The Devil Be Damned

by Ali Vali

  As Shelby looked at her in the mirror, Cain couldn’t tell from her expression if Muriel was worth that to her. From her actions, though, her job was everything to her.

  *

  “Jarvis died last night,” Mano Jatibon said as he began his meeting with his father and sister.

  “Cain called me after she took Muriel home from the hospital,” Remi said, and accepted a demitasse cup of espresso from her father. “According to her he’d been sick for a while, but it was still a shock to have him go so quickly.”

  “Jarvis was a good man and was always happy with his place in their family,” Ramon said.

  “Not all of us are born to lead, Papi,” Mano said with a genuine smile. “And some of us would prefer to follow.”

  “You know better than to think you’re not important to me or your sister.” Ramon gently slapped him on the back of the neck. “You two just don’t remember Dalton like I do. He didn’t rule with a hard fist when it came to his family, and Jarvis was content to live in his very long shadow.”

  “I sent our caterer over there this morning, and I told Cain I’d take over the search until she’s done with her obligations,” Remi said. The coffee was strong and a bit bitter, which meant her mother had cut back on the heaping spoonfuls of sugar her father loved to add. “So far nothing, and there’s no news about Gracelia Luis. I would’ve bet Juan would run back to his mama.”

  “Good angle, but let’s try something else too,” Ramon said. “I asked Rodolfo for a meeting tonight at the club.”

  “I don’t think he’ll hand over Juan, Papi, even if you ask nicely,” Mano said.

  “My brain hasn’t gone soft with age, hijo.” Ramon laughed and play-slapped Remi’s hand this time when she wriggled it at him. “It’s been weeks since we’ve talked to him, and I think it’s time we remind him about the promises he made to Cain.”

  “He’s got his men on the street, and from the way they’re working, they really are looking for Juan and his mother,” Remi said, and pulled a sheet from her briefcase with a list of names on it. “This is everyone who’s broken away from Rodolfo’s crew to join his sister, according to our street contacts. I can’t imagine what she promised, but his organization could disappear if he’s faced with any serious threat.”

  “Had to happen eventually,” Ramon said. “There’s killing to keep the peace and killing for pleasure. One makes you a good protector and the other a psychopath. Rodolfo’s been cruel all his life, and while that helped him build his empire, it’s also the reason Gracelia could turn Juan against him.”

  “Why do you think so?” Mano asked.

  “Because Rodolfo did a good job raising Juan to be like him, only he never cared for him as much as his mother did. Juan’s loyalty lies with her.”

  Remi nodded. “That’s a problem for us because Gracelia Luis has a reputation for being a smart woman who Rodolfo has held back all her life. If she’s got something to prove, she’ll use Juan and Anthony to make her point.”

  “The casino’s pretty secure now, and the clubs are well protected,” Mano said. “Where do you think we’re vulnerable?”

  “Our partnership with Cain makes us even more secure, but we need to meet with our guys and tell them to be vigilant. I don’t want anyone easing up because they think we’re untouchable.”

  “Mano and I’ll take care of that,” Ramon said. “Before you leave, though, there’s something else.”

  The expression on her father’s face was so guarded that she knew it had to concern Dallas. “Don’t try to sugar it up because it’ll take too long, so just say it.”

  “Cain and her buddy did an excellent job burying Dallas’s past, but while we were examining Bob’s system of ripping Dallas off, we fond an irregular but consistent payment,” Mano said.

  “That’s an interesting term—irregular but consistent.” Remi knocked on the table loud enough to make her knuckles hurt. “What’s that mean?”

  “He wired money every month to an account through the Caymans, trying to hide it, I guess, but since it was such a small amount it doesn’t make sense.”

  She knocked on the table again. “Mano, stop talking in circles and spit it out.”

  “Every month he wired three thousand dollars to a blind Cayman account and stopped when he quit his job,” Mano said, and made air quotes. “It’s a small amount considering how much Dallas made, especially during the last couple of years.”

  “Did you call the bank?”

  He nodded. “Those banks are open and successful for a reason. They wouldn’t even acknowledge the account existed, which is good and bad. Bad because without the access codes we’ll never find out, but good that they don’t spill their guts when law enforcement calls about us.”

  “There was nothing in his records?” she asked, already thinking ahead as to how she’d break this to Dallas. It sounded harmless, but Bob had always done things primarily to keep Dallas manipulated and controlled by fear.

  “The night he quit, the guys and I checked everything in his files. This must’ve been important enough for him to have the transfer codes memorized. At first I thought it was an extra cushion for himself, but if so, it would’ve been for a hell of a lot more than that.”

  Remi’s brain was moving so fast her head was starting to pound. “He controlled all the money anyway. If their partnership had dissolved any other way than by rolling snake eyes, Dallas would’ve walked away with nothing.”

  “Whatever it is, we’ll find it,” Ramon said. “You’ve got enough going without worrying about this. Isn’t Kristen coming in soon?”

  “She moved her flight up to tomorrow.”

  “Your mother had dinner planned, but it’ll have to wait until Jarvis’s services are done.”

  “Anything else for today?”

  “Not on my end,” Mano said. “I’m going to the casino for a few days to oversee our remodel plan.”

  “Right now our priority is Cain and Muriel,” Ramon said. “Jarvis was a friend and a good man.”

  “That’s true, but our other priority is you, Papi. I admire Cain and Muriel for being so strong despite what must be total heartbreak, but I’m not ready to see if I’ve got that kind of grit.” Remi placed her hand over his.

  “Don’t think about that.” Ramon smiled. “I plan to sit in your mother’s garden and enjoy her flowers and my many grandchildren.”

  “From your lips, Papi,” Mano said. “And you,” he pointed to Remi, “I’ve got this covered about the bank, so forget it.”

  She nodded and stood, wanting to move to burn up the energy building in her gut. When it came to Dallas she would always worry and never forget anything.

  *

  The house was beginning to fill with flowers and Cain was waiting for the funeral home to call about the wake arrangements. In New Orleans the Casey brothers hadn’t been forced to give up the custom of waking in their own parlor. They didn’t like the unfamiliar surroundings of a funeral home.

  Many people had abandoned the tradition, but when Cain’s father died she had adhered to his wishes and waked him at home. He’d lain in the room where her mother kept her piano covered with family portraits and the windows covered with the finest lace Ireland had to offer. Food and his favorite whiskey served as a tribute to what he loved, but she’d overlooked the biggest comfort at the time because of her pain.

  Jarvis had stayed close by from that day on and offered silence when everyone else spoke of how it felt to lose someone so precious. Her uncle knew sorrow because he had lost his wife and brother, but he also knew no words would take away the ache. Now it was her turn to offer that to the person most precious to him.

  “Why do people even have formal living rooms anymore?” Muriel asked. Her shirt was perfectly pressed, as were her pants, but her face appeared haggard. “They aren’t used except for stuff like this. That’s sad, don’t you think?”

  “Hannah uses ours for tea parties and as a place to set her dolls when they’re dress
ed up for special occasions.”

  “What events do dressed-up dolls attend?”

  The conversation wasn’t what she expected, but then her cousin was still in shock from seeing Jarvis’s lifeless body the day before. She also remembered expecting that one last piece of advice spoken in that deep voice, but instead she concentrated on trying to remember what he looked like when he smiled at something he found joy in.

  “Tea parties, of course,” she said, which made Muriel laugh.

  “He died angry at me because of Shelby, didn’t he?” Muriel asked, but couldn’t seem to lift her head to look at her for the answer. “At least he thought I was upset with him for meddling.”

  “Your father loved you, and he made me promise to protect you always. He asked that because he loved you, not because he was disappointed about anything.” She sat next to Muriel and nodded to Lou when he pointed to the door. While the funeral home employees rolled in the casket, she put her arm around Muriel and held her as she wept.

  Per her instructions they pulled back the Irish flag and opened the casket for this one and only showing. Muriel held his hand while she placed a few things in with Jarvis. A picture of her late mother and one of him with Muriel for company went on one side. On the other was a bottle of aged Jameson to sip when he was reunited with those who’d gone before him or to bribe St. Peter with, as Dalton had joked.

  “Why now?” Muriel asked.

  “They’re ours for only a short time,” she reminded her. “You need to think about the years you were blessed with and forget about whatever you think was wrong yesterday. If you don’t, I won’t have anything to protect because you’ll destroy yourself before anyone else gets a shot.”

  “You were the child he wanted.”

  “I was the niece he had to put up with.” She took Muriel’s face in her hands. “Muriel, please don’t do this. You need to remember the man he was and honor that memory, Goddamn it. Jarvis Michael Casey married and had one child—one.” She stopped to swallow her emotions. “And to hear tell of it all my life, he loved her something fierce.” The imitation of the thick Irish brogue made Muriel nod. “Don’t tarnish that pride he always had in you by second-guessing it now.”

  “He didn’t say anything else?”

  “His final thoughts were of you, your happiness, and assurances for a long life. He was proud of who you are just like I am, and that’s it.”

  Muriel appeared satisfied with the answer, so Cain left her alone to say her good-byes. The time she’d had at the hospital when she’d taken Muriel to see him before the funeral home arrived had given Cain a chance to thank him for being her protector, not physically but of her heart. So she left Muriel in peace to share whatever thoughts and prayers she had with him before the casket was closed for the last time.

  “She okay?” Emma asked when Cain joined her in the kitchen. The loose-fitting black dress was new and a good reminder that, as sad as the day would be, the future promised something else.

  “Not yet, but time is the only cure.” The caterers went about their business under Lou and Katlin’s watchful presence, so she took Emma’s hand and led her to the back den where Merrick sat in her wheelchair staring outside. “Time and love might not make all of the pain disappear, but it covers a multitude of things, isn’t that right?” Cain asked Merrick.

  “Yes.” Merrick’s speech was slow and thick, but vastly improved in a short time with the help of her therapist. “Muriel will miss him.”

  “Mom,” Hayden said, holding Hannah’s hand. “Mr. Vincent and Mr. Ramon are here.”

  “Did you two behave for Dallas and Remi?” Cain asked, lifting Hannah up so she could kiss Emma.

  “We plead the Fifth,” Hayden said, and tried to smile. “Is Muriel all right?”

  “She’s sad, but having all of us here will make her feel better,” Emma said. “Why don’t you and Hannah sit with Merrick and watch TV while Mom and I make sure everyone’s comfortable.”

  “I can help,” he said.

  “I know you can, sweetheart, but I don’t want you to have to go through this again. The funeral tomorrow will be bad enough,” Emma said as she brushed his hair into place.

  When they walked to the front of the house the den was full of people, but the doors to the living room were still closed, with Lou and Katlin standing before them. A few of Vincent’s family came up to Cain and talked briefly, as well as some of Ramon’s men, including Remi’s law partners Dwayne and Steve.

  “Sorry as hell, Cain,” Vincent said. “Jarvis was old school and there aren’t too many of us left.”

  “Thanks and you’re right. He was the last of Da’s generation in our family.” She accepted a drink from one of the waiters and studied the two people who walked out of the living room holding hands.

  “Is that going to be a problem for you?” Vincent asked, pointing discreetly at Muriel and Shelby. “Not the time or place, I know, but it’s worrisome.”

  “It’s my problem, Vincent, which means it’ll never be yours.”

  “Pop, lay off,” Vinny Carlotti said as he embraced Cain. “We’re here for you and Muriel.”

  “Thanks, and your pop’s okay.” Cain spoke and heard every word Vinny said, but her main attention was on Shelby, who seemed more interested in their guest list than in Muriel. “Excuse me.”

  Some of the mourners moved to where the casket was after they stopped and talked with Muriel, who looked like she was swimming underwater against the current. “Muriel, sit and drink this.” Cain handed her a weak whiskey and water. “Shelby, why don’t you fix her a plate?” She locked eyes with Emma and pointed to Muriel. “I’ll help you.” Shelby obviously realized it wasn’t a request and didn’t object when Cain led her away from the buffet table loaded with food and into the kitchen instead.

  “If you think you can intimidate me out of her life, you’re wrong,” Shelby said.

  Cain pointed to the door and the kitchen emptied except for the two of them, making Shelby’s words laughable. “My cousin loves you, so you’re wrong. This isn’t about scaring you off.”

  “What’s it about, then?” Shelby asked, and accepted the plate Cain held out to her.

  “This is your opportunity to tell me that your motives toward Muriel are sincere. Tomorrow, and I speak from experience, will be the worst day of her life because she’ll go home to an empty house. Her father won’t be here to pick up the pieces if you shatter what’s essentially a broken heart.” She chose a few things she knew Muriel liked but not enough to overwhelm her and put them on the plate Shelby held.

  “Face it. You’ll never trust me, so why waste time having this conversation at all?”

  “I tell stories about my father all the time, but my mum was just as wise, so I’ll give you the advice she gave anyone who wanted to get close to my family.” The carrot cake the caterers hadn’t touched yet came from Vincent’s restaurant, and in Cain’s opinion was the best in the city, so she cut a corner piece loaded with cream-cheese icing for Muriel. “If you don’t belong and fly too close to the sun you’ll get burned, but if you move too far away from it you’ll die of the cold.”

  “What’s that mean exactly?” Shelby asked, and swiped up a bit of icing with her thumb.

  “If you don’t belong, Shelby, I’ll burn you so badly you’ll be lucky to find work as a rent-a-cop, but if you truly love Muriel, don’t walk so far away that’ll you’ll both suffer for it.” When she saw Hayden at the door, she waved him forward. “For both our sakes, I hope your motives are what you say they are.”

  “That sounds like a threat,” Shelby said, and pointed to Hayden, “and with a witness too.”

  “My life isn’t so sinister, Shelby, but that’s how you and your buddies define it.” She put her arm around Hayden’s shoulders and pulled him close. “I told you that because I love my family more than anything in my life, and I don’t take it well when someone aims to hurt them. You and I know that you may love her, but you’ll never let that inter
fere with your job, no matter how it affects Muriel. If that’s the case, I’ll be the one who helps her with those wounds.”

  “You’re that sure of yourself?”

  “Sometimes I have to think my next moves out a long way in advance, but in situations like this that’s impossible. Some hurts heal but they leave scars so deep that they’re never forgotten. If you make and leave them, then you’ll have to live with the consequences of your actions.”

  Hayden nodded in obvious agreement and she led him back to the room where Merrick and Hannah were sitting. Hannah had picked a spot close to Merrick so she could hold her hand while they watched the movie Hannah had chosen. The offered comfort made Cain smile because while Hannah was a little clone of her, her heart was all Emma.

  “Why do you think Muriel is blind to all that stuff you said, Mom?”

  “Because your heart speaks a different language than your head, and for a lot of reasons Muriel’s heart won out this time.” She kissed the top of his head. “It seems pretty cut and dried to you and to me, but you’ll understand one day.”

  “I hope I find someone like Mama.”

  “I hope so too, but not too quick or your mama will blame me if she loses her little boy too fast.”

  “Cain.” Emma came up behind her and put her arms around her waist. “Mr. Hector Delarosa wanted me to tell you he’s here to pay his respects.”

  “Somehow I doubt that,” she said, thinking about the Colombian drug-cartel boss. He’d been helpful in their one telephone conversation when he’d given her the information she needed to find out Juan had come back into the country using his dead father’s name. A quick flight for a funeral of a man he didn’t know meant he wanted something she most probably wasn’t willing to give. “Thanks, lass.”

  “Remember what your mom said,” Emma said to Hayden. “You can start dating when you’re about thirty.” She kissed his cheek and mouthed the word “wait” to Cain while Hayden hugged her.

  “Before you ask, I don’t know what he wants, and I’m surprised he’s here,” Cain whispered to her in the hall.