“When was the last time either one of you saw Vinny?” Jake asked.
“Clark was at the bar with John. Vinny came over and said he was about to leave, and to give me his love, and that he would see us after we got back from our honeymoon. Clark thanked him for everything. Vinny was so good to us. We had a perfect wedding and reception, and it was all because of him.”
“How did Vinny seem? Was he anxious or anything like that?” Jake asked.
“No. Clark said he seemed just like normal. He mentioned that Al was waiting for him outside,” Roz said as she started to weep again.
Jake rubbed his chin. “I’m curious how the police even knew where you were. Who told them?”
“The police called the manager of the Catch. He went to the restaurant, opened it up, and got out the file on our reception. As the wedding planner, and the person who had made all the arrangements, Francesca’s phone number was in it. The police called her, and she told them we were spending the night at the Four Seasons before we left on our honeymoon. Since we were supposed to be at the airport in a few hours, and Clark’s been taken away by the police, I guess we won’t be going anywhere,” she sobbed.
Jake furrowed his brow. “Roz, did the police accuse Clark of anything or give any specific reason why they were taking him to the police station?”
“If you mean did they arrest him,” Roz asked, “then no. They said they’d asked the wedding planner if Vinny had been part of the wedding, and what his relationship to Clark was. She told them that Vinny was his uncle. I guess she told them about the toast Vinny had made and the fact that he’d publicly said how proud he was of Clark, and that he was going to be the beneficiary of his estate.”
“I’d say you’re right,” Jake said, pulling back the covers. “Which means that, in their eyes, Clark had a motive for murdering Vinny.”
Hardly able to believe what she was hearing, DeeDee followed Jake’s lead and jumped out of bed, her heart racing.
“Stay where you are,” Jake was saying to Roz, “and don’t talk to anyone. DeeDee and I will be there as soon as we can. Should be within the hour. We’ll decide what to do then. If Clark gets back before we arrive, let me know. I can imagine how horrible this seems, but we know Clark didn’t murder his uncle, and I’ll make sure that his name is cleared.”
“Jake, he couldn’t have killed him. He was with me most of the time from when we walked down the aisle after the minister married us to when the police took him to the station. If he wasn’t with me, then there are plenty of people who can vouch for his whereabouts. Please help us.”
“I will. We’ll be there as soon as we can. Trust me Roz, it’s going to be okay.”
The look on Jake’s face when he ended the call caused DeeDee to believe he was a lot more concerned than he’d indicated to Roz.
“Jake, you don’t think that Clark is really a suspect, do you?” DeeDee asked as she pulled on a pair of jeans and a shirt while throwing the rest of her clothes in her suitcase. Her couture matron of honor outfit got stuffed in it along with whatever other items of clothing were lying about the room. Rushing into the bathroom, she grabbed her cosmetics case and ran a toothbrush over her teeth with a lick and a promise.
“I doubt it,” Jake said, coming into the bathroom and doing the same. “The police are just starting with the low-hanging fruit, and the person who is going to inherit a wealthy man’s estate definitely qualifies as an easy target to throw some blame at.”
DeeDee looked at Jake in the bathroom mirror. “There’s something else, Jake, isn’t there? Tell me what’s bothering you.”
Jake turned on the faucet and splashed cold water om his face. DeeDee handed him a towel and waited.
“I don’t think for a second Clark has anything to do with this, but it would be very convenient for the police to pin this on him. They might try, but I don’t think they’ll be able to make it stick. But whoever did murder Vinny could be trying to set Clark up, so we don’t know what else is around the corner.”
DeeDee’s eyes widened. “We’d better hurry. Poor Roz must be going out of her mind right now. What a thing to have to go through on the morning after your wedding. No wonder she’s so upset.” She put her hand on the bathroom counter to steady herself. Jake placed his hand over hers and met her gaze.
“DeeDee, I know you’re worried about Roz, and I don’t want to alarm you further…but the family she married into—it’s a different world than ours. An underworld. The circles that Vinny ran in are full of undesirables. Clark’s been dragged into that, no matter how much he was distanced from Vinny’s dealings before now.” Jake sighed. “I don’t want you to underestimate how serious this potentially could be.”
DeeDee took a deep breath and smiled up at Jake. “I know you’re having a hard time accepting Vinny’s past, but what’s done is done. Clark’s family now. This is Roz’s future. Her married life depends on our help. I need to know if you’re with me on this, Jake, because I totally understand if you’re not. You’re the most principled person I know, and I would never hold that against you.”
Jake tenderly stroked DeeDee’s cheek. “I already told you last night, I’m with you all the way. You can’t get rid of me that easily.”
“Thank you, Jake,” DeeDee whispered, looking intently at him. She had to tear herself back to reality as the urgency of the situation kicked in.
“Time to go, Balto,” she called out, slapping her hand on her leg a couple of times. Balto came running over to her. “Jake, I’ll walk him around the block while you settle our bill. Meet you at the front door.”
Jake nodded. “I’ll call the valet now, and they can have our car in front of the hotel after we check out. See you downstairs.”
DeeDee opened the door of the hotel room and stepped into the hallway with Balto.
“Oh, and DeeDee?”
She turned to find Jake standing behind her. “Yes, Jake?”
“I love you.”
CHAPTER 10
Less than an hour later, DeeDee, Jake and Balto rode the elevator in silence to the ninth floor of the Four Seasons hotel. A subdued DeeDee closed her eyes and wished she could wake up all over again, but she knew today wasn’t going to go away. They had to help Roz and Clark deal with whatever lay ahead. Jake gripped her hand, his hold firm and steady, and she felt some of his strength pass through her. The chime on the elevator dinged and the doors swished open.
“Ready?” Jake asked her.
DeeDee nodded.
At the end of the hallway, the door to the honeymoon suite was opened by a red-eyed Roz, her face puffy and her hair a total mess. She was wearing the robe with ‘Bride’ emblazoned on the back that Tink had given her the previous morning, however today’s version of Roz looked so far different from yesterday’s, that she was almost unrecognizable. It was as if Roz had been replaced by an imposter, and her perfect life from the day before had been snatched away along with her essence.
DeeDee took one look at her sister and folded her up in her arms. Roz crumpled into DeeDee, and Jake guided them over to the lounge area of the suite. In other circumstances, DeeDee would have been wowed by the grand scale and opulence of the suite, but at that moment all her energy and attention was focused on her baby sister, Roz. The two women sat on the sofa, with Jake sitting in one of the armchairs opposite them. A round glass and wooden coffee table was in the middle of the seating arrangement, with a fruit basket sitting on top of it.
“It’s going to be okay,” DeeDee crooned, as she rocked Roz back and forth, the same way she’d always done when Roz was a little girl and had come crying to DeeDee after a childhood tragedy such as falling off her bicycle or when her pet goldfish had died. “I’m sure this is just a huge mistake. Anyone who knows Clark would certainly know he’s definitely not a murderer. Everyone can attest to the great relationship he and his uncle had.”
At the word ‘had’ Roz started to howl. DeeDee glanced at Jake, who was rubbing his unshaven chin. If he was uncom
fortable at the unfolding scene, he didn’t give anything away. DeeDee often thought Jake would make a great poker player due to his gift for maintaining an impassive expression in tricky situations.
Roz’s sobs gradually quieted, and eventually she lifted her head from DeeDee’s chest and spoke. “I know the police are going to think Clark killed Uncle Vinny for his money. If only he hadn’t said in his toast that Clark was going to inherit his estate. It’s not as if Clark even wants or needs it.” She looked at Jake desperately. “Jake, don’t you know someone on the police force? Can’t you make this whole thing go away?”
Jake’s voice was upbeat and reassuring. “Roz, you know I’ll do everything I can. I’m going to go down to the police station and see what I can find out about what’s happening. You two stay here, and I’ll give you a call when I know something.” Jake picked up the car keys for DeeDee’s SUV from the coffee table and stood up. He looked at DeeDee and continued, “Make sure you both eat something. I’m not sure how long this will take, but I’ll stay with Clark as long as he needs me.”
DeeDee was distracted by the sound of her phone ringing, and she mouthed a silent ‘Thank you’ to Jake as he left. Glancing at the unknown number on the screen, she was unsure whether she should take the call, but something told her to answer it. It was an unusual day, and at times like these, she’d learned to expect the unexpected.
“Hello? This is DeeDee.”
A deep male voice with a Chicago accent started to speak. “Mrs. Wilson, ya’ don’t know me, but please listen to me fer a moment. My name’s Al De Duco. Think yer’ sister knows me. Anyway, I was Vinny’s right-hand man for over forty years.”
“Hello, Al,” DeeDee said, looking across at Roz. “I saw you with Vinny at the wedding, and Roz explained who you were to me. I’m sure you’re as upset as are we.”
There was a pause, and DeeDee heard Al take a deep breath before he spoke again. “Ima lot shook up, Mrs. Wilson, and it takes a lot to rattle ol’ Al, fer sure. Thing is, Vinny tol’ me that you’ve helped solve a coupla murders. He said ya’ were a right smart lady. Think we need to talk and between us, we might be able to find out who killed Vinny.”
DeeDee paused. Any assistance they could get to clear Clark’s name would be welcome, but the thought of collaborating with a Mafioso was veering into movie territory. And DeeDee knew what happened in those films—a lot of people got killed. A chill ran down her spine. She turned to Roz, who had overheard the conversation.
Roz nodded and whispered, “He’s a good guy, just a little scary. He might be able to help us.”
DeeDee knew Roz was desperate, and probably wasn’t thinking straight. It was up to DeeDee to make a rational decision about how to deal with Al’s crazy offer.
“Believe me,” Al was saying at the other end of the line, “I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure the person who killed Vinny spends the rest of his or her life behind bars, if they even make it to prison.” And then he laughed, a low, menacing chuckle. DeeDee heard him make a cracking sound, like bones being clicked into place. Just like the movies.
She made her mind up then and there. “Al, I think time is of the essence. My boyfriend is a private investigator, and he’s gone to the police department to try and help Clark. I’m at the Four Seasons Hotel with my sister. Can you meet us here?”
“I’m on my way.”
*****
By the time Al stepped into the suite, the sun was coming up. The sky was clear, with no hint of the storm that was brewing inside their lives. DeeDee was standing at the large windows which offered a stunning view of Elliott Bay and Puget Sound, and she turned to greet their visitor.
“Pleased to meet you, Al,” she said when Roz introduced him. Al’s handshake was strong enough to crush a rock into dust, and DeeDee tried not to wince. “Would you like some coffee?”
Al removed his sunglasses and nodded. “Yes, thank you, ma’am.” He wore black jeans, a black turtleneck sweater, and a black wool jacket. He shifted from one leather-soled foot to the other.
DeeDee smiled warmly at him to try and put him at ease. “Please, Al, sit down. I want you to know how much we appreciate your coming over.”
The fruit basket on the table had been replaced by a tray of coffee and pastries from room service. The women’s hasty breakfast sat unfinished on the dining table in a separate area of the suite. Roz, who had changed out of her robe into the outfit she would have worn to the airport for her honeymoon, if her husband hadn’t been detained by the police, poured the coffee.
Al lifted his cup and took a sip, visibly relaxing as he swallowed. He cleared his throat and started to speak. “Think the first thing we oughta do is draw up a list of people who mighta wanted to see Vinny dead. I’m sure ya’ both may have heard that Vinny had ties to the Mafia when he was in Chicago.”
DeeDee tried to copy Jake’s poker face, but she was on tenterhooks as to what was coming next. Al looked Roz right in the eye, then turned to DeeDee and did the same.
Al continued. “That’s true. He did have some Mafia connections in Chicago. What ya’ might not know is that, and I’ll deny this if ya’ ever tell this to anyone, he also had some ties to people in Seattle who were somewhat, how shall I say this…let’s just call ‘em unsavory. That being said, while he may have had some links to ‘em, I was the front man for Vinny. None of ‘em knew where he lived or anything about his lifestyle, and I’m sure they didn’t know about yer’ weddin’, Mrs. Blackstock.”
Roz nodded. “I see. Go on, Al,” she said.
“That makes me think whoever whacked him is someone closer to him than one of those people he did business with. I know ‘em all, and Vinny paid well. Very well. All of ‘em had far more to gain with him alive than dead. I was Vinny’s confidante, and he tol’ me pretty much everythin’. Mrs. Blackstock, I know how much Vinny loved yer’ husband, and I know while the police may be questionin’ Clark, I’m convinced he didn’t do it.”
“He couldn’t have,” Roz said, her voice shaking. “He wasn’t alone the whole time from the moment we said our vows until he was taken away by the police.” She blew her nose with what was left of the Kleenex she’d been shredding into tiny pieces the entire time Al had been talking, causing a sprinkle of tissue paper snowflakes to scatter on her lap. DeeDee put an arm around her.
They were interrupted by the sound of the door opening, and DeeDee was relieved to see Clark and Jake walk into the room. A pale, grim-faced Clark sat down next to Roz, kissing her as he did. Jake remained standing, although there was an empty chair next to Al.
“Al, what are you doing here?” Clark asked.
“I’m here to help y’all find who killed Vinny,” Al said. “Kinda like maybe we could pool all our information to see what we can come up with. Mrs. Wilson thinks it’s a good idea.”
DeeDee could feel the heat rising in her cheeks. She didn’t need to look at Jake to know his eyes were on her, and she was glad Clark was filling Roz in on what had happened at the police station, so she didn’t have to explain herself.
“I’ve been released on my own recognizance,” he said, “but they told me not to leave town. I’m sorry sweetheart, but it looks like the honeymoon will have to be put on hold.”
Roz shrugged. “I don’t care about that. I’m just happy you weren’t arrested. I had visions of you in an orange jumpsuit.”
Clark shook his head and reached for Roz’s hand. “You know orange isn’t my color.”
Despite herself, DeeDee smiled and stole a glance over at Jake. His eyes twinkled across at her, and she glanced back at Al who was starting to outline his proposal.
“I think we oughta split up the suspects and see what we got on ‘em. It’ll go a lot faster that way,” Al said. “I gotta coupla names, but maybe you can think of more. Whaddaya say?”
The room became quiet. Roz was looking at Clark, and DeeDee raised her head back up to face Jake. His jaw was set in a straight line, and he was looking at Al.
DeeD
ee guessed that Jake wasn’t thrilled about Al being there, and she couldn’t blame him. Since Jake had always been on the right side of the law, as a Marine veteran and now a private investigator, she could understand any reluctance on his part to get involved with Al.
Clark spoke up. “My uncle trusted this gentleman, Al De Duco, like a brother. Al had his back and kept him safe for a very long time.”
Al started to protest, but Clark raised a hand to stop him. “Uncle Vinny told me you saved him many times, Al, but he knew that one day his luck would run out. We both know he wasn’t afraid of dying. My uncle held you in the highest regard, and his judgment was second to none. I would be honored if you can help us find whoever is responsible for his death.” He looked around at the others. “Are we all in agreement?”
Roz nodded.
“Absolutely,” DeeDee said. She held her breath, waiting for Jake’s response. He met her gaze, and his face softened.
“Count me in,” Jake said, reaching across the table to shake Al’s hand.
CHAPTER 11
Al unfolded a neat square of paper with several names written on it in spidery capitals. He looked up at DeeDee, Jake, Roz and Clark.
“Coupla other people here I’ll come to in a moment, but first, Mrs. Theresa Larkin. She didn’t care for Vinny, and the feelin’ was mutual. Do ya’ know her?”
Clark and Roz both nodded. “Of course we do,” Clark said. “She’s married to my mother’s cousin, Cecil. I guess he’s my only surviving relative now. It’s strange you should bring up Theresa’s name, because one of the last things Vinny said to me was that he was leaving by way of the garden exit in order to get away from her. He also checked that I had the envelope he gave us for our wedding gift. He’d asked me not to open it until we were on our honeymoon.” Clark turned to Roz. “I have no idea what’s in it. I didn’t even get to thank him properly.” Elbows resting on his knees, Clark buried his head in his hands.
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