Loyalty (14 page)

They all looked at Rand. He hung his head and exhaled loudly. “Fuck.”

Fina exchanged glances with Scotty and Matthew; they wouldn’t wish that conversation on anyone.

Her brothers shuffled out, and Fina looked at her father. Carl was nattily dressed as always—dark suit, shirt in a similar shade, and a bold tie—but his eyes looked tired.

“Josefina,” he said, sighing. “Where are we with this? What do you have?”

“Well,” she said as she sat down across from him, “Rand had a terrible fight with Melanie. She went to Cambridge, bought cigarettes, and had a brief conversation with a psychiatrist she knows socially.”

Carl’s eyes widened, and he started to speak.

“Wait,” Fina said. “She disappears. The cops find blood on Rand’s boat, and his cooler is missing. I find a mystery phone number in Melanie’s things, which turns out to belong to a dummy corporation in Framingham. I still don’t know the connection between the company and Melanie. Haley is recognized by one of my contacts; she’s been spending a lot of time hanging around Crystal with a dubious crowd. Specifically, one young woman whom I believe is a prostitute.”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake!” Carl exclaimed.

“Wait,” Fina said again and held up her hand. “I’m jumped and then someone ran me off the road. And Melanie’s body washes up next to Runway 4R/22L.”

Carl thought for a moment and flicked his hand toward the scotch. Fina tipped back in her chair and grabbed the bottle and empty glass. She poured her father half a glass and watched as he threw it back.

“So much for getting our shit together,” she mumbled.

“This is more shit than I imagined.” He sat back in his chair. “Tell me about the psychiatrist.”

Fina pulled on her bottom lip with her fingers. “First, you have to tell me something.”

Carl raised an eyebrow.

“What were you and Rand talking about the other night when I overheard you?”

Carl drummed his fingers on his desk. “It’s not important.”

Fina gripped the armrests of her chair. “Dad, don’t be stupid. Once I hear it from the police, it’s too late.”

Carl was silent.

“Seriously. We’re getting into some scary shit here.”

Carl splashed more scotch into the glass and sipped it before answering. “This stays between us,” he cautioned.

“Ugghh. Just tell me.”

Carl fiddled with an expensive pen on his blotter. “Your brother was involved in a situation, and I assisted him.”

Fina made a motion with her hand, urging him to continue.

“He got into some trouble, but I was able to keep it quiet.”

“So you did damage control. What’s new? What are we talking about? Drugs, sex, or money?”

“Sex.”

“An affair? A love child?”

“No.”

Fina stared at her father. “Did he hurt someone?”

“No!” Carl exclaimed. Fina tamped down her annoyance at her father’s response. In college, there were rumors that Rand had forced himself on a girl who had the misfortune of attending a party at his fraternity. Nothing was ever proven, and Fina didn’t want to believe that her brother was capable of that, but she wondered. Carl, more than anyone, knew what Rand was capable of, and he had no right to be offended by her question.

“Then what?”

“He was busted . . . for solicitation.”

Fina stared at him. “Hookers.” She leaned forward, grabbed the bottle, and took a drink. “Goddamn Rand. He isn’t even creative in his deviancy. What happened exactly?”

“It was about a year ago. He called me after being picked up in a hotel room. Luckily, one of the vice guys was Sal Gisby’s kid; you know, we helped them out with that med mal suit. I talked to Sal, and he talked to his kid, who was willing to pretend it didn’t happen. Sal’s got that huge house on the Cape—the one with the private beach and boat dock—because of us.”

“So Rand just picked up some hooker off the street?”

“No, she was from a service.”

Fina dropped her head back and stared at the ceiling. “Oh my God, that’s even worse. That means he’s in some system somewhere.”

“Not necessarily.”

“Of course he is, Dad. That’s the management’s insurance policy. You know that.” She looked at Carl. “This doesn’t help him.”

“I know. That’s why we were keeping it to ourselves.”

“Did Melanie know?”

“I don’t think so.”

“But she might have?”

“I don’t know, Fina. I have no way of knowing that.”

“Maybe that’s what they were fighting about outside Grahamson. Melanie would have been humiliated. It’s worse than his having an affair.”

Carl shrugged.

Fina knew that some of the men in their social circle thought paid company was the lesser of the two evils since it indicated a lack of emotional connection: Hey, it’s only sex. Fina thought they should all work a little harder to keep their peckers in their pants.

“So, what do you want to do?” Fina asked.

Carl looked at her and gripped the pen firmly. “About what specifically?”

“About the escort. Do you want me to track her down? Are you going to tell the cops?”

“I haven’t decided. We have to do something, though. We have to take action.”

Ludlows were like sharks; if they didn’t keep moving, they died.

Fina slept on the couch in Matthew’s office for a couple of hours, but she didn’t get any rest. Every fifteen minutes or so, she’d roll over, bleary-eyed and confused, until the knowledge of Melanie’s death slammed into her consciousness. She didn’t want to waste what precious time she had sleeping, but she didn’t know what else to do, particularly at four in the morning. By first light, she damn well better have a plan.

“I need to talk to Rand,” she said when Matthew came into the room a little after six. She sat up, and he handed her a cup of coffee and a sweet roll the size of a brick.

“He’s not here. He went home to see Haley.”

Fina blew across the surface of the coffee and took a small sip. It was hot and rich.

“Do you know when he’ll be back?”

“Nope.” Matthew sat in the club chair across from Fina. She put down the coffee and tore off a corner of the roll. Sugary icing clung to the folds of dough. Fina put a bite in her mouth and chewed slowly.

“This is so fucked up,” Matthew said.

“Yup.”

Matthew reached over to the coffee table and grabbed the large remote control. He pressed a button, and the TV screen came to life. Fina pulled off another twist of sweet roll and watched the screen. Matthew bounced around the channels and finally settled on one of the local early bird newscasts.

The young blond anchor was describing the plight of a duck that had gotten his head stuck in a soccer net at a local elementary school. He was eventually freed, but not without a lot of angst on the part of the students and, undoubtedly, the duck.

“You could represent the duck,” Fina commented. She sipped her coffee. “You could sue the school, the town, the net manufacturer, maybe some of the parents. There are deep pockets in that town.”

Matthew gave her a dirty look. “You’re seriously sleep deprived.”

The newscaster turned toward a different camera with a flourish, and a serious expression dropped over her face.

“We have reports that a woman’s body was found overnight in Boston Harbor near Logan Airport. The woman was discovered by a homeless man and has yet to be identified. The medical examiner will be conducting an autopsy this morning. There has been some speculation that the body is that of Melanie Ludlow, the wife of attorney Rand Ludlow. She has been missing for almost two weeks. We will update you as information becomes available.”

Fina looked at Matthew. “Let the games begin.”

Fina tracked down Mark Lamont at a diner in Brighton. Although his tastes ran to multi-million-dollar homes and luxury cars, he’d made his money in construction and real estate development and slipped easily into the world of blue-collar workers and greasy spoons.

Mark was sitting in a booth at the back of the diner across from a man wearing jeans and a dirt-caked T-shirt. Fina caught Mark’s eye, and he did a small double take at her appearance. He beckoned her over. After a brief introduction, the other man left, and Fina slid into his spot on the vinyl banquette, which was sunken and warm.

“What happened now?” Mark asked.

“Car accident. I’m fine. Just sore.”

“Is it true?” Mark asked as he flagged down the waitress.

Fina ordered a glass of orange juice and waited for the waitress to leave before answering. “I think so, yeah. It’s probably Melanie.”

“Aww, Christ,” Mark said, and rubbed his hand over his face. “That’s horrible. I’m sorry.”

“It hasn’t been confirmed yet or made public, but that will probably happen in the next twenty-four hours.”

“Do the cops know what happened?”

“I don’t think so.”

The waitress refilled Mark’s coffee cup and plunked down Fina’s juice in a dimpled plastic tumbler. She was wearing a dress and apron and thick-soled white shoes. She looked like a nurse from another decade.

“Do they have any suspects?”

“Other than Rand?’ Fina asked.

Mark rotated his coffee cup in its saucer. “That’s just like the cops. Go for the easy answer, not the right answer. Rand wouldn’t hurt Melanie.”

“
We
all know that, but they don’t buy it. But that’s why I’m here.”

Mark picked up his coffee cup and looked at Fina over the brim.

“I spoke with Bob Webber,” Fina said, “and he’s pretty sure he saw Melanie in the North End on that Wednesday night, which is great. It opens up some new avenues of investigation, except he doesn’t want me to say anything to the cops.”

“Right, but I told you that when I gave you the tip,” Mark said.

“I know, it’s just that things are looking worse for Rand, and it would really help if we could point the cops in another direction.”

“Ahh, Fina.” Mark adjusted in his seat. “I don’t know.”

“It would help us figure out who actually killed Melanie.”

“I understand. It’s just complicated, you know? Bob is working on a big job for me right now. If he gets pulled, it’ll be a mess, not to sound crass.” Mark peered at her. “Not to mention I gave him my word. And you gave me yours.”

Fina ran her finger through the trail of condensation that the cold orange juice had left on the table. “I know. I wouldn’t ask if I weren’t running out of options. I would owe you, big-time.” She hated owing anyone anything, but sometimes it had to be done.

The waitress dropped the folded check onto the table. Fina didn’t bother reaching for her bag; Mark was old-school and believed that as long as a man was present, he paid.

“Look, how about I talk to Bob and see if we can work something out,” Mark said as he studied the check. He rocked forward and pulled his wallet out from his back pocket. He thumbed through some bills and put a crisp twenty on the table.

“That would be terrific. Thanks.” Fina got up, and Mark followed her out to the parking lot.

“Any news on a funeral?” Mark asked as they stood next to Fina’s car.

“Depends on when they release the body. I’ll let you know.”

“Give Rand my condolences. And the rest of the family.”

“Will do. Thanks, Mark.”

Fina pulled out of the diner parking lot and nosed into the morning traffic. She’d give Mark a little time to work on Bob Webber, but eventually, she’d take matters into her own hands. When it came to Mark versus her brother, there was no contest.

There were news trucks outside Rand’s house, and local cops were parked at either end of the street. Fina identified herself and was waved through. It was cooler than the day before, but still, and she could hear the drone of a lawnmower somewhere down the street.

The front door was locked. Fina rang the bell and waited for a minute until there were muffled noises inside, and the door was pulled open.

“Risa?” Fina asked.

Risa hugged her and then pulled Fina through the door and closed it behind her.

“I’m surprised to see you here,” Fina said.

Risa shook her head and smoothed her hands down the front of her white button-down shirt. She was wearing jeans and gold flats. “I’m here for Haley. And Elaine.”

“Why does Elaine need you?” Fina asked, peering down the hall.

“She’s devastated, obviously.”

“Obviously.”

Elaine got a lot of power and attention standing in Carl’s spotlight, but oftentimes she resented his presence there. She took advantage of any opportunity to shine the spotlight on herself. No matter what was actually happening, it was happening to Elaine.

“How are you?” Fina asked.

“I’m . . . I’m numb. I can’t believe this is really happening.”

“I know.”

“I guess there was a part of me that still believed she was going to show up. I’d yell at her for worrying me, but then we’d get over it and things would just go back to normal.”

Fina nodded. One benefit of her job was that she never expected things to end well, and she was rarely disappointed in that regard. “How’s Haley?”

Risa shook her head. “Oh, Fina. It was awful. She was so upset. She cried so hard she threw up. And she won’t talk to anyone.”

“This is a fucking nightmare.”

Risa nodded and brushed a tear off her cheek.

“Is that Fina?” Elaine appeared in the hallway.

“Yes, Mom. It’s me.”

“Fina.” She barreled toward the front door and grasped Fina in a tight hug. Elaine made sniffling noises. “It’s just so terrible.”

“It is.” Fina patted her mother’s back, more for Risa’s benefit than Elaine’s. She didn’t want to appear as cold as she actually felt.

Elaine released Fina and stepped back. “Oh, Fina. If only you’d found her, none of this would be happening.”

Fina made a show of looking at her watch. “That’s quick. Even for you.”

“I’m just saying—”

“I know what you’re saying, and I don’t want to hear it. Where’s Haley?”

“Don’t take that tone with me.” Elaine stepped back and drew herself up.

“I need to talk to Haley. Can we agree that Haley is the most important thing right now?” Fina implored her mother. “Seriously, Mom.”

“Of course,” Elaine said. “Of course Haley is most important.”

“Good. And I need to talk to Rand. If you think things are bad now, just wait ’til Rand gets arrested.” Fina glanced at Risa. “Not that he deserves to, but it’s quite possible.”

“Arrested for what?” Elaine asked.

“Is she upstairs?” Fina asked Risa.

Risa nodded. “In her room.”

“I’ll be back.” Fina trotted up the stairs two at a time and walked down the hallway to Haley’s room. The door was pulled closed, so she knocked softly. There was no response; Fina slowly turned the handle and opened the door.

All of the shades were drawn, and the hum of the central AC made the room feel like a cool cave. Fina crept forward a few steps and peered down at the bed. Haley was curled up in a ball in a nest of pillows and blankets. She was wearing her usual uniform of a tank top and sweat shorts, and her hair was gathered back in a scrunchie. A few strands had escaped and were plastered to her forehead and cheek. She inhaled deeply and snorted softly as Fina studied her. Mr. Tux, a worn stuffed penguin, was in her arms. Melanie had bought it for her at the aquarium when she was a baby, and it had been well loved over the years.

Fina stared at her, and reality began to sink in.

Haley’s mother was never coming back.

Rand was sitting outside at a table next to the pool. There was a plate of untouched eggs and bacon in front of him, and a half-empty coffee cup.

“Hey,” Fina said.

“Hey.” Rand stared at the pool. An automated vacuum was creeping across the bottom, presumably sucking up microscopic invaders.

Fina gestured toward his plate. “That looks pretty gross.” The scrambled eggs were grayish and curdled, and the bacon was sitting in a small pool of grease.

“Mom made it.”

“Ah. Next time, go with Risa. She’s an amazing cook.”

“Right. ’Cause that wouldn’t piss Mom off.”

Fina leaned back in the webbed chair. “Isn’t it amazing? Everything else that’s going on, and you’re worried about pissing off Mom.”

Rand shrugged. “It’s just not worth the headache.”

“How are you doing?”

“I’m hanging in there.”

Fina planted the chair back on the patio and put her elbows on the table. “Dad told me about the thing with the prostitute.”

Rand’s shoulders drooped. “Why the hell did he do that?”

“So I can do something about it. I can’t help you if I don’t know what’s going on. You guys should have told me as soon as Melanie went missing.”

“The two things have nothing to do with each other.”

“Right.” Fina studied the backyard. It was early in the season, and when the rosebushes bloomed there would be an explosion of color that Melanie would never see. “Why don’t you let me be the judge? Tell me about the escort service.”

Rand took a sip of coffee and grimaced. “Even her coffee is toxic.” He put the cup back down. “What do you want to know?”

Fina sighed. “Everything.”

“All I do is call the number and put in my request. That’s it. Nothing else to tell.”

Fina swallowed hard at the mention of his “request.” These were women, after all, not pizza toppings. “I know this is a terrible time, Rand, but my patience is wearing thin. I need names, numbers, locations. Please don’t make me drag it out of you.”

Rand sneered at her. “I certainly don’t want to make your life difficult,” he said sarcastically.

Fina slapped her hand on the table. “Rand! Stop being a fucking moron! I’m trying to save your ass.”

“Right. Everyone always has to save Rand.”

“Oh, here we go again. Here’s an idea: If you don’t want people saving you, stop fucking up.” Fina looked at the pool. The vacuum was stuck in a corner of the deep end, running over the same small patch of tile over and over again. “Maybe I should just wash my hands of this and let you figure it out on your own.”

Rand barked out a laugh. “And disappoint Dad? Two daughters who don’t live up to his expectations?”

Fina gaped at him. “I don’t think dying as a toddler translates to falling short of expectations. I seriously don’t think Dad sees it that way.”

Rand waved his hand in the air. “You know what I mean. Disappointing him. You’re not going to defy or disappoint him. That’s never going to happen.”

Fina was silent for a moment. “You’re right. It probably isn’t going to happen in this case, but not because of Dad. Haley’s lost one parent. She doesn’t need to lose the other. Although, sometimes, I have to wonder about your fitness as a parent.”

Rand reached across the table and grabbed Fina’s wrist. “Don’t you ever question me that way.” He glared at her, but released her hand after a moment.

Fina massaged her wrist. “I’m going to let that go since you’re grief-stricken, but do it again and I will kick your ass. Or shoot you.” She stood up. “I’ll expect the details on your extracurricular activities by the end of the day.” She started to leave the patio, but turned back toward Rand instead. “And a word to the wise: You might want to keep your temper in check. Pitney would be ecstatic if she got a glimpse of that.”