Sweet Vengeance (28 page)

He
smiled.  "I already did that.  Called while you were at lunch.  You check
out just fine, Miss Fox."

Her
heart beat against her chest.  "Then what's the problem, Sergeant
Cates?"  She blinked her eyes.

"Guess
there's not one."  He glanced at the clock.  "It's almost quitting
time.  Come back tomorrow, and I'll see what I can dig up for you on the
Trasatti family.  I'll even let you have a gander at Joey Pagano's personal
file."

Allie's
throat constricted.  Joey had a file?  Sure, he'd hung around with the wrong
bunch of kids, but never in all the years she'd known him had he talked about
getting arrested.  "The victim has a file?  For what?"

"Come
back tomorrow, and I'll show you."  He stood and walked to his office
door, opening it.  "In the meantime, if you feel the need to do some
super-sleuthing, see the secretary on the way out.  She should still have a few
comp tickets for the democrat's fundraiser this evening.  Mayor's running for
re-election next year, and he needs all the help he can get.  Good chance Tommy
Trasatti and his cronies will be there.  And wherever Trasatti goes, Jase Tyler
usually shows up.  Might be a good night to size up your suspects, do a little
interrogating of your own.  Maybe you'll pick up something we overlooked."

Allie
closed the file and stood.  She'd just been dismissed.  "Thank you for
your time, Sergeant Cates."  She smiled.  "I believe I'll take you up
on your offer for this evening, and for tomorrow."

"Don't
forget the short skirt."  His manner had turned from interrogating to
friendly in the space of a blink.

"Wouldn't
dream of it."

Cates
watched the young profiler walk out of his office, eyeing the curves of her
shapely long legs.  "Damn," he muttered under his breath.

He
sighed and picked up the phone.  It only took a few moments for the familiar
voice to answer.

"Cates
here.  I just had a very interesting visitor in my office.  Somebody you'll
want to check out.  She's digging for information on the Winslow and Pagano
murders."  He paused, waiting for the surprised response he knew he'd
get.  This case had been dead in the water for years and a new lead had finally
surfaced. 

When
the questions on the other end of the line finished, he continued. 
"That's what I said."  Cates smiled.  "She'll be going to the
Democrat's party tonight."

He
waited for the next expected reply.  "Go, or don't.  Your choice.  But I'm
thinking this might be our missing girl from six years ago.  She fits the
description.  Thought you might want to pass along that info."

*       
*        *

Cates
had been more than cooperative, Allie thought as she stepped out of the cab
onto the rain-soaked streets of Chicago.  She was grateful the unfamiliar hotel
had a sheltered drop-off zone that protected her from the elements.  The
downtown lights reflected off puddles of water, while a heavy musty scent
filled the air. 

It
seemed pretty obvious Cates didn't completely buy her story.  That was okay. 
She didn't need him to believe her as long as he was willing to provide her
with information. 

Allie
had wondered how friendly or territorial the police department might be when
she requested information on Joey and the Trasatti family, but she'd lucked out
when they'd handed her over to Cates.  So far, so good. 

She
tucked her black evening bag, compliments of Jase, under her arm and headed for
the front doors.  In fact, Jase had paid for her whole outfit, including a
black designer dress and Jimmy Choo shoes.  She hadn't brought anything with
her that would have been suitable for such an occasion, and, she had to admit,
she wouldn't have been able to afford it anyway.  It was Jase's fault she was
there.  Why shouldn't he foot the bill? 

By
the time she was finished with the evening, he'd have his money back, minus a
couple of bucks for tonight's event, and she'd have a new dress for her
efforts. 

Honestly,
since she'd made the decision to come to Chicago, her life had taken on a
surreal quality—which it always seemed to do when Jase was involved.  She had
no idea why she'd splurged on such expensive clothes, but when her hotel
concierge had sent her to the Magnificent Mile, she found herself shopping at
Chanel and Louis Vuitton.  It wasn't like her to be so frivolous. 

The
dress she wore was daring.  Much like her new attitude since she'd scaled the
fence that surrounded Jase's property in Oregon.  It was cut low in front, and
with the help of a push-up bra the sales clerk insisted she buy, it made her
appear more endowed than she actually was.  Her gorgeous black pumps sported
three-inch heels making her legs appear longer than they were.  No wonder all
the Hollywood ladies dressed like this.  It was hard to not enjoy feeling so
sexy.

The
grandeur of the hotel was evident once she was inside.  Elegant red walls were
set off by huge vases of exotic flowers.  As she walked across the plush
carpeted floor, the glittering chandeliers winked at her from above. 

All
in all, she looked forward to what the evening had in store.  She felt like
Cinderella, and after all the years, she wouldn't mind seeing Jase's expression
when he saw her, not to mention the reaction he would have when she forced him
to accept his money back.  And he
would
take it.  That or she'd be a
constant nuisance until he did.

As
far as Tommy Trasatti was concerned, there would be no real reason to have
contact with him tonight.  She would just observe. 

Maybe
she wouldn't even go back to see Cates tomorrow.  Did it really matter why
they'd tried to kill her?  She owned a new life now...or at least she would as
soon as Jase butted out.  There was no reason to dredge up the past.  It
wouldn't bring Joey back, and there was no doubt it would bring more pain into
her life.

Two
women sat behind a red-draped table outside the entrance to the ballroom.  They
gave her a welcoming smile as Allie reached in her purse.  Her fingers skipped
over her gun and lipstick, and she pulled out the ticket that would allow her
to enter. 

When
she stepped inside the ballroom, she felt like she'd entered another world. 
The glitz and glamour of the 1920s beckoned her to come and play.

She'd
arrived early, and the ballroom was barely half full.  She made a beeline for
the side of the room.  It was always a good idea to spend a few minutes staking
out the place, and one of the large fan palms that edged the room provided the
perfect cover.  She needed to know if Jase was there yet, and also if Tommy
"Bones" Trasatti had arrived as well.  Back at the precinct, she'd
studied the mobster's photo, burning the image into her mind so she'd be
prepared if she ever had the unfortunate opportunity of crossing his path.

She
scanned the room full of men in tuxedos and women in elegant evening wear. 
There were even some ladies dressed as flappers accompanied by men sporting old-fashioned
gangster costumes.  Beautiful displays of white lilies perfumed the air with a
sultry scent.  The musicians played the jazz sounds of the roaring twenties,
though not many people had found their way to the elegant marble dance floor,
yet.  It wouldn't be long though.  Not with the numerous waiters circulating
with trays of champagne.  Allie might have looked like she belonged, but this
definitely wasn't the Chicago she remembered.

A
commotion near the entrance caught her attention, and she watched, fascinated
by the entourage who entered.  She pictured a similar scene generations ago
when Prohibition had fueled organized crime.  A tall man entered, complete with
a black zoot suit and white tie.  A black fedora hat sat at a jaunty angle on
his head.  A small party of people circled in behind him.  The man had a
classic blond beauty on one arm and a busty redhead on the other.  Allie ran a
hand over her smoothed-back short hairdo, trying to calm her nerves.  The new
arrival was none other than Bones Trasatti.

She
swallowed as the group started in her direction.  She grabbed a glass of
champagne from a nearby waiter and changed her stance so she would not be
staring directly at him as he passed.  He was taller than she'd expected, with
dark hair and glittering black eyes.  Power rolled off him in waves, and if she
hadn't known he was a cold-blooded killer belonging to the family who had made
her life hell, she might have found him attractive.  His gaze caught on her as
he passed, and he turned his head a little to get a better look at her.  Allie
rotated and walked in the opposite direction. 

It
wasn't recognition that had registered on his face.  No, the look he'd given
her was pure lust.

She
took a sip of champagne and headed to the other side of the room, grateful for
the guests who continued to arrive, and who would put more people between her
and Bones.  The last thing she needed would be for the hit man to hit on her. 

If
it wouldn't put her identity at risk, she'd love the opportunity to interrogate
him, especially if he didn't realize her intent.  But it didn't look like that
was a likely outcome of the evening.  She'd spent countless nights pouring over
the details of the night Joey had been murdered, and one question constantly
burned in her mind.  Why?  Why did they kill him?  Why had they been so
desperate to find her?

Those
things didn't matter now, she reminded herself.  Finding Jase, making him take
his money.  That was her goal.

Allie
continued to cruise along the edge of the room, staying near the palms, but
also keeping her eye on the door as best she could.  Her mission for the
evening was Jase. 

"Hello."

Allie
turned and her heart stopped.  Bones Trasatti had ditched his entourage and now
stood only feet from her, a seductive smile on his handsome face. 

"Hello,"
she returned, trying to keep her voice steady, as the hairs on her arms grew
taut.  Dear God, she stood face-to-face with the man who had more than likely murdered
Joey.

"Are
you here alone this evening?"  He glanced around as though looking for her
date.

"Maybe." 
She tried to play it cool.  Her heart thumped so loudly in her chest, she was
surprised he couldn't hear it. 

He
arched a brow.  "Maybe, huh?"  His voice was smooth, educated, and
not at all like the thugs she'd known as a teenager.  "Is that maybe
enough I can ask you to dance without fear of someone punching me in the
nose?"

His
unassuming air and the thought of someone walking up to Bones Trasatti and
punching him almost made her laugh.  It would be the last mistake that person
would make. 

Could
she make herself dance with someone who had Joey's blood on his hands?  Then
again, how did she say no without drawing more attention to herself? 

He
obviously had no idea who she was, and she had no intention of telling him.  If
she were lucky, maybe she'd get some tidbit of information out of him while she
waited for Jase to show.  "I suppose one dance would be fine."

He
held a hand to her back as they walked to the dance floor.  Her thoughts
scattered in a million directions like the spray from a shotgun shell.  The
hand that touched her was the hand of a killer, she reminded herself.  But he
felt so warm and alive.  She swallowed.  Unlike Joey who was cold in his
grave.  They reached the dance floor, and he turned and took her into his
arms. 

The
music was slow, and Allie was surprised he kept a modest distance between the
two of them.  Just like couples would have back in the twenties.

"I
don't believe we've met before, Miss—"

"Fox. 
Alexandra Fox.  And no, I don't believe we have either, Mister—"

"Tom
Trasatti.  My friend's call me Tommy."

Or
Bones, she thought.  "Nice to meet you, Tommy."  He grinned, and she
found herself returning the gesture.  

"Do
you live here, in Chicago?"  He raised a brow.

"No. 
I'm just visiting.  It's my first time here," she lied.

He
nodded.  "I hope you enjoy your stay.  So, tell me, how did you wind up
alone at some political bash when you're new to the area?"

"First
off, I never admitted to being alone."  She smiled.  "And secondly, my
aunt has a friend on the planning committee.  She gave me a ticket, and I
thought, why not?  Hopefully, it won't be boring."  The lies seemed to
roll easily off her tongue.

"It's
getting more interesting as the night progresses."  His dark eyes caught
hers and held.

The
hit man
was
definitely hitting on her, and whether she liked it or not,
the woman in her responded to his raw male sexuality.  She laughed and looked
away, reminding herself he had a very ugly side. 

When
her gaze landed on an angry-looking Jase watching them from the edge of the
dance floor, she gasped.    

Jase's
arms were folded, and if thoughts were actions, Tommy Trasatti would be dead. 
Allie might very well be, too.  The shock of seeing him caused her to stumble,
which in turn forced her farther into Tommy's arms in order to keep herself
from falling.  "Oh.  I'm so sorry."