“He’s another Andrew,” Uncle Paolo said. “I saw it last night.”
“He praised her all night,” I said. “Andrew never did that.”
“He did at the beginning of their marriage,” Aunt Amelia said. “Remember how he used to brag about her cooking and compare it to his mother’s? You know how competitive Sofia can be. She has to be the best, and she knocked herself out to please him.”
“I’m worried about the money.” Paolo lowered his voice. “He has three ex-wives, and I heard he had to borrow money from his mother after paying off the last one.”
“Last night, I heard him talking about boats and cottages with some of the other guests.”
Aunt Amelia’s eyes welled with tears. “He’ll go through her money in no time.”
“What does Sofia say about all of this?” I knew how she had reacted to my comments. I wondered if she spoke that abruptly with her parents.
“She refuses to listen to any criticism of him.” Paolo shook his head in defeat.
I decided to enlighten them about Sofia’s plans. “She’s flattered by his attention. It’s normal to feel that way after a divorce. It’s just a fling.”
“Why would she ruin her reputation for someone like that?” Tears pooled in the corners of Uncle Paolo’s eyes.
Aunt Amelia managed a weak smile. “I know it doesn’t sound very good, but I’m glad she doesn’t plan to marry Roberto.” She turned to her husband. “We’ll just go along with anything they do, and try not to get too upset.”
“You…not get upset,” Uncle Paolo eyes widened. “Amelia, you’ve been having migraines since you found out about Roberto.”
“I don’t want that man as a son-in-law,” Aunt Amelia said. “Last night, I thought about our wonderful grandsons and all the holidays. I couldn’t bear to see Roberto and his mother at Sofia’s house on all those festive occasions. But if it’s just a fling, I can deal with it.” She spoke directly to me. “How long do these flings last?” Aunt Amelia had assumed that I was an expert in this area.
“Not too long. They fizzle out in a few months, maybe a year.” I thought back to my own forgettable flings, but I wasn’t about to share that information with my relatives.
“If it’s just a couple of holidays with Roberto and his mother, I can bear it.” Aunt Amelia breathed a sigh of relief. “We’ll make sure there’s a crowd, like last night.”
Uncle Paolo made a face. “I thought last night was too much for you.”
“Do I have to repeat myself?” Aunt Amelia raised her voice. “It’s only temporary. Once she gets him out of her system, we won’t have to deal with him again. And if Sofia invites a lot of people, there are distractions. I won’t have to talk to his mother all night. That is, if she ever decides to come.”
“We need to get home and put the groceries away.” Uncle Paolo nodded toward the back door. “Do you want me to check the alleyway before I leave?”
I remembered that Carlo had also used the back entrance. He might still be around surveying the area and planning for Wednesday. I couldn’t afford to take any chances and further alert my relatives. “It’s over. Past history. No more murders.”
“The dead woman didn’t come back,” Aunt Amelia said. “There’s no point looking for any more trouble.”
Chapter 29
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
I meticulously planned each day and made sure I had no time to think about Wednesday. I surprised—maybe even shocked my mother—when I decided to spend Sunday cooking and baking with her. Adele and Laura must have wondered why I planned outings for three consecutive week nights.
On Wednesday, I faced a day jam-packed with appointments, and I even forgot to eat lunch. I sent Belinda home early and finished up some paperwork. At five-thirty, I drove to the Canadian Tire plaza.
By ten to six, I found myself safely and comfortably seated in the back of an unmarked police van with Carlo Fantin as my sole companion. The van was spotless, and well-equipped with a large rectangular cooler filled with a variety of cold drinks, fruit, buns, cheese, and cold cuts. We were parked about three hundred feet from the back entrance to my office. Carlo had set up his laptop on a few boxes. One of the other officers had set up a security camera at a high angle, just outside the office. In addition to hearing the conversation, we would also be able to see everything going on. Everything was in place as we awaited Grace’s arrival.
Carlo smiled at me. “Technically, this could qualify as our first date. We are alone in the back of a van, and we are eating. What do you think, Gilda?”
“It’s not what I had in mind when you suggested dinner, but I must say this food looks delicious.” I made myself a sandwich and started eating.
Carlo pointed to the laptop. “Grace has arrived.” We watched as she unfolded a director’s chair and sat down.
I squinted and tried to make sense of what Grace was wearing. While I couldn’t distinguish color with the black-and-white footage, it looked like she had selected head-to-toe white, ivory or light tan clothing. She carried a large tote bag and had a printed scarf around her neck. I had seen a similar outfit before, but not on Grace. I gasped. “She’s dressed like Carrie Ann on the day of her murder. Is that wise?”
“She wants to recreate the murder scene. She feels it will trigger some kind of action on the murderer’s part.”
“She could pass for Carrie Ann or even Melly Grace.” I watched as Grace read a magazine. “She’s so calm and collected. How does she do it?”
“Different people. Different temperaments,” Carlo said. “I don’t even think there’s a genetic link of any kind. The three Godfrey sisters are living proof of that. Anna May always flew off the handle about something, Jenny Marie is the quiet one, and Carrie Ann…well, Carrie Ann has…had all the grace and poise.”
“Melly Grace had it, too.”
Carlo shook his head. “Melly Grace put up a good front, but she could be very loud and confrontational when things didn’t go her way.”
“Is that why you broke up?” I asked.
“It was more complicated than that.” Carlo explained, “Mr. Godfrey didn’t believe in long distance romances. He approved of me, but he wanted me to move to Tennessee and get my police training there.”
“What did your parents say?”
“It didn’t get that far. I made it very clear I wasn’t ready to settle down, and I didn’t want to leave Canada.”
“Melly Grace could have come up here.”
“Melly Grace didn’t want to live in a cold climate, and she didn’t want a long engagement. She loved the heat and wanted me to accommodate her.”
“And so it ended.”
“Yes,” he sighed. “And I didn’t see her again until Carrie Ann’s memorial service.”
“I wonder if she expected you to go back to her.”
“Trust me, that woman did not pine away because I wouldn’t relocate to Tennessee. She was fire and ice and got a bit nasty when things don’t go her way. Not too many men would stand for her mood swings. At least, not the men that Melly Grace wanted in her life.” Carlo added, “It wouldn’t have worked out, anyway. We were so different, and our families would have never meshed together.”
“I wonder—”
“A car has just pulled up next to Grace. I need to focus.”
The large black car came to a stop. My heart started beating at an alarmingly fast rate. I was suddenly afraid and desperate for any means of escape.
“You can’t leave now,” Carlo said. “You’ll see and hear a few things you would rather not see and hear. But we’ve reached the point of no return in this investigation. I need to focus on Grace.” His firm and emphatic tone made it clear he did not have the time or patience to deal with any drama.
Roberto Ongaro got out of the car and went over to shake Grace’s hand. “Grace, how wonderful to see you again. But under these circumstances, it is not so pleasant for either one of us. We could have met in a restaurant or café, b
ut I decided to humor you. I have never been able to resist the demands of beautiful young women.” He sighed. “That is my one and only weakness, and it has cost me dearly.”
“Only one weakness, Roberto,” Grace said. “Have you corrected all your other faults?”
“Pretty lady, you are wounding me severely.” Roberto made a motion with an imaginary saber piercing his heart.
“Oh, please spare us all.” I faced Carlo. “I want a copy of the DVD and audio for Sofia. She will need to see and hear this.”
A shadow crossed his face, but he made no comment.
Roberto spoke again. “Now, what’s all of this nonsense about a diary? Poor, poor demented Anna May. Even in death she manages to torment us all.” A pause and static from the tape. “…Jenny Marie has a full plate of problems and I don’t think she needs the added aggravation…madness. Give me the diary. I will dispose of it immediately.” More static. “…it has disturbed you.”
Carlo frowned as he fiddled with the laptop. “This should do it,” he mumbled.
“Do you know what’s in it?” Grace asked.
Roberto shook his head. “How could I possibly know what went on in that demented woman’s mind?”
“How do you know she was demented?”
“Gilda and Sofia were constantly harassed by Anna May. Neither one of them could go anywhere without being subjected to one of her angry tirades.” He continued in a more serious tone. “Please give me the diary. It’s the only way to have some kind of closure here.”
“I don’t have the diary with me.”
“You lured us here, and there’s no diary,” Roberto shouted. “What kind of game are you playing?”
“Us?” Grace asked. “Is there someone else in the car with you?”
Roberto went over to the back seat of the car and spoke to someone. I couldn’t make out what he said, and neither could Carlo. Grace also strained to hear. The door of the car opened, and Sofia stepped out.
I felt a sudden rush of nausea.
“Take deep breaths.” Carlo patted my hand reassuringly, but his eyes stayed glued to the laptop.
Grace held out her hand to Sofia. “I’m glad you could join us, Sofia.”
Sofia ignored the outstretched hand. “Where’s the diary? I want to read that woman’s lies.”
“What makes you so certain she has lied?” Grace spoke clearly, enunciating every word. “You haven’t seen it yet.”
“This is ridiculous,” Roberto said. “If you don’t have the diary with you, there’s no point continuing this conversation. Sofia and I will leave, and that will be the end of it.”
“You mean you don’t want to read any of the entries?” Grace rummaged in her tote and took out two folders. “I took the liberty of photocopying several entries. Take as long as you want to read them, and then we can discuss them.”
Carlo handed me a folder. “Grace left me a copy of the folder. She wrote it up herself in her best forgery of Anna May’s handwriting. She wanted you to read it at the same time as Roberto and Sofia.”
My hands shook as I started to read the entries.
Wednesday, October 19th
She’s gone. My dear Carrie Ann is gone, and it was all so unnecessary. Why did she have to go and get others involved? That slimy detective and Gilda Greco, of all people. Why did she have to investigate me? I’m her sister, not some criminal or other low life. And God only knows what she told Gilda. It’s bad enough she’s a rich bitch. She’ll be a rich, condescending bitch if Carrie Ann told her about my problems.
I didn’t mean to push Carrie Ann, but I couldn’t stand it when she told me she wanted to dissolve the company and get out. I wanted to knock some sense into her. I didn’t want her to die. She hit that Dumpster at the strangest angle, and if that wasn’t bad enough, Roberto Ongaro and Sofia DiMatteo suddenly appear out of nowhere. And now I’m in bed with those two.
Roberto asked me how I wanted to play it. If I were dealing with him alone it wouldn’t be so bad. But I also have to worry about Sofia. They agreed to help me arrange the body in the Dumpster. It seemed the best solution. It won’t be emptied until Friday, and by then the body will have started to decompose. Sofia tells me they are expecting over two hundred people at tomorrow’s open house. There will be too many suspects so the police will drop the investigation. I’m not drinking anymore. I will make this up to you, Mom. I’m so sorry.
Thursday, October 20th
What a disaster! And it’s all Sofia’s fault. She was supposed to make sure no one went near that Dumpster until after the open house. She let her own parents discover the body. How stupid can you get? Now, she’s going to pay for her mistake.
Jenny Marie insisted on visiting Gilda at her condo. She needed some kind of closure and thought Gilda could give it to her. I wish we hadn’t gone. I wish I hadn’t laid eyes on Gilda Greco. When I saw her living high off the hog, I struggled to keep from screaming or hitting her. That was supposed to be my life, not Gilda Greco’s. I scared Gilda, and I shook up Sofia. Good! Those women haven’t seen or heard the end of this. Someone’s got to pay for Carrie Ann’s death, and it may as well be Gilda. If she hadn’t started with all that career changing nonsense, Carrie Ann would be alive today.
If Sofia decides to talk, she’ll implicate herself. I’m sure Roberto explained all that to her. He’s involved, but I’m not worried about him. We go back a long way, and I don’t think he wants any of that early dirt coming back to haunt him. We’re picking up Melly Grace in a couple of hours. I can’t believe she got a flight that quickly. I have to watch it with her. She’s sharp and doesn’t miss a thing.
Monday, October 24th
It’s getting worse and I can’t stop drinking. It all started at the restaurant. Carrie Ann must have tipped off Melly Grace about the accounts. How that woman loves lording it over me and everyone else. I got a reprieve when she looked Gilda’s way, but I know Melly Grace. She’s like a dog with a bone. She won’t stop until she gets what she wants. I need to stop her before she does too much damage. I could lose everything if something isn’t done. I’m calling Roberto.
Tuesday, October 25th
It had to be done. I can’t believe how easy it was to get Melly Grace out to Olympia. She believed me when I told her the owner of the restaurant was blackmailing me. And Roberto came through for me. He may be sleazy, but he’s on the ball. Which is more than I can say for Sofia. She just stood there and watched us kill Melly Grace. She kept saying that she didn’t want to get involved. Well, lady, wake up and smell the coffee, you are involved, and you’ve been aiding and abetting us. I’ll get you and that rich bitch of a cousin.
Friday, October 28th
That rich bitch must have slept with Carlo or paid him off. Can you believe it? He drove out to the island to get her an alibi. And now she’s scot free. Free as a bird to enjoy all that beautiful money and never have a day’s worry again.
Sofia has stopped coming to Curves, so I’m not getting the daily updates, and Roberto hasn’t answered any of my calls. But I’m not through with them yet. Especially Sofia. I want a piece of that pie, that big pie that has fallen out of the sky and landed on Gilda Greco’s table. It’s my turn to be happy. I deserve it.
Saturday, October 29th
Mom, it would have broken your heart to see that heartless bitch of a Natalia turn on me. Your Russian daughter has forgotten where she came from, and how much we all did for her. She’s going to pay for it. I will not be made the laughingstock of Sudbury. How dare she humiliate me like that and lump me in with that rich bitch and the lackey? They’re all going to pay for it. I’m calling Roberto.
Sofia burst into loud, racking sobs. I tried to ignore her and focused instead on Roberto.
He also ignored Sofia and spoke to Grace. “You’ve upset Sofia with this pack of lies.”
“They’re not lies,” Grace said. “These entries were written in Anna May’s own hand. I have the original documents.”
“They are th
e rants of an emotionally unstable woman, and I don’t think they will hold too much weight with anyone. I wouldn’t show this diary to anyone else, Grace dear. You need to give it to me and not trouble your pretty head about it.” He added, “Go back to your own uncomplicated life in Toronto. What is it that you do?”
“I’m an interior designer.”
“I’m willing to bet your boss is working you too hard. You’re young and talented, and they like to take advantage of that.”
“I’m a big girl.”
“Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you could call your own shots and not have to take orders from anyone?”
“And how would I go about doing that, Mr. Ongaro?”
“For starters, stop calling me Mr. Ongaro. All my friends call me Roberto, and I like to think of you as a special friend. We could continue this friendship beyond Sudbury. I’m in Toronto at least twice a month. We could have the occasional dinner and discuss your future in the interior design business. We could have you set up in your own shop in no time at all.” He glanced at Sofia and repeated, “In no time at all.”
Sofia sniffed. “I hope you’re not including me in this royal we of yours.”
Roberto’s tone became sharper. “Sofia, stop being so difficult and start cooperating. We have a situation here.”
“No, you have a situation here,” Sofia said. “I’m not involved in any of it. Anna May even said it.”
I gasped and watched as Roberto threw the pages toward the Dumpster. “Lies! These are packs of lies. Sofia, I suggest you go sit in the car. You’re starting to upset me, and I wish to continue my pleasant conversation with Grace.”
“We’re finished!” Sofia shouted. “You want to pay off this bimbo. Do it with your own money, or if you’re desperate, you can always go visit your mother. I’m sure she doesn’t want to see you disbarred or tried for murder.”
He spoke again to Grace. “It’s the menopause. I think she’s on the verge of losing it completely. She blames me for everything that goes wrong in her life.” He moved closer to Grace and put his hands on her shoulders. “Now, let’s get back to you, dear Grace. We need to make sure that you are properly settled in Toronto. I’ll make some inquiries and get back to you.”
A Season for Killing Blondes Page 20
