"What's for dessert?"
My father didn't make dessert, but my mother had a sweet tooth beyond reason. She'd taken to making hand dipped chocolates this year, and the ones that didn't come out right were hastily eaten by her, me and whoever she could palm them off onto. I'd watched her grow a bit round in the middle over the past year. Must be the sweets.
"I whipped up a strawberry rhubarb pie. It's too early in the season for blueberries so I made the best of it with strawberries."
I nodded and lingered in the kitchen to absorb the aroma of my father's cuisine, and accepted the glass of wine my mother handed me. While I contemplated the best way to request Livvy's death certificate, my mother stared at me. Her mind reading ability, the one all mothers seem to have, must have been on high because she picked the thought right off my head.
"You've gone through Lavinia's things, haven't you?"
"Yeah, I spent most of the day up to my armpits in her trunk in the bedroom. I wondered if you'd know the people in the photos she had tucked away. I brought a few with me if you'd look at them."
With a nod, she set her glass down and became real quiet. Liv's death had taken us all by surprise, but my mother's reaction surpassed even mine.
"Her death certificates came and I'm supposed to pick them up at Nardolillo's Funeral Home, but I haven't done it yet."
This couldn't have been a better opportunity, so I said, “Let me do that for you, Mom. I don't mind, honest."
"Would you? It's the last place I want to go,” she said. “Let me see the pictures before your father serves dinner."
She plucked her wine glass off the table and we strolled onto the deck to recline on the chaises. I glanced at her solemn face before slipping the pictures from my purse. Her glasses flopped down off the top of her head onto the bridge of her nose and I handed the photos to her. She stared at the people who smiled from the surface.
"I don't have any idea who these people are.” she said and turned the photos over to read the words and dates on the back. She slid one after another to the forefront and shook her head each time.
"Where did you find them?"
"In the trunk, along with pictures of our family. I don't know any of these folks, but thought you might."
"Huh, imagine that. She was secretive at times and we didn't see her as often as we'd have liked. Her life was a busy one. She frequently traveled to New York and had friends there. Sophisticated friends they were, stock broker people and the like. Even though she was my favorite sister-don't tell your aunts that-she had a side that I only saw once."
"When was that, Mom?” This was news to me and I waited, anxious for her to tell me.
"Once this past year, just before you moved in, she had a party at the house. She invited us and a few of those New York people to attend. I felt out of my depth and we didn't stay long. What do we know about stocks, bonds, jewel and gold prices? Stuff like that was the conversation of the evening."
The word jewel caught my attention.
"Did she enlarge upon the jewel thing when you two were alone?"
"No, I asked, but she just said it was a venue she'd looked into. Why do you ask?"
"I'm just curious about her. Even though I lived upstairs from her, I only knew Livvy as my aunt, but she had another life."
My father yelled through the screen door that it was time to eat. We rose and went inside to feast.
Dad served chicken crusted with rosemary that was so well done it fell off the bone. My mouth watered just looking at it and I dug in with fervor. Never let it be said that I'd pass up a good meal. But then, nobody who knows me would be so foolish as to make that mistake.
As the meal progressed, my father asked if I'd rented the apartment yet. I told him I had, but didn't mention the guy was single, attractive to a fault, and sexy as hell. But then, fathers don't really want to know that kind of information from their daughters. Now, if Saint Giovanni said that about a woman, well, you can imagine he'd have met with a pat on the back instead of the scowl I knew would be forthcoming.
My father, Gino Esposito, is of the opinion that women should be married with as many babies as they can bear. Wow, what a concept. I shudder whenever he starts barking about me, marriage and his wish that I'd settle down like my perfect brother.
Yeah, well Dr. Giovanni Esposito married a nurse practitioner who assists in his medical practice. Excuse me, I meant to say Saint Dr. Giovanni Esposito. Don't get me wrong, I adore my twin brother, I just can't abide the sainthood thing. Thank goodness he lives in Nebraska. The pressure on me would be too much to handle if he practiced medicine in Rhode Island. Imagine living in corn country though? Yikes.
"Has this tenant got a family or what?” Dad asked, as he passed the salad to my mother.
I reached for a chicken leg with my fingers and got a rap on the knuckles from his knife handle. Hastily, I pulled my hand back and used the serving fork while I chuckled. It was my just desserts if I acted like a cannibal instead of minding my manners, he grumbled.
"My new tenant is a single businessman. Other than that, I know little of him except he can afford to pay the rent.” Again, I left out the sexy, handsome, WWF size of him and prayed the conversation would end there. I should have known better.
"You rented to a single guy? What does he do for a job? I can't imagine that a single guy would want to live out in the boonies."
"It's not the boonies, it's only ten minutes from Providence and I don't know what he does other than it's something in city."
His fork stopped midway to his mouth and he scowled at me. “For God's sake Lavinia, he might be an ax murderer or somethin'.” His gruff voice boomed throughout the kitchen.
"It's always reassuring to know you have confidence in my ability to make a decision. Listen Dad, I can always fingerprint him and run him through NCIC."
NCIC is the National Crime Information Center and reveals all arrests in a person's background. As an instructor of criminal justice, I have connections with enough police departments to run this type of check, but I wouldn't. After all, he'd been recommended by Detective Bellini.
"Yeah well, you know I think you're smart, Lavinia. All the same, you never can tell who's a creep and who isn't. Just be careful, eh?"
My dad, forever the pessimist while I am the optimist. I guess that's why we butt heads more often than not.
"I will, I promise. By the way, the State Police have stopped by to enquire about Aunt Livvy.” Unwilling to share the jewel issues, I kept it quiet.
"Why would they bother you?” My mother's eyebrows arched.
"They're not bothering me, they simply have more questions about Aunt Livvy's life.” I pushed the empty dish away, sat back and sipped my wine while they finished dinner.
Dessert lay on the counter and I slid from my chair and started to clear my place at the table. Obviously, I couldn't wait for pie. My mother wasn't the only one with a sweet tooth.
With the pie in one hand and dessert plates in the other, I sat down and waited until my mother could cut and serve up the delectable pastry. We followed specific guidelines when it came to food and I never, ever crossed the line. Well, nearly never, ever.
My mother sliced through the pie as her glance slid to the shadow in the doorway. Suddenly, she stopped in mid serve. My eyes followed hers to where Marcus Richmond stood outside staring in. He raised his knuckles to knock. Gosh, he looked delectable, I thought with a warm tingle in my lower parts.
What he wanted and why he was here flashed through my mind. In haste, I rose and stepped to open the door while my mother continued to stare.
"Come in, officer. Can we help you?” Mom asked, with wide eyed wonder.
"Good evening, ma'am.” He gave a quick dip of his head and removed the wide brimmed campaign hat when he stepped into the room. His look told me this was official business and besides, he was in uniform. I glanced out the window where his grey Crown Vic had slid soundlessly into the driveway and parked behind my car.
Now, I have to confess the local police had come to the house before. Once or twice or so when my darling twin, Saint Giovanni, and I had been up to no good, so my father didn't flinch at a uniform. It had, however, been years since that had occurred. Gio and I were upstanding citizens now.
Introductions were made as my mother retrieved another.
plate and dished out the pie. I guessed that Richmond didn't have much choice but to eat it even if it choked him. She poured fresh perked coffee and placed a cup next to his plate.
A grin twitched the corners of his mouth and he settled at the table like an old family friend. I stared and wondered what this man was about. He popped up whenever I least expected and set my nerves atingle, not to mention other body parts. Dang. It took major control to resist a man like this.
My father still hadn't uttered a sound and waited for me to explain. This waiting game went on for a bit between the two of us, but my mother didn't pay any attention. She chatted with Trooper Richmond in her most mannerly way. If nothing else, my mom had the manners of a queen.
I smiled at her and Richmond, and asked, “What do ya want, Richmond?” So much for good manners, huh?
Unperturbed, he answered me.
"I happened to be in the neighborhood and saw your car. I stopped by your house on my way through the village, but you were gone."
He savored the pie and drank coffee like he'd been invited to dinner. Real suave. With a glance at my mother, I knew he'd made her day.
It was a sure guess that he'd come to accept my wiseass attitude since he hadn't flinched at the delivery of my question. I gazed at the craggy features for a moment.
"So, what brings you in search of me?” I asked again.
My mother's eyes widened at my tone and the use of his name, but her smile remained in place. My father seemed aware of an undercurrent and sat silent as his eyes flicked between me and Marcus. Dad most certainly was interested to see if I'd be handcuffed and hauled away. He undoubtedly considered how much cash he'd have to cough up for a bail bond. Geez.
"Nothing of major importance, I wondered if you've had any further luck with that issue we last spoke of."
The measured words left the subject wide open. Anything could be made out of it, but I knew what he wanted to know.
"As a matter of fact, I did come across some new information for you earlier today. Why don't you stop by later or tomorrow?"
"Sure, I'd be glad to.” His attitude was polite and he knew he'd won my mother over in a heartbeat. She was a sucker for good manners. My father was another matter altogether.
In a gruff voice, my father addressed the trooper.
"Has my daughter been involved in something we should know about?"
Richmond scanned my face a moment with a glint of humor in those shrewd eyes and then smiled at my father. He shook his head and said, “Not at all, she's assisting us in an ongoing investigation. Lavinia is very qualified in the field of criminalistics. But I guess you know that."
"Mmm, she's good at her job. What investigation do you mean?"
"I'm not at liberty to say, sir. But Vinnie's been most helpful to us."
"Huh, I thought you guys didn't need anybody's help. But if you say so, I'm good with it."
By then I'd finished my pie and coffee. Both Marcus and I rose from the table. My mother stood and packed leftovers for me to take home. When she handed me the bag, I left on the heels of Richmond.
Outside, I bounded down the three steps to the driveway and tucked the goody bag in the car. I turned to Marcus, who leaned against the side of the car rear quarter panel with arms folded, waiting for me.
"What the hell are you doing here?” I whispered. “My parents are paranoid enough that I live alone, have a male tenant and work in the world of criminal justice. Criminy, you don't have to complicate my life further, Richmond."
"You have a male tenant? Last night you had no tenant. Things change fast around you, I see.” His smirk widened into a grin.
"Yuh, I have a male tenant and what's it to ya?"
"Nothing to me, but who is this new tenant? Have you checked him out?"
"Cripes, now you sound like my father.” My hand was on my hip and I stepped into his space.
He leaned back a bit and must have realized I wasn't enjoying the joke. His smile slackened and a gleam entered his eyes as they rested on my lips. He ran his fingers lightly up my arms, and I felt a shiver start deep within my body. I took a quick step back, my eyes locked onto his.
"I'll see you at the house later. I have to go back to Scituate around ten, if that's not too late?"
"Right, I'll be there.” I turned, opened the car door and slid inside, my nerves all a jingle. The motor rumbled as I started the vehicle and waited for Marcus to back into the street.
He drove away with a brief wave of his hand, and I headed home. I made a short stop at the market to pick up toilet paper and additional cleaning supplies. I remembered my promise to clean the upstairs before Aaron took residence. A good way to kill time until Richmond showed up.
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter 5
The bathroom surfaces sparkled and the entire apartment was spotless when the downstairs door knocker thumped. I swiped the kitchen countertop one last time and raced through the dark rooms to peer down into the driveway from the second floor windows. The Crown Vic sat parked beside my car and Marcus Richmond stood on the doorstep.
I peeled latex gloves off my hands and sped down the stairs to open the door. It swung wide while I stepped aside as he entered the foyer and strode on into my apartment. With nerves taut, I closed the heavy front door and followed him. He glanced around a moment and then sat in the soft arm chair near the fireplace.
I'd simply tossed my goody bag and purse on the desk inside the living room door in order to save time and get the upstairs apartment straightened out. He glanced at the bag and then at me.
"Would you like some coffee or more pie?” I asked.
"No, just any information you've held back."
His short clipped words told me he was annoyed about something. I bristled at the change in attitude. My guess was that whatever had happened took place in between his two visits.
"I haven't held back. I had every intention of calling you, but you saved me the effort by stopping by my parents’ house."
"I guess it's a good thing I did, Lavinia."
Wow, he was annoyed, he'd called me by my formal name.
"What is it you think I haven't told you, Trooper Richmond?” Two could do this, I thought, slightly irked myself.
He stood and paced the room. It was apparent there was an issue, but he wouldn't share. I leaned against the wall and waited. When he didn't speak, I strode from the room and entered my bedroom to get the stones.
Aghast, I stood in the doorway. The room had been tossed and stuff was flung everywhere. The window next to the bed yawned wide open and the summer breeze flowed in. I knew I'd closed the window before I left, but I couldn't remember locking it.
Shit. I waded through the debris toward Livvy's trunk. It squatted on the floor, the same as before and I panicked over the small parcel of gems I'd tucked just under the trunk edge. I stared around the room and then back at the trunk.
Papers, photos and letters were strewn in a haphazard manner over the entire room. Tiny boxes and lids lay askew, tumbled in wild profusion across the bed. If they'd had any contents to begin with, they were empty now.
Marcus stood close behind me and I felt his warm breath tickle the hairs on my neck.
"What's this, don't you clean up after yourself Vinnie?"
At the sound of his voice, I uttered in bewilderment, “I went through the trunk today and found an item that I put aside for you. It took hours to look this stuff over and it'll take days b
efore it's all done. But now, I guess we know someone else wanted a look."
I kneeled at the corner of the trunk, lifted it and slipped my hand underneath in search of the pouch. The small puffed envelope fit snug just under the bottom between the rim and the trunk floor. The trunk lid stood open when I'd left and still was. Apparently the searcher decided there was no sense in moving the trunk since it was open. Lucky for me, I thought as I withdrew the packet.
His gaze never left me as I turned to him, the envelope of brilliants in my hand. I stumbled over the corner of the rug and stones chucked across the room. Richmond's eyes flew wide as a shower of color coursed through the air, some bounced off him while others flew beyond.
Strong arms caught me as I headed south, dragged me to him and held on for a moment. The look in his eyes changed a tad, leaving me breathless. Now what? His hands dropped from my arms and snuck to my waist where they sat light and warm above my hips.
A squad of butterflies attacked my stomach. My body heat rose as Marcus leaned forward and brushed my lips with his. The sensation was pure pleasure. I stifled the urge to tear his clothes off and stepped back instead while my inner voice yelled warnings in my head. It was difficult to listen, but I did.
"Sorry about that, I didn't see the corner of the rug. Help me with these gemstones, will you?” I stooped and started to toss them into the padded packet.
We scrambled around the room and found about half of the little darlings when I realized they'd also flown into the kitchen. I entered the room and turned on the overhead lights to see better. Stones lay scattered in every direction and I knew it would be impossible to retrieve every one of them tonight. Scooping as many as I could find, the wonderful sparklers slid into the pouch before I handed it over to Richmond.
"Where did you find these?” he asked with soft spoken curiosity as he fingered the little beauties.
"They were mixed in with some papers in the trunk."
"Any note like the box?” His eyes strayed around the bedroom and then back to me as I wandered toward him.
"Yeah, it's similar to the other. A few words, but no signature or postmark. It must have been hand delivered.” The note sat folded on the floor with a few other papers. I stooped to pick them up and tucked the note into my pocket.
For Love of Livvy Page 5
