The Devil's Due

by Ali Vali

  “For a guy in ripped jeans,” Cain said, tapping on the stack of bills, “you’ve got a load of cash. You’d think you would’ve picked something better to go around in.”

  “That’s mine,” he said and strained against his bindings to the point he was grunting.

  “I know, and I’m going to let you walk out of here with it, but I have a few questions first. Let’s start with the story you told Hector Delarosa. People who go around telling lies about me upset me.” She crossed her legs and stared at him. “And if you told my pal Hector I stole from him and killed some of his people, that would upset me even more.”

  “I didn’t say anything like that. Who told you that?”

  Cain pointed at Katlin. “She did, right after she paid you a grand to hear the story you were spouting outside that convenience store.” She stood up and walked closer to him. “Before you start telling more lies, you should ask yourself: ‘Will she believe my story?’ A few before you in this same position learned about the lie penalty the hard way. I’d like to avoid that because it makes a mess, and no one wants that.”

  “Hector gave me that money for selling some shit for him,” the guy said, straining again. “It didn’t have nothing to do with you. I don’t even know who you are.”

  “I’m sorry. I’m Cain Casey.” She put her index finger on his forehead and tilted his head back so she could look him in the eye. “And I don’t believe you, so you’ve earned one of those penalty shots. The operative word here is shots.”

  Katlin came forward and pressed her gun to the top of his knee. He started, screaming, “Wait. Just wait, okay?”

  “You said you didn’t know, so I find that first bullet does wonders to jog the memory.”

  “Look, I did tell Hector that story, but he’s not who gave me a chunk of that money.” He tried to move his bound body away from Katlin. “Some guy that works for Santino Luca did.”

  “Did you talk to Santino or just the guy?”

  “If he’s some old guy, then probably yeah. He really wanted me to keep at it until I got to Hector or his kid. I talked to the daughter, and she got me right in.”

  “Where did you meet with Santino?”

  “The bar at the W Hotel. He wanted me to tell the story for him beforehand to make sure it sounded believable, I guess. He gave me four grand when I was done.”

  “Hector would’ve never believed only you, so who went with you?” Cain asked as Katlin put her gun back. “Think very carefully before you lie. I let you off that first time, but it won’t happen again.”

  “My friend, Little Ink, was with me, and Hector believed us because we told him you sent us, like we were part of your crew.”

  “I’ll have to remember to shoot Hector if he believed that,” she said, and Lou chuckled. “Hang tight and let’s see if that’s true.” She picked up the phone and went through the steps to make sure the call was secure. “Mr. Delarosa, please. Tell him it’s a good neighbor calling.”

  “Cain,” Hector said, sounding like he was in a good mood. “Did you get my gift?”

  “How much did it cost to get it where I would pick it up?”

  “Not as much as you would think. It was a bargain. I had to get you something to repay you for your gift, but I think we’re shopping for the same thing.” She understood that he didn’t believe these guys. “After I thought about it, the story didn’t make sense, but I understand why they’re trying to sell it.”

  “So do I, but I’ll take care of it. Thanks.” She hung up and stared at the guy, not really caring what his name was. This asshole had tried to set her up. “So the W Hotel is where you met Santino?”

  “I just saw him there. That guy, Mike, was with him, and they seemed like they were working something big.”

  “I’m sure he shared that with you, but it’s Nunzio’s family we’re talking about, so maybe he did.” She stood up and the guy smiled. “Katlin, try to find out what room Santino’s in, and make sure we find both of them. I’m tired of thinking about these idiots.”

  “You got it,” Katlin said. “Head on out and I’ll take care of this. I’ll get Dino to come help me.”

  “What about me?” the guy said as she started up the stairs.

  Cain stopped on the stairs and smiled to set the guy at ease. “Did you ever hear my name before Santino and his sidekick Mike asked you to lie about me?” She pointed at him in warning. “Remember, it’s time to tell the truth.”

  He had a hard time maintaining eye contact, but he started talking. “Yeah, but I figured it wouldn’t hurt nothing since you don’t deal. Who would’ve believed me, so it was an easy score.” He whipped his head up when she came down the stairs and Katlin handed her a gun.

  “No one believed you, so I’ll make this quick,” she said, aiming the gun at him. When he opened his mouth to say something, she shot him squarely in the middle of his forehead.

  “Send Shaun over to the W and make sure he knows who he’s looking for.”

  “I’ll make sure he blends in,” Katlin said as she cut the guy’s bindings and pushed him onto the tarp. “What’s your plan once we find him?”

  “Let’s get creative. But no matter what, we’re going for a happy ending. For us anyway.”

  *

  When Cain returned from the park with the kids, Sebastian and the police chief were waiting for her, wanting to smooth things over about her arrest.

  “It was simply an overzealous assistant in the DA’s office, and he promised to take care of it so it’s not repeated. We understand what happened isn’t easily forgotten, but we believe neither you nor anyone in your extended family had anything to do with what happened to Mrs. Verde,” the police chief said. “Aside from the maid, the only other fingerprints we found belonged to Mrs. Verde and Elton Newsome.”

  “What’s this guy’s story?” There had to be something, because him getting thrown out of her house couldn’t have caused this kind of animosity. “Going out with my family while people like him are waiting outside that gate is starting to make me nervous.”

  “As soon as we find him, I’ll ask, but no one in the department has green-lighted a taskforce. You’ve got a right to be angry, but I’m asking as a favor to let it go,” Sebastian said. “The only way to know if he’s dirty is to interrogate him, and if that’s the case, then he’ll pay the worst punishment in prison.”

  “All I ask is that someone like that idiot Raymond doesn’t let him slip through a loop made from his own stupidity.”

  “You have my word, as long as I have yours, and you know I’ll hold you to that.”

  “Believe me, Cain, we want this guy as much as you do,” the chief said and offered his hand.

  “What happens to my mother now?” Emma asked. Cain felt her tighten the grip she had on her hand.

  “She was moved to the women’s section of central lockup this morning, and since her brother showed up intending to take her back to Wisconsin with him, she’s been denied bond,” Sebastian said. “After what happened to Cain, the district attorney himself went to court for her arraignment and asked the judge for no bond, and that was granted. Mrs. Verde won’t be going anywhere because she doesn’t think she did anything wrong. I blame Elton Newsome for convincing her that she had the right.”

  “You must not know Carol very well then,” Cain said, and Emma snorted. “She did it because she thought she had the right, no matter what that guy told her. In that thick skull of hers she had a God-given right.”

  “It’s not important now. She’s locked away, and the only way to get out of it is for you not to press charges,” the police chief said.

  “I want to see her before anything else happens,” Emma said, and Cain understood her request. Carol was finally in a position to listen; she’d have no choice.

  “I want to come with you.” Ross had been quiet, his face tight with what Cain could only decipher as rage.

  “No time like the present, if that’s what you want. I’m sure Sebastian and the boss h
ere can set that up,” Cain said, and Sebastian nodded. “Let’s go then.”

  Sebastian told them where to go and to wait for him in the main lobby so he could arrange a private room away from the regular visiting venue. She and Emma sat alone in the back while Ross rode with Lou in the front to give them some privacy. His reason to see Carol probably had something in common with Emma’s, but she guessed Ross felt so much more for this woman he’d married.

  “You okay?” she asked Emma, who was pressed against her.

  “Not really.” Emma put her head on her shoulder and sighed. “My mother and I have never seen the world the same way, and if you meet my Uncle Morris you’ll see why. Their father must’ve done a number on them. They both drank the Kool-Aid and mixed it up for the next generation. Only I refused to take a sip.”

  “A religious zealot you are not. That I agree with,” she said, and kissed Emma’s head.

  “My cousin, Morrie, ran as soon as he was able, just like me, and it was one more thing my mother blamed me for. I’m not really sure what happened to him.”

  “Hopefully he’s got as good a life as you do. After meeting your mother, I think the guy deserves it,” she said, drawing a laugh from Emma.

  “Do you want to see her alone? I don’t mind waiting outside since Carol already knows how I feel about her.” The car stopped and Lou waited to open the door. “Whatever you decide, though, I’ll be okay with it. She’s your mother and you’re my wife, so I’ll understand no matter what.”

  “You think I’d let her walk?”

  “I love you, but I don’t think this is my decision. You and your father have to do that because it’s the only way to find satisfaction with the future.”

  “It was Hannah, baby. I can’t let that go.”

  “Lass, you know what I would do without hesitation, but she’s not my mother. I’m not questioning your judgment. I’m telling you that I’m here and whatever you want won’t change anything between us. Hannah’s going to be fine, so put all this to rest.”

  “Let’s go. She’ll just have to deal with you being there, because I want you with me.”

  When Sebastian led them to a room, Carol was already wearing an orange jumpsuit that made her appear pale and gaunt. “Come to gloat?” Carol said, keeping her head up as if in some sort of defiant stance.

  “More like I’ve come to ask why,” Emma said, taking one of the two other chairs. Cain pointed Ross into the other one. She’d stay because Emma wanted her to, but she didn’t want to get too close because of her urge to choke the shit out of this woman.

  “I wanted another chance to make things right for Hannah. You’re lost to me and I accept that, but I refuse to let my granddaughter go down with you. You know I’m right, so the best thing you can do is let me go and give me Hannah and the baby.” Carol glanced down and smiled. “I see the little bastard has arrived.”

  “Carol,” Ross said, making Carol jump when he barked her name. “I tried giving you the life you wanted by sending you to live with Morris, but you couldn’t or wouldn’t let go. If you’d simply stayed in Wisconsin, you and that brother of yours could’ve read scripture to yourselves until even God got tired of listening to you.” He combed his hair back and slammed his hand on the table. “You weren’t like this in the beginning, so I’m not sure where or what changed that brought back that son-of-a-bitch father of yours, but no one cares anymore. I sure as hell don’t.”

  “You take that back. My father was a good man.”

  “Your father was an abusive bastard, and the only two people in the world who never saw it were you and Morris. Why else do you think your mother killed herself instead of living with him one more day?”

  “She was weak,” Carol said, screaming so loud someone rapped on the two-way mirror.

  “You’ll have plenty of time to think about it, Mother,” Emma said softly as if to calm Carol down. “I had thought maybe there was something to salvage in you, and Cain encouraged me to at least look before I made up my mind.” Carol glared at her and Cain simply smiled. Maybe letting the police handle more of her problems might be more gratifying than actually pulling the trigger herself. Well, maybe in this case.

  “You’re a stupid little fool, Emma. You fell for the first devil to come along to steer you toward the flames, and instead of seeing her for what she was, you ran to her.”

  “I chose happiness with someone who didn’t see every fault in me. Cain loved me enough to give me the things I valued most, and she did it because we wanted the same things.” Emma stood and held her hand out to her, and Cain gladly took it. “We have a family and a home to raise our children where neither one of us spends our days tearing them down. I know why you did it to me, but I refuse to repeat that atrocity with my children.”

  “You don’t know anything. I tried to build you into a decent woman who would do her duty to the Lord by bringing forth other good Christians.”

  “I gave birth to three kids who’ll be strong and loving. They’ll know who they are and that we love them. What they won’t ever know is you. With time, you’ll fade from their memories as fast as I’ll forget you when I walk through that door.”

  “You’ll never forget what I taught you because you’ll always know that what you’re doing is wrong.”

  “Cain and I plan to press charges and give the district attorney permission to cut a deal with Elton Newsome and the teacher at the school. I’m willing to sacrifice their punishment and lay all this at your feet. Your only hope will be to live long enough to go back to your brother’s family. You have no place in mine.”

  “Good-bye, Carol,” Ross said, and followed them out.

  When they got back in the car Emma let her tears flow, and Cain knew it wasn’t from satisfaction. Her wife loved and felt too much to ever get pleasure from tearing someone down, but she wouldn’t allow anyone to harm their family. Cain simply held her and let her mourn the relationship that had never materialized between her and Carol.

  “You left kind of fast, so did y’all make any type of decision?” Sebastian said when she answered her phone. “I was on the other side of that glass, and I’m not sure I’ve ever run across someone like Carol Verde before.”

  “We’d like to press charges,” she said, and Emma peered up at her with a swollen face and eyes. “But see if she’ll make a deal,” she said, giving Emma and Ross what they wanted but also an outlet for any guilt that would come later. “Make sure that part of that deal is not only jail time, but that she leave here and stay away from us once she does her time. If there’s such a thing as a permanent order of protection, we’ll take it.”

  “I’ll get the DA’s office on it, but you’re sure about the deal? She could get some real time for what she did, and it’d guarantee that you know where the hell she is at all times.”

  “I’m giving her the benefit of the doubt that she’ll learn from her mistakes once she realizes orange isn’t her color. If she’s a slow learner, we’ll talk again.”

  “Remember this conversation if it comes to that.”

  “Sebastian, if there’s one thing about me that you should realize to be true, it’s that I seldom forget anything. My memory’s just fine, especially when it comes to my family. So remind Carol of that if she needs convincing.”

  Chapter Thirty-three

  “I’m fine, really,” Emma said a few hours later. “I’m not going to crack up. I just needed closure. My mother never did disappoint when it came to that.”

  “If I could stay home I would, you know that, but I can’t skip this,” Cain said after getting a call from Remi.

  “Cain, can I talk to you both before you go?” Ross said, coming into the sunroom without knocking. “Emma, I’m sorry for being such a lousy father and not getting you away from her long before you left. Of the two of us, you had way more courage than I ever possessed, but in a way, you set us both free.” Emma stood up and hugged him so they could cry together.

  “Right now all I care about is t
hat you’re here with us and you’re staying. No matter what, Daddy, I knew you loved me, and believe me, it was enough,” Emma said, causing Ross to wipe more tears from his eyes.

  “You two are going to be okay. And Emma’s right. You’ve got a place with us until we’re all old and gray.” Cain put an arm around both of them. “The best revenge, my da always said, was to live well so you could rub it in the other guy’s face. Carol was a necessity so I’m glad you married her so Emma could be possible, but now it’s time to get on with the living well.”

  “There’s one more thing,” Ross said, laughing and slapping his hands together as if just remembering something.

  “As long as you don’t tell me Carol’s pregnant so you can’t leave her,” Cain said and Emma groaned, “I’ll be okay with whatever you’ve got to say.”

  “I love you both for giving me a place and never making me feel like I’m a burden, but being here helping take care of the kids has—”

  “Please don’t tell me you’re leaving,” Emma said, gripping his biceps.

  “No, lass, I think he’s going to tell you he’s dating Carmen.” Cain laughed when Ross’s ears turned scarlet, followed by the rest of his face.

  “How’d you know?” Emma said, a delighted smile lighting her face.

  “I thought you’d figured it out yourself when you started calling her abuela. But to answer your question, I thought it had to either be that or Ross had developed a serious coffee addiction since he’s in the kitchen so much. No matter how I figured it out, I’m happy for both of you.”

  “So you’re not upset?”

  “Carmen’s been part of our household for years, and somewhere along the way she became family because of how well she takes care of Emma and the kids. That she might eventually be family makes me happy.”

  Emma nodded and hugged him again. “See, I told you she was something all those years ago when you met her at my graduation.”