Cold Moon Dead

by J. M. Griffin

  “Mmm, I’d seen a knife there, but didn’t realize that was the weapon. How was Larry when the evening ended?”

  “Rattled all the way to the soles of his feet, from what I could see.” He glanced at me again. “He made record sales for the night, though.”

  “How do you know that?” I asked.

  “He told me before I left. I’m glad he got something out of this appalling affair.” Aaron rose, picked up his glass, and headed toward the kitchen.

  He shuffled up the stairs while I stood in the doorway. I heard his key slide into the lock on his door. Before Aaron entered the apartment, his voice rumbled down the staircase.

  “Lock up and go to bed. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

  “Sure thing, boss,” I answered. The lock clicked into place when I closed the door. I returned to the living room and turned the fireplace off.

  Once I had snuggled under the down comforter in bed, I listened to the wind whip around the corners of the house. I had nearly dozed off when the phone rang.

  Wrestling the covers aside, I reached for the offending unit and answered the call.

  “Hello?”

  “Vin, it’s me, Larry. Did I wake you?”

  “No, I had just climbed into bed.”

  “Great. I wouldn’t want to wake you up if you were sleeping,” he rambled. “Have you spoken to Aaron yet?”

  “He stopped in on his way upstairs. Why?”

  His voice hit a crescendo of excitement as he spoke. “He bought your bust.”

  “Get out? He really bought it?” I couldn’t believe it. The man hadn’t said a word about that.

  “Honest to God, he did. No word of a lie. He approached me just before Jabroni was found stabbed.”

  “You must be so excited. I’m glad you had some good sales tonight. I’m also sorry that the evening ended up the way it did, Larry.”

  “I knew there would be excitement with you around, Vinnie. There always is. You never have a dull moment, do you?”

  “No, it’s never dull . . . just dangerous and mysterious. Did you see Mrs. Jabroni tonight around the time that Mr. J. was stabbed?”

  “No, I saw the beaky guy she was with leave the restroom hallway, but Mrs. J. wasn’t anywhere to be seen. The man collected his coat and left without even a goodbye. How rude is that?”

  “Pretty rude.” So, the beaky guy could have stabbed Jabroni and then disappeared without anyone knowing. Huh. “Did you tell Aaron or the detectives about him leaving like that?”

  “No, they didn’t ask, and I thought it was unimportant. It was, wasn’t it? Unimportant, I mean?”

  “Probably. Don’t worry about it, Larry.”

  “I just wanted to tell you about the bust, Vin. Sleep well. I’ll talk to you in the morning.” He disconnected the call before I could say a word.

  Setting the phone in the cradle, I slipped under the covers again and snuggled down. My mind ran at full steam. I wondered if there would be any sleep at all for me tonight.

  Chapter 19

  The next thing I knew someone was knocking on the door. The knock was followed by a feminine voice demanding that I open up.

  I crawled from the warm bed, my hair a nightmare, my pajamas askew, and with dark smudges of mascara under my eyes. Just like a camera, the dresser mirror didn’t lie.

  I opened the door to Lola. She looked ready to take on the day with her make-up done to perfection, her mass of auburn hair wild as ever, and a bright smile on her lips. I nodded as she swept past. I headed into the bathroom to make myself feel human, if not presentable.

  When I emerged, I felt better, looked better, and had the hair thing under control. At least it was in a barrette and not smashed up against the side of my head anymore. I slid onto a stool and sipped the coffee that Lola poured. She toasted bread that smelled heavenly and buttered the slices as they popped up from the toaster. What is it about toast that makes you want some just because of the smell?

  I chewed and sipped alternately as Lola gave me the rundown of what had happened after I left the gallery. She asked if I knew Jabroni was dead. I nodded.

  “You were there, weren’t you?”

  “What makes you think I went to the hospital?”

  “Because you showed no surprise when I said Jabroni was dead, that’s what. So fess up, c’mon.”

  It didn’t take long to explain, and then I told her about Aaron buying the bronze bust. Her glee was more than I could handle. I laughed out loud.

  “He’s got it bad for you Vin, you know that, right?”

  “At times I think so and then at others I’m not sure.” Lola was unaware of Aaron’s FBI status and I had promised Aaron to keep that secret.

  “What makes you say that?”

  Sometimes Lola was too naïve for her own good.

  “It’s just a feeling I get, that’s all.”

  “So, you don’t trust Aaron completely, then?”

  “Let’s say that I would trust him with my life. He’s a good friend, but Marcus is my main man.” Skirting the truth about Aaron, to my best friend, left me feeling uncomfortable. I would have liked nothing more than to tell her he was an FBI agent.

  Lola didn’t offer a remark, but instead she poured more coffee and slathered the toast with raspberry jam she’d found in the fridge.

  “Want some?” Her brows rose as she asked. With a grin, she slid the jar toward me so I could layer the homemade jam on my last slice of toast.

  With my mouth full, I chewed and considered why I didn’t completely trust Aaron’s motives. Maybe it was because he had omitted the fact he was an undercover FBI agent when he first came to rent the apartment. I had found that out by mistake. That’s where the initial distrust had originated.

  “Aaron’s a good man and I know I could count on him if I needed to.”

  “I suppose you’re right,” Lola admitted.

  “I understand that Porter brought you home last night.” I watched her face. The color rose in her cheeks as a sparkle entered the deep brown eyes.

  “He did, but he didn’t stay overnight. He had to get back to the investigation.” She sighed. “I don’t think we’ll have a real heavy relationship. I want more than taking the backseat to someone’s job. That’s what happens when you are romantically involved with a cop of any kind.”

  Her words rang through my head. Before my little voice could start its rant, I nodded in agreement.

  “That’s true. I’ve met many divorced cops, male and female. It’s the job. It takes a great toll on any couple.”

  “If Marcus asked you to marry him, would you say yes?”

  Oh my God—the M-word. A shiver of horror ran along my nerves just thinking about it. I shook my head and gathered my wits about me.

  “It would be hard to say. I mean, he hasn’t mentioned the M-word and neither have I. My parents would be in heaven, especially my mother. My father would be waiting for me to spit out a bunch of kids, to stay home, cook pasta, and be a soccer mom.” I shivered at that thought and glanced at Lola.

  Her laughter erupted and I grinned.

  “Vin, it’s not a jail sentence. It’s a bond between two people who love one another. You and Marcus do love each another, right?”

  “I guess so. He says so occasionally. I haven’t committed myself to that confession yet.” I grinned as she continued to laugh.

  “By saying that, you aren’t ready for the L-word or the M-word, so stay just the way you are, and enjoy what you two have together.” Lola checked her watch and slid off the stool. She started to clear the plates and cups, but I put my hand out to stay her.

  “Don’t bother cleaning up. I’ll take care of it. Thanks for coming by, and I’m sorry you had to be part of a murder.”

  “It was awful.” She shivered. “I couldn’t get over the shock of finding Mr. Jabroni like that. I didn’t know what to do and, thank God, you simply took over. How do you manage that?” Her dark eyes searched my face.

  “I don’t know. It j
ust happens.”

  “Well, you were great.” Lola walked to the door. “Come by later if you don’t have anything to do.”

  With a smile, she waved goodbye and left me standing in the doorway.

  I turned to go inside my apartment when the door above opened and Aaron’s voice echoed down the stairs.

  “Was that Lola who just left?”

  “Yes, she came by for coffee before starting her day at the deli. Why?”

  “Just wondering. I need to speak with her later.”

  “Oh. Well, before you leave, stop in here. I’ll be here for a while.” I closed the door and went into the bedroom to get dressed.

  An hour later, feet rumbled down the stairs. Aaron knocked on the door before he entered the kitchen. I was in the laundry room and called out to him. Striding into the room he leaned against the wall, watching while I loaded the washer.

  “You wanted to see me?” His eyebrows waggled up and down as a smile crossed his handsome features.

  “I did—do. Yes,” I said. “Late last night Larry called. He told me the guy escorting Mrs. J. came from the restroom corridor before Jabroni was found. He said the man got his coat and left without a word to anyone.”

  “Why weren’t we told that last night?” His eyebrow tilted upward as his face grew serious.

  “He didn’t think it was important. I didn’t have the heart to nag him about it. He had a tough night, Aaron.”

  “Mmm, that’s true, but he still should have mentioned it. I wonder if he knows anything else that he considers unimportant.” He slipped his hands into the pockets of his trousers. “Maybe I’ll stop by to see him later today.”

  In an instant, I pictured Larry’s face when he opened the door to find Aaron on the doorstep. He’d probably have heart palpitations and faint dead away. The thoughts must have showed on my face because Aaron started to chuckle.

  “What are you thinking?”

  “Nothing, honest.” I snickered and started the washer.

  “Have you heard from the Detective Squad yet?” Aaron asked.

  “No, I’ll hear later though, I’m sure of that. Those guys are like dogs with a bone, they grab on and don’t let go until something shakes loose,” I answered him.

  The phone rang as we left the laundry room. My mother’s name was on the caller ID. I scooped the phone off the charger while my heart started to rap against my chest. I’d bet anything my mother had watched the early morning news and now knew Jabroni was dead.

  “Hi, Mom,” I said with as cheerful a voice as I could muster.

  “Lavinia, it’s your father. I’d like you to come down for dinner tonight.” His tone brooked no argument.

  “Sure, Dad, what time?” I swallowed the gigantic lump in my throat and started to sweat. There was no question that my father and I were about to spar and joust—without horses, of course. We’d more than likely do the sparring and jousting over macaroni and meatballs.

  “Come by at the usual hour. Your mother has a meeting with her old folks committee, so she won’t be here. Tell no one and invite no one—understand, Lavinia?”

  “Right, I’ll see you later then, Dad.” The phone rattled as I placed it back on the base. Good God, I was in for it now. My father and I wouldn’t joust or spar. Instead it would be all-out war over something I may have done. The sweat gathered in my armpits and trickled down my sides. My skin grew clammy and I wondered what the secrecy was all about.

  “Are you all right, Vin?” Aaron asked as he stared at me.

  “Mmm, that was my father. I think he heard the news and wants to talk. You know how upset he gets when I’m involved in things he feels are none of my business.” I ran a hand across my forehead and took a deep breath.

  His strong arm wrapped around my shoulder as Aaron drew me to him. The feel of his warm body comforted me. I stood still for a few minutes, allowing the security of his hold to calm my rattled nerves. My life was a pile of shit at the moment, a pile of shit that stank to high heaven.

  It took some effort, but I finally stepped away from the security hold that felt so warm and tender. Man, I could get used to that kind of handling. With a smile on my lips, I looked up at Aaron and thanked him for his support.

  You know you don’t have complete trust in Aaron, don’t be stupid. My internal voice offers unwanted advice at the worst moments, and this was one of them.

  “You really need to get your life under control, Vinnie,” Aaron said. “I mean that. You end up in horrible situations that are detrimental to your health. Your nerves are frayed, and to be frank, I’m worried about you.”

  His concerned expression held another emotion, one that I wasn’t sure of at the moment. I nodded and gave a heavy sigh.

  “You’re right, of course. I’ll take your advice and try harder to stay out of trouble, okay?”

  He leaned in and kissed my forehead. It lasted but a second before a rush of guilt flooded me. So, once again, my never mundane life was taking on another aspect. Maybe I had feelings for Aaron that I couldn’t admit to myself. Then again, I had to remember that his focus could merely be to work me for information he thought I might have.

  “What time are you planning to see your father?” His question reassured me that his intentions toward me weren’t as pure as he’d have me believe. I figure he always has an ulterior motive, even when he’s at his sweetest.

  “He said to come by anytime today.” I poured coffee into the empty cup I’d left on the counter and motioned to Aaron with the pot. “Do you want some?”

  He shook his head. “I have to report to headquarters. Try to have a calm day, will you?”

  Grinning, I nodded and watched Aaron make his exit. In a few seconds his truck rolled into the street and away from the house. I sighed, settled onto the counter stool, and cupped my chin in my hand while I stared out the French doors.

  The day looked cold even though the sun shone brightly. My spirits waffled all over the place. Like it or not, Tony Jabroni’s death saddened me. Even though he scared the bejeepers right out of me, somehow I mourned his death. How and why that emotion had swept into my life was beyond my scope of understanding. Maybe I needed a psychiatrist . . .

  Forget that idea. It would take a million years to straighten out this psyche. I chuckled at the thought and drank the cooled coffee. In moments I was prepared to leave the house, bundled in a winter jacket and a heavy scarf, with my favorite cloche snug on my head.

  The road to the cemetery lay clear of ice and snow as I strode toward Livvy’s grave. The wind whipped around, grabbing my scarf and slapping it onto my face. I’d certainly be happy when spring rolled onto the scene. This cold weather sucked, big time.

  Aunt Livvy’s gravesite lay at the bottom of the knoll. I reached her headstone and swept small branches and other debris from her grave. The wind blew in off the reservoir with enough force that it always left the grave littered.

  Huddled in front of the stone, I whispered a small prayer. The only one I remembered, actually. I brushed my gloved hand across her name and wished her well. Standing there, I told Livvy about Jabroni’s death and its effect on me. After rambling on about the whole incident for some time, a sense of serenity seemed to surround me. I was sure that Livvy would have hugged me if she were alive. Maybe I did need that psychiatrist after all.

  I bid her a fond farewell with a promise to return, then left the cemetery and strolled toward Lola’s deli. A gray Crown Victoria idled on the side of the road past the church. Marcus sat behind the wheel, a heavy winter jacket covering his upper torso. He left the car as I approached and ordered me to get inside.

  Unwilling to argue with him in the middle of the road, I slid into the passenger side of the car. He pulled away and drove into the churchyard. Parked at the edge of the cemetery driveway, he turned to me with a grim expression.

  “Jabroni is dead. You were there, and I have a need to know exactly what happened. So speak up . . . and no lies, Lavinia.”

  Okay, s
o this wouldn’t be a pleasant meeting. My newfound peace blew away as quickly as a balloon in the wind. Within minutes I had related the entire evening from the time Marcus left me in the parking lot up to the point where I had left the hospital. No sense in making up a story. Aaron would only fill in the gaps anyway, leaving me to deal with more arrogant dismay. Cripes, this day had started out so well, but had taken a downturn somewhere along the way.

  A nod every now and then meant Marcus listened with avid attention. He was good at his job of ferreting out the truth of a situation. I ended with my arrival home and the call from Larry.

  “What the hell were the FBI agents doing all this time?”

  “Darned if I know. They were there and nobody heard or saw a thing.” I had left out the call from my father and hoped Marcus didn’t know that particular piece of information. He and Aaron were most definitely not invited to this dinner. I wanted to make sure that I held up that end of my father’s orders.

  “Lola must have been shaken.”

  “She was like a zombie, frozen in her tracks after the initial shock. If Aaron hadn’t stepped up when he did, I don’t know what I’d have done with her. At least she wasn’t hysterical.”

  “Where were you going just now?” Marcus stared at my bundled figure.

  “To the deli to check on Lola. She went to work this morning after she stopped by.”

  “Then I’ll give you a ride, unless you want to walk, of course.” Marcus smiled as the wind whistled around the car. He shifted into drive without waiting for an answer.

  “I was surprised you didn’t show up last night when the alarm went out.”

  “It wasn’t our jurisdiction. We only interfere when we’re told to do so. It was the FBI’s and the police department’s show, not ours.”

  “I see. Well, it was a tough night for Larry and everyone else who attended. Larry managed to sell some of his work, though.”

  The car slowed and Marcus pulled into the lot behind the deli. He parked the vehicle, mumbled into his radio and shut the motor off. We went inside together.