"I already have a copy, Victoria. Maybe I could interest you in signing it for me. Perhaps, we could get together for dinner Friday night?"
Victoria was surprised by his quick move, and before she even thought about her answer, the word ‘yes’ escaped her lips and plans were made.
The luncheon was a great success with over fifteen thousand dollars raised for the young child, Marty, who was fighting leukemia. The ten thousand from the magazine she worked for definitely made a difference. She was proud to be part of such a company and to have a great boss.
* * * *
After a quick trip to the ladies’ room, Victoria made her way through the crowd.
"You only have a few more weeks, and it will be deadline time. Are you almost finished?” Her boss John sipped his glass of lemon water.
"Don't crowd me, John. You know how I work, and you know I'll be ready."
"You're right. I'm sorry to suggest otherwise. I guess I'm just impatient, and I look forward to another award-winning article.” He winked at her and took another sip.
She smiled at him. He had been very supportive over the years and understanding of her personal struggles.
As Victoria finished her conversation with her boss and Debbie, Bret interrupted, asking to have a moment with Victoria before she left.
Victoria was a little embarrassed and knew that by the way Bret flirted with her all afternoon, others would assume they were already involved. She could just imagine the shit she would hear from her family.
"So let me give you my card, and on the back, I'll write my pager number and home number. How does six o'clock in the evening sound? Maybe we can eat at Luigi's. Do you like Italian?"
"That sounds wonderful."
"I look forward to it."
"And thank you for the entertainment."
He winked, and she felt the light flutter in her stomach. She watched him, absorbing his distinguished features and blatant sex appeal. He was very charismatic and sophisticated. His dark hair, the defined lines near his eyes, and his tanned complexion, he reminded her of a movie star, older, worldly, yet there appeared to be youthfulness about him. She was certain at that moment his looks combined with the intoxicating cologne he wore played a major role in his long line of mistresses. Feeling the nervous sensation deep within at the idea of her being considered a mistress, made her wonder what exactly she just accepted an invitation for.
Bret got all of Victoria Mardullo's information, including address and slowly shook her hand goodbye.
"It was a pleasure spending the afternoon with you, Victoria. I'm certain that Friday evening will be unforgettable, as well."
Victoria watched Bret make his way through the crowd, saying goodbye to other people as he left and not even noticing the looks and stares from the female admirers.
* * * *
"Girl, you are playing with fire. Bret Collins has a big thing for you,” Debbie whispered in her ear.
"What are you talking about? We just met."
"Honey, he's a wolf, and the look in his eyes said he wanted to devour you right up."
"Oh, Debbie!"
Victoria giggled a little as she thought about what Debbie said. ‘Devour her up'—now that would be something else. She got chills when she thought about the possibility of getting intimate with Bret. In an instant, she saw Steven and her heart ached something terrible, damn him for his ability to hold her down this long. He didn't care about her or love her anymore, and she had a right to move on, forget him no matter what it took. Maybe, just maybe, a no-strings-attached, older man like Bret Collins would be the medicine she needed.
* * * *
Bret Collins drove his silver convertible BMW down the small town streets of River Point. He absorbed the uplifted feeling as he took in the sights of his small town.
It was quaint, where the center was a mere one-block vicinity and on that block stood typical storefronts with businesses that were barely making it. The bigger, more famous stores were located fifteen minutes down the highway and more of the locals were willing to travel because of the product variety in those stores. These small town shops just weren't making it, but Bret had his ideas.
It would involve a bit of reconstruction, adding a few necessary shops, and expanding the center of town by a three-block radius. Every time he thought about it, he became excited. He didn't have the position of town supervisor yet and his competition was breathing down his back. As he thought about Jack ‘Flip’ Walker, he became angry. The guy was currently the head supervisor of the town highway department. He had it in big with the local cops as well as many old timers in the community.
They had once been friends who shared their ideas, hopes, and potential plans for reconstructing River Point.
Flip had a lot of great ideas but less money and influence than Bret. Together, they could have made a great team, but Flip was also too straight and unwilling to take money under the table. He felt the corruption and payoffs were the main reason the town was falling apart.
Bret thought differently. As long as he kept a few people in the right positions on his payroll, then he would remain successful.
Once he made the decision to let a few business dealings slide under the table, there was no turning back.
That was fine with Bret but the new connection he made, had him a bit nervous. He was a ticking time bomb and apparently incapable of following directions. Bret never wanted anyone to die but it had happened. It was over and his career took off.
Bret was ecstatic that Victoria Mardullo seemed attracted to him. He'd be a fool not to jump on that. She fit the image he had been trying to portray for so long—handsome, successful, older man involved with a young, successful, attractive woman, both local residents. With their combined connections, they could own this town together. He smiled at himself in the rearview mirror, knowing so much would ride on their first date tonight.
The attraction was mutual, so at least he didn't have to fake it. Their personalities were similar and they were both intellectually compatible. Therefore, they shouldn't clash in any way. He probably had more money than she did, but he'd been at it longer than she had. “Yes, yes, yes. She's perfect, absolutely perfect.” Bret continued to drive down the road.
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter 4
"Do you want me to take care of this part of the investigation, Tod? I know how close you've become to the family.” Phelps asked, as the two men stood in the hallway back at the department.
"No, don't worry about it. The Mardullo case is my case anyway, and if Danny's death is somehow connected to Linda Delaney's, then I need to keep on top of things.” Tod added two packets of sugar to the black, stale coffee.
"Can I ask you a personal question, Kafrey?"
Tod took a sip from his cup then made a nasty face. “Yuck! That's the nastiest coffee ever. Go ahead, Don, tell me what's on your mind."
"Do you have something going on with his daughter?"
"You mean, Victoria?"
"He only had one daughter. What's the deal?"
"No, we're just good friends, that's all. Why do you ask?"
"Inquiring minds want to know, man. She is gorgeous, successful, a disciple of us cops. She's got it all.” Don smiled wide and watched Tod.
"She does have a lot to offer. Everything you say is true. So, who's interested? Anyone I know?"
"The list is long, my friend, but at least now, if someone asks me if you two are involved, I can give them a straight answer. Let's get back to the case.” Don patted Tod on the back and walked back toward his desk.
Tod wasn't sure how to react. He had no right to be jealous. Victoria said she was attracted to him, but just not ready to date. There was no way anyone else would get her to go out with him, not as long as the Marine stayed in her heart.
Tod headed over to his desk, grabbing a piece of spearmint gum and popping it into his mouth. He tried to blame the bad taste in his mouth on the stale coffee, but he wondered
if it were from his conversation with Don. Tod shook the thoughts from his head as his cell phone rang. He answered it, surprised by the information he received.
He closed the phone and called over to Phelps.
"Hey, I got some information on the picture,” Tod said as Phelps came walking over.
"What's up, man?"
"Well, it seems that the picture was taken at Mallorie's Bar and Grill in Pascack, New Jersey. The detectives there questioned some of the waiting staff and apparently, Mardullo and Delaney were regulars, every Thursday, around noon time for a few weeks or so."
Tod wondered how Victoria and her mother would react to this information if it leaked out. Danny had a solid reputation as a family man, devoted to the ‘love of his life,’ his ‘high school sweetheart’ as he referred to Sherry. Victoria worshiped him.
"Damn it, man. There has to be more to this. Mardullo doesn't seem like the cheating kind."
"Who knows what goes on behind closed doors? I guess we'll have to look at this case a little differently.” Tod waited for Don's response.
"Yeah, like maybe our killer is a jealous boyfriend and the Delaney case and Mardullo case are connected. If that's so, then who knows what we're dealing with."
"Let's keep this information between us for now. I'd like to avoid speaking with Sherry Mardullo for as long as possible. I don't even want to think how Victoria is going to react to this, never mind the rest of the family."
"You're not kidding, and remember the anniversary of his death is only a few days away. This new information would be torture for them."
Tod didn't have to respond. He agreed with Don completely, and he wondered how he would talk to Victoria.
* * * *
"You look stunning, Victoria, absolutely stunning.” Bret kissed her hand then continued to hold it as they walked down Main Street in Boulder Point.
"Thank you, and thank you for dinner as well. It was fantastic,” Victoria told him as they walked closely together, enjoying the warm evening air.
"I was hoping that you would like the place."
"I loved it and everything was perfect, despite how crowded the dining area was."
"That's why I'm a silent partner. I wouldn't know what to do if I actually had to run the restaurant,” Bret confided.
"That place is yours? I had no idea."
"That's how I like it."
"And that's why they call it silent partner.” Her curiosity had the best of her.
"If you don't mind my asking, Bret, what other kinds of businesses do you own?"
"Let's just say I own a variety of businesses. I'd hate to bore you with all my stresses in life."
"You seem to handle them very well. As a matter of fact, you don't seem stressed at all."
Bret stopped next to a bench on the side street, pulling Victoria against him.
"That's because I'm with you.” He took her face in his hands and kissed her.
Victoria unconsciously pulled away from Bret. She liked it, but it didn't feel right, and she damned Steven for the umpteenth time.
"I'm sorry, Bret, I ... It's been a while.” She looked away from him, and focused down the empty sidewalk.
He gently turned her face up toward him.
"It must have been pretty bad."
She nodded.
"He was a fool, I'm sure of it.” He gently kissed her forehead. He paused a moment, looking into her eyes, then kissed her left cheek, her right cheek, and her lips again. This time, she didn't pull away.
* * * *
"Hey, Malley, I heard Kafrey was looking for you."
"That's Sergeant Malley, Captain Louis,” Patrick told the captain who was an old friend of his. The captain laughed as Patrick shook his hand in greeting.
"I saw your nephew, Alex, this morning. He got a good ‘collar,’ a DWI at the end of a night shift. He was pissed."
Patrick laughed. “What about Connor, have you seen him around?"
"Yeah, I saw him about fifteen minutes ago. He was working on the robbery case from two days ago. It looks like they have someone in custody that fits the description. He wasn't too happy, either."
"Why was that?” Patrick was a little concerned.
Then Captain Louis leaned in closer to Patrick. “The word is that your niece Victoria is dating Bret Collins."
"What! Where the hell did he get that information from?” Patrick was pissed. Collins had to be maybe fifteen years older than his niece was, and he was an asshole. What the hell could she be thinking?
"They were spotted in Boulder Point last night. That fancy, expensive Italian place. What's the name?"
"Luigi's off of Main, down by the water?"
"Yeah, that's the place. I hear you can drop a couple of bills like that.” Captain Louis clicked his thumb and forefinger together.
"Holy shit, I had no idea.” Patrick felt the pain in the pit of his stomach. This information was sure to make his ulcer act up.
The captain put his arm around his friend's shoulder and whispered, “I'm sorry to have upset you. I figured if anyone knew that it would be you. You've basically taken over Danny's role, along with your sons."
"Ah, don't worry about it. I just hope it's not serious.” Patrick then excused himself. He immediately headed to his office, offering noncommittal greetings to his friends and colleagues along the way.
He closed his office door, tossing his normal routine of grabbing a cup of coffee first out of the way, and picked up the telephone.
He was annoyed when he got Victoria's answering machine and even more pissed when her cell phone went right to voice mail. Damn it, he wasn't stupid. She was avoiding her family on purpose, which made the pain in his stomach even worse as he slammed the phone down.
Rubbing his eyes with his fingertips, he sensed the tingling sensation and was sure it would turn into a pounding headache.
What could Victoria be thinking? Why now? Why Bret Collins of all people? Could it be serious?
He asked himself a handful of questions then prayed his niece was safe.
He didn't trust Bret Collins as a politician or as a man. His reputation and track record of approvals and denials on the town board was enough to make anyone question the man's integrity.
Sighing, he tried to focus on his paperwork then dropped the manila folder on his desk to pick up his cell phone.
Quickly, he dialed her number again.
* * * *
Victoria had trouble sleeping last night as horrible images ruled her dreams. She moved slowly this morning and in need of a strong cup of coffee. She was surprised when she heard the knock at the front door.
"Tod, what are you doing here so early? Is everything all right?” She was instantly concerned. Too many family members had dangerous jobs, and pictures of each of them flashed in her mind.
"I'm sorry I came over so early. Everything is fine, everyone is fine."
She motioned for him to come in and sit, then went to make him a cup of coffee. She knew exactly the way he liked it—black, extra sugar.
Glancing over her shoulder at Tod before picking up the mugs off the counter, she practically felt him glaring at her. The thought hit her instantly and she had a feeling she knew the purpose of the early morning visit.
"Go ahead, Tod, get it off your chest."
"I don't know where to begin."
"Sure you do. You want to know about my date with Bret,” she told him straight out, the way she had practiced it all last night. She felt bad, but Bret just kind of happened out of nowhere.
"It's none of my business, Victoria. You're a big girl. You've made your bed, and you've got to sleep in it."
He took a sip of the Kona coffee.
"This is really good.” He stared at Victoria over the rim of the cobalt blue mug.
"My friend Kuan sent it to me from Hawaii. It's delicious, isn't it?” she asked, but Tod just continued to stare at her. His gaze traveled over her body, then toward her bedroom, as if Bret would be there. Then his fa
cial expression changed.
What did he think? That I would invite him into my home, serve him coffee while another man lay in my bed? Shock and annoyance filled her.
"I haven't slept with him, Tod."
"I didn't say you did. Listen, I didn't come here to fight with you. Just be careful.” He was annoyed at her for getting involved with Bret, she could tell.
"Listen, Tory, some evidence has come to my attention—"
"In my dad's case?"
"Yeah, hun, and I..."
"What is it? Just tell me, please?” She sat down on the couch, taking his hand to pull him down with her.
Tod placed the mug of coffee on the long, narrow wooden table that sat between the red floral sofa and the entertainment center.
"I have to ask you something, and I need you to be sure before you answer. If there's any reason that you believe what I'm about to ask you is true, I need you to tell me."
Victoria nodded.
"Do you have any reason to believe that your father was involved with another woman?"
Victoria's mouth dropped, and instantly, she jumped up from the sofa.
"No way! Absolutely not, Tod. No freaking way. Never! I don't know who told you that."
"Tory, calm down, all right? I need to ask these questions. You know this."
"I'm sure you heard about the body of a young woman being found on Memorial Day? Well, during our investigation of her home, we came across a picture of her and your father."
"So, what? Instantly, he's having an affair. This is bullshit, Tod. You knew my dad. You know my mom too. They're ... they were inseparable. The two most in love people you'd ever see. There is absolutely no way,” she insisted, but Tod continued to give her the information he had. As angry as she was, Victoria knew he was just doing his job, but the pain in her stomach now turned to nausea.
"There are witnesses, Tory, connections between your father and this woman that support this theory."
Victoria shook her head as the tears welled up in her eyes. She abruptly crossed her arms against her chest and turned away from Tod.
It can't be true. It just can't be true.
She felt Tod move closer, then instantly, he turned her around by her shoulders.
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