“What I want you to do in the next week or two, is look at our website and social media accounts and see what you come up with,” she said. An excited Remi wasted no time getting busy. She soon had the company’s website up on her computer and began studying it. Not only was she grateful for the opportunity, but was glad for the diversion. Having something like that to sink her teeth into, and not wallow in all the Liam stuff, was just what she needed.
Armed with potential new evidence about Liam, Special Agent DeGrazerio marched into District Attorney Mark Fowler’s office and demanded a warrant. Young, handsome, and recently appointed to the position, Mark was currently in the process of establishing his name in Philadelphia, and DeGrazerio tried to use that to his advantage. “If you can prosecute and convict Liam Matthews, for the Bank of Philadelphia heist, it will solidify your status in this city,” he said, enticing the pot. Mark skimmed through the new information while DeGrazerio continued blitzing him on just how much that warrant was needed. The attorney explained that he had read all the reports and combed through the evidence but still wasn’t convinced. DeGrazerio expounded that DNA found on the bag wasn’t just Schaffer’s. He also brought up the fact about the gunshot residue, which considering Schaffer never fired his gun, had to belong to either Matthews or Catalano. Mark wasn’t yet swayed enough, but the agent refused to give up or leave until the attorney looked at the information again. “It all points to Matthews being one of the fugitives,” he said, patiently waiting for the man to make a decision. For thirty long, excruciating minutes, with phone call interruptions, knocks on the door, and much hemming and hawing, the attorney, finally concluded. “Okay, I’ll get you the warrant.”
A stoic DeGrazerio stifled his excitement when he asked what the time frame would be. Mark looked over the judge’s schedules. “The courts are backlogged, so I’ll try for tomorrow, but it might not be until Monday.”
Not exactly what the agent was hoping for, but getting the go-ahead for the warrant was a giant win. However, the investigators would have to bide their time a little while longer. He immediately called Weston with the great news.
Having sat at her desk all afternoon, Remi couldn’t wait to get outside for fresh air. However, the fact she spent most of that time staring at a computer screen, her vision was slightly askew, so she hadn’t seen Chris, who was standing outside of the building. “Yo, Remi,” he called out as she walked right passed him. “Chris?” she questioned, rubbing her eyes. He smiled then asked if she wanted some company to the train station. “Sure, but what are you doing here?”
“I was shopping,” he said cheerfully.
Remi giggled at the way he said it, but then it dawned on her. “Wait a minute, were you buying a tux?”
“No, I rented one.”
“Awww, I feel bad you having to spend money.”
“It’s okay; I’m going to give the bill to Liam,” he said, laughing. Remi groaned, “Hmm.”
“Don’t be mad at him.”
“Who says I’m mad?”
Chris clarified, “Okay, maybe not mad, maybe more like—hurt?”
They reached the crowded station, and as Remi attempted to move through the abundance of people, she also maneuvered past Chris’ question. “Thanks for the walk,” she said, stepping in front of him. Her attempt failed as he trailed her onto the train’s platform. “What are you doing?” she asked.
“I’m riding with you.”
“Are you going to Liam’s?”
With a wry grin, he replied, “No, I just feel like riding on the train.”
She sighed, as he sat down directly across from her. “This reminds me of when I was following you,” he said, trying to make her laugh. She tried real hard not to, but Chris had a sneaky way of always forcing her to crack a smile. “You didn’t answer my question,” he said, giving her a fake stink eye. She glanced out the window as the train began to travel, and said, “I wasn’t surprised that he backed out, but yeah I was a little hurt.”
Chris nodded because she confirmed what he had already suspected. “Can I ask what you expected from Liam?”
Her brow furrowed while she squinted her eyes. “I don’t know,” she replied, pressing the palm of her hand against her forehead. He questioned if she was all right. “Yeah, I just feel a headache coming on,” she said, digging through her purse, searching for Ibuprofen. When she found them, she popped two pills into her mouth, took a swig of a water bottle, then said, “I lied; I do know what I expected.”
Chris propped his feet up on the empty seat next to Remi and waited for her to tell him what was on her mind. She exhaled then confessed, “I guess since we were hanging out and he was opening up more about himself, and not being so cold, that he’d…” her words trailed off.
Chris finished it for her. “He’d stay that way.”
She nodded. “Silly, huh?”
He shook his head, and in a serious tone, he said, “No, not silly at all.”
“I can’t believe, I’m even telling you any of this,” she said, feeling embarrassed.
“I won’t say anything, but you know Liam, he’s very complex.”
Remi smirked, thinking that was putting it mildly.
“He’s conditioned himself to be unemotional and not to get attached, and it’s difficult for him to deviate from that,” he explained. She frowned while tipping her aching head back against the seat, which may or may not have been an attempt to ignore what he was saying. Getting the distinct impression that her feelings for Liam ran much deeper than he even thought, Chris knew all of this had to be tearing her up inside. He leaned over towards her and said, “Look, I’ve known Liam for most of my life, and I have never seen him so protective of a woman before.”
He then added, “For instance, take his ex-girlfriend, Zoe, if a bus was speeding directly at her at the rate of hundred miles per hour, odds are Liam wouldn’t lift a finger to save her, he’d just let the bus hit her.”
Even with her head pounding, Remi couldn’t refrain from busting out laughing. The train slowly pulled up at the station, and Remi whispered to Chris, “Well, I don’t know if it means anything or not, but what I do know is that he blames me for the DNA mess.”
He gave a puzzled expression and uttered, “Huh?”
“Never mind,” she said, grabbing her purse and stepping off the train. “Wait!” he shouted, running after her. She stopped and turned around to face him, but there were quite a few people around, so she spoke quietly. “Liam blames me for planting the bag on Tom and in turn, the reason why the cops are now possibly on to him.”
That bewilderment was still written all over Chris’ face when he said, “Liam and I discussed it, and I swear not once did he blame you.”
She raised her eyebrow, apparently still doubting him. Chris held up his hands and reiterated, “I swear.”
Not sure what to believe, and not in the mood to talk about it anymore, she told him she’d talk to him another time. He told her to feel better soon. Once he was back on the train, Remi began the trek home. Her head ached more intensely the closer she got to the apartment building. All she wanted to do was climb into bed and go to sleep. Of course, easier said than done as her brain was plugged up with what their conversation had unveiled. She thought, maybe it was possible Liam didn’t blame her, but then why the icy treatment and the bowing out of the wedding?
On the elevator ride up to the seventh floor, her bed was practically calling her name. She couldn’t get up there fast enough. The doors had barely opened when she squeezed through and hurried down the hall. At the moment she reached her apartment, Liam exited his. “Hi,” he said, stepping towards her. “Hey,” she said flatly, as she fumbled with her key. She then yelled, “Dammit,” when she couldn’t get the key to work. “Need some help?” he innocently asked. “No!” she snapped. Liam caught the hint, loud and clear. “I was just asking.”
As she finally got the door unlocked, she uttered a snarky, “Whatever.”
He wasn’t su
re why, but a sudden need to apologize hit him. “I’m sorry about the wedding.”
She scoffed. “Oh, that’s rich!”
“Excuse me?” he questioned, his facial expression all of a sudden showed anger. “You heard me,” she hissed, as she opened the door and stepped inside. Liam shadowed her. Remi dropped her purse onto the loveseat then huffed. “You said in my office the other day that you would understand if I couldn’t go,” he reminded. She looked up at him and barked, “There’s a huge difference between not being able to go and not wanting to go.”
He sighed then mumbled, “I really don’t need this right now.”
With her hand, pressing firmly on the top of her head, she argued, “Then why are you here?”
“Good question,” he replied, his tone patronizing. An uncomfortable silence soon followed but Liam didn’t budge. Having no inclination to fight, Remi announced she was going to lie down and for him to let himself out. Of course, even an irritated Liam was still a protective one, so he instinctively asked if she was okay. “If you must know; I have a headache,” she said, shuffling towards her bedroom. He was about to ask if she needed anything and Remi sensed it. Therefore, cutting him off before he could. “Just go—please.”
Liam reluctantly obliged. She didn’t want nor need his help this time, pushing it wouldn’t have been smart, and he knew that. When she heard him leave, Remi got settled into the bed, and for a while just laid there. Tomorrow evening was the wedding rehearsal and dinner, leaving no time to feel like shit. “Headache go away,” she begged. The sleep gods mercifully put Remi out of her misery, and soon she was down for the count.
Needing solace, Liam went to a place he hadn’t been in a long time—Boathouse Row. The night air was hovering at thirty-two degrees but tolerable. Besides, he didn’t care, all he wanted was to walk aimlessly and have no responsibility. As he drove along Kelly Drive, he noticed signs for an upcoming regatta that weekend. That instantly brought back memories of the ones he used to attend with his grandfather. The biggest being the Dad Vail, which they had attended together every year until his grandfather passed away. It was a tradition, and last year Liam chose not to go. Without him, it just didn’t feel right. However, Marlene had been disappointed, believing her husband would have been upset by Liam’s choice. For that reason, and for the simple fact that he missed the excitement of the races, this May he planned on going. Of course, that was good in theory, however, being that it was only February, chances were high that he might be in prison by then. He generated a long, doleful sigh, as any hope for his future being anything other than a 6-by-8 foot cell surrounded by concrete walls would be a farce, or the alternative, which was to take off and never look back. Once parked, he took a stroll along the Schuylkill River Trail. That and Kelly Drive used to be his go-to route for running, but that seemed to change after the Columbus Day heist. He’s only made it down there a handful of times since. He had no decent explanation why either, just cracking it up to another casualty, of that botched job that altered many things in his life. And that seque led him to Remi. Though, she certainly wasn’t a casualty she was a constant source of struggle for him. The tiniest of smiles crept upon his lips while thinking about her because even in a remotely negative way, she could still have a positive effect, which would probably explain why he felt terrible for bowing out on the wedding. And then there was the simplicity of Chris’ relationship with Remi; they had nothing adverse between them. He wasn’t envious per se, but it made him realize that his entire life most things came easily to him, but relationships were the one thing that didn’t. Her being pissed off at him gnawed at him, especially when she told him to leave. That in itself wasn’t a big deal it was the disenchantment emitting from her voice and the sadness in those blue eyes that were truly bothering him. He had to force himself to stop thinking about her, so instead, he thought about a meeting he had set for tomorrow with his lawyer. With the investigation closing in on him, he needed legal advice, from someone he trusted.
For now, he just walked and enjoyed the illuminated scenery of the lighted boathouses. If only his grandfather were there to bestow some words of wisdom, he thought. He did believe he was there in spirit, walking beside him. A thought, he found comforting.
CHAPTER 13
Remi yawned as she entered the kitchen. Melanie handed her a cup of coffee then asked, “I got home around eight last night, and you were already asleep,” she remarked. Remi plopped a few teaspoons of sugar into the coffee while explaining about the nasty headache. Melanie tipped an opened box of Frosted Flakes into two bowls, poured milk over both, and slid one over to Remi, who thanked her then announced, “Liam isn’t going to the wedding.”
Melanie was sorry to hear that. Remi told her that Chris was going instead. “That’s sweet of him, and I bet he’ll be a lot of fun,” she said, trying to assure her, they will have a fantastic time and not to let Liam get her down. Remi offered up a weak smile as she carried her cereal and coffee into the bedroom. While she ate, a text came through from Abby:
Reminder: church rehearsal at 6…dinner at 7:15 at Murray’s Italian Restaurant
She was grateful that the awful headache was gone, knowing that the next 36 hours were going to be long and hectic. The thing she needed to do most, was keep her shit together. Not fully convinced she could do that, she was certainly going to give it her best effort.
Liam had asked his lawyer, Victor Hutton, to meet him at the infamous warehouse at eleven. Liam arrived fifteen minutes early to the sight of a door still adorned with weatherworn yellow police tape. He ripped it off, unlocked the door then slowly stepped inside. Having not been there since the night he killed Tom; Liam was surprised it looked the same. The crime scene had been cleaned up except for the blood spatter that had adhered to the sheet rock. The large crate that he and Remi had sat on after the incident was still in the same spot. Liam touched it with his hand then sat down. While his eyes scanned the surrounding area, he thought back to that night:
“Hello, my name is Remi Catalano, one of the fugitives from the Bank of Philadelphia heist has just been shot. You better come fast, not sure if he’s going to make it.”
That phone call set into motion a chain of events that has led Liam to finally face the consequences, something that he should have just accepted that night. The outcome would have been the same for him regardless, but Remi would have been in the clear. Instead, she opted to fabricate a story, which in turn, dug herself into a deep hole.
“My friend Liam and I came here to hang out, and when we got here, this guy was waiting to ambush us. He threatened us with a gun, waving a red bag around, spouting off about the diamonds he stole in the bank heist.”
Liam shook his head wondering why she didn’t just tell the truth.
He stood up and walked around a bit. Being back there, standing in the spot where Tom met his demise or more so, where Remi first shot him, conjured up intense feelings of remorse. That penitence, though, wasn’t for Tom’s death, it was for Remi. He kneeled down, covered his head with his hands, and wondered how he was going to get her out of this mess. Just then, Victor walked in. “Hey,” said Liam, standing back up to regroup quickly. “Good to see you,” said Victor, a short, 53-year-old, bald, well-dressed, and highly accomplished attorney. After the two men shook hands, Victor asked how he was doing. Liam just groaned.
“From that, I take it things aren’t good.”
Liam decided to cut to the chase. “The police want me to supply a DNA sample.”
Victor’s blank expression said it all. Though he never knew for sure if Liam had participated in illegal activities, he always had his suspicions. “Do you know why they want it?”
“Yup!”
Victor exhaled and pulled over a crate to sit on. “Alright, give me the details.”
Liam paced back and forth while he spoke. “That guy I killed here, you know how he was one of the gunmen involved in that Columbus Day bank heist?”
Victor nodded.
Victor scratched his head, and straight out asked, “Were you?”
Liam said nothing, which was just as good as a confession.
“I take it they have already interrogated you?”
Liam nodded.
“You know better than to speak to the police without your attorney present, please tell me you didn’t say anything to incriminate yourself,” he lectured, showing concern for his client. “I didn’t, but they’re adamant about that sample,” he replied. “And once they get a warrant; I’ll have no choice.”
Victor immediately suggested Liam give it voluntarily.
“Why?”
“Because then it looks like you have nothing to hide.”
Liam smirked. “But I do.”
“I know that, and you know that, but they don’t,” he said. “Once they get the sample, testing won’t happen overnight, it could take at least a week for them to get the results, which buys you some time to figure out what kind of defense you want to work with.”
Liam thought, a defense felt useless. What defense did he really have, when he was guilty as hell. But he still needed to know what his options were and how he should proceed.
Victor added, “If you do decide to volunteer it, let me know first.”
Liam agreed and told his attorney that he would most likely need to discuss a few more things with him in the near future.
Olivia called an emergency meeting at 4:45, leaving Remi in a pinch to make it home in time to change then get to the church for rehearsal. As Olivia spoke, Remi glanced down at her ensemble, which consisted of a long black cotton skirt, black high-heeled leather boots, and a gray tee with a black duster. She wondered if she looked too dark and gloomy. She texted Melanie to let her know she would just see her at the church. Olivia finally dismissed everyone at 5:30, forcing Remi to haul ass to the train station. Since the church was in Bala Cynwyd, she knew she’d be pushing it time wise. Thankfully, there was no delays or suspension of the rail lines. Somehow, she made it to the church, only a few minutes late. The rehearsal went off without a hitch. Soon after, the wedding party and family members were back in Center City at Murray’s, all seated, waiting for the food to arrive. Remi listened to the other bridesmaids conversing about their lives but had little interest in contributing. Her mind was everywhere but at the restaurant. As much as she had been looking forward to the wedding, she was glad it would soon be over. With so much uncertainty in regards to Liam and the investigation, she felt overwhelmed and frightened. Noticing Remi had zoned out, Melanie leaned over and whispered, “You okay?”
UNMASKED: Sequel to Behind the Mask Page 19