Victoria (9 page)

"I didn't send you flowers. I wish I had thought of it, though. There's no card?” Bret's voice tinged with jealousy. Her heart felt as if it sank to her toes.

"No, there isn't. I'm sorry for assuming. Let me look at my book a minute."

The perspiration hit her brow, and she wondered who sent her the flowers.

"Why are you late to work, oversleep or something?"

Debating about telling him the truth, she knew the faster she convinced him he could trust her, the faster she could put Bret behind bars.

"No, I had an early visitor this morning. Tod came by and had a cup of coffee. He had some upsetting news for me. I really don't want to talk about it, Bret."

"You sound upset, honey. Maybe talking to me might help. Tell me you're free for lunch and we'll talk then."

Hesitating, she debated about pushing off the inevitable. Knowing she made a promise to assist in the case, she had no choice but to meet him. Perhaps she could even use this meeting to her advantage.

"Okay, I'll meet you around noon at Phill's.” As the words left her lips, she acknowledged her innate ability to fall into her role. It was a big chance she was taking but hopefully it would reap great results.

"Yeah, I love that place. Noon it is and I can't wait to see you."

"Me, either.” Victoria hung up the phone.

There was no turning back now. Phill's was the local cop hangout, and if she were to convince Bret that she was interested in him, ready to choose him over her family, then she needed to show him off, make their relationship known. There was no better place than Phill's.

Again, her phone rang, and this time it was Celina.

"Girl, I have been trying to get you all morning. Did you sleep over at Bret's place or what?"

Victoria felt sick again, knowing she had to lie to her best friend, but Warren had warned her, and she wasn't one to make mistakes.

"No, I didn't, but we did have a great time. I'm meeting him for lunch today, as well."

"Oh, that's fantastic! Maybe by tonight you'll be getting some,” Celina teased.

"Listen, have you checked your voicemails? Is your cell phone working? Because your brother, cousins, and uncle have been trying to find you. They're worried about you, and I think I may have made matters worse."

"How so, Celina? What did you tell them?"

"That you had a hot date last night."

"Oh no, Celina, I have to go. I'll call you later. Victoria placed the receiver back on the base. The chaos had already started. She checked her cell phone. She was so upset this morning after talking to Tod, she'd left in a rush, never bothering to turn on her cell phone. She opened it and saw twenty-one messages. “Shit!"

"That's right. ‘Shit’ about sums it up."

Startled, Victoria looked up to find her cousin, Andy, standing in her office door, wearing his sheriff's uniform.

"What are you doing here, Andy? Is everything all right?” She rose from her desk.

"You tell me! Don't you check your phone messages, check in, or something?"

"I just did. I hadn't realized my phone wasn't on. What's the emergency?"

"Family meeting by Uncle Jack's boat in the marina—eleven o'clock sharp."

"I have a lunch date at noon. Will this take long?” She knew exactly what the meeting was about and scared out of her mind to show up for it.

"With Bret Collins? What the hell are you thinking, Tory?” Andy rested his hand on his gun holster.

"Don't start with me, Andy. It just happened, that's all.” She then looked at the flowers, wondering who sent them.

"Are those from him?"

"No, they're not. I don't know who sent them. There's no card.” Her phone began to ring.

"Do me a favor and tell everyone to stop calling me. I'll be there at eleven, but this better not be just about Bret and me."

Andy gave her a disgusted look at the way she said ‘Bret and me,’ like they were already an item.

Her uncle and cousins were probably so pissed off right now, it wasn't even humorous.

"Just don't be late. I'll see you there.” He immediately called his Uncle Patrick on his way out of the building.

Victoria took a deep breath, hoping that with each one, the pain in her chest would disappear. She sat down at her desk and focused on her work the best she could until ten forty-five, and she headed out the door.

"I told you never to call me. I'll call you when I need something."

"I know that, but I'm worried. I heard that the cops are making a connection between Linda and Danny. I don't want to be screwed here. You promised me everything would be fine.” Bret's palms began to sweat, and he wiped some perspiration off his brow. The man on the other line and his capabilities frightened him.

"Don't bother me with your pansy bullshit. You wanted this—all of it. Now live with your part and trust me. Everything is going as planned, Supervisor. Don't call me again."

Bret shook. He never should have said yes to any of this. Stealing, money laundering, and roughing someone up was one thing, but murder, that was something entirely different, never mind the fact, he had no idea who this guy was.

Bret thought back to a year earlier when his life seemed pretty bad and all prospects of climbing up the political ladder were dismal. He was desperate and ready to do anything to achieve the position as supervisor, but he had to get his name into the race. That's when he received the phone call from Mr. Mysterious. The guy had it all planned and Bret accepted his offer of helping him achieve his political goals. He was desperate, yes, but this mystery person had a lot of information on him.

Bret smiled when he thought about his own fixation with young women. He couldn't get enough of playing the wild, crazy sex games. He lived for it, but somehow, this guy got his hands on a video and some pictures of him with an underage girl. Bret knew something like that would destroy any chances he had for a political career. It was over, the decision made, and now, here he was on the way to achieving his goal. Still, he had an uneasy feeling inside. Maybe it was guilt or disgust for what he had done, and for what this man was capable of doing.

Then, of course, there was Linda Delaney. He had loved her, but it was necessary to sacrifice her, to destroy Danny Mardullo's reputation.

Mardullo's daughter, Victoria, though, was a different story. Things just kind of happened between them, well, with a little push from him. But hey, maybe she was exactly what he needed, and the bonus of extra votes didn't hurt one bit. Now he needed to win her over completely in order to make sure he had those votes come Election Day.

Victoria pulled her jeep into the marina parking lot. She immediately noticed the police cars, sheriff's car, her uncle's fencing company truck, unmarked police cars, and other vehicles belonging to her family. She didn't see her mom's car, however.

She took a deep breath and prayed she could play her role, a role completely the opposite of her true self.

"You're late by ten minutes."

"You're lucky I even showed up, knowing there would be a lynch mob,” she said sarcastically as she joined the large group of men. The mere fact that she was the only female present would have normally alarmed her if they weren't her family.

"First topic and reason for today's meeting is you, Victoria. We understand that you are now dating Bret Collins, enemy of your father and family.” Uncle Patrick used his most serious voice as the others stared at her as if she'd committed a felony. She didn't think she would get away with this, not by a long shot.

"It's none of your business! What's the next subject of this family meeting?” she shot back at them and she could tell they were shocked.

"Tory, this is serious. He's no good for you!” Peter told her.

Then the others bombarded her, as well.

"He's a scumbag!"

"He's too old for you!"

"He's using you."

"Whoa, everybody settle down, right now. All of you have no right to tell me whom I may or may not date. My personal life is my business, not any of yours. Besides, it was all of you who have been pushing me to date. Now, Bret and I happened, plain and simple. I like him, we're dating, and it's no big deal. Get over it!"

They tried to talk to her about it, but she wouldn't budge. Finally, Uncle Patrick brought up the next topic, which was the new information about his brother, Danny.

"There's no way it's true, Uncle Pat,” Peter said as the others added similar comments.

Victoria stayed silent. She knew this was already tearing her family apart and she couldn't tell them it was all a lie. She had to keep her mouth shut. Her uncle gave her the evil eye, and she prayed she wouldn't crack.

They talked about it, tried to put their heads together and hoped it weren't true. Then, they went over the plans for the memorial service, which would only take about an hour, then a reception at the firehouse afterwards.

"The family needs to stick together. If news of this new suspicion gets out, there's going to be a lot of questions, accusations. They may even stop investigating Danny's case,” Uncle Patrick said.

"How can they do that? They still don't have a suspect in custody. It's still a murder case.” Victoria looked at her uncle for answers.

"It will still be considered a murder case, but not one of a cop. Instead, it will be the murder of an adulterer. The manpower involved with solving the case will automatically lessen. Tax payers’ dollars—there's no need to have so many good officers and detectives investigating such a case,” Connor stated

Victoria felt herself getting more and more upset. She wanted to tell them about the secret investigation, she wanted them to console her and tell her that everything was going to be all right. Instead, the realization she needed to be strong, to handle this without the family, was slowly sinking in.

"So if this information comes out, there's a possibility that my dad's case could go unsolved? This is ludicrous.” Victoria crossed her arms in front of her chest.

"It's a possibility."

"I can't see Tod letting anything like that happen. Let's focus on the ceremony and keep everyone together. It's important that the family comes together and shows how close and how strong we are,” Uncle Patrick said and everyone agreed.

She remained silent, deep in thought about the new information and the harm it could cause.

"Victoria, I'll pick you and Mom up at her house and drive you both to the ceremony,” Peter told her as the others began leaving.

"I'll meet you there.” She tried to walk away, but he grabbed her arm.

Everyone seemed to pause and watch her. She needed to maintain control and stick to her act.

"Don't you dare show up with him at Dad's memorial,” he scolded.

The thought hadn't even crossed her mind.

"I wouldn't do that, Peter. Besides, he will be there, but as a town board member, for political and personal reasons. Now, let go of my arm.” She pulled away, abruptly leaving.

Peter was shocked. His sister would never act like this, and he didn't know what was wrong with her.

"Something's up, Uncle Pat. Did you see that? Her whole attitude today is wrong.” Peter watched Victoria get into her blue jeep and leave.

"I can see that too, and I hope Collins doesn't have a hold of her already."

"How could he? They've only been seeing one another..” Peter shook his head, as he placed his hands into his pockets.

"It makes me sick just thinking about it. I know the guy is attractive and women are turned on by him, but, Tory? It just doesn't fit."

"I agree with you, but remember she's been through a lot and has been dealing with it all head on and without assistance. Perhaps this is just a fling she needs to forget about Steven."

"She couldn't pick someone better? I don't know ... but every time I'm around her, I just don't feel as close to her. Why couldn't she confide in me or lean on me?"

"The Mardullo and Malley curse,” Uncle Patrick replied.

Peter squinted at his uncle, not quite understanding.

"Stubborn as hell and then some, every darn one of us. Your sister is tough to boot and they'll be no negotiating. Victoria's the one female in this family that can give us men a run for our money. Sherry is just as stubborn and tough. We have to go talk to your mom. I'd rather her hear this information from me than a stranger."

Peter shook his head. “I hate to even think it, Uncle Pat, never mind say the words."

Patrick placed his hand on his nephew's shoulder. “Neither can I, son ... neither can I."

They headed toward the parking lot and returned to the police department.

"Victoria, what's wrong? Talk to me, will you?” Bret asked as the waitress finished clearing the table.

"I'm sorry, Bret, I guess lunch wasn't such a great idea.” She sighed and hoped she wasn't overdoing it.

Bret held her hand, and she could feel the gazes on them and knew the gossip would be flying. That's exactly why she picked this place and Bret appeared to be falling for it.

"Let's get out of here. We can go for a walk, and you can tell me what's bothering you. I have some more time before I need to get back.” Bret then paid the bill.

They rose from their seats and headed toward the door when Victoria's cousin, Tom, a fireman, and some of his friends arrived. Tom looked shocked as he eyed her holding hands with Bret Collins.

"Hey, Tom, long time no see,” she said sarcastically, and Tom didn't hide his annoyance.

"I'll meet you guys at the bar,” he told his friends as he stood next to his cousin.

"Tom, this is Bret. Bret, my cousin Tom,” Victoria introduced them and Bret held out his hand, but Tom ignored it.

"Tom!” Victoria said to her cousin, but he ignored her too as he gave Bret a dirty look and glanced back at Victoria. He gave her a kiss on the cheek.

"I gotta go, see ya later,” he told her, then walked away.

Her heart felt as if it sunk to her gut. Things couldn't have gone any more smoothly if she had planned the chance meeting with her cousin ahead of time.