by Lynn, JB
He rubbed his chin, considering the question as he checked out the unit.
I held my breath. If he told the police he’d spotted Klugman here, things would get a lot more complicated.
“Neither,” he said finally. “You and I are going to figure this thing out.”
“You don’t have to be a part of this,” I told him. “You can just walk away.”
He shook his head. “No, I can’t.” He flashed me a cheeky grin. “After all, I promised Susan I’d teach you how to stay safe.”
I found myself smiling back. It felt like old times, the two of us working together.
Then, he asked, “Did you get a look at the other guy?”
I shook my head, the urge to protect Zeke automatic. At least that had worked in my favor. He hadn’t recognized my friend.
“Man must be half-blind to not recognize my Zeke,” Piss purred.
“Did you look in there?” Patrick asked, jutting his chin toward the storage unit.
“Yes. But I didn’t touch anything.”
“Notice anything interesting?”
“The guy’s his own biggest fan,” I replied drily.
“Let’s go through it,” Patrick suggested. “Maybe we’ll find something.”
We spent the next two hours pawing through the belongings of Leonard Klugman. In addition to photos with dignitaries, we found a bunch of what Aunt Loretta would call “artistic nudes” and Aunt Susan would call smut, along with drug paraphernalia and a ledger with two distinctly different sets of numbers.
“Guy’s a prince among men,” Patrick muttered. “What did your friend see in him?”
“Probably money,” I admitted. “And she was my friend in high school, not now.”
“Yet you agreed to help her,” he pointed out.
“Under duress,” I reminded him.
He waited, thinking I’d give him more details, but I stayed stubbornly silent. That business with Dad was old news. I wanted to leave it in the past.
Turning away from his inquisitive green gaze, I stubbed my toe on a small but heavy box. I tried to pick it up, but it was awfully heavy, so I just pried off the lid. “Oh look,” I muttered. “The Lion has found his mate.”
Patrick picked his way over to my side and peered into the box that held a statue of a female lion. “Maybe we need to make a visit to the zoo,” he quipped.
“Hey, you!” a voice called.
Startled, we looked for the source.
“What are you doing in there? That’s not your stuff.” A young man, wearing a shirt with the lime green logo of the storage company, glared at us as he arrived on one of those space age-looking, human transporter things.
“It is, too,” I lied smoothly. “This is my unit.”
I felt Patrick tense beside me.
“Oh yeah,” the surly young guy said, pulling out his phone and looking something up. “What’s your name?”
“Mia Vigh. My birthday is January second. Now, tell me, what is your name?” I demanded in the haughtiest tone I could muster.
His face crumpled with disappointment when he realized he hadn’t caught thieves but had instead managed to displease an owner. “Jerry.”
“Well, Jerry,” I said dismissively. “If there’s nothing else…”
“No, ma’am,” he sped away.
Patrick clapped me on the shoulder. “That was amazing. You’ve come a long way, Mags. How did you know her birthday?”
I rolled my eyes. “Duh. Birthdays are very important in high school. You don’t forget those things.”
“When’s my birthday?” Patrick challenged.
I was saved from having to answer by the buzzing of my cellphone. Glancing at the display, I told him, “It’s Marlene.”
“Take it,” he urged.
“Hey,” I answered the phone.
“Dad’s awake,” Marlene said. “He’s asking for you.”
18
Leaving Patrick to continue combing through Klugman’s junk, I hurried over to the hospital.
“It’s a good sign he’s awake, sugar,” Piss assured me from the passenger seat.
“But why’s he asking for me?” I wondered aloud.
“I’m sure he’ll tell you,” she purred soothingly.
I’d spent so much time pacing the halls of this hospital when Katie had been a patient here that I knew it like the back of my hand. I made a beeline straight for the room where Marlene said he was.
I knew I was getting close because there was a large man, wearing an ill-fitting suit, stationed outside Dad’s door. I assumed he was the protection Delveccio had ordered.
“Hi,” I said awkwardly. “I’m—”
“Go right in, Miss Lee.” He stepped away from the doorway, ushering me inside.
“Thank you,” I murmured as I passed him. “Dad?” I called softly.
“Maggie May,” he replied softly.
It took a lot of effort to hold the smile I’d pasted on in place. He looked even paler and weaker than he had at the cemetery. But I tried not to reveal how much I was affected by his appearance. “Hi, Dad.”
Marlene was sitting at his bedside, holding his hand, her face streaked with tears. “You came,” she said as though she was surprised I’d shown up.
“Of course I came,” I snapped back at her. “Did you think I wouldn’t?”
She shrugged. “You’re always so busy. No one ever knows where you’re at.”
I stared at her, unsure whether I should feel guilty that my family found me to be so flighty, or outraged that she seemed to forget I always came through. Just as I had when I’d helped rescue her daughter, Alicia.
“I need some one-on-one time with Maggie,” our father told her.
She glared at me like his request was my fault, then grudgingly got to her feet and walked out of the room.
I stepped up to the foot of Dad’s bed. “What’s with her?”
“Give her a break, Maggie May,” he lectured. “Having her daughter with her is probably making her value family more.”
“Yeah, well, she should value the sister who sticks around,” I muttered.
Dad winced at the bitterness in my tone. “Darlene’s doing the best she can,” he said gently.
I looked away, staring out the window. I did not believe that. Marlene’s twin had twice chosen to desert the family because it was what was best for her. The resentment I felt toward her, especially for hurting Marlene and Katie, wasn’t lessening with time. It was growing stronger, like an infected wound that just kept getting worse.
“I found the storage unit,” I said, wanting to direct the subject away from my sisters. “Thank you.”
Dad nodded and tilted his head, obviously curious. “Find anything interesting?”
“The Lion was there, but he got away.”
“You shouldn’t tangle with him,” my father warned, coughing weakly.
I turned my attention back to him, taking in his labored breathing and the pained lines wrinkling his forehead. “Who shot you, Dad?”
“I don’t know.”
I stared at Archie Lee for a long moment, trying to decide whether or not I believed him. After all, he’s been a conman most of his life.
“Scout’s honor,” he said.
“Were you a scout?” I asked, realizing that was something I didn’t know about my father.
“Well, no, but…”
“Swear on Mom’s life,” I told him, rounding the bed so that my face hovered only inches from his. “Swear on Mom’s life that you don’t know who shot you.”
He hesitated. My father is a lot of things, but he’s the last person on earth who would want something to happen to my mother. He loves her unconditionally despite the fact she’s mentally unhinged. “I swear,” he whispered, his eyes meeting mine. “I never even saw who did it.”
I nodded my satisfaction and leaned back a little. “Do you think they were shooting at you or Griswald?”
“I honestly don’t know. Marlene said he
’s okay?”
“Yes,” I confirmed.
“He’s a good guy. A little too concerned with legalities for my taste, but a good guy.”
“Why’d you want to see me, Dad?”
“I want you to drop this thing,” he said sternly.
“Drop what?”
“Your search for Leonard Klugman. I made a mistake giving you that information. You should stay far away from this mess. I know you and Mia were good friends once, but she had no right to pull you into it.”
“Why? What do you know about it?”
“I know his type,” Dad said. “He was involved with the very kind of people you need to stay away from.”
I swallowed a smile. If only he knew about the people I deal with on a regular basis. Still, his concern for my safety was touching.
His gaze on me was steely and determined. “Promise me you’ll drop it.”
I closed my eyes. I’d have liked nothing more than to make that pledge. “I can’t.”
“Dammit, Maggie May!” He grabbed my wrist, almost knocking over his IV pole with the sudden movement.
“Calm down,” I murmured.
“You’re going to get yourself killed.”
His words reminded me of Armani’s prediction.
“No decades-old friendship is worth that,” he continued.
“I agree, but this isn’t about friendship,” I told him.
“Then, what is it about?” he asked, squeezing my wrist. “Money? If you end up dead or in prison, you won’t be able to spend it. Trust me, I know.”
I shook my head.
“Then, what? What is she holding over your head?”
Remembering the guard stationed at the door, I bent over and whispered, “Your alibi.”
I saw his eyes go wide and felt his grip on my wrist slacken. “She wouldn’t,” he protested half-heartedly.
“She says she will,” I said quietly. “So you see, I don’t really have a choice.”
He shook his head. “No. You do. Let her turn me in. I’ll pay the consequences. I don’t want you to—”
“Let me pass!” The voice of Susan’s husband thundered from outside the room.
Leaving Dad’s side, I hurried to the door to find Griswald in a staring contest with Delveccio’s guard. “He’s okay,” I told the big man, pushing my way past him, grabbing Griswald’s arm, and leading him into Dad’s room.
“You’re sure?” the guard asked.
“Positive,” I told him.
“One of Delveccio’s goons?” Griswald asked under his breath.
“He has a soft spot for Katie and doesn’t want anything to happen to her grandfather,” I explained.
Griswald didn’t bother to respond. Instead, he frowned when he saw Archie Lee in the hospital bed. “You look awful.”
“Heard you saved my life,” Dad countered.
“It’s my job,” Griswald told him drily.
“Heard you’re about ready to be put out to pasture,” Dad said.
I left the two of them to bicker and stepped out into the hall for a moment’s respite.
“Thanks for letting him in,” I said to the glorified bouncer at the door.
“Boss gave the okay,” he replied.
I winced at the idea of him bothering Delveccio with the request.
“I think he’d like to talk to you,” the man said, jutting his chin to my right.
Following his direction, I looked for the mobster. Instead, I spotted Gino. His gaze locked on mine, then he turned and walked away.
Hurrying after him, I realized that in the hierarchy of mobsterdom, Gino was the guard’s boss.
I lost sight of him when a couple wheelchair-racing senior citizens almost knocked me off my feet. Once I regained my balance and the coast was clear, I hurried along, searching for him.
“Maggie,” he whispered.
Whirling back, I saw him gesturing at me through a half-opened door. Following him inside, I realized we were in a supply closet.
“Close the door,” he commanded in a hushed tone.
As soon as I did, I realized how small the space, crammed with stuff, was. We were practically on top of each other. My heart began to pound, and I wasn’t sure if it was from anticipation or nerves. Probably the latter.
We stood there, only inches separating us, staring at each other beneath a flickering, buzzing fluorescent bulb.
“Thanks for letting Griswald see Archie,” I blurted out, eager to disrupt the uncomfortable silence.
Gino said nothing, his expression stone cold.
Definitely nerves.
I gulped anxiously, regretting leaving God at home. He always knows what to say in awkward situations.
“Ask me again,” Gino said finally, his tone cutting like a blade made of ice.
I looked down at the floor, my gut twisting.
“Ask me,” Gino ordered.
I shook my head. No good could come of asking him if he’d shot my father.
“Did you ask Mulligan?” Gino asked icily.
I snapped my gaze up to meet his. “What?”
“Did you ask Mulligan when he pinned you to that wall like you were a trophy deer head he’d bagged and mounted?”
I flinched. “It wasn’t like that.”
“I’ve seen johns treat hookers with way more respect.” His tone was sad now, disappointed.
That was somehow worse than his anger. I blurted out, “My aunt hired him to teach me self-defense. That’s all it was. An exercise.”
He peered at me for a long moment, his expression melting slightly. “That’s so stupid it has to be the truth. But don’t kid yourself about it just being an exercise.” He turned his back on me. “Be careful, Maggie. The last time he cheated, the woman almost killed you.”
His expression was hidden from me, but I was relieved that he sounded more like his regular self. “I should have never asked you that.”
“Why? Because you know I’d never do that to you or because if I had done it, I wouldn’t have hesitated to hurt you, too.”
“Because you’re my friend.” I patted his back for emphasis.
“Lucky me,” he muttered.
“Gino,” I said softly, desperately wanting to fix the damage I’d done.
“You’re a job, Maggie,” he said coolly. “That’s it. Nothing more. The boss wants you watched and I’m stuck on babysitting duty.”
“You don’t…” I flinched, stung by the assessment. “I thought…”
“You want a friend, hit up Mulligan or Angel. I’m just the hired help.”
I smacked his shoulder. Hard. “Don’t say that. You know that’s not true.” At least, I hoped it wasn’t. I thought we had a real connection.
“Get out of here.” Even though I couldn’t see his face, I could practically hear him gritting his teeth.
“No.”
I heard him suck in a deep breath.
“Gino,” I coaxed. “Look at me. Tell me how to fix this.”
He shook his head.
“I asked you if you shot him because I didn’t understand why you didn’t protect him,” I whispered. I hung my head, a tear running down my cheek.
I sensed him turn around but couldn’t bring myself to look at him.
“I wasn’t there to protect Archie or Griswald,” Gino said with barely controlled intensity. “I was there to watch over you.”
I remembered Brian’s question about why the shooter had stopped firing. I remembered thinking the shooter was moving toward me when I was in the car. And I realized that the man I’d accused of trying to kill my father, had probably saved my life.
“I—” I began.
But then the alarm went off.
19
“Stay here,” Gino ordered. He pushed past me and ran out of the supply closet.
A moment later, I followed him.
Lights were flashing, an alarm was blaring, and the hallway was crowded with people preparing to evacuate the area.
Feelin
g like a fish swimming upstream, I struggled to get back to my dad’s room. I had to dodge gurneys, wheelchairs, and a guy waving crutches, but I finally made it. I noticed that the guard was no longer outside his room. That couldn’t be a good sign.
“Dad!” I yelled, running in.
I promptly tripped over an immovable object and went sprawling across the floor. But no one was there to witness my graceless tumble. Not Griswald. Not Gino. Not even Dad. As I scrambled to a kneeling position, I saw a lump on the bed but knew immediately it wasn’t a person. It was a bunch of pillows stuck under the covers to look like someone was there. Someone had done a good job, even taking the extra step of running the tube from the IV under the blanket.
The room was empty except for the guard. His prone body was what I’d tripped over.
I crawled over to his side to feel for a pulse. That’s when Gino burst in.
“There you are,” he muttered. “I told you to stay.” He extended his hand, wanting to help me to my feet.
“I’m not a dog.” I swatted him away.
“We’ve got to get out of here.” He offered his hand again.
A shadow blanketed the room. My body recognized the danger before my brain made sense of it.
I grabbed Gino’s hand and yanked him down as hard as I could, pulling him off his feet just as the shooting began. The breath was knocked out of me when his body crashed into mine. I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t think. All that went through my head was that Armani was right: I was going to die.
A man on a window cleaner’s apparatus was spraying the room with bullets from some kind of automatic weapon.
Gino curled his body around mine, trying to shield me from the bullets that were tearing the room apart. Glass shattered, walls splintered, and pillow stuffing rained down.
Then, there was silence.
I raised my head just in time to see the gunman, dressed in head-to-toe tactical gear, climb off the window cleaning rig, through the window casing and into the room. He was coming to finish us off.
“Run!” Gino whispered. He rolled off me, toward the gunman.
The door was right there. I could have made a run for it. I probably should have.
But of course, I didn’t.
With the gunman’s attention on Gino, I rolled under the bed, a weird sense of déjà vu sweeping over me. I’d done something similar in another room in this hospital. I’d done it as part of my effort to save a little boy from being smothered. This time, I did it to try to keep Gino from being shot.
