‘All right, Mike. I’ll go and see Rosa.’
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
The family room in the condo looked like the inside of an abandoned crack house. Plates bearing the congealed remnants of half eaten meals covered every conceivable surface. Bottles and glasses lay on the floor, their contents either drunk or spilled, ashtrays overflowed. Jack threw open a window and picked his way through the debris to the kitchen. Unwashed dishes and pans filled the sink. He wrinkled his nose at the rich stink of rotting food coming from the overflowing trashcan.
‘Rosa!’
When she didn’t reply, he walked down the hall to the bedroom. The air smelt stale. An empty bottle of tequila and a half eaten sandwich lay on the bedside table. The comforter formed a tangled heap on the bed with the pillows. The wardrobe door stood open, clothes strewn across the floor.
Heart pounding, he ran down the hall to the nursery. The door was closed. The muscles of his forearm hardened beneath the sleeve of his shirt as he turned the handle and rushed inside.
Snuffling sounds came from the crib.
Emilia lay on her back, her face puckered and puce from crying.
Alone.
‘Oh, my God,’ he murmured. His hands trembled as he lifted her up and cradled her in his arms. ‘Shush little one, Daddy’s here. Where the hell is your mother?’
The baby blinked and screwed up her tear-filled eyes. Jack clutched her small hand in his. It felt cold, her fingertips almost blue. He looked around. How long had Rosa been gone? Hours? All day?
He wanted to snap the woman in half. Instead, he quickly wrapped Emilia in a blanket and carried her into the bathroom. Equal amounts of fear and anger tore at him as he filled the baby bath with water.
‘Damn you, Rosa, how could you do this to our daughter?’
He laid Emilia on the changing mat and deftly inched the yellow romper suit over her tiny arms and legs. Her soaking wet diaper stank and he felt the bile rise in his throat. He quickly removed it. Her bottom was red and dotted with blisters.
He looked down into his daughter’s eyes. Despite the rash, the filth, and the loneliness she smiled at him. His eyes filled with tears.
He tested the temperature of the water with his elbow, and satisfied it wasn’t too hot, lowered Emilia into the bath, and began to soap her tiny shoulders and chest. When she kicked her legs and gurgled, he breathed a sigh of relief.
He rinsed off the suds and dried her in a fluffy towel and dabbed her blistered bottom with diaper rash cream. Once more warm and pink, and dressed in a fresh diaper and romper suit, he scooped her up and carried her into the kitchen. The refrigerator contained a single bottle of formula. He warmed it in the microwave, then sat down at the table and popped the nipple into Emilia’s mouth. Her rosebud lips instantly fastened round it and she sucked hungrily.
The bottle was half empty when the door to the condo opened and Rosa stepped into the hallway.
‘Welcome home,’ spat Jack.
She stood motionless in the doorway. ‘Christ, Jack, you scared the shit out of me.’
‘I don’t care,’ he said. ‘How could you, Rosa? How could you abandon a baby like this?’
‘I’ve only been gone for a few minutes.’ Her gaze drifted to the clock above the sink.
‘Don’t lie to me,’ Jack murmured, keeping his voice down for the baby’s sake. ‘It’s been a whole lot longer than that.’
‘Thirty minutes—an hour maybe, I’m not sure. She was asleep when I left. You’re making a big deal out of nothing.’
Jack placed the empty bottle of formula on the table and then rubbed Emilia’s back until she burped. ‘Bullshit. Anything could have happened to her. She could have choked, or died from crib death.’
Rosa gave an impatient shrug. ‘She’s all right, isn’t she? All’s well that ends well.’
He shot her a withering glance. ‘Ends well. Aptly put. What kind of mother are you, anyway, Rosa? You think you can just put a baby to down sleep and go out to do God knows what? You make me sick.’
‘You can talk, you bastard!’
‘Stop shouting, Rosa. The baby—’
Rosa kept howling. ‘Three days! Three days you left me with that screaming, snot-nosed little shit. You don’t have a phone? You can’t call me? You make me sick!’ She turned on her heel and lurched toward the family room.
Jack stood, but rather than follow Rosa, he carried Emilia into the nursery and settled her down in the crib. Despite Rosa’s yelling, the baby’s eyelids fluttered drowsily. He covered her with a blanket then crept out of the room.
‘Where have you been, Rosa?’ he asked as he shut the door to the family room.
Rosa sat on the sofa, a half smoked cigarette dangled between her bright red fingertips.
‘Like you care. I needed to get out, get away from her.’
He reached out and hauled her off the sofa. His fists shook with rage as he clamped them around her wrists.
‘Emilia’s your daughter. She’s not something you can put down when it bores you. You have a responsibility. Where were you?’
‘Let go of me, Jack.’
‘Not until you’ve told me the truth about where you’ve been.’
‘I needed a drink, so I went to a bar in Little Havana. Hung out with a few friends, where’s the harm in that? You’re hurting me!’
Jack pushed her away. She landed in a heap on the sofa. ‘You’re not fit to be a mother.’
‘That’s probably because I never wanted the damned baby in the first place!’
‘So what did you want?’
‘I wanted an abortion, but my brothers told me to keep it, that you’d give me a home, nice clothes, money, maybe a car.’
‘So now the truth comes out. You assumed I’d owe you a bunch of stuff.’
Rosa raised her chin and glared at him.
‘You callous bitch.’ Jack slammed one fist against the other. ‘God knows what I ever saw in you.’
She leapt to her feet. ‘Jodete y aprieta el culo! I don’t want to be fat and old before my time. I’m pretty, Jack. But who ever sees it? Not you. You’re never here. I’m young! I want to have fun. And—’
‘And what, Rosa?’
She bit her lip. ‘Nothing.’
Jack grasped her shoulders and pulled her toward him until her face was inches from his.
‘Tell me.’
‘Jorge said having the baby would be good for business.’
‘What sort of business, Rosa?’
She flattened her palms against his chest and pushed hard. Nothing came of her effort.
‘Family business. Importing, exporting, you know. That sort of thing.’
‘Importing what? Drugs, cigars, people?’
‘You figure it out, Mr. FBI! You know everything, anyway, don’t you?’
Rage overwhelmed Jack. He fought the urge to slug her. Instead he relaxed his grip. She staggered backwards.
‘You used me, Rosa. You used my child. You’re nothing more than a whore. Pack your bags and get out.’
‘You can’t throw me out of my own home. I’ll call Child Services. They’ll arrest you. I’m the kid’s mother.’
‘You forget who you’re dealing with. I can arrest you myself. Right here, right now for child neglect,’ Jack said. ‘Or you can leave. Your choice.’
Rosa stiffened at the challenge, a sudden icy contempt flashed in her eyes. ‘I’ll go. But be careful, Jack. The next bullet could have your name on it. You never know.’ She stormed out the door.
Twenty minutes later, Jack lifted Emilia and the baby carrier out of his car. He shouldered his gym bag full of her paraphernalia and climbed the steps of the Cutler Inn. For the first time in his life he felt unsure of his welcome. He turned the brass handle and pushed open the door. Frank and Maisie Davis sat watching the evening news on TV.
‘Hello, Jack. Brought the little ‘un for a visit?’
‘Not exactly. I’ll come straight out and say it. I need you to look after Emili
a for a few days. Please.’
‘Where’s Rosa?’ Maisie asked.
‘She left. That’s because I threw her out.’
Maisie’s smile faded. ‘Oh. I’m sorry, Jack. I thought the two of you were trying to make a go of things.’
‘Not any more. Look, I haven’t got time to explain. I’m sorry, guys. I need your help like I’ve never needed it before.’
‘What about your friend, Grace? She seems like a nice lady, can’t she help?’ asked Frank.
Jack grit his teeth as he lifted Emilia out of the carrier and cradled her in his arms. ‘Grace is part of an on-going investigation into her late husband’s affairs. Two people connected to him have died already. Grace is in danger. I can’t put my daughter at risk too.’
Maisie looked at Frank. ‘I don’t know, Jack. We’ve got the inn and we’re getting a little old for this kind of thing. Maybe we could call your sister—’
‘I don’t have time to take Emilia to Buffalo,’ said Jack.
‘Now, Maisie, can’t you see the boy needs our help. We’ve never let him down and we’re not about to start now.’ Frank said, taking Emilia from Jack. ‘Don’t you worry. Maisie and I’ll take good care of Emilia while you finish up your investigation.’
‘I really appreciate all you’ve done for me. But I need one more favour. In case anything happens to me, I’d like to name you as Emilia’s guardians along with Charlotte. I don’t want Rosa to have access to her under any circumstances. I know that’s a lot to ask.’
Maisie took a quick, sharp breath. ‘But Rosa’s her mother. Besides, nothing is going to happen to you, Jack.’
‘Promise me, Maisie. Promise me you won’t let Rosa near Emilia.’
‘But—’
‘We’ll do as you say, Jack,’ said Frank. ‘You’re right to make provision for Emilia. Cops and agents face death every day. Why, just last month, I saw on TV that the number of cops being shot on duty was up twenty-four per cent from last year.’
‘Thanks, Frank,’ said Jack. ‘I feel loads better knowing that.’
Maisie nodded. ‘You don’t need to remind me of the risks Jack takes. I worry about him all the time. Jack, we’d be honoured to be Emilia’s guardians.’
Jack hugged her. ‘Thanks. I feel happier knowing she’s with people who love her.’ He took out his wallet and removed a wad of bills. ‘I packed what clean clothes I could find, but she’ll need formula and diapers. This should cover it.’
Maisie pushed his hand away. ‘No need for that, Jack. I’ll see she gets everything she needs.’
‘Take it, please.’
‘All right,’ Maisie said, tucking the bills into her apron pocket. Now, how about a cup of coffee and a slice of pie before you leave?’
‘I’m sorry, Maisie, gotta go.’ He kissed her cheek. ‘I have to pick Grace up from headquarters and drive back to Boca Grande this evening.’
‘Here, Maisie,’ Frank said, and carefully handed the sleeping infant to his wife. ‘You take our little sweetheart while I walk Jack to his car.’
Frank put an arm round Jack’s shoulders as they walked down the drive. ‘Is Rosa likely to turn up with an attorney?’
‘That’d be the last thing she’d turn up with. She couldn’t get away from Emilia fast enough. She’ll be back though. For me. With reinforcements. She’s just that kind of girl.’
‘In that case, do your best to sleep with one eye open and never lose sight of your weapon.’
‘I’ll do my best.’
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Rosa paced the living room of her brother’s home, chain smoking as her mind raced through the events of the previous day. She wasn’t cut out for motherhood, so what? Jack could afford to employ a nanny to look after the child, so there was no reason why she couldn’t enjoy life as she had before the birth, seeing friends, shopping, and dancing until midnight.
She poured a measure of tequila into a shot glass and downed it one, then snorted a line of cocaine, just enough to give her a little buzz.
Maybe she was too hasty in giving into Jack’s demands that she move out of the condo. He had the child, which was what he wanted, but what about her? Surely she was due some recompense for all the pain and discomfort she went through carrying the brat and giving birth. She refilled the glass, and sipped the contents. A familiar voice snapped her out of her semi-trance.
‘What in hell’s name are you doing here?’
Rosa regarded her brother Ramon with impassive coldness. Short and thin, with jet-black hair and dark brooding eyes, he was the baby of the family and the most handsome.
‘If you must know, Jack threw me out.’
‘You stupid bitch! Jorge will be furious. Why couldn’t you do as you were told for once?’
Rosa whirled round to face him, walking calmly toward him. ‘I’m sick of Jorge giving me orders. I had the brat, didn’t I?’
Ramon stepped back. ‘Jack gave you a home, money. You must really have pissed him off. Where’s the baby?’
‘I left the screaming brat on her own for a while, okay? Jack found out, we argued and he threw me out. The baby’s with him. End of story.’
‘The cousins are going to be real upset when they learn they won’t be getting green cards.’
Rosa ground out her cigarette and took another out of the packet on the table, but didn’t light it.
‘This isn’t about the family, money or green cards. This is about me!’
Ramon ran a hand through his hair. Rosa had a volatile nature and arguing with her was getting him nowhere.
‘You’re so damn selfish.’ He turned and walked toward the kitchen, but Rosa grabbed him by the throat and pinned him hard against the wall.
‘You just don’t get it, do you?’ she screamed.
‘Then explain it to me,’ he said hoarsely.
‘I didn’t have the baby because Jorge told me to. I did it for revenge.’
‘Revenge for what?’
‘Christ, were you born with no brains? Do you take no interest in family business?’
‘Whose fault is that? You and Jorge ignore me most of the time.’
‘Is that surprising, given the way you behave? You’d rather be out playing baseball than taking an active role. Do you have any idea the effort Jorge and I put into providing you for and the rest of the family?’
‘The store—’
Rosa’s dark eyes narrowed. ‘Provides nothing! You really believe that’s how we make our money? You’re more stupid than you look!’
‘I’m not stupid.’
‘Then prove it! Go out there and help your brother.’
‘With what?’
‘Why do you think Jorge spends most of his day down at the docks?’
Ramon’s eyes widened in surprise. No longer able to breathe, he shook his head from side to side, trying to free himself from her vice-like grip. His lungs felt ready to burst. His world darkened. Just as he was about to lose consciousness, Rosa relaxed her hold. His body sagged, he slumped to the floor, chest heaving.
‘You’re such a coward. You’re not worthy of the name Nuñuz.’
Ramon put a hand to his throat, and massaged the bruised muscles and tendons. ‘But what has that got to do with Jack and the baby?’
‘Eighteen months ago, your second cousin, Estefan, suspected someone had infiltrated his organization. It took a while, but he found out who this person was, and ordered them killed.’ She lit another cigarette, drew in smoke, and held it, before letting it out in a steady stream. ‘But, it was too late. The man had already passed the information to the FBI. Estefan was arrested and charged with drug trafficking.’
‘So?’
‘Jack was on the task force. He was the agent the informer passed the information to. Jack set up a meeting with your cousin, offering Estefan a foolproof way to bring a shipment of cocaine into the country. Only it was a trap, which is how Estefan came to be serving twenty-five years in the state penitentiary.’
‘Face it
, Rosa. A few drinks and you’ll spread your legs for any man. If you hate Jack so much, why did you let him get you pregnant?’
She ran at him then, her nails raking down his cheek, drawing blood. ‘How dare you! Jack West ruined my life. Having his baby was my way of getting revenge for what he did. I loved Estefan. He loved me. We planned to marry and would have done, if Jack hadn’t arrested him and given evidence at his trial.’
Ring of Lies Page 17
