For Love of Livvy

by J. M. Griffin

  As we pulled into traffic, Lola leaned back against the seat and said, “That sales girl nearly nailed you at the shop, Vin. You look too much like Livvy for this to work out well."

  "I know and I don't know a darned thing about precious gemstones either. I will say they were trashy compared to what I've seen in the past few days."

  The stones I'd found flitted through my mind and I knew I was right. I turned a glance toward Lola. “What did you think of Aaron being here today, of all days?"

  "He might have told the truth or he could be in on the gems thing. Hard to say, really."

  "You think he's telling the truth?"

  "Well yeah, kinda."

  "You're just enamored with him like Larry is. God, he has the two of you all gaga."

  "It's just that he seems so honest. And handsome and gorgeous and you know?” she wailed.

  "Well, remember Ted Bundy.” I laughed, but didn't really think it was funny.

  I headed toward Providence as the day waned. It was late and the Conclavia Inspirata Shop would be closed, but as the owner, I had a key. How opportune is that?

  Traffic was a nightmare on the George Washington Bridge when we crossed into Providence. The Volvo crawled slowly through the melee of vehicles. The ramp onto South Main Street came up and I turned onto the exit. The Volvo idled along the street until I parked across from the shop.

  All the lights were off except those in the storefront windows. I unlocked the door, hit the light switch, and we wandered around like two kids in a jelly bean factory. Lola fingered the silk scarves and gossamer lingerie as she moved farther into the depths of the shop.

  It never occurred to me there was a silent alarm until two police cruisers pulled up out front. Lights flashed, the cops moved forward with their guns drawn. Good God, I thought, I can't even break into my own store!

  Two sets of cops entered the building while Lola and I stood at attention with our hands up. My eyes strayed from the weapons to the faces of the cops. Behind them, another officer entered and started to laugh.

  Lieutenant Francisco DeMagistras, or Frankie D. as I called him, chuckled at the sight of me and Lola. His handsome face was all planes and shadows that lit up like a Christmas tree when he smiled.

  "It's okay guys,” he said. “These two are harmless. The tall brunette is the owner.” His chest heaved with laughter.

  "Vinnie, why didn't you shut down the alarm?"

  "I didn't know there was one. The two women who run the place for me never said there was a silent alarm system. How are ya, Frankie?” My hands were still raised and he stepped over to lower them and gave me a peck on the cheek. Lola had already dropped her hands and continued to wander around. She poked through cabinets and drawers.

  Before I turned to her, I waved at the four cops still inside the door, their guns holstered and arms crossed. Relief was immeasurable at this juncture. If we'd been lugged, who knows what my father would have done.

  Another car drew up to the curb. The gray Crown Vic was unmistakable and if I had to guess, I'd say Richmond had followed us. It occurred to me that maybe I was a suspect and Richmond was playing me. Stranger things had happened, but I hoped it wasn't so.

  The cops stepped aside as Marcus entered the shop. His eyes never missed a beat. He didn't blink as he took in the scene. He nodded at Frankie D. and strode toward me, a slight grin tickling his lips.

  "What's going on here, Vin?"

  "I wanted to show Lola the shop, but there's a silent alarm so we have company. I take it you know Frankie D.?"

  "Yeah, we've met. Why didn't you know about the alarm?"

  "Nobody told me, that's why.” My ever ready attitude crept over me and I quickly held it in check. No need to make anyone more suspicious than they seemed to be. These guys already carry an overabundance of doubt.

  Richmond's eyebrows lifted a tad, but he smiled and ignored the attitude. Instead, he wandered around and viewed the wares. His shrewd eyes tripped toward Lola and what she'd found of interest behind the counter. Yep, he was suspicious and didn't believe the lie. I knew I was in for more questions, it was obvious by his demeanor.

  Frankie D. and his pals turned toward the door as they mumbled into the radios attached to their shoulders. With a grin, Frankie shook his head at me before he left. His eyes strayed towards Marcus and a question crossed his face, but he didn't utter a sound. I shrugged a bit, smiled and turned away with a small wave of my hand.

  Truth be told, I hoped to get off with some sympathy over my near arrest, but that was too much to expect. Not me, I never get a break. Saint Giovanni crossed my mind for a second and then I smiled. He'd always bluffed his way through every encounter we'd had with the men in blue and now was my chance to try it.

  I'd grown up since Gio and I had run that gauntlet. Maybe my experience with policemen, two point fives and wannabe's would help me out.

  "How did you happen to be in the neighborhood, Richmond?” If I could be the interrogator, I'd have the upper hand, or so I thought. Wrong again.

  Hazel eyes turned to mine and flickered for a second. The mask was in place and I couldn't read him. Dang. He would prove difficult, I just knew it. I gave him my most brilliant smile and waited with an innocent look on my face.

  "Just cruising across the bridge and got off on South Main. When I saw your car and the PPD cruisers, I thought I'd better stop. You've had a couple of break-ins so why wouldn't this place be a target too?"

  "That makes sense. How do you know Frankie D.?"

  "I met him on a case once a few years back. How do you know him?"

  "We met when I took a women's safety program two years ago. He was a speaker on behalf of the police department.” I could see Lola behind Marcus at the register. She'd tucked a couple sheets of paper into her purse just before Marcus turned toward her.

  "Did you find anything of interest back there Lola?” His attitude said he knew she had, but he wanted her to tell him.

  "No, nothing here. Why?"

  "Well, you were in search mode so I thought you might have found what it was you looked for. Would either of you like to tell me the truth about why you're here?” A sardonic shift to his eyebrow belied the soft voice. He was annoyed and we were on the hot seat.

  "Just what I said, Lola wanted to see the shop and we came down from Scituate."

  "You are a pathetic liar Vinnie. I know you were in Newport today since I ran into Romeo earlier. He said you'd had lunch together and he asked me about the incident last night. He seems to think you'll be safe with him there.” With arms crossed over his broad chest, his glance floated between Lola and me. “I think there are different kinds of safe, don't you? Now, one more time, the truth please."

  I rolled my eyes. “Okay, okay. We decided that Livvy had three shops and while this one was her favorite, the others are successful too. She was in cahoots with my uncle when he was alive and they did some jewelry business together. It got me to thinking, so we went to Wickford and Newport today. We stopped by both shops, that's it, end of story. I got some sexy new clothes, in case you're interested."

  A heavy sigh rolled from his chest, and I figured I had won the moment. Wrong again. My average for getting it right was definitely on the downslide. Richmond flicked me a derisive glance before he wandered toward the back storage room and opened the door.

  He switched on the light to take a quick peek around the room. Close on his heels, I glanced over his shoulder. Nothing of interest was in there except stacks of greeting cards and display hardware. A stereo sat on the shelf with a bunch of cds and a whole lot of dust bunnies.

  Marcus turned toward me and asked in a soft voice, “What are you really doing here?"

  "Am I a suspect in this matter?” I asked in the same tone.

  "No, but I'm interested in your safety and want to solve the death of your aunt, as well as the jewel mystery.” He casually drew me inside and closed the door.

  "Oh, well, we came down to search the place and see what we
could find in the way of evidence that would lead us to where the jewels came from. When we went to Wickford and Newport we found they offer shabby, cheap cut, polished stones, unlike the ones you've confiscated. I was made in Newport by the chick there. She said I look like Livvy and we hustled out of the store."

  "Where do you think their stones come from?"

  "The gal in Wickford said they were from the Orient and I wouldn't doubt it. I'm interested in my two cousins’ connection to Livvy, if there is one."

  "I'll run a check and see what comes up. Vinnie, stop this sleuthing you've started. The situation is dangerous and not for amateurs."

  With a nod, I turned toward the door. A strong hand blocked the door while the other slid down my spine to snake around my waist. I turned to look into warm, luscious eyes and I succumbed to the touch of his lips against mine.

  Molten flames screamed through my bloodstream as I stepped closer to Marcus and our bodies melded. This man made me crazy with desire and I was about let it take over. I could feel the heat from his body and knew we were in the same frame of mind. Pinned against the door by the weight of his body, I felt his tongue slide into my mouth and tasted him. It seemed extra warm in the small storage room, and it had nothing to do with the thermostat on the wall.

  Wrapped in his embrace, I felt his hands move off my waist and up under my shirt. It was definitely hot in here now. His hands molded my skin while his lips roamed my neck. My breath caught in my throat and I wanted him, real bad.

  High heeled sandals tapped on the tiled floor in the corridor outside. Marcus and I stepped apart as he pulled me away from the door that Lola stepped through. A know all glance shifted from Marcus to me, as she grinned. At any other time I'd have been more than happy for the interruption, but I now had an itch that needed scratching and Marcus was the only one to do it. Dammit.

  "Are you ready to leave?” Lola asked. “I need to get back to The Salt & Pepper and make sure all the supplies were delivered for tomorrow."

  This was a blatant lie and we both knew it, but Marcus hadn't a clue. It meant the papers she'd found were important and she wanted to share the information. I nodded as we left the storage room and the three of us headed to the exit. Locking up, we crossed the street to the car while Richmond entered his cruiser. He drove off with a wave and a smile that said this wasn't over.

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  Chapter 10

  The vintage Volvo rumbled across the Providence River onto Memorial Boulevard. I waited for Lola to explain what she'd found. She rifled her purse and rumpled papers came into view. My glance strayed to her as she read the sheets in silence.

  When I drew up to a red light, I turned to her in exasperation. “Come on Lola, speak to me,” I pleaded.

  Soft laughter accompanied her brilliant smile. With a wave of the papers, she continued to chuckle.

  "These are bills from your cousin Kenny, for the shipment of gemstones. The note on the bottom is scribbled in red that the shipments never arrived. Do you think these may have been the stones that you and Marcus found?"

  "Could very well be.” I thought hard for a minute and then said, “What are the dates? If they're bills it may be a legitimate sale, otherwise there shouldn't be a bill at all."

  "That's true, but these two guys aren't the brightest bulbs, you know. It could be a hustle of some kind. For instance, if the girls at the shop had to have papers for Livvy, then they would give her these. If the IRS was interested in their tax returns, these papers would prove the purchase of the stones so Livvy could write it off. In the same line of thought, the delivery could have come from somewhere else and your cousins have provided false paperwork for some reason."

  Deep in thought, I said nothing for a couple of miles. It was possible that Livvy had the stones smuggled in from elsewhere. Why would my slimeball cousins do paperwork for them?

  We drove through Johnston and stopped at Coffee & Donuts for ice coffee before we headed into Scituate. Lola sipped a frothy iced latte. I chugged mine as we drove into the driveway and parked near the garage. She glanced over when I cut the engine and leaned back against the seat for a moment.

  "You've been awful quiet since we left Providence. What do think of my ideas?” She seemed tense and I figured she thought she'd offended me. Lola was always tuned in to other people's emotions.

  "I think you might be onto something. What if Livvy had the stones smuggled in, and the two dummies made the paperwork up for her?"

  "That's also a possibility. I hadn't considered the fact that Livvy was a smuggler. This must be so hard for you. I'm sorry, Vin, honest."

  I smiled and brushed her sympathy aside. If Livvy was a smuggler, then it would come out sooner or later. As difficult as it was to handle that thought, there wasn't a damn thing I could do about it. I opened the car door at the same time Lola did. We grabbed the bags from the backseat and I unlocked the hall door and went into the entryway.

  After I checked the locks and the hallway closet, we went into the apartment and searched all the rooms together. Even though the theory of safety in numbers is unrealistic in my view, it just feels better to do things that way. Satisfied there wasn't any chance of a burglar and that nobody had broken into my apartment, we returned to the kitchen and straddled the stools at the counter.

  I finished my ice coffee while rifling the fridge for food. We'd eaten everything Lola had brought over the night before. There were mere scraps and a stick of butter left with the jug of milk on the shelf. Even the eggs were gone. Marcus had polished off the rest and the market was closed for the night. Grocery shopping would have to wait until morning.

  "If you're hungry, we can go to the deli and have a bite to eat. We'll just leave the lights off except in the kitchen."

  "You're sure you don't mind? I don't want to entertain the possibility of getting arrested for breaking and entering again in one day.” I chuckled at the memory of Frankie D.'s face when he caught sight of me and Lola with our hands up. Undoubtedly the story would circulate the Providence Police Department within twenty four hours and I'd get razzed about it forever.

  "No problem, I know the code for my burglar alarm. Besides, I work there all the time after hours and the cops are used to it. Come on, let's go."

  We locked up and left in Lola's Mini Cooper. A few minutes later, Lola drove around to the lower level of her building and parked the car. We entered the cooking area where Lola made the most delightful food and soups. My mouth watered to think of it. I sat at the work table and glanced around the room.

  Lights sparkled across the gleaming stainless steel kitchen as Lola wandered around to inspect every nook and cranny. Not once was she found wanting when the health department stopped in for an impromptu inspection and I could see why. The whole place smelled fresh and sparkled.

  It had been some time since I'd been in this end of the building and it was a pleasure to see the pride Lola took in her business. I meandered toward the refrigerator and stood back staring at all the marvelous delectables packed inside. Lola stepped around me and hauled a huge container of clam chowder from the shelf.

  Manhattan Chowder is called red chowder and New England chowder is known as white chowder by Rhode Islanders. When Manhattan Chowder is requested, a blank stare is often given to the person who made the request. It isn't ignorance really, it's just the way things are here in the ocean state.

  Steaming hot red chowder was placed in front of me along with oyster crackers. I scooped the broth laden with chunks of clams and potatoes and promptly scalded the roof of my mouth.

  Lola laughed at the face I made and kept eating. We'd sucked down two bowls of chowder when she rose from the stainless steel work table. She brought out a plate laden with fruit-filled turnovers. My mouth did the same watering trick as before. Geez, you'd think I never ate a decent meal.

  "Millie made the turnovers today. I can't believe there are any left, but maybe she baked extra cause she may have thought we'd be here tonight. Smar
t woman, that woman, I should give her a raise."

  A moan issued from my lips as my teeth sank into the flakey puff pastry that melted in my mouth as I chewed. It tasted heavenly. Raspberry fruit squeezed from between the layers of crust. Lola picked at an apple turnover while fresh coffee perked. When it was finished, she poured two steaming cups of it.

  We sat in silence, replete from the meal. My energy level revived.

  "Do you still have those bills in your purse?” I asked.

  "Sure, just a minute and I'll get them for you.” Lola slid off the stool and rummaged in the purse on the counter. Handing over the slips, she sat across from me, sipped her coffee and waited to hear my thoughts.

  I studied the sheets of paper in hopes they would enlighten me. The figures and descriptions were what you'd expect, with quantity, price and total on an invoice letterhead. My cousins’ letterhead, the two dummies. When God gave out brains, they'd been left out for sure.

  If there was an illicit deal here, it wouldn't make sense that they'd be stupid enough to provide paperwork for a police investigation. But who knows how they think, they are two sneaky little creeps that I'd always avoided so what would I know? I'd have to ask my mother for more information, but would be discreet around my dad. If he thought I was snooping into Livvy's death he'd pitch a fit.

  With the folded invoices tucked into my purse, I stood up and stretched. Bewildered couldn't begin to explain how I felt at the moment. Confusion over Aunt Livvy's seemingly other life included the fact that my house had been tossed twice, and a mysterious package left on the doorstep. Then there were the two handsome men that flitted through my days. Well, confused exhaustion was rampant. I would deal with things tomorrow.

  After we cleared the dishes and tucked the remaining food away, Lola locked up and we left for the house. She pulled up outside the front door and asked, “Do you want me to stay again tonight?"

  "No, but thanks for offering. I can't expect you to stay forever, though I must say I was relieved that you were there last night. I appreciate the meal and your company today. We'll catch up tomorrow.” I angled from the front seat and closed the door to the mini Cooper.