Best In Show (Mina's Adventures Book 6)

by Maria Grazia Swan

She did know about it. And yet she’d never mentioned it. Mina turned to Eva. “We’re here, I guess. Let’s hope their food is better than the first impression.” Seriously? How lame can you get? Talking to the silent woman made Mina nervous.

  Eva gave her a half smile, unlocked her seat belt and said, “Looks like we’re in Orange County after all.”

  In perfect English. So not only had the strange assistant been listening carefully to the idle conversation, but apparently she was familiar with the local geography, because Mina had no idea if they were in Orange County or Los Angeles County.

  Mina focused on finding a decent parking spot for her car. The SUV had pulled right up to the back door where Gino was waiting. Together, Diego and Gino removed the wheelchair from the car. Once it was set up, Kalinda easily slid into it. Eva and Margo had both gotten out of the LTD and joined the group. But Mina couldn’t make up her mind where to park. Something about the place made her uncomfortable. She finally settled on a tight spot between two trees, figuring that at least no one would nick her doors.

  Once again, when Mina joined the others, she realized she was the shortest one in the group, as she was in most groups. Eva was the tallest, and the oldest, and the least talkative. Stop it Mina. What kind of assistant was she anyhow? Kalinda had spent most of her time with Diego since they arrived at the home in Hermosa Beach. Maybe Eva had to help with personal things, like bathing and getting dressed?

  Diego, dwarfed by a scaffold, was waiting for Mina by the restaurant’s back door. He smiled at her, only at her. Life was good. She hurried, happy to have a moment alone with him. When he put his arm around her shoulders and brushed his lips on hers, she smelled that familiar scent of mountain pine and summer breeze. She had to find out where to get that soap, or whatever he used when he showered, and keep some in her bathroom.

  “I’m not ignoring you, you know that, right?”

  She nodded. He took her hand, and they moved toward the door.

  “I’m curious—are they open for business? I noticed the cars…even an Army Jeep? Maybe not army, Seal Beach? By the way, are we in L.A. County or Orange County?”

  He stopped to look at her. “Ah, Mina’s inquiring mind,” he teased. “We are straddling, hypothetically of course, both counties. And yes, there is a Naval station of sorts in Seal Beach and…”

  Mina understood. She remembered when she’d first met Gino. He was the manager of the California Bar and Grill in Vicenza, Italy, her hometown. The drinking establishment was very close to Caserma Ederle, home of the 173 Airborne Brigade. The bar was like a second home for the young GIs. Gino spoke English and made the homesick soldiers feel welcome in the foreign city, while he quietly gathered information that some of them, too drunk or too stupid, were more than willing to share. That much Mina knew, but she didn’t know much more than that. She turned to glance at the Jeep with renewed interest, and felt Diego looking at her. He knew that she knew. She could read it in his eyes even in the dim light of the lamp posts. He quietly stroked her hand. She moved a tad closer, and they headed inside.

  They were the only people there, to eat that is. A large table had been set up in what was probably going to be the dining room once they were open to the public. Why so many cars parked outside? Gino took his role as Maître d’ very seriously, and he came over to announce the one and only menu designed for their pleasure. With antipasto, salad, pasta, and crème brulee it was Italian with international flair, and he was quick to add that tonight’s fare was probably not going to be on any future menu.

  “He worked on all that yesterday,” Margo whispered, very proud.

  Yesterday? Clattering coming from the kitchen let Mina know where some of the vehicles owners might be.

  Before joining them at the table, Gino went to grab some bottles of designer water and Italian wine from a bar partly hidden from where they sat. Diego explained that the place ultimately would be more casual dining with emphasis on the drinking part. Their goal was to achieve the same popularity in the neighborhood as Cheers in the TV sitcom.

  He announced all that in a playful tone, but Mina knew it was as close to the truth as possible. The driver of the Jeep with the insignia was no doubt being trained as a part time bartender. Clever. In other words, the redesigning of the place was aimed at fitting in with the neighborhood in general and with the enlisted personnel budget in particular. Of course she didn’t say all that out loud.

  “What about the second story?” she asked. “Is it part of the business? Pole dancers’ dressing rooms?”

  Margo spilled her drink and gave Mina one of her looks. When it came to Gino, her roommate had no sense of humor. But Diego and Kalinda laughed out loud.

  “Mina,” Diego poked her on the nose, “living quarters. It’s up to Gino to decide where he wants the pole installed.”

  Good thing looks couldn’t kill, or Diego would have been a little mound of ashes under Margo’s heel. Eva excused herself and asked directions to the ladies room.

  By the time the busboy in training cleared the dinner plates to make room for dessert, Kalinda, who had been yawning shamelessly, explained that she had a bad headache but didn’t wish to break up the party, so perhaps Eva could drive the SUV back to Hermosa Beach.

  After a few concerned glances back and forth, Gino decided it could be done if Eva parked the SUV by the front of the house instead of the garage to avoid the steep stairs. He walked them out to help them get settled in the SUV. Five minutes later Eva came rushing back, looking for her book. She found it on the very chair she had been sitting in.

  Who brings a book to a dinner party?

  “What was that all about?” Margo asked, after Eva ran back out.

  Mina shook her head. “What’s that book about?”

  Diego frowned but didn’t comment. He moved his chair closer to Mina’s. “I have to talk to just one person, and then I’ll be done for the evening. Want to take a short ride? There’s a scenic viewpoint not too far from here. You can see the whole harbor, and on such a clear night we may even see the glow from Catalina Island.”

  “What are you two whispering about?” Margo pouted.

  “The Queen Mary,” Mina quipped.

  “Oh, I always wanted to see that.”

  “And you should,” Diego said. “Tell Gino and I bet he’ll be happy to take you. It’s a very romantic place.”

  Fifteen minutes later Diego and Mina walked out of the restaurant to find a white Honda parked behind Mina’s LTD. And because of the trees either side of her car, and the building in front of it, she couldn’t get her car out.

  “Maledizione, who’s the idiot who did this?”

  “Probably one of the new hires. They assumed everyone would leave at the same time. Let me talk to Gino. Come on—smile.”

  Mina waited in the car, still not fond of the general area but not really sure why. Maybe she should see the place in the daylight before forming an opinion, but she wasn’t planning on spending the night away from home to do that. It was time to get back to work, and plus she couldn’t expect Millie to take care of her two cats. Aria would be fine, but Houdini could be a handful.

  Oh, God, what now! Things always got so complicated with Diego. Gino and Margo approached with him. They stopped feet from her car door, trapping her inside. Gino said something to Diego—she couldn’t hear what. He seemed to hand him something, then Gino and Margo turned around and headed back to the restaurant. What was that all about? Mina opened her car door.

  “Come on,” Diego said, “we’re taking Gino’s sedan. They’ll be here a while. In any case let’s leave your keys with them. We all have phones. We’ll work it out.”

  She was too frustrated to argue, so that was what they did.

  The neighborhood they drove through looked dead, the streets deserted, and it was only nine o’clock. Diego explained that most of the business were closed, having been sold to a corporation bent on modernizing everything.

  “Is Kalinda still working as a matchm
aker?” Mina asked.

  It took a while for Diego to answer. “She is, but in a different way. She’s able to run the business from her office, with her computer. I understand she uses pictures and taped interviews with the prospects. It’s not something I know much about. I’m sure she’ll be happy to tell you all the details. Why? Are you considering using her service?”

  He’d said it all with such a serious tone that Mina hadn’t caught the full meaning right away. “I—what?” Mina punched his arm.

  “Hey, watch it,” he joked. “Are you trying to get us killed?” He dutifully stopped at a red light, waiting for it to turn green.

  Soft music came from the dashboard radio. Why they needed a signal there was a mystery to Mina—they were the only car on the road.

  “By the way, there is no scenic viewpoint. I just wanted to show you downtown at night. You and me, alone,” he said.

  She scooted over to kiss him and caught a side glimpse of fast approaching bright headlights behind them, a second before the impact. The sedan hopscotched in a grind of brakes and shattering glass. The crash was so brutal, the safety belt cut deeply into Mina’s right shoulder.

  Diego. Mina thought she said his name out loud, wanting to turn to him, but watching instead in horror as their windshield crashed into a light pole. Something exploded into her face. She couldn’t breathe, couldn’t move. Her arms batted around like broken wings, searching for something to hang on to, giving up when the intense pain registered and she faded into unconsciousness.

  Chapter Five

  Muffled sounds surrounded Mina. Awake and aware, she simply couldn’t get herself to open her eyes and let the world in. The only voice that could have changed her mind wasn’t there, or she didn’t hear it.

  “Mina.” A whisper, “I know you can hear me.” Gino. “Non dire niente, fingi di non ricordare.”

  Why was he speaking Italian? Not speaking—whispering. He wanted her to pretend she didn’t remember. Didn’t remember what?

  “Is she awake?” An unfamiliar woman’s voice. “The sedative should be wearing off by now. If she feels okay, you’re welcome to take her home. She’s one lucky lady.”

  “She is. She is.” Gino again.

  “Mr. Lovato.” A man pronounced Gino’s last name Lovado, the Spanish way. Who was he?

  Curiosity won. Mina opened her eyes and blinked at the brightness spilling in the window from outside. A hospital room? Diego. She searched with her eyes without turning her head. The accident. The man speaking to Gino was a cop in uniform, with papers in his hands. He would know. She must ask. Now.

  “Sure officer, that’s fine. I’ll let the insurance company know where to send their expert. You think it’s a total loss, huh? That’s too bad, only leased it a week ago. Well at least my friend here is going to be okay.” He turned to look at Mina and winked. She opened her mouth to speak, and his expression changed, a clear warning for her to be quiet?

  Pretend you don’t remember.

  “Oh, you’re awake. Great. We can go home I guess. Mina, this is Officer Brown. He’s collecting information hoping to catch the criminal who hit you. Hit and run, that’s what it’s called I’m told. But no need to force yourself now. You’re being released. I can take you home, lots of bruises and cuts but nothing broken. Officer Brown, should we phone you directly when Mina is strong enough and perhaps able to remember some details?”

  Her mouth felt funny, she had trouble moving her lips. Her tongue seemed to have grown, and she wanted a cold drink... ice... lemonade…Diego. Where was Diego? What had happened to him? “Bright headlights,” she managed to say. “Hit us at full speed—”

  “Us? Who was in the car with you? My report says you were the driver, and there weren’t any passengers?”

  Pretend you don’t remember.

  “She’s confused.” Gino scowled. “I can assure you, officer, she was alone. I had just lent her my car to drive back to the house, and I was taking hers because she needed gas and didn’t feel like looking for a gas station in a town she wasn’t familiar with. She lives in South Orange County and...”

  Mina had to admire his impromptu performance. Then again, he once was a lawyer, wasn’t he?

  “Yes, I have a copy of her driver’s license.” Officer Brown glanced at the papers in his hands. “Very well then, I’ll be in touch, and don’t hesitate to call if she remembers some details that can help us catch the car thief who did this.”

  Car thief? What happened to Diego? My Diego.

  A nurse helped her out of the bed and into a large shirt that wasn’t hers. Maybe Margo’s? Once she was settled in the wheelchair, as dictated by law, a plastic bag containing her belongings was placed next to her. Gino led the way to the hospital entrance where he said her LTD awaited.

  Now she remembered—they’d taken Gino’s sedan, and Diego was at the wheel on the way to downtown Long Beach. She wanted to scream his name out loud. Why wasn’t anyone mentioning him? Why? Life seemed to come at her in slow motion, and she felt no pain, just a huge hole where her heart should have been, but her heart belonged to Diego and no one but him could fill the void. “What happened to Diego?” She thought she’d spoken loud enough, yet no one seemed to pay any attention.

  The nurse made sure her legs were tucked inside the car, her belt buckled, and her belongings on her lap before closing the car door with a precise slam.

  Gino sat at the wheel, avoiding looking at her, and he put the LTD into drive, then slowly left the hospital behind them.

  This isn’t happening. It’s a dream. I’m about to wake up.

  They reached a main road, to where she hadn’t a clue. Mina wasn’t even sure what town the hospital was in.

  “I think it’s safe to talk now.” Gino’s tone was distressed, yet contained, she didn’t know what to make of it. “I don’t know where Diego is, don’t know what happened except for what the police reconstructed from the scene of the accident.”

  She tried to talk. Her breathing came fast and furious. She felt sick. “He was driving the car, he couldn’t just disappear. Maybe he’s at a different hospital, or a different wing of this hospital.” She grabbed Gino’s arm and shook it. “We must go back! We must find him! He needs me.” She sobbed and shook his arm until he pulled away from her.

  “Stop it, you’re acting hysterical. Don’t you think I’m concerned? I even reached out to your friend, you know, the detective, De Fiore. He checked all the hospitals, even the morgue and the jails, Orange County and here in L.A. County. He wants to talk to you as soon as we get to the house.”

  “House? My house? What day is it? How long was I out?”

  Gino kept his eyes on the road. She noticed the tension on his knuckles that were so white they appeared bloodless. “The accident happened last night. The truck that hit you was stolen from a gas station. The owner called to report the theft from where it happened. There are witnesses, but all they’re able to say is that the thief was a tall man, they think, dressed in dark clothing wearing a felpe you know… how do you say?”

  “A sweat shirt with a hood?”

  “Yes, yes. No one saw where he came from. The owner of the truck had just filled up with gas and went inside to pay. He left the keys there. Next thing, the truck is gone, just gone. There was no one at the scene of the accident but you by the time the firefighters, paramedics, and the police arrived. Some teenager chasing his dog happened to jog by and saw the smashed car. He had to run all the way home to call for help; he didn’t have a cellphone on him.”

  “How come I don’t remember any of this? Was I drugged?”

  “I doubt it, with the blood tests and the rest. No, this was a professional job. They moved you to the driver’s seat, even belted you in while you were passed out due to the air bag literally exploding on you. Look what it did to your face.”

  “My face?” Mina patted her cheek, feeling scaly, hard patches. She tried to see herself in the rearview mirror. “No, no, not my face.”

  “C
ome on. It’s nothing, a few scabs and bruises. You’ll be as good as new in a few weeks. Do you mind leaving the mirror alone? We don’t need another accident.”

  “That’s it, that’s what happened. I bet Diego was also injured by the air bag. He probably got out of the car to go look for help, and for all we know he could be in some ditch on the side of the road and…”

  “Mina, for God’s sake. Have you lost your mind? He had a phone, you had a phone. Get real. This was planned, whoever did this was in no hurry. They got him out of the car, moved you over, and buckled you in—all that without disturbing things and leaving no trace…yes, pros.”

  “They staged the accident to take Diego? They? I thought you said a man stole the truck. Did you tell all that to the cops? About Diego being taken…taken for what? A ransom?" Mina’s addled mind jumped to her other recent trauma, only just resolved. "Are these the same people who kidnapped my cat?”

  Gino sighed and shook his head. “The young idiots who kidnapped your cat are in prison. A man alone stole the truck. The rest of the crew was possibly waiting around the corner so as not to be seen, and if the first one got caught, they still had enough manpower to carry out the deed. And no, I can’t tell the police about my—deductions.”

  “Why not? You told De Fiore?”

  “De Fiore is aware, at least partially, of Diego’s—” He went silent.

  “Of Diego’s what?” They turned the corner and were in sight of the Hermosa Beach house. “Oh, I want to go home. I don’t want to be here. In case Diego—”

  Gino stopped the car before the house. “You can’t go home, not just yet. If—when—Diego would come here first! That’s a fact. Not a word to Margo or Eva. I’m not sure how much Eva knows, and it’s not my place to monitor her. We need to stay calm and get our heads together to see if we can find out what we missed. The police may want to talk to you again. Remember, you were alone in the car. Take a deep breath. Here, take my handkerchief. Wipe your face. Gently, gently. Wait, let me do it, or you’ll pull the new scabs. You need to let it heal naturally.” He spoke to her like one spoke to a child, or a little sister.