by Rita Moreau
“Now, let’s go take a peek at Penelope. She’ll be so happy to see her Aunt MC.”
I followed Jennifer but grabbed the bottle of wine on the way.
10
“Velma, I need to go shopping,” I said as I walked into my old office and greeted Velma at her command station.
“How about this afternoon. I need to go by Wal-Mart anyway.”
“I’m not talking about Wal-Mart,” I said thinking they did have comfortable clothes and they would be cheap.
Velma looked up at me and waited. She was like that.
“For the fundraiser at Jennifer’s. The one everyone who is anyone has been invited to. Jennifer just told me. She did offer a dress and shoes but I need something more my style.”
“I’m just wearing a dress I wore in a wedding a few years ago.” That might work for Velma who stood five-feet, four inches, was quite voluptuous and had a beautiful face with deep dark eyes.
I cocked my hip and stared back at her.
“Maybe you should ask Bruce,” Velma suggested.
“Oh, for crying out loud, are you serious?” I asked.
“Yes, he’s coming by here this afternoon to pick up his records. But, you probably need to go shopping anyway.”
She was right. Living mainly on a boat out at sea, one does not need a large wardrobe. It would be a pleasant diversion from the chaos swirling around.
“Okay,” I said. “I’m sure he’ll be overjoyed to take me shopping. He’s wanted to do that for ages anyway. That man cannot resist the opportunity to do some sort of makeover on someone.”
Velma shifted in her chair, “What’s happening with your Aunt Sophia?”
I sat across her desk and said, “I stopped in on the way over, and she was busy getting a manicure and a pedicure from some fancy Boca Vista salon, pro bono. The nail technician said the owner was a big fan of Aunt Sophia. I also met her two new roommates, the two hookers from Miami, Thelma and Louise.”
“I saw them on the news, Thelma and Louise, right,” Velma said with a chuckle.
“They told me not to worry about Aunt Sophia; they had her back plus Ernie had sent a couple of guys over for extra security. I met one. His name is Ralph, and he looks big enough to play linebacker in the NFL. I left before Hammerhead returned from picking up bagels for Aunt Sophia. She loves her cinnamon bagels in the morning.”
Bruce walked in, right on cue, with a big smile on his face.
“I just tried to stop by and say hello to your Aunt Sophia. But, it’s busier than grand central station there. Lots of good looking reporters, though,” he said with a wink and a hug.
“Let’s get going, girlfriend. Jennifer tells me we’ve got some shopping to do. I also made a call and got you an appointment to do something about that 1980’s hairstyle.”
“Hair? Look, can’t we just pick out a dress and shoes I can wear without breaking an ankle?”
“Girlfriend, the 1980’s is calling and wanting that hairdo back. Let’s go.”
I followed Bruce out while Velma chuckled. Outside waiting was Jennifer’s red Corvette with the top down.
“Jennifer said we’ll need all the time we can get, and this car is known for its speed,” Bruce said as we got in and buckled up. With that, the Vette peeled out, and I closed my eyes. Being psychic may be no help here.
We spent the afternoon in a whirlwind of shopping with Bruce and salon appointments. Bruce was not in an enjoyable mood later in the day when he dropped me off at my aunt’s condo.
“You refused to allow Gregory to cut your hair. Don’t you know who he is? Jennifer L. flies him to Miami. For crying out loud, I’ll never hear the end of this. Keep the big hair. At least you picked up some new outfits. But those shoes, MC. Black Patent? That went out before you were born. You might as well borrow your aunt’s pumps,” he shouted as he took off. Pumps, not a bad idea.
“So, let’s see what you bought,” Aunt Anna said as I walked in the door and poured myself a drink.
I spent the rest of the evening with my Aunt Anna who was waiting for a transformation but was evidently disappointed.
“Not exactly sexy,” Aunt Anna said when I modeled the outfit I picked out for Jennifer’s party. But she loved the shoes.
11
Limo Louie picked us up at 6:00 p.m. sharp. My Aunt Anna was wearing her Sunday power suit, flowered dress with white pumps. I looked down at my shoes, black patent leather flats, but very comfortable.
When we hopped in back of the limousine to join Sister Hildegard and Sister Matilda I was shocked to see they were out of their nun’s habits. They were wearing polyester pantsuits with shoulder pads that screamed the 1980s. They looked like they were getting ready to play football. Both wore their large gold crosses but what was most shocking was their hair. They had curls, the kind that came from an old fashion permanent.
“You ladies look beautiful,” Aunt Anna said.
“Thank you. We had a nice time at the beauty parlor,” Sister Hildegard said. I could see Sister Matilda wince, but no way was she going to correct Sister Hildegard to let her know it was now called a hair salon or spa.
“I am glad you treated yourself to an afternoon at the beauty shop,” Aunt Anna said which prompted another wince from Sister Matilda. “Hazel did a great job with the permanent.”
“Granted it will be covered by our habits after tonight, but it was fun,” Sister Hildegard said with a mischievous smile on her face I had somehow never noticed before. It resembled the one that always sits between my Aunt Anna’s chubby cheeks.
“Our treat,” Aunt Anna said which sparked more smiles from the both of the sisters.
“How did your afternoon with Bruce go?” Sister Matilda had to ask.
“Good, good,” I responded. “Found some shoes,” I said as I lifted my right foot and pointed my toe like a ballerina.
“Ooo, love those shoes,” Sister Matilda said. “They would go well with this pantsuit I’m wearing. We’re they expensive?”
“No, not at all, they were on sale,” I said thinking about Bruce and the conniption fit he raised in the middle of the high-end mall when I showed him what I bought. I’d found an outlet shoe store and decided to shop there instead of the fancy shoe store he first led me to. They were very comfortable.
I had tried some cute black heels on at the shoe store that would have been a better match for the black cocktail dress Velma sent over for me to wear, but I almost tripped, so I put them back on the shelf. Oh well, my flats did look better than my boat shoes. By the end of our shopping experience, Bruce was mentally exhausted.
Louie parked the car smack in front of the mansion. I could see valets scurrying about parking all the expensive cars. Louie got the door for us. Louie was also a snappy dresser and looked good in his linen suit.
We lined up in a row behind Louie as he led us through the front door. As we made our way through the mansion to the ballroom, I felt a jolt and looked over at my Aunt Anna who must have registered the same shock of psychic airwaves. She got right next to me and whispered, “Someone is here tonight, someone very dark, pay very close attention.”
I nodded my head as we entered the ballroom. It was jam-packed full of people, many who looked like they regularly shopped at the high-end stores I visited with Bruce. Louie led us over to a table, and we all picked up some champagne on the way.
“Nice,” Louie said as he admired the crystal champagne flute. “Waterford.”
After hearing Louie say that my hands began to tremble slightly, so I carefully placed my glass on the white tablecloth. Aunt Anna reached over and grabbed my hand and held it and the tremor subsided. “Finish your drink,” she said. “It will help.”
The waiters kept the drinks flowing, and after a while, the music and the drinks served to relax my nerves. Louie had selected a table that was out of the way but one where we could see everyone coming into the ballroom. I could see Jennifer and Joe making the rounds and saying hello to everyone. Not too far from our
table, I could see Queen Babbs with Bruce and her entourage. Bruce was sitting next to Gregory, the celebrity hair stylist. They looked over, and Bruce waved but did not smile. Evidently, he was still getting over our shopping trip fiasco.
Before long Jennifer saw us and made a beeline over to our table. “I am so happy to see you all,” she said as she gave us all hugs and then sat down with us. She looked phenomenal in a gown that I’m sure didn’t come with a price tag. It was one of those if-you-have-to-ask-you-can’t-afford-it gowns not to mention her dazzling jewelry.
As we sat and chatted, I looked up to see Rodeo, Velma, and Ernie enter. Rodeo and Ernie casually scanned the room, and then the three of them headed over to our table. Once they were seated, Jennifer was quiet, and Ernie spoke. “Ladies, you all look beautiful and Jennifer—you are stunning,” Ernie still had a huge crush on Jennifer, and there was nothing he could do about it.
Jennifer got up and said, “I’ll check in on you all a little later, I’ve got to mingle.” Ernie watched her make her way to Joe’s side and, in a split second, the Ernie I knew, the spook, returned to the table.
“MC, there is something we need you to do tonight,” Ernie said. All sets of eyes were on me and that included those at this table with third eyes.
“Keep your psychic ability sensitivity turned up,” Aunt Anna said.
“Did I miss a memo or something?” I asked the group at my table.
“I thought it would be best if Ernie spoke to you now. You tend to worry, and that shuts down the channels,” Aunt Anna said.
I looked at everyone at the table, and then I felt my eyes turn toward the entrance to the ballroom, as in walked Senator Walther Roosevelt, and his right-hand man Jack Spoto followed by Big Pete, and his son Dominick. I looked back at Ernie, and he said, “Jennifer invited them for what I am about to ask you to do.”
I looked back at the four men who were making their way over to the bar. A group surrounded Walther Roosevelt and held him captive while I turned back to Ernie. I knew Walther Roosevelt from my IRS days when he was with the DOJ as a U.S. Attorney. Walther found it convenient to use the IRS for advancing his political agenda. I tripped over one of his manipulations and his size 12 shoes which ended my IRS career.
“What is going on?” I said.
“We’d like you to turn on your psychic viewing skills. Just like you did a little while back with the sisters,” Ernie said. Sister Hildegard and Sister Matilda looked directly at me and nodded agreement.
“Remote viewing,” I said to stall time and give my brain a minute to size up this scenario. Unfortunately, that was a cue for Sister Matilda to give us all a review of the topic.
“Yes, dear, that’s the psychic ability to see things from a great distance, such as events or information. You have it and probably even have the ability to view events or information from the future.”
“I do? The future?” I sputtered.
“Looking into the future might take a little practice,” Sister Matilda said. My head was exploding with the thoughts of those four men who had just walked into the ballroom. I took a deep breath. Might as well get it over with since I had made up my mind that I was willing to do whatever it took to protect my Aunt Sophia and get her out of this mess.
“What did you have in mind,” I asked Ernie.
“Simple enough, we want you to ask Senator Roosevelt to dance.”
“What?” I said a little louder than I planned. I lowered my voice and spoke to the group at the table.
“Now that is going too far. I’m willing to use my psychic DNA but asking Walther Roosevelt to dance, Nah, Nah. That’s not going to happen.” I watched as Louie grabbed a shot of vodka from the waiter and placed in front of me.
“Bottoms up,” Velma said. I closed my eyes and downed the shot of vodka which made me catch my breath. “Breathe deep,” Rodeo offered. After a minute I felt the drink work. I was ready.
“Good thing you wore those flats, MC,” Aunt Anna now had to add her two cents.
“Okay, tell me what you need me to do,” I said looking over now at Walther Roosevelt who was staring generally at our table and more directly at me while whispering something to Jack. Jack now joined Walther in staring at us, and Walther picked up another drink. Dominick and his father must have stepped outside.
“When the band starts playing Fly Me to the Moon, walk over and ask Walther to dance,” Ernie said. “While you are dancing ask Walther about Dominick and Big Pete and their cash donations to his PAC.”
“Mother of God and all the Saints above,” I mumbled looking for that waiter with the vodka.
“Don’t worry, he’s not going to tell you anything, but you might see something using your psychic vision,” Rodeo said just as the band started playing Fly Me to the Moon. I reached over and finished Louie’s vodka.
“Here goes nothing,” I said. I got up and walked directly over to Walther Roosevelt who actually looked scared to see me heading his way. Without saying anything, I took his clammy hand and led him out on the dance floor.
I could see Jennifer watching me and then she led Joe out on the floor and came nearby. I still could not see Dominick and his father.
“What are we doing?” Walther asked.
“Dancing,” I said.
“Mary Catherine Mahoney, I’ve known you for a long time, and you did not drag me out here to show off your dancing skills—which aren’t that great by the way.”
“No need to be rude, Walther. I thought we might audition for Dancing with the Stars,” I said as I smiled at him and stepped hard on top of his right foot causing him to wince and almost trip. Darn! Now I wish I had those heels.
“What do you want?” he said as he looked over at our table. “I see you brought reinforcements,” he said as he nodded his head at our table. Ernie and Rodeo waved.
“Yes, and where are your two pals?” I asked.
Here goes. My mind opened fully, and I started to see something. It was an extraordinary feeling. As if my eyes saw one thing and my mind saw something else. Like two windows opened on a computer, side by side.
“What do I want?” I asked as Walther awkwardly danced to the tune.
“I want you to tell me where Big Pete and Dominick Kosomov get all that cash they are donating to your PAC,” the words came out easily—as if I knew exactly what to ask.
Walther stopped dead in his tracks, stood still, and just stared at me.
“Keep dancing Walther. People are staring.”
“I don’t know what you are talking about Ms. Mahoney.” I stepped closer to Walther who recoiled.
“I think you do,” I said, and then I looked over and could see Jack standing at the edge of the dance floor like a statue and then I saw Big Pete and Dominick standing next to him.
“Evil,” Walther said as the music ended, but the evil was coming like a wave across the room at me from Dominick. I did not let go of his hand, and the next thing I heard was Zorba the Greek.
We stood still, Walther in disbelief as my Aunt Anna and Sister Hildegard and Sister Matilda came out to the dance floor and called for everyone to circle around Walther and me. The next thing I knew Sister Hildegard walked over and brought Dominick out to the floor. He did so without any protest—it was certainly the nun effect.
I found myself in the middle between Walther and Dominick with Sister Hildegard next to Dominick and Sister Matilda next to Walther. We formed a small circle, holding hands. My Aunt Anna started the crowd into the traditional Greek dance to the strains of Zorba the Greek, and that’s when I saw something. Someone standing over a body and I knew the body was Ivan. I could not make out the person, but I saw a needle in their hand. I looked over at Dominick, and it was as if we were sharing the same memory. “You’re dead,” he mouthed to me. Walther saw the exchange, and I whispered to Walther, “I would strongly consider the effect of friends like that on your political career—if I were you.”
“Thank you both for the dance,” I said to the men as th
e music ended. “… and the info.”
I watched as Walther quickly made his way over to his pal Jack, grabbed him by the arm and headed out of the ballroom, without even as much as a goodbye to their hosts. Big Pete and Dominick had already disappeared from sight. As I sat down back at our table, Jennifer came over and sat down.
“What did you see MC,” Jennifer now asked. Ernie was visibly flustered since Jennifer was sitting right next to him.
“I saw a body. I’m sure it was Ivan, and I saw someone in the room, holding a needle,” I said as Ernie looked at me very seriously.
“Did you see anything else?” Ernie asked.
“I think there may have been someone else, but it was only a shadow. I’m not sure. Does that help?”
“Yes,” Ernie said. “The coroner has some questions as to the time of death. The type of poison found during the autopsy could not have brought on death so quickly if ingested in a cup of tea. Louie has asked him to go over the autopsy results again. Louie, let’s ask the coroner to see if he can find any evidence of needle marks. Poison administered by injection acts quicker,” Ernie said. Louie gave him thumbs up.
I smiled at Ernie but thought it was going to take more than that to free Aunt Sophia and remove any suspicion about her involvement in Ivan’s death.
He seemed to read my mind.
“Keep the faith MC,” Ernie said, and then he surprised us all as he got up and bowed toward Jennifer.
“Jennifer, would you be so kind as to give an old man the honor of this dance?”
Jennifer gave him her million-dollar smile. “The pleasure would be all mine, sir,” she said as she led Ernie to the dance floor. A man who had the ear of the president was now a teenage boy with a crush.
After that, Katy bar the door, Aunt Anna led everyone including Sister Matilda and Sister Hildegard in another round of Zorba the Greek. Velma and Rodeo joined them. Bruce even came by and smiled and said, “Well, maybe those flats aren’t so bad after all with that dress, MC.”