talent for seeing to the core of a situation.”

Interest sparkling in his eyes. Aaron asked, “How did she react to the preacher?”

“She stated he was on a sound journey.” I smiled. “He had a good aura, she said.”

His grin was matched only by the twinkle in his eyes.

“She didn’t tell his fortune, did she?”