Dirty Trouble

by J. M. Griffin

  “Stay away from the seniors’ center. Go somewhere else for your community service. The judge won’t mind, and you’ll feel better about it.”

  “Do you think they’re laundering money through the center, Lavinia?”

  “It sounds that way, but let’s not jump to any conclusions. Let me see what I can find out. In the meantime, distance yourself from the center.”

  Aunt Mafalda nodded and sighed in relief, or maybe despair – hard to say. She scooted off the stool, grabbed her purse, and strutted toward the door. I was right behind her and kissed her cheek before she left.

  Once the outer door closed, I leaned against the wall and banged my head against it. How do I get into these things?

  Chapter 18

  Dirty trouble seemed to follow me wherever I went. I collected it like a magnet. No other way to describe my affliction with problems, no sir. In an effort to lighten my mood, I slipped a jacket on and headed out the back door.

  The rain had ceased and crisp, cold air swirled through the neighborhood. Soggy leaves littered the yard as I scooped the empty paper plate off the deck and tucked it into the trash bin. Since Evergreen hadn’t made another appearance I guessed he found better accommodations. I shrugged and stepped off the deck, heading toward the street.

  Silk Lane, a short road that led around the block, lay across the street to the left of the post office. I strode through the quiet neighborhood and headed down the lane. Lights filtered from the windows of homes huddled close to one another. Few overhead lights illuminated the lane, but I could see well enough and had a tiny Maglite stuffed in my jacket pocket. With a few quick strides, I ended up back on my own street.

  The red light on the corner changed to green as I approached. I stood on the sidewalk waiting to cross over to Lola’s deli. The deli was closed, but I could see the kitchen lights were on and knew she was working. Before I stepped into the crosswalk, a black truck slowed and the window slid down.

  “Do you need a lift, Vinnie?” Aaron smiled.

  “No thanks, I’m heading to see Lola.” I hedged my answer, uncomfortable with the knowledge of him and Lou Anne.

  Dark brows hiked up and he nodded. The window closed, and the Yukon rolled away on quiet wheels. I watched the truck pull into the driveway of my house before I crossed over to the deli.

  I rapped on the front door and waited for Lola to answer. It took a minute or two for her to unbolt the locks and let me in. Glancing around the street, I quickly stepped through the door.

  With nerves wound tight, accompanied by a stomach in knots, I greeted Lola.

  “Got any tea? I could use some right about now.”

  “Yeah, sure, come into the back room. What’s going on, Vin?”

  “I’m sorry. I should have asked how the meeting with your publisher went. It’s just that my life is out of control, again,” I said and swiped my hands through my already tousled hair.

  Laughter tinkled from across the room as Lola put the kettle on to boil. She grabbed our tea mugs and a tray filled with Danish pastries. She set them in front of me, continuing to grin while she stared at me for a moment.

  “The day was great and thanks for asking. So, when isn’t your life out of control? I don’t remember a time when it wasn’t, Vin. Why all the stress about it now?” She smiled.

  I filled her in on the events of the day and the note card. I also explained about protection from the mob, by the mob. Her eyes crinkled with humor, and it was apparent that I’d taken this whole situation much too seriously. Either that or Lola had some good drugs in her purse – the result being, everything tickled her funny bone.

  “I’m glad you find this so hilarious,” I said and picked at the pastry then licked honey from my fingers. “I’m getting absolutely nowhere with finding out who is calling me and hanging up, why someone ran me off the road, how my father has the power to select a judge and command the mob guys, and now I find out that Aaron had been engaged to someone.”

  “Hey, you left out the Aaron thing. Tell me more.” She leaned closer.

  The tea was strong and hot, scalding my tongue as I sipped it. I set the cup down.

  “There isn’t much to tell. He was involved with a woman he met at the Gaming Commission, got engaged, and it ended. That’s all. I know nothing more. He’s kind of edgy right now, though. I’m not sure if it’s the investigation or if he realizes that I know about Lou Anne.”

  “Lou Anne who?” Her dark chocolate eyes widened.

  “I don’t know. Kinda makes you curious, though, huh?” I chuckled at the expression on the freckled face before me.

  She nodded and Lola’s halo of rich auburn curls settled past her shoulders.

  “Uh huh, it does. If I had a last name, my brother could run her through the system and we’d find out more. When Jesse comes to work on your garage, why don’t you ask him?”

  “If you insist,” I said and grinned.

  We finished the tea, locked up, and Lola gave me a ride to the house. With a beep of the horn, her MINI Cooper sped away from the sidewalk. I turned away and walked to the house.

  The door swung open as I put my hand on the handle. Face to face, Aaron and I stared at one another.

  “Can you come upstairs for a minute?” he asked.

  “Sure, no problem. Is everything all right, Aaron?” I asked with a sense of impending doom. Was he going to move out? Would he tell me he had resumed his relationship with Lou Anne and was getting married? My mind flew over the possibilities. Did he know my father had mysterious powers over mob guys and judges?

  We entered the brightly lit room, and I took a seat at the counter. His kitchen was similar to mine in many ways, just a bit smaller. Counters gleamed and the appliances sparkled. They should, I thought. The man never ate at home, or cooked either. It was usually a case of his having leftovers in my apartment. I’d have to look into possible tax deductions.

  “I guess you know that I was engaged, huh?” he asked bluntly.

  “It was mentioned. You know, it’s none of my business, Aaron. You don’t owe me an explanation.” I was dying for one, though.

  “I know that. I’m not going to explain my life to you, but I wanted to tell you that it’s over. Last summer, when I rented this place from you, I said I was unencumbered. I meant it.”

  “Oh, well, fine then. I had wondered, but now that you’ve put me straight, that’s fine.” What else could I say? Tell me what her last name is so I can run her through the National Crime Information Center?

  The NCIC would tell me if she had any offenses. But if she was an innocent, then I’d find out nothing. Yeah, right, he was about to tell me nada – nothing at all. Dang, doesn’t that just toast my oats? Yep, it does.

  “Is that all you wanted to say?” I asked, with intentions to escape. He wasn’t in his usual friendly mood, and I didn’t know what to expect.

  “No, it isn’t. There’s definitely more.” The brown eyes glued me to the seat. “You were on the Hill today, were you not?”

  “Ah, yes, I was. I went to En Croute for pastry. I know there’ll be people dropping by this weekend.”

  “You couldn’t go elsewhere? Lola couldn’t supply you with refreshments? Did I not ask you to stay off the Hill?”

  He was in a snit and now I knew why – how he found out. Spies are everywhere. His spies. Dammit.

  “Lola has her own stuff to do for the weekend crowd. I like En Croute’s pastry and I figured I would only be there for a moment, which I was. I apologize for not staying off the Hill,” I said with a brave front that was far from what I felt. I’m not ten years old and I refuse to be treated as such, though I realized this man was concerned for my safety so I made allowances.

  “Do you know who the men were that escorted you from the premises?”

  His eyes were extra dark and I figured he was real upset.

  “No, I have no idea. They didn’t introduce themselves to me. They just helped put my parcels in the car, is all.” No way would I t
ell Aaron that my father arranged it.

  “Just that? Nothing more?” Strong hands spread on the countertop. He glared at me, holding his magnificent body upright as he stared me down.

  “No, nothing more,” I lied. “They looked like businessmen to me.”

  “Right. Businessmen.” He stifled a gasp of disbelief, but it sat there on his face anyway.

  “Is that it? I have to get stuff ready for class tomorrow,” I lied again. To hell – that’s where my soul was going. Straight to hell. All the novenas in the world wouldn’t save my sorry ass.

  An eyebrow arched as his face took on an ominous glare. Dang, he knew I lied and if I didn’t get away, I’d be put in a chair with a blinding light dangling over my head for interrogation purposes. I could envision it as I slid off the seat.

  “That’s all for now. Let me say this, if you think about going to the Hill again in the future, don’t do it. Things are about to get nasty, and I won’t have you interfere with the investigation. You have enough to handle as it is, Vinnie, and I’m concerned for your safety.”

  “I appreciate your concern, Aaron. Really, I do.” My butt flew down the stairs, and I locked myself in my place. Man he was angry – and rightly so. I had made a promise and broken it without a thought. Well, when I made the promise my fingers were crossed, so it didn’t count. Right?

  After a change of clothes, I wandered into the office. Sweatpants and a sweatshirt were the attire for the night. I sat scrunched down in the leather chair and rummaged through class assignments. My glance caught the blinking light of the answering machine and I hit the message button.

  “Lavinia, this is Antonio. I was wondering if we could talk?” The mobster’s message went on to give the phone number he wanted me to call. I stared at the machine, wondering if I should call or not. It would only be a call, and I had to know what he wanted. It might be something important. It would be rude to not call. I justified my curiosity.

  I lifted the phone from its charger and dialed the number for Antonio, the businessman. It rang three times before someone answered.

  “Hello, Antonio speaking.”

  “Hi, this is Lavinia Esposito. You called me?” I held my breath.

  “Lavinia, my dear. I wanted to ask you about Mafalda. How is she doing? She won’t take my calls and I’m very concerned.”

  He wasn’t too concerned when he left her to rot in a cell at the PPD, though. There was more to this, and I wanted to know what it was.

  “She’s fine, just a bit shaky after her stay with the Providence Police.”

  “Mmm, that was most unfortunate. She is such a wonderful woman. Quite a temper, too, eh?”

  “Well, yeah.” I’d have been angry, too, if I was left in jail.

  “I’m told she’s doing some work at the seniors’ center. How is that going?”

  “I don’t know��fine, I guess. Why do you ask?” Ah, hah. That’s what this was all about. Interesting, very interesting.

  “An associate of mine said he saw her there and before he could speak to her, she disappeared. I wondered about that.”

  “I have no idea. Maybe she didn’t recognize your associate. What can I say, Antonio? She’s probably still angry with you. Give her some time to cool down. I’m sure you’ll hear from her.”

  “If you think that’s best. She hasn’t said anything to you, though, huh?”

  Yikes, did he have spies in the village? Was he aware she came to visit me? Good God. Would I ever have a mundane life? Unlikely.

  “No, she hasn’t uttered a word about anything, Antonio.”

  “Well, thank you for calling back, and I’m sure I’ll see you soon,” he said, and disconnected the call.

  Did he mean his goons would haul me in? Was he threatening me or was that just a common saying? My hand shook as I placed the phone back in its holder. I rubbed my hands over my face and smoothed my hair back.

  The clock on the desk shone bright as it neared ten o’clock. Where had the time gone? I could hear muffled footsteps cross the upstairs floor and knew Aaron was still up. Not too late to give up some of my information, and maybe get some in return.

  Gathering courage, I slipped thick socks on and hustled up the stairs. A quick rap on the door brought a summons to come in. It was now or never, I thought, and I swallowed hard as I entered the apartment.

  “Aaron?” I called.

  “I’m in the front room. Come on in, Vin.”

  I strode through the rooms I’d painted over the summer and ended up in the warm-hued room that my friend Larry had faux finished. Dark brown leather furniture set off the amber walls to perfection.

  I hadn’t seen this area since the furniture was moved in and was intrigued. Ornate lamps rested on oak tables and a huge bold pastel chalk drawing centered the wall over the burning fireplace. I recognized it as the one I gave Aaron in August. The carved frame he’d chosen suited the accessories in the room.

  A large deep burgundy rug, edged with cream, covered the center of the hardwood floor. Dark gold silk drapes sloped from the corners of the window casings, adding warmth to the furnishings. The room’s overall effect was astonishing.

  My eyes traveled the room before they landed on the man in front of the fireplace. Both Aaron’s fireplace and mine were gas and were fired by the thermostat. He used the remote and it came on. He stared at me and his glance took in my attire.

  “Ready for bed, are you?” He smirked.

  I pushed my sweatshirt sleeves up and wandered further into the room. Photos – probably of his family – littered a table and bookcase nearby. I glanced at them but saw no woman, other than an older woman who resembled Aaron in coloring and smile. Must be his mother.

  “You’ve never been any further than the kitchen, have you?” he asked.

  Aaron’s mood seemed to have lightened, but his face still had a tightness to it. I wondered what lay behind those usually warm chocolate eyes. There’s that curiosity and the cat thing again. My nine lives were tallying up fast lately and I was in no position to refuse help from anyone. The saying ‘Keep your friends close and enemies closer’ is oh, so true for me.

  “No, I haven’t. Can we talk? I think there are some things you should know.”

  He hand beckoned me to sit down. I took the leather chair nearest the fireplace while Aaron lounged on the sofa. I was cold and wondered if that was due to a culmination of fear from all the recent events.

  “I was rather short with you earlier, and I apologize for that Vinnie,” he said with sincerity.

  If he was working me, I didn’t care at this juncture. There were things that needed to be said, and I planned to unburden myself.

  “No apology needed. I know I drive you and Marcus nuts. It’s just the way I am. Sorry. I need to tell you something important though. You may already know, but whether you do or don’t, I must tell you.” With that, I took a deep breath and shared Antonio the businessman’s dealings at the seniors’ center. I also told him of Aunt Muffy’s visit to me earlier, and about the phone message from Antonio and our conversation when I returned his call.

  While I spoke, his face tightened, loosened, and tightened once again. At one point, a nerve pulsed in his cheek. I thought that only happened in novels or the movies, but honest to God, it happened right there before me. Dark eyes gleamed and then he smiled. Whoa, now what?

  “I’m glad you decided to share all of this with me. I did know some, but not all of it. We wondered where he was laundering the money. It seemed farfetched that he used the seniors’ center to do so. Does he think Mafalda has become aware of his business dealings? Is that why you’re so worried?”

  “I’m not sure that he knows, but it’s a possibility. He’s never called before. I can’t imagine why he would have called me otherwise. His call seemed of the fishing-for-information variety. Although Muffy isn’t taking his calls, I’m certain he could just march up to her front doorstep and invite himself in. Why not? Why would he call me?”

  My fee
t tucked under me, I twirled a lock of hair around my finger as I thought. When I looked at Aaron, he was smiling.

  “Any other thoughts roaming around in that inquisitive mind of yours?” he asked with a chuckle.

  “Um, not that I can think of. I do wonder, though, if he knew Auntie hid in the closet of that office. Maybe he wants to know if she heard what he said. She’s a shrewd woman, and he’s aware of it. She’d figure out what he was about, and then she’d be in danger.”

  “True enough, but I think your imagination is on the fly here. Don’t let it take control of you. Think in conservative terms and you’ll be fine.” Aaron smiled again.

  I realized he was making an effort to defuse my overactive imagination. Lots of luck there.

  Rising from the warm chair, I wandered toward the kitchen. Behind, I heard his soft tread and knew Aaron was on my heels.

  “Thanks for listening,” I said.

  “Thanks for sharing. It will help us out with the investigation. Funny how you become embroiled in every case I have.” A small grin played around his mouth.

  “Right. Good night.”

  Chapter 19

  Students waited in the classroom for the last lecture on fingerprinting. Before noon they finished their projects and Anderson managed to lift a half print from my card. He told me that if the front hadn’t been glossy paper, he wouldn’t have been able to retrieve any print from it.

  After the lecture, a question and answer session on fingerprint assessment started. The remaining hours flew. With little time to spare, the students used the computer program and started the chore of matching the prints they acquired. While they worked, I stepped over to Porter Anderson and mumbled to him under my breath.

  “Is it possible to attain the identity of the person for me through the PPD?”

  “I’ll see what I can do. There may not be enough of a print, but I’ll give it a try. By the way, I saw your name in the newspaper yesterday.”

  “My name? What was I in the newspaper for?”