"I'd come with you, but I'm beat. Thanks for your support today, I needed it.” I smiled and asked, “By the way, did you call Aaron and set up this supper thing we just did?"
Wide eyes, the caught in the headlights kind of eyes, stared at me a moment and then she burst into laughter. “Guilty as charged, I'm afraid. I didn't want you to cut both men out of your life at this dangerous juncture. I hope you understand."
"Yeah, I do. Thanks."
I watched her leave and stayed outside alone until it was pitch black and all that shone were the stars in the night sky. In my mind I could see Frankie and Kenny as they plotted my demise. Discomforted by the thought, I went inside to lock every door and slide all the bolts in place.
I heard the phone jingle on the nightstand. Ignoring the sound, I slid down into the bed and covered my head with a pillow. Let the answering machine pick it up.
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Chapter 17
With great intentions, I rose early. Coffee brewed and my housework was done by seven. Wandering through the six rooms, I had a sense of satisfaction. Plans had formed while I dusted, vacuumed and washed everything in sight. If something untoward happened to me, then the house would be clean and my mother proud.
The phone jingled and I reacted with a start. I glanced at the number displayed on the small screen, lifted the receiver and said hello. Lola's voice came across the line and I smiled at her words.
"You know what I was thinking? We might go back to Providence today and grill those two women who work in the shop. We never had a chance to do that and if we apply enough pressure, then maybe we can get them to give up some info. What do you say?"
"Good idea,” I said with a chuckle. “We might look into the two dummies’ business if we don't get any answers from the women."
"Are you sure it's a good idea to taunt them? They seem dangerous and have no sense of remorse."
"I know, but it's worth a try, don't you think? Besides, I've tried to get Richmond to give me the stones so I could be a decoy, but he won't go for it."
"I'm glad he won't. We can bypass that though with some junk stones from the craft store if you think we could get away with it."
"That idea had occurred to me as well. If there's no response from the women and we can't find anything out from the dummies, then we'll use that as a last option."
"Right, I'll pick you up shortly. When will your new car be ready?"
"The dealer said around two would be the best time."
I hung up, showered and changed my clothes. No sense in smelling like a moose herder when I questioned the women in the shop. It occurred to me that they might not know anything, but on the other hand, they may be at the bottom of the entire plot.
The door swung shut behind me with a thud as I skipped down the front steps toward the sidewalk. My cell phone rang and again I looked to see the number displayed on the tiny screen. Lanky Larry's number popped into view and I flipped the phone open.
"Hey Larry, how's it goin'?"
"Vinnie, things couldn't be better. I got to thinking about you and wondered if everything was all right?"
"I'm fine and things are great,” I lied. No sense in worrying him since he was on an all time high with his new love affair. “I bought a new car yesterday, a red Taurus. Really sweet and fast, too."
"What happened to Livvy's Volvo?” Worry tainted his voice.
"It died and couldn't be revived, so I sprung for a new one. It was time anyway."
As Larry shared the news of him and Liz, I chuckled. I stood on the sidewalk talking as Richmond drove past without a glance. My disappointment landed like an anvil. The call ended with a promise to get together soon. I hustled toward Lola's car as she pulled alongside the sidewalk and I slid into the front seat.
The phone tucked in my handbag, I relaxed into the soft leather and closed the car door.
"Did you see Richmond? He just went by without even a wave. He must be ticked off over being thrown out yesterday."
Her gaze drifted over my features as she nodded. “He waved to me as I pulled into traffic from the deli. You've got it bad, haven't you?” She grinned that Julia grin and I had to smile.
"Yeah, I guess. My little voice keeps screaming at me to stay away from cops, but I haven't listened very well.” Resigned, I stared out the window as we sped into the city. “If we can't get anything from those women, we'll stop by and see Frankie D. at the PPD, okay? I'll ask him to check into the two dummies. That way I don't have to talk to them."
"Great idea,” Lola said.
Traffic on South Main Street was always a challenge during the week. Parking is a premium and the meter molly's are always out in full force, tearing tickets off their pad and tucking them under windshield wipers. I watched them hand out fines for illegal parking. Lola swung the car up Power Street and into a RISD parking lot. Rhode Island School of Design owns most of the area and has parking lots scattered all over the east side. I knew Lola would be tagged, but it wouldn't cost us anything like a ticket from the meter molly.
"We can scoot down those stairs and cross South Main to the shop.” Lola pointed to the two story steps in front of the lot.
"I can see you've thought this through.” I giggled.
"Are you nervous? I'll do the talking if you are."
"Not really. I just want this summer from hell to be over and done with. It's imperative that I prove Aunt Livvy is innocent. Not just for me, but for my parents as well. We have all had a difficult time over Livvy's death and to think she had committed a crime is beyond the scope of our understanding."
"It's not an easy time,” Lola said as we turned on the elongated stairs and skipped down the second level to the street. The shop lay about two blocks down on the right. We hustled along, avoiding the traffic as we crossed the street.
The prison bus was headed toward the Superior Courthouse nearby. The inmates, who were shackled and chained together, yelled profanities at us out the windows. I flipped them the finger, and Lola grabbed me by the arm as we continued down the sidewalk.
"Vinnie, knock it off. We don't need to draw attention to ourselves. What if Marcus has had us followed or something?"
"You're right, sorry. He and Grant conferred yesterday, and he said that the state police would cover security for me. I do feel like I'm under a microscope."
We stepped up to the exquisitely dressed, wide windows of Inspirata and peered inside. Marcus and Aaron stood in deep conversation with the two women. One woman looked scared and the other was talking in rapid sentences. Her lips moved in conjunction with her well manicured hands. Aaron nodded and Marcus stood with arms folded while he glanced around. Lola and I stood outside and just as we turned away, I caught Richmond's eyes on me.
In one quick motion, I grasped Lola's arm and dragged her back the way we'd come. She struggled a bit until she glanced across the street and saw the grey Crown Vic parked in front of a stately old office building. Her pace quickened and we beat feet to the car lot.
Once inside the small vehicle, I let out a heavy puff of air. The stairs were easier going down than coming up, but that wasn't the worst part. We'd been seen by Marcus and that meant trouble for me, I just knew it.
"Marcus saw us, didn't he?” Lola asked, as her chest heaved and she gulped deep breaths.
"He did. I'm in for it now, I can feel it in my bones.” A sense of dread cloaked my body and mind. I remembered the look in his eyes as he saw us outside the shop. Surprise had mingled with something else, but I hadn't waited to find out what it was.
The car started and Lola weaved into the heavy traffic on Benefit Street as we left Power. She slipped down Angell Street and crossed Memorial Boulevard toward the police station. I left Lola in the car and ran into the building to see Frankie D.
He was headed down the corridor when I got through the security station. I'd managed to sidestep the remarks from the PPD officers concerning my near arrest experience. With a smile on my face, I waved to
Frankie D. and waited for his approach. When he came alongside me, we walked together while I explained my dilemma.
Hooded brown eyes focused on my face as Frankie nodded. He agreed to check out the two dummies, and I felt better for it. With a quick hug, I left him at the entrance of the station and jumped into Lola's car.
We hit the highway as I sighed and leaned my head against the backrest of the seat. What had Marcus and Aaron found out from their interrogation? Was Livvy involved or was it just the two women and the dummies? How could I prove Livvy wasn't guilty if nobody would tell me anything? Frustrated, I heaved another sigh and glanced at the worried frown on Lola's face.
"What do you think will happen now, Vin?"
"I don't know, but it's a safe bet that Marcus will be on my doorstep before long. He won't swallow any stories either, so I'm going to have to own up. By the way, Frankie D's going to check out my cousins and call me when he has news."
"Great, maybe he can answer some of your questions. If you need me to, I'll back you up with Marcus and Aaron, just let me know what you've said, okay?"
"I'm gonna tell the truth and be done with it once and for all. If only he'd give me those damned stones, we could flush these idiots into the open."
"Well, we can do the craft store fake gems thing and make sure you meet this person after dark. It'll be hard to tell the stones are fake in the dark."
"Right, we'll just wait and see what happens from here. Don't be surprised if Richmond or Grant shows up at the deli, though."
She dropped me at my door and scooted to work. Guilt riddled, I left the sidewalk and entered the house. With a cursory glance in each room as I wandered through the apartment, I knew I was alone. The light on the answering machine blinked. I played the messages with trepidation.
One message was an invitation to dinner from my mother. The second was from the university and the last was from none other than the creepy voice. The caller last night hadn't left a message.
The voice rasped from the machine and demanded to know when I would turn over the gems. Another threat followed the question and my breath caught in my throat. Fear hammered against my ribs while my pulse pounded in my ears. It was imperative that I get the stones back from Richmond and I wondered how I could manage it. I pressed the save button and walked away from the machine.
Outside, sunlight dappled leaves on the trees and a slight breeze swiffed the hair off my face. I leaned against the rail of the deck and stared into the heavy landscape of the reservoir property abutting mine. It was lovely here in the village and Livvy must have enjoyed this very sight just as I did.
I rambled off the deck and strode past the garage toward the rear of the property. A car slid into the driveway and I swung towards the back of the garage. Tires crunched on the stones and the vehicle drew to a standstill. A heavy door opened and closed and I heard a knock on the side door. It would be Richmond for sure. The sounds of his car were embedded in my psyche and there was sure to be a facedown.
Rounding the building, I headed for the deck watching Marcus peer in through the French doors. He turned when he heard my steps.
"Where were you? I was worried.” His gaze wandered my body as I approached.
Heat radiated through my lower parts, and my breath became shallow when I looked into his hazel green eyes. They warmed my heart as he glanced over me. I wondered if he was remembering our night of love. It was emblazoned in my memory and a repeat performance wasn't out of the question as far as I was concerned.
I stepped onto the deck and slid down onto the chaise. Marcus took the seat across from me while his gaze lingered on my legs. The silence grew between us. I waited for him to start the conversation. He seemed to awaken from a dream with a start as his eyes met mine and I smiled. No question what he had on his mind a moment ago, but that changed as suddenly as the New England weather did.
"Why were you and Lola in Providence this morning and no stories, please?” he asked, leaning forward in the chair.
"We went down to interrogate the women who run my shop. I think they know about the gems and are in this up to their makeup plastered eyeballs."
With that blunt statement, Marcus sat back and crossed his legs as he considered me. I couldn't read him, but he didn't look happy at my confession.
"You just can't stay out of this, can you, Lavinia?"
Here we go again with the name thing. He was annoyed, but hid it well behind those wonderful eyes and craggy features. Dang, he was going to press me on this, just like I feared he would.
"It was worth a shot. Since nobody else will help me out with information, I guess I just have to gather my own,” I said with a shrug and hoped I didn't sound as pathetic as I felt.
"Don't you think it's unfair to drag Lola into this?"
"It was her idea. I didn't drag her into anything, Marcus."
"I suppose you still want the stones back?"
"Well yeah, if you'll give them to me,” I said hopefully.
"Not a chance in hell, I was just checking. Any new calls from the creep?"
"As a matter of fact, there's a call on the answering machine inside. I saved it for you since I figured you'd come by today."
"Did you? Well, let's listen to it then.” He stood and went inside before I managed to get off the chaise.
A tap of his finger on the button sent my messages across the silent room. He turned the volume higher and we listened to my mother, the university and then the creep. Richmond's face was still and dark at the threat to my safety. Angry eyes turned to mine as he deleted the messages when his finger hit the button.
"This is exactly why I want you to stay out of things. It becomes increasingly complicated, and you make me crazy."
He stepped toward me, grasped my arms and yanked me to him. His lips met mine with a force that knocked the breath back into my throat. We got carried away for a moment with tongues and gnashing teeth as the kisses became hotter and so did I.
In silence, he held me away from him, heat radiated from his eyes and Mr. Winky stood at attention. I'd have taken advantage of the situation if he'd given the slightest inkling that it was what he wanted. Instead a fierce look replaced the heat. Here we go again.
"Do you think you can stay out of trouble and out of my investigation before you get hurt? Please?"
That one word was magic and I nodded in dumbfounded silence while I stared at him. My breath came slowly and I licked my dry lips with a dry tongue. His eyes channeled downward and watched the tongue action.
Marcus leaned in and caught my mouth once again and held me so tight I feared I'd break. It was heavenly to have his hands run over my body, but he was in uniform and I knew he couldn't stay. It would never do to have him in trouble, I thought with disappointment.
A cell phone jingled somewhere on his person, and I realized I was right. He'd leave and I'd feel empty once again. I was bewildered at the way things had gotten so far out of control. My feelings for this man were in a jumble and from the way he reacted to me, it was a safe bet that his were jumbled as well.
In a snit, he answered the call. I watched him march into the living room. Muffled words drifted back as he paced over the wood floors. Then there was a long silence. I heard the word yessir tear from his mouth and figured he was on the hot seat. This was not good for me, since it probably concerned my inability to obey the rules and keep my nose out of trooper business.
When he marched back into the room, I waited at the counter, hands folded and silent as a rock. Our eyes locked and he heaved a vehement sigh. His mouth opened and shut before he glanced around and said, “Got anything to eat? I'm starved."
"Sure,” I said.
I slipped off the stool and opened the fridge. There were leftovers from the other night. I heaved them onto the counter.
He pawed through the dishes and slid one loaded with a bit of everything into the microwave. He cranked the timer and waited for his meal. While I wrapped the remainders up, he watched with folded arms. T
his stance was familiar, but I couldn't quite get the gist of the meaning it held at present.
"What's up with you, Marcus? What was the phone call?"
"Nothing, just my commanding officer telling me what to do. I do have a boss or several bosses, you know. I'm not a free agent like Romeo is. He comes and goes as he pleases with little or no interference from the FBI. It's different at state level."
"Why were you at the shop this morning?” It was a long shot, but if I didn't ask I wouldn't know. I might not know anyway, however, it was worth a try.
"Grant and I had a chat with the ladies. Maybe ladies would be too kind a word. Anyway, they denied ever knowing anything about the gems. Ask me if I believe them."
"Okay, do you believe them?"
"Not a chance in hell."
"Does Aaron believe them?"
"Nope, he doesn't. We have them staked out.” He stopped talking when I perked up. “Don't look at me that way. That's all I'm telling you. I shouldn't have said that much."
I fumbled with the napkin in my hands while he retrieved the hot dish from the microwave. I tossed the napkin down beside his plate and handed him flatware from the drawer next to me. While he ate, I sat and fiddled with another napkin, thinking fast about how much he'd left out and whether he had told me the truth about the women's denial.
"What's going through that head of yours, Vinnie? I can see the wheels turn and smell the smoke.” A half smile covered his lips and softened the rugged features.
"I just wonder how much longer it will be before I'm attacked because you won't give up the gems.” Ah, emotional blackmail. Another family trait I'd inherited.
His smile disappeared, replaced by what? I couldn't tell. He tossed the fork onto the empty dish and wiped his mouth with deliberation. Buying time, I guessed. Unwilling to answer me, I was sure.
Shadows played on features that intrigued and turned me on without effort as he leaned back. Marcus Richmond was a stubborn, pigheaded man who wasn't used to back answers or headstrong women. It was plain as day that his thought pattern might run along the Neanderthal line, but I adored him anyway.
For Love of Livvy Page 16
