Vendetta

by Jennifer Moulton

  “I’ve got some things to do, that’s all. I don’t have time to sleep,” he snapped his phone shut. “Is Nick still at the restaurant?” Mark wondered why he hadn’t heard from his friend yet.

  “Probably, he said he would be home for a little bit to have dinner, before heading back to close up. Why don’t you join us? Something tells me you haven’t eaten,” Julie looked at him, concerned. She tried extra hard to focus and to look him in his eyes, but it was just too tempting to look down at his chest… and his waist. Good lord, his abs were practically begging her to wrap her legs around them. She quickly looked away and shook off the fantasy.

  Mark noticed Julie was looking at him. He then realized that he was possibly making Julie uncomfortable by not wearing a shirt. He hadn’t exposed his scars to anyone before, not even Allie. Mark was careful to always remain covered for this very reason.

  “I’ll be right back.” Mark went up to his room and quickly pulled on a shirt. He didn’t care if it was clean or not. He sat on the bed for a second, pondering Julies invite.

  Julie sat quietly, awkwardly looking around the kitchen. She knew that he had probably gone off to put on a shirt. “Way to go, Jule’s. Way to stare at the poor man and make him self-conscience,” she scolded herself.

  Suddenly, a sputtering sound indicating that the pot was almost ready, reminded Mark of the coffee. He quickly walked down the stairs and sauntered over to fill their mugs, handing one over to Julie at the table and taking a seat for himself, at the breakfast bar.

  “Thank you for the dinner offer, but, I’ve got some things to take care of,” he took a sip of his coffee.

  “Come on, Mark. Come over and eat. I don’t expect small talk or a deep conversation out of you. Just eat some food,” Julie said insistently.

  “I’m sorry, but I can’t. Not tonight. Thanks for the offer though,” Mark said stubbornly.

  “Are you sure? Nick will be home and if you want to talk about anything-” Julie continued.

  “Julie, I said no. Please understand. I have things to do,” he was becoming short with her. He didn’t want to be rude, but he really didn’t want to be social right now, let alone go to someone’s house for dinner.

  “Oh, okay. I understand,” Julie said, looking down.

  “Damn. Why did she have to be so nice?” Mark thought. He hated to disappoint her.

  “Is it anything that I could help you with? You know, you don‘t even have to ask, just tell me what needs to be done. I could call some family-” Julie was cut off mid-sentence.

  “No, it’s nothing like that. But thanks anyway,” he said frankly.

  “Are you sure? I could go to the grocery store or…”

  “Yes! Julie, I’m sure,” Marks loud and impatient voice came as shock to him. He toned it down immediately.

  “There’s nothing for you to do, there’s no family to call, just… don’t worry about it. If I need help, I‘ll ask for it,” he leaned onto the counter top, sliding down onto his elbows and rubbing his head with both hands. Mark took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. He looked over at a silent Julie.

  She stared at him with wide watery eyes. “I’m sorry, I didn‘t mean to upset you. I was just trying to help,” her voice trembled.

  “Aw, shit, I’m sorry,” Mark felt bad. Realizing his overreaction, he went over and sat across from her. Mark reached out and grabbed her hand, giving her a half smile.

  “I‘m sorry, Jules, I know you’re just trying to help me out. The kinds of stuff I need to get done are only things I can handle. It’s nothing personal, it’s just…. complicated. Okay? You’re very nice and helpful, but I need some time right now to sort out my own issues. Please, understand that it has nothing to do with you,” Mark explained his current situation the best he could.

  Julie looked up at him and sensed his frustration. “Of course, I understand. I mean, I guess I do,” she tried to put her fragile emotions aside.

  “Have you heard anything from the police or the Doctors yet?” She asked.

  “No. Not yet, but I’m… um… never mind,” Mark paused.

  She was confused by the strange vibes he was giving off. Mark was acting… well, NOT like Mark.

  Mark wondered if he should say something to her about hiring Williams to investigate Allie’s death. He suddenly wanted to tell her… everything. But, what would he say? How would he explain it?

  (I’m not the man you and Nick think I am. Allie’s death wasn’t an accident. You’re in possible danger just being my friend and especially being here in my house.) Mark thought that this might be a little too much for her to handle right now. “Not the right time,” he thought.

  Mark glanced at her face, but lingered for a moment. She was a very beautiful woman, even when she was upset and on the verge of crying. She’s a good friend, he’d say to himself, whenever he thought of her in this way. However, there was no denying that they had always had this… chemistry. The very first time they‘d met, they couldn’t stop smiling at each other, for no apparent reason. He had to force himself not to smile or look at her just to keep others from noticing. Mark quickly realized that he shouldn’t be thinking about his friend and coworker’s wife this way.

  He drank down the rest of his black coffee and went to the sink, setting his cup inside. His phone got a text and vibrated just then. He turned his back to pull it out of his pocket and read it. It was from Williams.

  “Mark, are you okay? Did you find something out from the Doctor?” Julie was still waiting on his answer. She was concerned with his weird behavior.

  “I’m still waiting to hear from the investigating detectives, but the Doctor last night said it could be a few things. A food allergy, or cross contamination. They said that she most likely “asphyxiated,” he paused. He hated the sound of that word.

  Julie gasped. “Oh, my… so it was something she ate? Like an allergic reaction to her dinner or something? That doesn’t make any sense,” she said.

  “Yeah, I guess. A food handling accident of some kind, whatever the hell that means, but we won’t know anything till later on this week. So, it‘s a waiting game,” Mark took a deep breath and glanced at Julie.

  “Look, I’m being a little impatient, I know. I’m really sorry, but I’m on edge right now. I’m not the best company, so… if you don’t mind,” Mark looked down at the counter, hoping she would get the hint and understand that he was trying to tell her… to leave.

  “Yeah, that’s fine. It‘s more than fine, it‘s totally fine!” She nervously waved her hand. “No need to apologize for anything. Least of all, how your feeling,” her voice was shaking.

  “I hope you get all the answers you need really soon, and that you get all your, uh… stuff done, that you need to get done today or whatever,” she stood up from the table, nervously grabbing at her purse.

  Mark reached across the table to pick up her coffee mug and Julie grabbed it. “I can get it, Mark,” she snapped.

  His warm hand covered hers and lingered. Julie froze. She looked up into his eyes. What seemed like a totally innocent and accidental gesture became something more. There was that connection, that unmistakable spark. Their bodies were so close, that they inhaled the same breath the other exhaled. It was, as if they were breathing life into each other.

  He cleared his throat and looked away, letting go of her hand.

  She quickly went to the sink and rinsed out her cup, setting it onto the counter.

  “I’ve got to get going anyway, dinner doesn’t cook itself,” she fidgeted with her purse on her shoulder as she went to the door. Her hands shook as she fumbled with the handle.

  “It’s locked. Let me get that for you,” Mark reached around her and unlocked the door. He stepped out and looked around before holding the door open for her.

  “Thanks for stopping by, Julie. I appreciate it,” Mark said to her as she got into her car.

  “No problem. Will we be seeing you at 5:30? It is meatloaf night, don‘t turn me down!” She rais
ed her eyebrows and gave him a sympathetic look.

  “Julie, I already told you, I can’t-” he started to protest, but she stopped him.

  “If you don’t come, I’ll understand. But the offer is still there.”

  She pointed her finger at him, gave him a stern look and said, “Don‘t start holding your feelings in and alienating yourself from people who care about you, it isn‘t healthy. You know you can talk to me anytime, about anything, day or night. Besides, the last thing you want is to bottle it all up. You’ll only end up lashing out and hurting someone,” Julie said seriously.

  He nodded and waved as she backed down the driveway leading to the back alley.

  “If you only knew,” Mark said to himself. He walked to the end of the lane and watched her drive away.

  CHAPTER 7

  WELL-MADE TABLES

  “Hello, Mr. Anderson,” Williams sounded glad that Mark had called him back so quickly.

  “Good evening Detective Williams. I got your text, saying we could speak in the morning, but I was wondering if we could talk now. Do you have a minute?” He asked.

  Mark didn’t care too much for texting. Unless it was a quick message, he just preferred a regular phone call. He was “old school” is what Allie would say.

  “Yes, of course,” Williams said. “Now is just fine.”

  “Were you able to find out anything from the prison today?” Mark put his phone on speaker and sat it on the bathroom counter.

  Wiping the steam off the mirror, he looked at himself for the first time since he’d lost her. He could almost hear her scolding him for taking too hot a shower.

  “The steam isn’t good for the paint on the walls, Dad. Plus, the heat can dry your skin out too. At least crack a window!” She would say. What he wouldn’t give to hear her nagging him again.

  “Are you still there, Mark, or did I lose you?” Williams asked.

  “Yeah, Sorry, I’m still here. What do you got?” Mark refocused on the conversation.

  “I got a name off of the visitors log for Mr. Vanzetti,” He stated proudly.

  Taking his phone off speaker, Mark held it between his ear and shoulder. He walked to his dresser and picked up a pen.

  “There’s just one name? Okay, what is it?” He found an old receipt lying on top, flipped it over and waited for Williams to begin.

  “You know what, I‘m only about five minutes from your house. Would you prefer if I just stopped by? I thought you might want to take a look at the print out I have,” Williams asked.

  “Yes, actually, that would be better,” Mark sounded surprised. “Five minutes then?”

  “Yep, see you soon,” Williams concluded.

  Mark hung up the phone and quickly finished dressing. He slid his gun holsters over his shoulders and secured it under his arms. Mark secured his loaded pistols inside and snapped it together across his chest, carefully concealing them under his leather jacket.

  “Who’s been visiting you Leo? Who in this world would care about you?” Mark mumbled to himself as he walked down the hall and made his way down the stairs.

  Talking out loud made him feel like someone else was there… like he wasn’t completely alone in that big empty house.

  Mark suddenly remembered Julie and checked the time. It was after 6:00 p.m. Mark text Julie, saying, “Running late start without me,” she text him back with, “No dice,” he almost smiled on that one.

  Hearing a car pull up outside, he walked over and stood next to the back door. The motion light by the back door came on. He carefully peeked out the side of the curtain to make sure it was Williams before he opened the door to greet him.

  ~

  “Nick, are you still on the phone with work?” Julie slowly opened the door to the dimly lit den and knocked on the door frame. “He’s been on the phone long enough,” she thought. “If it’s that important he should’ve stayed at work. He can be home for ten minutes, it‘s not going to kill him.”

  She peeked inside and couldn’t see him at the desk. The sun was setting and there weren’t any lamps on. Suddenly, she heard his voice, out on the veranda that was connected to the den. She pushed the door open wider. Julie walked into the den, slowly making her way through the shadows, towards the open French doors. Suddenly, she heard his voice. He was outside on the porch leaning against the wood railing… whispering harshly into his phone.

  “I have a very good reason to be freaking out! I don’t think you quite understand how hard this is for me! I’m supposed to be his friend for God’s sake! Now he’s asking questions and all kinds of shit,” Nick seemed frantic, almost scared. There was a long pause, but Julie continued to listen.

  “I don’t know what he said to the damn detective!! AND… to top it all off, my stupid wife has invited him HERE… for dinner, tonight!” He was clutching his cell phone hard, and practically spitting on it.

  Julie froze. Her body felt strangely heavy all of the sudden. Who was he talking to like that? And who is he calling stupid? She backed up into the wall and stood as still as she could. Her eyes squinted as she tried to focus harder on listening.

  “Alright…okay! I’ll stay and see what I can find out. Don’t worry, I can do it… I don’t really have a choice, do I? I’ll see you tomorrow… you too,” he said in a calmer tone.

  Julie panicked, realizing that he was about to hang up. He would walk in and surely see her standing there. She needed to get out, and fast. She walked back towards the door as quickly and quietly as she could, hoping he wouldn‘t think she overheard his call. Instead, she stopped just before running out the door and switched on the light instead.

  “Honey, are you out there?” She bellowed loudly as she turned around and walked swiftly back toward the balcony.

  “Yeah, I’m right here,” Nick was startled. He shut the French doors behind him and walked into the den. “I was just finishing up a phone call,” Nick said quickly.

  “Oh, that was a long one. What was that all about?” Julie asked innocently.

  “I have a meeting at the restaurant tomorrow morning… just had to go over some things,” Nick said, believably enough.

  He flashed a quick smile and took a swig off the beer he held in his hand. “I didn’t want to bore you with it in the kitchen! I decided that I’m going to stay home and have dinner with you tonight, regardless of what’s going on at the restaurant. They’re just going to have to get along without me,” Nick’s demeanor changed and he seemed very convincing.

  “Great, are you almost ready to eat?” She smiled.

  “Absolutely, I’m ready when you are,” Nick said overly excitedly.

  “Mark is running a little late, but he’ll be here soon.” Julie was surprised at how calm and nonchalant her voice sounded. Her hand was steady, as her husband took it and led her into the dining room.

  ~

  Mark sat at the kitchen table with Williams. He looked over copy of the prisons “Visitor Sign-in Roster” that Williams handed him.

  “Christina L. Mazzo?” Mark was puzzled. “Do we know who she is, yet?”

  “I don’t know yet, there is absolutely NO record of her. Not even a speeding ticket. I was hoping you could tell me,” Williams said.

  Mark concentrated and shook his head.

  “Well, whoever she is, she’s been visiting him regularly, twice actually, just this last month. I‘m assuming she‘s local to visit him so often in New Jersey,” he looked at Mark. “So, the name doesn’t ring a bell with you, at all?” Williams felt a little let down. He was excited to show Mark what he was able to get.

  “No, not at all,” Mark rubbed the back of his neck and leaned back in the chair. “Maybe she’s someone he met thru another inmate? Or, could be a wife or girlfriend of someone he already knows.”

  Williams commented. “Maybe she’s his girlfriend.”

  “Maybe, they could be using the woman as a front to relay messages,” Mark thought out loud. Mark looked up at the ceiling as his mind ran the idea one more t
ime.

  “Get her to sign in, be on camera, and then talk business thru the glass,” Williams was trying to wrap his head around the notion. “That would appear innocent enough,” he decided.

  “That’s it. We got it!” Mark exclaimed.

  “What’s that?” Williams inquired.

  “The surveillance cameras,” Mark sat up in his chair. “There’s got to be security footage, right? Maybe we can I.D. her that way.”

  “Nice, I can get us that first thing tomorrow morning. I‘ll do the best I can, giving that it‘s a Sunday,” Williams felt hopeful again.

  “The guys over there don‘t have anything exciting to do anyway,” Mark added. “So, let’s do it. In the meantime, could you make a call to your department and run that last name against the other inmates, just in case there’s a connection?” Mark said.

  Williams nodded in agreement. “Yeah, I can do that.”

  “I appreciate your work. Thank you,” Mark stood and shook his hand.

  “Let’s meet tomorrow morning at the coffee shop on the corner of 6th and Main. Eight o’clock,” Mark opened the back door. “I’ll walk you out.”

  “That sounds good to me, Mark. See you tomorrow morning,” Williams said as he walked to his car.

  Mark walked back into the house, locked the door and shut off the lights. Leaning up against the wall, he peeked out the back window. That’s when he saw the black Ford Expedition. It slowly pulled out behind Williams as he drove away. It was too slow to be tailing him, probably just keeping an eye on him and verifying his whereabouts. It was a precinct vehicle… unmarked. He knew it was only a matter of time before they got curious.

  Mark zipped up his jacket and went out the front door, locking it behind him. It was about a ten minute walk to Nick and Julies. He welcomed the crisp cool air on his face and the crunching of dead leaves under his boots as he walked down the sidewalk. It was definitely autumn, Allies favorite season. All though she would say it was “fall”, because, the leaves “fall from the trees, Daddy”, a then seven year old Allie had explained. Thinking back now… maybe raking the leaves wasn’t the worst chore after all. As long as he had Allie there to jump in them and mess up his neatly raked piles, he would gladly do it every day.