by Mary Ellis
Jill mustered a little courage. ‘Why would I do that? I told you I haven’t seen Liam in years.’
‘Because, sweet Kate, if you don’t, your brother is a dead man. We have plenty of friends in Santa Rosa Correctional too. And your tall, handsome boyfriend might also suffer an unfortunate accident.’
‘Eric has nothing to do with this!’ she shouted. ‘If you want to hurt me, go ahead. But stay away from the Manfredi family.’
‘How would killing you manipulate Liam into keeping his mouth shut?’ The voice asked calmly. ‘And to prove I’m not blowing smoke, your favorite chef is inside an Office Max right now. He appears to be having banners and flyers made at the customer service desk. If you’re even remotely fond of him, tell him not to climb into his Ford Expedition and turn the key. Mr Manfredi would be in for a huge surprise. Oh, and Kate? Don’t ever speak to me in that tone of voice again.’ The caller hung up.
For a few seconds, Jill sat paralyzed. Then she punched in Eric’s number.
He picked up on the third ring. ‘Hi there, beautiful. Are you ready for leftover pappardelle Bolognese? Of course, by now the salad will have wilted and turned brown.’
‘Eric, which Office Max are you at?’
‘How on earth did you know—’
‘Never mind that, please tell me your exact location!’
‘Let me look at the address on the receipt.’ After a pause, Eric read off a street name and building number. ‘I’m finished shopping. So if you’re close by, I’ll pick you up and we can go—’
‘No! You must listen carefully. I’m punching that address into my GPS. In the meantime, stay inside the store and don’t go near your car. If you see anyone pushing a shopping cart toward it, wave them off. I’ll get there as fast as I can.’
‘What’s going on, Jill?’ Eric demanded.
‘I’ll explain when I get there.’
‘Should I call the police while I wait?’
‘No, Eric. If you love me, you’ll trust me and do exactly what I said. I know this isn’t the time or the place, but I love you too.’ Jill hung up, knowing if she didn’t he would pepper her with questions. Instead she plugged in the address and drove as fast as she could, weaving in and out of traffic like a madwoman.
Despite her promise not to bother God with another desperate request, Jill prayed all the way there.
Eric didn’t know what to think. So he followed Jill’s instructions to the letter. Explanations – and he expected plenty – would have to come later. He stood outside under the overhang staring at his one-year-old SUV. At the moment, no one was parked close to him. He’d decided a long time ago to maximize his number of steps by parking far from buildings and never use elevators unless absolutely necessary. So Eric simply watched his car, scanned the parking lot, and waited.
Jill was in love with him? At this point, he was too confused to believe a word the woman said.
When Jill arrived at Office Max fifteen minutes later, she parked across the striped yellow lines and jumped from her car.
‘I … am … so … glad … to … see … you,’ she stuttered and wrapped her arms around his waist.
Eric hugged her tightly and then held her at arm’s length. ‘What’s going on, Jill? It’s time for the truth.’
‘After visiting Emma Norris and Charlotte Sugarman at the hospital, I was on my way back downtown – to make up for last night – when I got a phone call.’
‘From whom?’ he asked.
‘I don’t know. A voice just said you shouldn’t start your car. Something bad might happen.’
‘I’m calling the police.’ Eric pulled his cell phone from his pocket.
‘Wait! This could just be a hoax – someone’s sick idea of a joke. Where is your car? Is it that black one sitting all by itself?’ Jill sounded close to hysteria.
‘Yes, you’ve ridden in it several times. Who on earth would call with that kind of hoax?’
Jill ignored his question. ‘Do you have remote start on your key fob?’
Nodding, Eric dug his keys from his pocket.
Without another word, Jill grabbed the keys from his hand. She quickly scanned the parking lot from left to right and pressed the ‘start engine’ button.
Eric’s beloved SUV, the one with every available option because he had planned to keep it a long time, exploded into a ball of fire and smoke. The percussion of the blast rattled the windows behind them and set off several alarms in nearby vehicles. Debris rained down over them like hail, quickly coating the other cars with ash and shards of metal. Instinctively, Eric pulled Jill against his chest and dropped to the ground, covering her with his body. A plume of flames shot skyward from the fireball, while the intense heat made his lightweight jacket unbearable.
Employees and customers poured from the store, pointing fingers and staring at the spectacle. Eric waited until he heard the approach of sirens and then rose to his feet, dragging Jill up with him. With her face buried against his chest, she gripped his jacket with both fists. Within seconds store employees crowded around them, asking a litany of questions.
‘Do you know whose car that is?’
‘Are either of you hurt?’
‘Did you see anybody near the car before it blew up?’
Someone wearing a tie pushed his way through the crowd. ‘I’m Randy Williams, the store manager. Police, fire, and EMTs are on their way. Sir, I saw you outside before the blast. Did you see what caused it?’
‘No, I was waiting for my … friend who was meeting me here. The burning vehicle is mine, but I have no idea why it blew up. This is Miss Wyatt. She might know more, but she’s pretty shook up. Let’s wait until the police get here to answer any questions.’
Eric’s ambiguity didn’t please the store manager. But when Williams spotted several teenagers videoing the blaze, he ran off to corral them. Soon other employees moved closer to the fire too, leaving them alone.
Eric gently extracted Jill from his chest. ‘You just blew up my car. Before the police get here, tell me what’s going on.’
‘I am so sorry. I thought they were bluffing, trying to scare me.’
‘Who? Do you think Dominic Borelli did this? I doubt anyone has posted bail this soon, but he might have hired someone.’
Jill shook her head. ‘No, this has nothing to do with Dominic or any Borelli. The voice on the phone said I needed to stop my brother or they would kill him – and then they would kill you.’
Eric stared at her like she was a stranger. ‘Stop him from doing what?’
‘I don’t know.’ Jill wouldn’t meet his eyes.
‘You must have some idea who made the call.’
‘Yes, they’re the men Liam hooked up with in the county jail. Liam was the only one who went to prison, because he refused to turn on his friends. Please believe me, Eric. I don’t know their names.’ Jill was sobbing so hard it was difficult to understand her.
Eric stroked the back of her head. ‘I do believe you. This must be why your brother wanted to see you.’
‘Most likely. These men are the reason I keep moving and changing my name.’
‘Your name really isn’t Jill?’
Again, she shook her head but remained silent.
‘It doesn’t matter. After you tell the police what you know, they’ll track down those men in Florida and bring them to justice.’ Eric glanced up as two police cars arrived along with the fire department.
Jill grabbed his arm. ‘Let me take the lead, Eric. Those men aren’t in Florida, they’re here. They were watching while you ordered banners for the restaurant. This was a warning. If I tell what I know to the police, someone will kill Liam in prison long before law enforcement arrests his former cronies. I won’t let him die, and I won’t let them hurt you.’
‘Fine, Jill.’ He shrugged off her hand. ‘You tell the police whatever you like. And I’ll tell them what I know – which is absolutely nothing.’
TWENTY-FOUR
Although Jill and Eric each
made statements to the police officers while his Expedition smoldered, it was clear that law enforcement wasn’t satisfied. They couldn’t believe she had pushed the ignition button after being warned not to. They doubted that she didn’t recognize the voice. And they must have asked six times why she didn’t call 911 immediately following the threat. Jill stuck to the same weak explanation, no matter how many times they repeated themselves. I didn’t call 911 because I thought it was a hoax. I pushed the button to prove it was. And I have no idea who made the threat. Finally the officer told Eric to call his insurance agent and told Jill to come to the station tomorrow for a follow-up with a police detective.
When they were allowed to leave, it was a quiet ride back to Bella Trattoria in her Toyota. Jill’s apology of I’m sorry I blew up your car sounded incredibly lame. Yet she had no clue how to make things right. Once back at the restaurant, Eric had to explain to Nonni why he no longer had his Expedition. Needless to say, that conversation didn’t go well. So after they ate leftover pappardelle Bolognese, wilted salad, and dried-out garlic bread, Jill said goodnight to the man she, just today, realized she was in love with. But obviously her being in his life was not a good thing. Since she moved in, his father had been framed for murder, his restaurant caught fire, and his car exploded.
This time, Eric didn’t beg her to stay downstairs and chit-chat.
In the morning she arrived at the station as instructed and went through her story with a detective. No, she didn’t know who was sending her a message. Yes, she pushed the start-engine button because she assumed the call was a sick gag. Yes, she was as shocked when the car blew up as Mr Manfredi was. Luckily, Lieutenant Schott hadn’t caught the case since he worked homicides. Jill’s answers remained the same no matter how many times the detective rephrased the question. Eventually, she was permitted to sign her statement and leave, feeling exactly like what she was – a big liar.
Since the Florida thugs had her cell number, Jill stopped at a discount store to buy several burner phones. She returned to the restaurant and luckily when she crept into the kitchen no one was around. Nonni was probably napping, and Eric was out preparing for Saturday’s grand reopening. So Jill headed upstairs to call Beth and Nate.
Neither of those conversations went well. Beth insisted on driving to Charleston, but Jill insisted she stay away just as vehemently. Beth told her to smash her phone, throw it in the trash, and start packing her bags – all of which Jill had done the moment she got upstairs last night. Next Beth asked her to come to Savannah. Jill accepted the invitation because with what she had in mind, she needed to talk to her friends in person.
Jill began the phone conversation with her boss by telling Nate the good news about Charlotte and Emma. Nate declared that case officially closed. Next, she brought him up to speed on the Salvatore Borelli murder investigation, including how she’d taped Sofia’s confession along with an explanation of her motives. Jill chose not to mention Dominic throttling her until Eric bashed him over the head with a metal sculpture.
‘Doesn’t it just figure?’ asked Nate. ‘How many times does the spouse turn out to be the killer? Makes you wonder why people aren’t afraid to get married.’
‘Hopefully, your lovely wife isn’t in earshot,’ Jill teased.
He laughed heartily. ‘No, I’m still at the office. Tell me how Mrs Borelli got her hands on Alfonzo’s gun.’
‘I’ll get there in a minute. Sofia’s favorite son, Dominic, was truly a bad egg. He and a friend were the ones who mugged Alfonzo on his way to the bank with the night deposit. They could have killed him with that pipe. Dominic was also the one who started the kitchen fire in Bella Trattoria the night I had to climb out on the roof.’ Jill shivered with the memory. ‘Before Dominic started the fire in the kitchen, he rifled through Alfonzo’s desk until he found the gun and clip.’
‘Dominic knew that you and the grandmother would be there alone?’ Nate asked.
‘Yes, apparently Sofia Borelli overheard her mother-in-law talking with Nonni Manfredi about it. I believe that’s also how Sofia found out about Alfonzo’s gun. All of Dominic’s handiwork – overturning the dumpster, mugging Alfonzo, starting the fire – was part of Sofia’s plan to fan the flames between her husband and Alfonzo. She knew if Salvatore was found dead, the police would immediately suspect his long-time enemy. Alfonzo played right into her hands when he lost his temper inside Tuscan Gardens in front of witnesses. All Sofia had to do was follow them down the street and bide her time. Once Alfonzo got tired of arguing with an equally stubborn man and left, Sofia came out of hiding and shot Salvatore. Then Sofia threw the gun into the storm drain and waited for it to be found. Apparently, she’s watched more than one police drama on TV.’
‘That is cold-blooded, not to mention premeditated murder.’
‘Yes, but in Sofia’s sick mind, she thought she was doing this for her family. If Renaldo inherited the restaurant by himself, John Borelli would never move back from Columbia. And Dominic would never straighten out his street life. She thought sharing Tuscan Gardens would finally bring the three brothers together. Plus Salvatore had made Sofia miserable for forty-odd years. I’m sure the jury will take that into consideration.’
Nate snorted. ‘Like I said, it’s a wonder people aren’t more fearful of marriage. Now Sofia and her favorite son will sit in jail for a very long time, if not for the rest of their lives. How did Dominic know the restaurant’s security code?’
‘I have a good suspicion, boss, but I need to ask a few more questions before finishing my report. And I know just who to ask.’ Jill smiled to herself.
‘Speaking of which, since you’re wrapping things up in Charleston, are you ready to work in Natchez for a while? I’ve got a few cases I could use help with.’
‘Actually, I can’t. That’s the other reason for my call. I plan to leave here first thing in the morning. Tomorrow is the grand reopening of Bella Trattoria, and I’m not sure I’m up for a party. I will go to Savannah for a couple days to talk to Beth and Michael. Then I’ll head to Pensacola, Florida, to the town where I grew up. There’s an urgent family matter that no one can take care of but me.’
For a few moments, Nate was silent. ‘Not a problem, Jill. How much time off do you need? I can hold the fort until you get here.’
Jill winced as her beloved career vanished before her eyes. ‘I wish I could give you an answer, but I can’t. What I’m saying is I need to move back home. I can’t keep running from my past. It caught up with me with a vengeance.’ Briefly she considered telling Nate about blowing up Eric’s SUV, but she knew how he would react. ‘I know this leaves you short-handed, so I understand if you must replace me. What are the chances of you landing a case in Pensacola?’
‘I’m not worried about being short-handed. I’m worried about you needing your friends at the agency and being too proud to ask.’
Nate’s answer made the pain of leaving hurt that much more. ‘Right now I don’t know what I’ll find in Florida until I talk to my brother. Beth will tell you I’m not too proud to ask for help.’
‘All right, I’ll put you on a family leave of absence with an open return date. Make sure you keep in touch with Beth and Michael and me too. You’ve still got pay coming from these two cases, plus expense money. How should I get it to you?’
‘Wire it to Beth if you don’t mind. She can give me the cash when I see her.’ The less paper trail the better.
‘Will do, and regarding a Pensacola case? You never know what things will pop up.’
When Jill hung up with her boss, she already felt homesick. Funny how the people at work had started to feel like family.
For a few hours, Jill caught up on emails, completed the two case reports the best she could, and cleaned out the mini refrigerator. She also finished packing, except for her pajamas and the outfit she would wear tomorrow. All she had left to do was talk to Eric, which she knew would be the hardest task of her life.
Eric. Right from the start, s
he’d known any kind of relationship was a mistake. Yet sometimes the heart refuses to listen to reason. So now she would pay a very dear price.
Jill inhaled a deep breath, opened the door, and ran headlong into a brick wall. ‘Eric, how long have you been standing there?’
‘Apparently not long enough. I still haven’t figured out how to say I’m sorry.’ Eric seemed to fill the entire doorway.
‘What are you sorry about? I blew up your car, not the other way around.’
His features softened. ‘Insurance will replace the vehicle. I had no business getting mad as though this was all part of your sinister plot. I’m sorry, Jill.’
She held up her palms. ‘Anyone would overreact in that situation. I probably would have done far worse, so don’t apologize.’
‘And there’s a second reason I’m here. I came to ask you to stay and see where this goes between us. Your rent is cheap and Charleston has several PI agencies.’ Eric craned his neck to look around her. ‘But I see you’ve already packed. Were you going to slip out without saying goodbye?’
If a hole opened in the floor, Jill gladly would have jumped in. ‘Of course, not. I was just coming downstairs.’
‘Let’s talk here. Lots of people in the kitchen and courtyard.’ Eric crossed his arms over his chest.
‘I meant what I said on the phone, but it makes no difference. You and I won’t work. I’m going back to Pensacola to help my brother any way I can. I’m tired of running from my past. Your home is here in Charleston – you have a restaurant to run.’
‘Those men in Florida are dangerous. You should—’
‘Stop, Eric. What kind of PI would I be if I ran from danger? If I need to involve law enforcement, I will. If I need Beth or Michael, I’ll call them.’
‘What you don’t need is an Italian chef who loves you.’
It was a statement, not a question, but Jill needed to make a clean break, no matter how much it hurt. ‘No, Eric, at this point in my life, I don’t.’
