The kitchen, empty and silent, held no signs of the occupants whatsoever. Voices issued from the living room, though, and I sidled up near the door to listen. I know it’s rude and one never hears well of oneself in an eavesdropping situation, but my curiosity got the better of me. If Aaron had the nerve to interrogate my mother, I wanted to know what it concerned.
“So you see, Lavinia has worked hard to become successful. Her brother did, too, though my husband made things easier for him,” Mom said.
“I see. Does Vinnie have any issues with this DeGreico character?”
“He did give her a terrible time, but I think that’s behind them now.”
Bless her soul, my mother thinks well of everyone. She hesitated to say anything bad. Unless it was at the umpire at my brother’s baseball games in high school, that is. I stood silent and waited.
Aaron’s deep voice continued, “It’s a shame Vinnie endured such torment from him. She’s a lovely and high-spirited woman.”
“She is. You know, when Tony haunted her, Lavinia never uttered a sound to us about it. It wasn’t until her apartment was set on fire that we found out. Gino was beside himself. He wanted to set the young man straight, but Lavinia would have none of it. She told him to let the law handle things.”
“How did Mr. Esposito intend to accomplish that, Mrs. Esposito?” Aaron asked.
I decided now was the time for my entrance. I stepped through the door and said, “Hey, you two. What’s going on?” The wide smile pasted on my lips assured everyone that things were fine. However, things were far from it. Aaron was here using my mother to gather information, and I didn’t like it – especially that last question.
“Hi, Lavinia, what are you doing here?” My mother glanced at her watch and stood up. “Oh gosh, I’m sorry to say it, but I’m going to be late if I don’t leave in a few minutes.” She glanced at Aaron and me.
Aaron’s gaze rested on me as I leaned against the door casing, hand on my hip. He smiled and rose from the armchair in greeting. His lips brushed my cheek.
“Auntie dropped me off, and I thought you could give me a ride home,” I said to my mother. “It’s a good thing Aaron is here since you’re going out, isn’t it?” I smiled.
“Sure is, dear. Sorry, I have a function at the ‘elderly housing’ complex shortly and can’t give you a ride. Your father is out with his Knights of Columbus friends arranging some type of fund-raiser. Since you and Aaron live in the same building, I’m sure he can drive you home.” Her glance leveled on Aaron and she smiled. “Can’t you?”
“Certainly, Mrs. Esposito, I’ll be happy to take Vinnie home,” he said.
Did he realize I overheard the conversation? If he did, he showed no sign of it. Did he care? I figured those would be two of the questions I’d ask, among others, on the ride home.
I turned to him once again and nodded. “Thanks, I appreciate the lift. I’ll meet you outside. I need to speak to my mother – alone.”
Dark eyes peered at me for a moment before he nodded. His long stride took him through the house, and outside. When he was out of earshot, I leaned toward my mother. I whispered to her about court and the actions of my aunt at the restaurant. She chuckled when I told her how Antonio blanched and sweated when Auntie reached inside her bag.
She whispered back, “That’s an old trick she used when we were young. One time she pulled out an apple and threw it at Johnny Mulroney. Then she started carrying a loaded squirt gun. When she got a hard time from anyone, they got soaked. It earned her a reputation.” She glanced around and then back at me. “Why are we whispering, dear?”
“I don’t need my neighbor knowing everything about our family, Mom. So watch what you tell him in the future, okay?”
“All right, dear – if you say so. We were just talking about Tony DeGreico and your job, things like that. Aaron is a personable and charming man.”
I recognized that wishful look on her face again and knew it was time to flee. I said my goodbyes and left the house.
Outside Aaron casually leaned against the truck, long legs in fitted jeans stretched out before him. A burgundy sweatshirt fit his muscled upper torso like it was made especially for him. He was a handsome hunk, but also an FBI agent on the hunt. My anger must have shown, since Aaron was quick to explain his visit to my mother.
“I happened to be in the neighborhood and thought I’d stop in to see your mother,” he said all innocent-like, when we climbed into the truck.
“I’m sure,” I answered with sarcasm. “This street is far out of anyone’s way. You just happened to fall into the neighborhood, right? That’s your story? You’re sticking to that, are you?” My voice sounded testy even to me. So far, I had a trying day, my head ached, and his visit to my parents’ house hadn’t made things any easier.
“Why are you so upset, Vinnie? Has something happened?” Dark eyebrows rose in concern as we left the neighborhood and started the drive toward Scituate.
“What happened?” I faced him with a look of incredibility on my face. “You went to visit my mother, probably knowing full well that my father was out. You worked her for information about me and our family. Why is that, Aaron?”
“It isn’t what you think,” he began.
“How the hell do you know what I think? Do you ask? No, you don’t. You just start digging around in places you have no business going. In the future, if you want to know something about my family, or me, you damned well better ask me instead of my mother. Got that?” I guess my temper was on the rise, since my voice echoed off the truck windows.
We reached the Scituate Reservoir land, not far from the village. Aaron pulled the Yukon over to the side of the road. He cut the engine and leaned against the side window, his gaze wandering over my face. The silence between us lengthened while I glared at him.
“I can see it’s been a tough day, Vin. I’m sorry if you’re offended that I went to see your mother. This fire incident concerns me greatly, and I’m trying to figure out who’s behind it. The car crash was bad enough, but with the fire added to it, well, it seems more than coincidental. That’s all, nothing more.”
“Fine. Just remember in the future, if you want any information, ask me and not my mother. Got that?”
“Yeah, I got it. Loud and clear.” His eyes took on a twinkle.
I stared.
“Does this mean I can’t go to dinner there anymore?” A chuckle followed the question.
It was too hard for me to stay angry, so I sat back and smiled. I’d suffered another overreaction attack, which had become a bad habit. Maybe I’d read him wrong once again and didn’t that make me feel a tad foolish? Uh, huh.
“I guess you can go to dinner. Just don’t go without me, that’s all. Okay?”
“Sure thing.” He chuckled, started the truck, and took me home.
Chapter 14
Aaron parked on the street in front of the house, and we walked back toward the garage. The rancid smell of charred wood filtered through the breeze from the back corner of the building, which lay in ruins. What the fire hadn’t destroyed, the firefighters had. I walked around the old structure, inside and out, taking stock of the damage.
When I stepped outside, Aaron rounded the other corner. He peered into the garage and shook his head. We turned and wandered toward the deck on the back of the house. The poor evergreen was fried to a crisp, the branches charred. The ground at the base lay covered with ashes from the burned greenery.
“I guess that evergreen tree is done for.” I said on a light note. I wasn’t really in a lighthearted mood, mind you.
“I’d say so. The garage can be repaired though,” Aaron offered. “I know a guy who does this sort of thing for a reasonable price, if you’re interested.”
“Sure, just give me his name, and I’ll call him. Have you spoken to the fire marshal?”
“Not yet. Maybe Marcus has a preliminary report. By the way, did you want to pick up your new car? I totally forgot about it.”
/> With a grin, I glanced at the handsome brute. “I did. It’s been a long and nerve-wracking day, but I do want to pick it up. Can I hitch a ride?”
“Sure thing, ma’am.” His eyebrows waggled while his smile brought a wide grin to my face.
“Sorry I lost my temper earlier. I get overprotective of my family, especially after last summer.”
A muscular arm swung over my shoulder as he leaned in close and kissed my brow.
“No problem, beautiful. I understand.”
This was a term he’d never used before and it brought a smile to my face. While Marcus was forthright with his feelings and overtures, Aaron used a more conservative approach. There was no doubt in my mind that he found me attractive and wanted a relationship. However, Marcus won my heart, hands down.
The French door slid sideways after I unlocked it, and I turned to Aaron. “Give me a few minutes and I’ll be ready to pick up the car. I just need to get some paperwork and my checkbook.”
“Sure, I’ll check my messages and be right down. Okay?”
With a nod, I sauntered into my office and shuffled through a load of paperwork from the car dealership. My cell phone jingled when I turned to leave. The number displayed was Richmond’s, and I answered on the second jingle.
“What’s up, Marcus?” I asked.
“I got the report from the fire marshal and also from the body shop where your Taurus was taken. Do you have a minute?”
“Yeah, are you coming by, or do you want to give me the bad news over the phone?” My heart thumped against my ribs as my stomach churned.
“I’ll be by in a few minutes. I’m leaving headquarters now.”
“Okay, I’ll wait for you,” I said with dread, and disconnected the call.
The call ruffled my feathers. I started to tremble and sat down abruptly in the leather office chair. Smoothing my hair away from my face, I cupped my chin in my palm, staring out the window.
The grey Crown Vic pulled to the curb, and Marcus stepped from it. I watched him swagger toward the house and went to let him in. He was a hot babe in that uniform. My heart fluttered at the sight of his craggy features and well built, toned body.
Marcus stepped into the foyer and then the apartment. Turning, he took me into his arms, firm lips covering mine in a long kiss. He took my breath away and I warmed at his touch.
Could life get any better than this? I wondered. Well, yes. You could fall for someone other than a cop. I ignored my inner voice and enjoyed the kisses Marcus rained over my face and lips.
“The news must be bad if you’re priming me this way,” I uttered, my blood pressure on the rise.
“I’ve been waiting for this all day. The news has nothing to do with it.” He leaned back with a wolfish smile.
“Even though this is wonderful,” I said, “tell me the news. I can’t stand waiting.”
“Ah, yes, that impetuous and curious nature.” He walked toward the sofa and sat down. He patted the seat next to him and waited for me to sit.
Good Lord, I thought, it must be horrible news. Nervous, I scrunched up on the end of the sofa, turned to face him, and folded my legs underneath me. Fidgeting was a dead giveaway and I wanted Marcus to think I was calm, so I folded my hands in my lap.
“So, tell me. I can’t stand the suspense.”
“The fire was set. Burnt matches were found near the base of the tree. It appears that the garage caught on fire after the tree was set aflame. The person responsible is being sought. That’s all I can tell you about that.”
Questions spread across my mind like wildfire. No pun intended. If he wouldn’t tell me anything else, it meant there was a suspect or suspects. Huh?
“Okay, now what about the car?” I asked.
“Gary, at the garage, called to say they’d given the wreck a once over. The car was damaged underneath from the landing. However, the rear bumper and fender were scraped, and black paint left behind.” His eyes never left my face. “Since your car was red, chances are we may be able to find the vehicle that pushed you off the road. It’s a slim possibility, mind you, since the other vehicle may not have sustained enough damage to report to a body shop.”
“That’s better news than I anticipated, Marcus. I was nervous that you were going to deliver the worst news I could imagine.” I sighed and leaned back against the pillow on the end of the sofa.
Eyebrows hiked and questioning eyes watched me. He asked, “What kind of bad news, Vin?”
“I can’t think of what it would be, but I dreaded whatever it was. Maybe it’s just wrinkled nerves on my part. I don’t know.”
A smirk tickled his lips, and I smiled. Ridiculous as it seemed, I was pleased at the news. My garage lay in ruin, my car was totaled, and I felt pleased. Imagine.
The back door opened with a holler of greeting from Aaron.
“Are you ready, beautiful?” he called.
“You got a date, beautiful?” Richmond’s eyes widened as his smirk vanished.
I stared at him for a moment. Was that jealousy I saw? Nah, must be my imagination. Couldn’t be signs of proprietorship, could it? Nah.
“Not a date, exactly,” I began.
“Oh? Well, beautiful, why don’t you tell me exactly what it is?” His emphasis on the word told the whole story.
Ah, he was jealous, and ‘Was I just a bit pleased at that,’ you ask? ‘Indeed,’ I answer.
“I’m hitching a ride with Aaron to get my new car. Lola’s away today, remember?” I grinned with pleasure. Marcus never said how much he cared, and I considered this reaction a good sign.
Aaron strode around the corner and stopped short. He took in my Cheshire Cat grin and Richmond’s chagrin as he stepped into the room. The large frame settled against the door casing.
“Is everything all right?” he asked, and nodded at Marcus.
“It sure is,” I said smugly.
“Good. Well, we should get going if we’re to pick up your car.” He checked his watch.
“Okay.” As I stood, my muscles protested a bit, but not as bad as earlier in the day. My headache nearly disappeared. There was hope for me yet.
We trooped out the back door after I locked the front door. Suddenly my life didn’t feel like such a pile of shit, and Marcus was the reason. A lighthearted sigh escaped me as I turned toward him.
A question shot across his face, and I grinned like a fool. Leaning toward the handsome brute, I laid a kiss on his lips, darting my tongue out for good measure. When I leaned back, I could see a smile forming and knew all was well once again. I guessed the jealousy part was over for Marcus.
* * * *
Aaron turned the truck eastward toward the car dealership. Ahead of us Marcus turned onto the highway, while we continued on. As we entered the car lot I stared up and down the rows of cars.
“Is your car among any of these?”
“No, it’s probably out back,” I said as we pulled up to the front door.
Aaron parked the Yukon and we went inside the dealership. I glanced around, looking for Mr. Snot Necktie, but I didn’t see him right away. As I turned to Aaron a man approached us with a shark-like grin, and introduced himself.
“Hi, I’m the manager. Justin Scuzzi. You must be Ms. Esposito?”
Extending a hand to shake his, my glance took in the shiny suit and gleaming shoes. His shirt was crisp white and the tie pure silk. Ashen-colored skin accompanied the slicked-back brown hair on his egg-shaped head. I could smell parfum du cigar smoke on his clothing, even though I wasn’t standing close to him. Ugh.
“Yes, that would be me. I’ve come to collect my new car.” The prospect of owning this classy new vehicle excited me, even though I had liked my Taurus a great deal.
“Sure thing. Come this way and we can get the remaining paperwork out of the way,” he said.
I turned to walk alongside him, and then glanced back at Aaron.
“You needn’t wait. I can manage from here. Thanks for everything.”
�
��That’s all right. I’ll hang around until you take possession of the car.” His gaze roved around the room before landing on me again.
The hair on the back of my neck stood at attention as I glanced around quickly, taking his cue. Was anything wrong? Did I miss something? The showroom was quiet, as far as I could tell. Maybe Aaron thought I couldn’t stay out of trouble for a moment. I shrugged and nodded at him.
“Okay, we’ll only be a minute then.” I smiled and strode after Scuzzi.
With the check and paperwork signed, and handed over to Scuzzi, I accepted the car keys along with the registration papers. Curious as to what happened to the regular salesman I dealt with, I turned to Scuzzi with the question on my lips.
Before I could open my mouth he smiled and said, “Mr. Beducci has the day off. That is what you are curious about? Am I right?”
“Yes. He has been most helpful to me in both my purchases, and I wanted to thank him.” Actually, I was just wondering where the man was.
“Well, I’ll be sure to give him that message,” Scuzzi said with a smile. He ushered me down the hallway and into the showroom where Aaron awaited my reappearance.
He stepped forward and grinned when I jingled the keys at him. Excitement coursed through me as we exited the glass doors toward the pale blue Altima. I proudly strode around the car with a grin the size of Montana on my lips.
Laughter rumbled after me as I sped around the car twice.
“Are you going to circle this car all day, or drive it home?”
I giggled, opened the driver’s door, and slid behind the wheel. I slid the key in the ignition. The new car smell enveloped me like a fur coat. Wow, what a smell.
A rap on the window reminded me that Aaron stood outside looking in. I glanced at the dashboard, found the window button and pressed it. The window slid downward in silence.
“What?” I asked.
“I’m headed into the city for a bit. Are you going straight home?”
Dirty Trouble Page 12
