Killer Cannoli (A Terrified Detective Mystery Book 2) (21 page)

He chuckled. “For now. I’m still at the office if you want to come down.”

 “Thank you. I’ll explain when I get there. Give me fifteen minutes.” All the way there I prayed to St. Jude, the saint of the impossible, that Alex wouldn’t betray me or my aunt.

He greeted me in the lobby but I didn’t want to talk there, so he walked me over to a small conference room. I waited until he closed the door behind him to pull Joey’s flash drive out of my purse. “I found it.”

Alex’s jaw dropped. “Is that what I think it is?”

I nodded. “Now the hard part. Would you please call your uncle?”

Alex fell back into his chair. “Why? What’s your plan?”

I hadn’t thought my idea all the way through yet. It eventually grew clearer, just not better. “For him to know I’m going to tell Santore he can have Joey’s flash drive. In exchange he has to turn my aunt over. I’ll also tell him I made a copy, in case anything happens to me. If Santore works for your uncle, I should get my aunt back.”

“Are you sure that’ll work?”

“I know what I’m doing.” The truth was I had little confidence, but I didn’t want him to know that. I must have been pretty convincing because he picked up his phone and made the call. A woman answered, his aunt I supposed. Despite telling myself this was my best chance, stomach acid burned my throat.

Alex picked up a pen and tapped it softly on the desk. “Hi, Aunt Carmela. Is Uncle Michael there? Claire DeNardo wants to talk to him.”

His aunt responded but I couldn’t hear what she said, most likely because of my nerves ping-ponging in my brain.

Worry flashing across his face, Alex handed me the phone.

“Yeah?” It was Bucanetti with all his charms.

I took a deep breath, steadied myself and began. “I have Joey Corozza’s flash drive. You can have it back, though, if my aunt is returned to me safe.”

He snorted. “What flash drive? What aunt? Hell, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

This wasn’t going according to my plan. I forged ahead anyway. “Someone local wants the flash drive and this person has something I want.”

“Why would I give a rat’s ass what you or someone else wants?”

My hand tightened on the phone. “I’m asking for your help. In return you get Joey’s flash drive, no strings attached.”

He laughed, a cold, hard sound that chilled me. “You’re crazy. Don’t bother me again.”

I had hoped to get to the kidnapper and get my aunt back by going straight to Bucanetti, but maybe Santore wasn’t working for him. Or, maybe he wasn’t the kidnapper after all. I rubbed my face and realized there wasn’t enough time to switch theories. I ended with a final plea, “I need your help, please.”

Bucanetti cursed and hung up.

I blinked several times, feeling numb, incapable of making a move. The room began to spin and buzzing replaced any words. Alex helped me into a nearby chair. “Here, sit down. I’ll get you some water.”

I lowered myself into the seat and stared out the window, trying to put my shattered scheme back together. Then I recalled another of Gino’s rules: ‘Make a plan, Stan, but don’t marry it.’

With time racing by and my strategy in pieces, I had no choice but to stagger down the road to the finish. I hoped whatever I did wouldn’t finish Aunt Lena.

Alex squatted next to me. He gently cradled my chin and turned my face toward his. “I don’t understand why you’re willing to give that flash drive to my uncle and for the record, I don’t think it’s right. In fact I’d like to see him put away, but if it’ll help you, I’ll get him involved.”

Was sunshine peaking through the rain clouds? “How?”

 “He’s got to be interested, but he probably thought you were setting him up. I’ll call my aunt again and tell her I’m going with you to confront the kidnapper.”

He held up his hand when I started to interrupt him. “Don’t worry. I’ll stay out of it. But my uncle won’t know that. When it comes to family she’ll jump all over him to help. And between my aunt and me, we can persuade him it’s a legitimate offer.”

“Oka-a-ay.”  Remorse that I’d dragged him into my troubles and even didn’t trust him hit me hard. “It’s obvious I acted like an idiot. I’m sorry for that and for dragging you into this…”

 “Apology accepted. Thinking about being related to that New Jersey scum makes me want to shower to get the Bucanetti stink off me. I offered to help you when this started. I don’t go back on my word.”

I gave him a bittersweet smile. “In that case, there is one more thing.”

“Name it.”

I hated asking for favors, but in this case I’d done it so many times, I could go on the Public Broadcasting System during their fund drive. “Do you have a cell phone I could borrow?” Remembering the envelope, I pulled it out of my purse and handed it to Alex. “And do you have a stamp I could borrow?”

I looked at the wall clock and jumped up. Precious time had passed and I hadn’t heard again from the kidnapper. I was filled with dread. Maybe after the last time he called he decided not to keep my aunt alive.

Alex grabbed the door and his car keys. “I don’t know what you’re planning to do, but you shouldn’t do it alone.”

If only he could come along with me. He and Corrigan and the Ohio National Guard. But my aunt, if she was still alive, wouldn’t make it out that way. I covered his hand with mine. “Thanks, Alex, but this part I have to do alone.”

I kept it together as I walked out of his office, but as soon as I got into the elevator I slid down the wall, clasped my knees and whimpered in fear.

Back in my car, I drove the speed limit and paid attention to the traffic lights. I couldn’t afford to get pulled over now. I returned to
Cannoli’s
and stashed the copy of the flash drive into the sugar bucket for safekeeping. I stretched and did some deep breathing, but I remained as tense as a squirrel facing an eighteen wheeler. Late though it was, it was time to visit Cicarelli’s Pizza, Santore’s hangout, to demand my aunt back using the flash drive as my bargaining chip. I prayed I could beat Corrigan and company there.

I didn’t want to think about Santore rejecting my offer. Or what I’d do if he wasn’t involved. I remembered another of Gino’s rules: ‘Don’t try to find a solution until you’re sure of the problem.’

Chapter Thirty

I
still had a phone call to make before I played ‘Let’s Make a Deal’ with Santore. Calling my dad. I used Alex’s phone so Corrigan with his phone tap on my phone, wouldn’t hear and send the cavalry after me.

My stomach fluttered like a teenager sneaking home late. “Hope my calling doesn’t wake you, Dad. I’m sorry, but a client called asking for information. I’ll be back as quick as I can get away.”

I no sooner hung up than Alex’s phone rang. It was Alex. “Claire, after I said that I was going with you, my uncle claims he wants me to be safe so he’ll cooperate with you in exchange for the flash drive and any copies you may have. But don’t trust him. Please, be careful.”

Resting the phone between my head and shoulder, I steered with one hand and jotted down his uncle’s phone number with the other.

As soon as I could, I pulled over and called Bucanetti. I felt lightheaded. The fib I told myself was that it was a lack of food or sleep rather than from nerves. I was swimming with the barracudas now and worried the flash drive wasn’t much of a life jacket. It’d have to do, though.

Bucanetti answered on the third ring, probably just to let me know he wasn’t to be pushed. “Is this Claire?”

“Yes, it is.”

“So tell me your idea.”

Nausea rolled through me. I laid it out for him and concluded with, “He’ll double-cross me, try to kill my aunt and me. That’s where you come in. I think—”

He interrupted my ramblings. “Yeah, yeah. In other words, you do your thing, get your aunt back and I make sure nobody screws you.”

“Sort of. I’m going to Cicarelli’s pizza now. I know it’s not much notice.”

“Don’t worry about none of it. What you should worry about is that I get the flash drives, the original and any copies you or Joey made. Because if you hold out on me, let’s just say I’ll be real unhappy.”

“Oh, I definitely want you to be happy.” 

After our call ended, a worm of apprehension over my choice of partners burrowed in my brain. I knew Bucanetti wouldn’t hesitate to kill me if I made one wrong move. But I’d made a deal with the devil and now had to go through with it and hope not to get burned in the process.

***

I pulled up close enough to Cicarelli’s to check it out and spotted Freddie, one of Santore’s muscle men, standing outside smoking. That meant Santore was probably around.
So far, so good.
But fear drifted back in and fogged up my mind for a moment.
Too bad brains don’t come with wipers.

I ducked, hoping Freddie didn’t see me. I didn’t want him to alert Santore but in doing so I swerved to avoid running into a fire hydrant. The screech of my tires made me anything but inconspicuous. Freddie didn’t react, though. Either he didn’t notice or didn’t care. He flicked his cigarette butt into the street and went back inside.

It was chilly outside, but I wiped a bead of sweat from my forehead. I decided to wait a few minutes to calm down before my confrontation with Santore. A middle-aged couple and a young threesome exited the restaurant. I wondered when the place closed. I also thought about when exactly Bucanetti planned to jump in.

I pumped myself up to confront Santore. Instead I answered my father’s call. “Hi Dad. How do you feel? Any chest pains, shortness of breath?”

“I woke up fine, but you weren’t here. Got your message, though.” He sighed. “Couldn’t believe I fell asleep.”

Just then a huge semi drove by. “You’re not really with another client, are you?” His voice a mixture of hurt, anger and worry.

“I’m sorry, Dad. I hated to lie, but I have to see this thing with Aunt Lena through to the end. I mean to bring her home.”

He sighed and fatigue joined the other emotions I’d heard in his voice earlier. “But nobody knows where she is or what that bastard plans to do with her.”

If only I had done a better job of protecting her. Or found the flash driver earlier.
Guilt and regret piled on top of me. I wanted to rush back to my dad’s house and take care of him, but if I did that now I would have to do it again when they found my aunt’s dead body.

I turned to face the street and spotted a healthy looking Santore getting out of a black sedan. “Dad, I’ve got to go. I’ll call you back.”

Santore couldn’t help but notice me, but he walked by like I wasn’t worthy of the space I inhabited. His body guard, Marco, of the duo, Marco and Freddie, sprang out of the car in time to hold Cicarelli’s door open. They stepped in and the door closed behind them.

I hesitated for a second, but took a deep breath, straightened my jacket and strode like I was James Bond. Okay, Jane Bond.

Chapter Thirty-One

I
got as far as the hostess table and glanced around. But I didn’t see Santore. A young guy stopped me from going farther into the restaurant. “Claire?” His voice was so soft I could barely hear him. “Party of one?”

I nodded and, out of the side of my mouth, asked, “Are you Nick Cicarelli?”

He whispered, “Yeah. Alex told me he thought you’d end up here.” Louder he added, “Follow me please.” He led me to a small table in the back of the deserted restaurant. “Someone will be with you shortly.”

Once seated, I stared down and pretended to read the menu. The words might as well have been hieroglyphics. Although my mouth was dry, I didn’t dare lift the glass of water to my lips. I was afraid of sloshing water all over the table, me or both.

It took some time and deep breathing, but once I had a handle on my nervousness I looked up and around.

I’d planned to sit there until Santore crawled out of his hole, but my bladder didn’t get the message. Despite keeping my liquid intake to a minimum, my need for the restroom loomed large. I tried to ignore it, even told myself it was just nerves. But the more I tried, the more urgent the need. I looked around and spotted a sign for the ladies’ necessary room pointing down a hallway.

I’d been right. False alarm. I was drying my hands when Freddie and Marco entered the restroom and blocked the doorway. Freddie said, “Mr. Santore wants to see you.”

“Then he can come to my table.” Every so often I surprise myself with my boldness. In this case, though, the motivation was my afraid-ness and panic-ness.  I didn’t want to meet up with Santore with nobody as a witness.

Freddie didn’t hesitate. “He’s gonna keep company with a lady you been wanting to see real bad.”

“Okay, I’ll just call—”

He grabbed my arm and put his face right up to mine. “Now.”  Without taking his eyes off me, Freddie dismissed Marco. Then, without another word, he yanked my gun from my waistband.

Freddie led me down the stairs and through a hallway to where Marco and Santore stood talking in hushed tones.

Santore turned when I entered and he smiled like he was a TV game show host. “Claire! Good to see you here.”

“Where’s my aunt?”

“Frisk her, Freddie.”

I rushed to respond. “He doesn’t need to. I only had one gun and he already took it.”

Freddie showed my gun to Santore who nodded. “Now we can get down to business. Where’s the flash drive?”

“Where’s my aunt?”

Santore’s lip curled. “A smart girl wouldn’t answer my question with another. Now if you got it on you, Freddie’ll find it.”

Repulsion settled over me thinking of Freddie’s meaty hands anywhere on my body, but if I gave up the flash drive I had nothing to bargain with. I’d left a copy back at
Cannoli’s
as insurance and a note to Corrigan about it, held by Alex. But now I had my doubts Santore would believe me. In that case, I’d really be up a creek.

When Freddie groped me, I wanted to throw up. Right on him. I closed my eyes and tried to think of something more pleasant, like a dentist visit. I thought I’d been clever when in the restroom I’d moved the flash drive into my shoe.

“It ain’t on her, boss.”