Incognito

by Adrienne Giordano

  His green eyes were fierce and direct. “I knew going in it’d be a risk. Ask me if I care? Ask me if, for one second, I ever considered letting you go because of my job. Do it. Ask me.”

  She swallowed hard, fought the tears. God, she loved him. “I don’t have to.”

  “Ask me anyway. I want my uncle to hear it.”

  “Did you? Ever?”

  “Not once. If my superiors and co-workers want to judge us when they don’t even know you, I don’t need them. Fuck ‘em. That’s what I say.”

  An F-bomb. As horrible as the situation was, Lucie’s chest filled, a huge burst of pride that nearly blew her ribcage apart.

  Tim? Totally getting lucky when this was over.

  She choked back a bout of tears, laughing at herself for coming a little unglued. Who could blame her when a man said those things? When he accepted her. Unconditionally. “Thank you,” she said locking her gaze on Tim. “You have no idea what that means to me.”

  “No. Thank you. Before you my life was seriously boring. As crazy as your family is, as insane as they make me, I love them. I don’t agree with half of what they do, but that’s on them. It’s not my issue.”

  For a split second, Henry took his eyes from the road, glancing at her. “His mother raised him right.”

  “She did,” Tim said. “You’re her brother. Who knows if she’ll approve of Mattie, but I guarantee she’d hate you walking away before we have answers. If you love Mattie, you stick until you can’t stick anymore. Don’t listen to the chatter. Eventually, this’ll blow over and you’ll get back to living your life.”

  Hopefully not in witness protection.

  Lucie shooed the thought away.

  Eyes on the road once more, Henry nodded. Then he pushed his shoulders back, lifted his chin a la Rizzo style, and gripped the steering wheel. “Let’s do this. Go time.”

  Fourteen

  Lucie pumped a fist. “Yes! Good work, Henry.”

  Her excitement was short-lived. Half a block from Mattie’s, she spotted an extra car in the driveway. “Whose car is that?”

  Henry shook his head. “I don’t know. Never saw it before. Maybe a new client.”

  If they were lucky.

  Henry parked behind Mattie’s car in the driveway and they hopped out. At the curb, the cart came to a screeching halt. Who knew it could go that fast?

  Certainly not Dad whose coffee sloshed over his fingers and triggered a bout of yelling. His own fault for trusting Ro’s driving. Still, he set the cup on the seat and wasted no time charging toward Lucie. “Who the hell taught her to drive like that?"

  Up ahead, Henry opted not to use the house key Mattie had given him, knocked lightly, and waited while Joey and Ro debated her golf cart driving skills.

  “I’m just saying,” Joey said, “next time, I might like to not fall out.”

  “Now it’s my fault you didn’t hold on?”

  Lucie whipped around. “You fell out? Of the cart?”

  “She took the turn on two wheels.”

  “I did not.”

  From Mattie’s porch, Tim swiveled around and gave Lucie a hard look. “Please, do something. They’re killing me.”

  “I know. I’m sorry. Ignore them.”

  He snorted, mumbling something about miracles.

  Whatever.

  Henry banged harder. “She’s not answering.”

  “Unc, you have a key.”

  “Well, yes, but she’s not expecting me.”

  Aw, Henry. So sweet. But sweet needed a boot in the butt right now. They had things to do, crimes to solve, and he was worried about manners?

  “She could be dead in there,” Ro said.

  Lawdy. Whirling back, Lucie gave her the stink-eye. “You’re not helping.”

  “She’s right,” Dad said, “you never know.”

  Okay. Time to call in reinforcements. “Mom? Help me out here.”

  “Lois Gilbert was only sixty-one when she had a heart attack.” Mom slashed her hand across her throat. “Kicked it in her sleep. That’s how I want to die.”

  Tim rubbed two hands over his face. “And me without my gun.”

  In a desperate battle to not lose her mind, Lucie slammed her palms against her forehead. “I’m sorry,” she said again.

  How many times could she apologize to one man?

  “Ma,” Joey said, “don’t say that. I can’t think about you dying. It’s not fair to make me.”

  “Oh, Joseph, grow up. Everyone dies.”

  “That’s it.” Henry flipped through his keyring and shoved one in. “We’re going in.”

  Thank you, sweet baby Jesus.

  Tim blew out a hard breath. “Thank you, sweet baby Jesus.”

  Just as Henry pushed open the door, Mattie appeared, her gaze bouncing from one person to another as she body-blocked the doorway. “Henry, hi.”

  “I knocked,” he said. “Twice. You didn’t answer.”

  He made a move to peer over her shoulder, but she shifted, closing the door enough to limit the view inside. “I’m sorry. Now’s not a good time. You have to go.”

  He craned his neck, attempting to peep over her shoulder. “Go? Why?”

  “It’s just…not a good time.”

  “Who’s here?”

  “No one.”

  “There’s a car in the driveway.”

  “Oh, that. It’s Gertie’s grandson. She didn’t want him clogging up her driveway.”

  “So he clogged yours?”

  “Henry, please. I’ll call you in a bit. You have to go.”

  With that, she gently shut the door in his face. The move prompted Henry to spin on his heel, shove Tim out of the way and march from the porch. “Something’s wrong. She’s never done that before.”

  Tim followed his uncle, his long strides making up for the jump Henry got on him. “Where are you going?”

  “Around the side. I have a key to that door. We’re going in.”

  So much for him not wanting to use it.

  “Good,” Tim said.

  Lucie, case notes in hand, followed with the Rizzo crew taking up the rear, all of them tromping over Mattie’s side yard like a pack of soldiers.

  “My heels,” Ro said, “will be toast after this.”

  “I told you not to wear those dumb shoes.”

  As she walked, Lucie swung a fist over her head. “Don’t start. Sssshhh!”

  Miraculously, her request was met with silence. A good thing since they’d just reached Mattie’s side door. A shade covered the single pane of glass, giving them zero visibility. Dang it. They’d have to go in blind. Something Henry didn’t seem to mind one bit. He inserted his key into the lock.

  “Carefully,” Tim whispered.

  Henry eased his hand to the right. The snick prompted a wince from Henry. Lucie shot Tim a look. He rolled one hand and Henry withdrew the key. Gently, he turned the knob and eased the door open.

  A man’s voice from the living room carried clear through the house. Something about making the right decision.

  A bark sounded and Lucie couldn’t help but smile. Mattie had brought her beloved dog home from the kennel. A good sign she intended on staying.

  Lucie peered across the hall to the gate blocking the laundry room doorway where Mattie had penned in Aphrodite. Interesting.

  Henry pointed at the gate and mouthed. “Never.”

  Huh. Who was here that caused Mattie to lock Aphrodite, her pit bull, away?

  This couldn’t be good.

  Joey elbowed his way in front of Lucie. God forbid the man shouldn’t go first in a dangerous situation. Bunch of cavemen. Every one of them.

  “Listen, Natalie,” the man from the living room said, “I know where your daughter is.”

  “You’re lying. There’s no way you—”

  “Crawford Academy. Janelle Mournay.”

  “Oh, my God.”

  “I’ll give you credit though,” the man said. “It took us a little while to find her. Poor
homesick kid tried to contact gramps two weeks ago. Of course, I’ve been watching his old account. From there, I monitored her phone. By the way, I think it’s terrific you two talk so often.”

  “You bastard.”

  The man made a tsk-tsk-tsk sound. “Don’t be that way, Natalie. Your choice is simple. Tell me what you know, and no one gets hurt. Cooperate and your daughter stays safe. As a bonus, I might even be able to get your father an early release date.”

  All righty then. This guy knew how to throw weight around.

  “I don’t know anything,” Mattie said. “All I want is to put this behind me. I have a new life. I’m happy. I don’t want anything to do with Boston. Please, leave me alone.”

  “I don’t think you’re being honest with me and, well, it’s not good to lie to a prosecutor.”

  A prosecutor!

  Tim swung back, eyes bulging. Oh, yeah, mister. From the sound of it Mattie-slash-Natalie had the Boston DA in her living room trying to, as Dad would say, shake her down.

  By the time Tim turned around, Henry was on the move and heading through the kitchen. Tim caught up, latched onto his uncle’s shirt and jerked him back so hard his boat shoes squeaked against the pristine tile.

  Eeeek. That was loud. Concerned they’d be discovered, everyone halted, each frozen in various positions. At any other time, Lucie would find it funny.

  Ro’s warm breath hit Lucie’s ear as she bent low. “That squeak just screwed us.”

  “Sssh!”

  “Who’s there?” This from the DA. “Come out of there.”

  “No,” Mattie cried.

  From the laundry room, Aphrodite let out three rapid barks followed by the telltale banging of doggie paws against the metal gate—a sound Lucie knew all too well. Poor dog must be frantic trying to get to her mom.

  Tim or no Tim, Henry elbowed his way free and charged toward the living room.

  “Dammit.” Tim gave chase. “Luce stay put. I mean it.”

  As if.

  “Yeah,” Joey said. “All of you, stay put.”

  Ro arched an eyebrow at Lucie. “Clearly, they haven’t met us. Let’s go.”

  Yeah. They stormed the hallway with Mom and Dad in tow. For a split second, Lucie considered banning her parents from the situation, but as much as she didn’t want to be left out, they’d feel the same.

  Besides, strength in numbers. Plus, a resident mob boss couldn’t hurt.

  “Let’s get this guy,” Ro said, pushing past Lucie and bumping her into the wall.

  “Me first,” Dad said.

  The group of them flooded through the opening to the living room and plowed straight into the mountain known as Joey.

  He turned and threw his hands up. “What’d I say?”

  “Too bad,” Ro shot. “We’re in this together.”

  Simon Torrance stood twenty feet away facing Mattie who was between him and Henry. Torrance wore a tailored suit that fit every inch of his lean body. Custom-fitted, no doubt. His short, light blond hair had enough length to be combed away from his face, accentuating the sharp angles of his cheeks and jaw.

  This guy would make a great politician.

  “Whoa.” Simon held up his hands and peered beyond Mattie. “Who the hell are you people?”

  “Friends of Mattie’s,” Henry said. “This is over.”

  “No. Not by a long shot.” He gestured to Mattie. “Unless Natalie cooperates, she’ll be on her way to a cell.”

  A muffled cry broke the silence and triggered more barking and gate-banging from Aphrodite. If that dog broke free, she’d feast on Torrance and save his carcass as a trophy.

  Lucie swung to Mattie. “Don’t panic.” She faced Torrance again. Being Joe Rizzo’s daughter had taught her the fine art of verbal swordplay. Still holding the notepad, she waved it in front of her. “We have evidence to prove your stepfather is involved in real estate fraud.”

  It may have been an exaggeration. A photo and a registered agent might not stack up to a prison sentence. At best, they had a few ideas. Proof? Not so much.

  Simon stepped closer to Mattie, then lunged at her. No! He grabbed hold of her stretchy peach top and dragged her against him. Her head snapped back, and she cried out again as he yanked on her long hair.

  “Oh,” Ro sneered, “now that’s dirty.”

  Henry lifted his fists and took one slow step closer to Mattie. “Let. Her. Go.”

  “Don’t—” Simon jerked Mattie’s head again, “—take another step.”

  “Please,” Mattie cried, “all of you. Just…leave. This is my problem. I’ll fix it. I’ll hire a lawyer and you can give him the proof. We’ll tell everyone what he’s done.”

  Simon gave another yank, this one more vicious then the last. She yelped, then lifted her hands before thinking better of it and dropped them again. “You’re evil,” she said. “Now I know why no one else was ever charged.”

  “You think anyone will believe you? After what your father did?”

  Oh, oh, oh. Totally unnecessary. Lucie poked her finger. “That’s not nice.” Poke, poke. Poke. “You’re pissing me off.”

  Also pissed off, Aphrodite let out another stream of barking.

  Torrance gave her a bored look. “Gee. I’m so sorry.”

  And then Tim was in cop mode, his big shoulders widening, filling the space with that commanding presence he’d mastered. “Everyone, settle down.”

  “Who are you people?”

  “My name is Tim O’Brien. This is my uncle. He and Mattie are…friends.”

  Simon’s gaze shot to Lucie. “You. You’re the daughter.”

  “Another dumbass,” Ro said. “Does she look seventeen?”

  “Yeah. She kinda does.”

  Lucie smacked the air with the case notes. “I am not a teenager! Which only confirms what an idiot you are. Now let go of her or I swear I’ll pummel you.”

  He laughed. Actually laughed. The sarcasm, the absolute condescension, fired something primitive and…violent…inside Lucie. All her life she’d been dealing with that from ignorant people who didn’t take her seriously. The searing burn roared from her midsection and shot in all directions.

  Done.

  And then she was in motion, dropping the case notes, letting them hit the tile with a thwack while she broke from her pack and flew at Torrance. Mattie’s penciled eyebrows hiked to her hairline.

  “Luce! Don’t.”

  Sorry, O’Hottie.

  Between Sonny Peppers trying to kidnap her—on the only vacation she’d had in years—and now this joker being an ass, the madness had to stop.

  Had. To. Stop.

  “You ruined my fucking vacation!”

  Simon’s face bunched. “Huh?”

  “Ho!” Dad said. “The mouth on you. Theresa, who the hell taught her that?”

  Mom gasped. “Lucia!”

  Lucie’s mind roared. From the laundry room Aphrodite banged on the gate again, this time adding a growl to her barking. The deep, dangerous tone erupted in Lucie’s ears, making them clang. She shook her head. Forget Aphrodite. Couldn’t worry about the dog now. Torrance. He needed to be dealt with.

  Harshly.

  Lucie leveled her gaze on him. Get him. Make his crooked ass pay.

  As she charged, Simon swerved right, manhandling Mattie in front of him. She tripped over his foot, her curvy body giving in to momentum and tipping forward. The boobs alone could knock her off balance, but with Simon holding her, the motion propelled him forward, his body hovering over Mattie’s and revealing his back.

  Perfect.

  Bark, bark. Bark, bark, bark.

  “Aphrodite,” Tim said. “Quiet!”

  Lucie went airborne and—ooff—landed on Simon, wrapping her legs around his waist. He let go of Mattie, shoving her to the ground, and Lucie smacked him on the head. “Hey! She’s older. Be careful.”

  “Luce,” Tim shouted. “Off!”

  Nope. No can do. Sorry, pal. For good measure, she smacked Simon again
and he swung around, attempting to buck her off.

  “Get off me.”

  “Do you know what you’ve put us through?” Smack! “And you’re supposed to be a civil servant.” Smack. Smack, smack.

  “You tell him, sister!”

  Simon whipped hard to his left. Yikes. She may have misjudged the skinny turd’s strength. She tightened her legs and hung on as he whirled. Left, right, left, right. Back and forth he went, nearly dislodging her on that last try. Enough. She locked one arm around his neck and—smack—blasted him again.

  Simon gave up on the pivoting and did a full three-sixty.

  More barking, then a huge crash came from the laundry room.

  Uh-oh. Lucie swung her head left. Aphrodite jumped into the hallway, her nails scraping against the tile as she cut the turn and charged. Let the feasting begin.

  Before Lucie got too smug, the realization hit that, yes, she was most certainly on top of Aphrodite’s intended target and would therefore possibly become dog chow along with him.

  “If you hurt my baby girl, you S.O.B., I’ll kill you. Do you know who I am?” Dad made a move toward them.

  Nuh, nuh, nuh, nuh. “I’ve got this, Dad,” Lucie said. “Aphrodite! No!”

  As usual, the dog ignored her and from three-feet away leaped, her strong body slicing through the air. Lucie tightened her hold on Torrance, bracing for the—ooff!—impact.

  Torrance readied himself, but the collision tipped him sideways. Somehow, Aphrodite bounced off him and stuck the landing, her powerful jaws snapping, which she locked around his scrawny calf and Torrance shrieked like the wuss he was.

  “Joe,” Mom said, her voice packed with enough energy to blow the roof off, “don’t you dare. You’re already on parole.”

  “Parole?” Simon said between squeals. “Who are you lunatics? Get this dog off me!”

  “Luce!" Someone grabbed her from behind. “Off.”

  She snapped her head around and spotted a flash of red hair. Tim attempting to drag her off the low-life, pond scum prosecutor. Ooh, it frosted her how Torrance abused his power. And he was supposed to protect citizens? Puh-lease.

  Rat.

  Bastard.

  She lifted her hand and—whap—smacked him again.

  Joey came into view. “Aphrodite,” he said in that low, stern voice that always brought the pups to heel. “Sit.”