Gabe: The Alvarez Security Series (34 page)

Nodding once again he walked back into his office as Matt and Shane stepped onto the elevator. Moving to his desk, he placed a call. “Santo. My office. Now.”

In the elevator, Matt looked at his partner, with his eyebrow lifted.

“Prick’s guilty of somethin’. Too smooth. Too polished. Had the answers all ready. Don’t trust him.”

Matt grinned as they left the building. His partner’s instincts were generally spot on, having spent two years in an undercover gang. “Good. Now maybe we’re getting close.” Looking down at his cell, he said, “Got a text from Tony. Seems like there’s another meeting.”

*

The group sat
around Tony’s conference table after Gabe had dropped Jennifer off at her work and made sure someone was picking Ross up from school. Filling in everyone on the events of the morning, the group instantly recognized that the news that Jennifer responded to so positively was definitely another reason for needing to watch her carefully.

Gabe looked at the group saying, “I’m so goddamn conflicted. I want to be happy for her ’cause this is huge to her and the Center. But if she had a target on her earlier…it’s even bigger now.”

“I’d bet that whoever had Stuart Mason killed had no idea that he left the building to the one person who’d never sell,” Tony added.

Matt had supplied Lily and BJ with the list of clients and they had been running them through the various databases, looking for more intel on them. He looked over at his wife and as she caught his gaze, she just shook her head. “Sorry, honey. Nothing yet. These companies are buried within other companies. But nothing to tie them back to Micahel Gibbons yet.”

“Keep looking,” Tony quipped, then turned back to the group at hand. “And keep the rotation schedule up on Jennifer and Ross.”

Standing to leave, Vinny clapped his brother on the back. “You okay, bro?”

Gabe turned to look into his twin’s eyes. “Got a bad feeling the shit is just getting started.”

Vinny nodded, knowing the feeling. It was the same feeling they all would get before a mission that felt off. As though no matter how much they planned, something major was going to happen.

*

Jennifer bounded into
her office, grabbing Roy and Sybil to give them the news. Chip and a few other social workers came by as well. Smiles and congratulations abounded, as the group knew how important this was to the Center.

“Oh girl, when are you going to share the news with the residents?” Sybil asked.

“I don’t know. I haven’t even processed how great this is. I’ll have to meet with an attorney to have everything put in order, but I’ll try to go by tomorrow. They are going to be so excited!”

Chip nodded saying, “Can’t believe your good fortune, but you’ve worked hard for this.”

She eyed him, wondering if his words were heartfelt or not. He seemed pleased, but she could not help the niggling feeling that something was off. Just then, Roy walked over carrying a big bottle of Sprite and paper cups.

“Okay, it’s not champagne, but it’ll have to do,” he said laughing.

The group celebrated with cups of Sprite and toasts to an easier future for the Elder Center. As overworked, underpaid social workers, they definitely knew how to celebrate when the news was good. Turning back to the group, Jennifer could not help but notice that Chip had walked back to his office and was not celebrating. Biting her lip in thought, she was quickly pulled back into the celebrations with her co-workers.

*

A little later
a phone call was made to Michael Gibbons’ private line.

“Just got the news straight from her. Stuart Mason left her the building in his will. It’s hers legally now.”

Michael disconnected the line without saying a word. Looking at the woman between his legs sucking him off, he surged forward unloading into her mouth without warning. But she took it. Quickly swallowing, she stayed on her knees until he indicated for her to rise. Realizing his mood had turned with the phone call, she quietly left the room the way she came.

Walking out of the building, one of Michael’s men escorted her to an expensive car and she drove away. Eyes bored into her from another car on the street. Theresa took off her designer sunglasses and recognized the woman leaving. The dark-haired beauty caught Michael’s eye one night while he was out with her and the flash of jealousy ate at her then and angered her now. Vowing revenge, she held off placing the call until a later time. When it would hurt him the most.

*

Santo walked back
into Michael’s office having received the message from Eloise to come immediately. He had spoken to Michael earlier after the detectives left and was confident that none of their dealings could be traced back to Gibbons Realties.

He found Michael standing at the wall of windows looking once again at the night skyline. Before he could greet his boss, Michael turned and viciously growled, “I want her signature on a deed of sale or I want her dead.”

Santo stopped, waiting for him to continue.

“That goddamn old man left Ms. Lambert the property in his will.” Seeing Santo’s surprised look, he added, “Yeah. We’ve covered every angle with this and still that bitch is thwarting me. I want that building and I don’t care how. Bury it in a lot of cover-ups, but I want it done with no blow-back.”

Santo was quiet for a moment as the thoughts churned in his head. A slow smile spread over his face as he turned to his boss. Michael looked at him with a questioning look.

“We return to the old days,” Santo said, recalling Michael’s story of his grandfather and great-grandfather. “Grab the brother and hold him over her head. She signs the building over or we kill him. She stays quiet because we’ll kill him if she doesn’t.”

Michael’s calculating expression turned back to the windows as he pondered Santo’s solution. “Too many ways to trace that back to us. Too much of a chance that blow-back lands right in our lap.” Turning to Santo, he said simply, “Grab them both. Hold them and find a way to kill them both making it look like an accident. She’s gone and her heir is gone. The building goes on the auction block and will easily fall to me.”

Santo smile grew wider as he nodded toward his boss. “I like it. Just like the old days of your grandfather.”

Michael turned and walked over to his credenza, pouring two large whiskeys into tumblers. Handing one to his right-hand man who had never failed him, he lifted his glass. “To the old days,” he said smiling.

*

“Where’s Ross?” Jennifer
asked Cora as she ducked by a painter’s ladder in the recreation room. The men were trying to clean up for the evening and move their equipment to the side.

“He’s upstairs,” Cora replied. “When that nice young man from Mr. Alvarez’ brought him in from school, Ross said he had homework to finish so that Gabe would have time to teach him how to swim when you two went home.”

Jennifer had to smile, the thought of Gabe patiently teaching Ross how to swim in the pool in his apartment building. Vinny would often come along to help but usually did more dunking and splashing than teaching.

Running upstairs and using her special knock, she entered the old apartment. Ross, looking up with a smile, said, “Are we ready to go yet?”

“Not quite,” she answered, bending down to kiss the top of his head. “I’ve got to take a picture of the residents and it will take a bit to gather them.”

Turning back to his homework, he said, “Okay. Just let me know when you are ready to leave.”

Hurrying back downstairs, she passed the painters finishing the hallway. “It looks good,” she complimented them.

Several minutes later, she begged, “Come on, everyone smile.” Jennifer was trying to settle the residents of the Center on the front steps for a group picture. It was almost dusk and she regretted waiting so late to take the picture. When she was in the center earlier, she gathered them into the dining room and told them the good news. Henry and Cora stood to the side as the residents surged forward for hugs and congratulations. As they trickled back, Jennifer saw her two friends, with tears in their eyes, moving forward. Throwing her arms around them she felt their heartfelt relief at the news.

“Oh, darling girl, you’ve worked so hard for this,” Cora cried.

“I know. This is going to make life so much easier. I’m going to have to find a lawyer who can help me figure out how to make this all work, but for now, we don’t have to worry about the roof over your heads.”

“You’re a good girl, Jennifer Lambert,” Henry said as his arms held her tight.

Wiping away the tears, she wanted to get a group celebration picture of all of them. They decided to stand on the front steps but the spring sunshine was passing beyond the skyline. It took a while to get the thirty or so residents all on the steps and in position so that she could see all of them.

Finally finished, she led the group back inside. “I’m going to get Ross,” she called out. “He’s got a swim date to keep.”

Jennifer moved through the dining room toward the kitchen when she heard a loud noise from the back kitchen door. Seeing the door standing open, she jogged over to see the painters loading their van. As she continued to watch, her world seemed to alter in slow motion.