“Brad is one of the best,” Drew said. “And his people are even better.”
Molly set the phone in the cup holder. “I’m going to keep him on speed dial if you don’t mind.”
“Not at all.” What he minded was his preoccupation with everything Molly. From her patience with Hazel to the lightness in her smile as she and Ella debated puppy names, even when she was teasing him. Her gentleness couldn’t be ignored. Her kindness and thoughtfulness extended from her family, to his family and friends, to the rescued dogs.
Fortunately Molly spent the entire drive to the Italian restaurant scribbling notes on her legal pad. Hazel napped. And Drew kept his attention on minding the traffic and following the GPS directions to the eatery located north of the city across the Golden Gate Bridge.
If only he could direct his interest in Molly back to the professional and away from the personal.
CHAPTER TEN
MOLLY TOOK STOCK. A mother dog and her puppies successfully rescued—check. Gina Hahn located, thanks to Drew’s brother—check. And Hazel was dozing blissfully in the back seat—check, as well. It all made Molly’s mood optimistic. That was good because she was looking for a solid point of entry into Drew’s case. A place to begin her investigation into the seemingly perfect district attorney. She was hopeful Gina might know something important, even if the former administrative assistant considered the information trivial. The key would be persuading Gina to help them.
The staccato voice of Drew’s navigation system disrupted the silence. Molly rearranged the legal notepad on her lap and made an outline of possible questions. She paused once to take in the beautiful view from the Golden Gate Bridge and to peek at Hazel asleep.
It wasn’t long before the hostess of Girasoli Ristorante led Molly and Drew onto an outdoor covered patio at the back of the restaurant. A busboy carried over a high chair for Hazel. Menus were handed out, and the hostess slipped back inside.
Molly noticed Drew’s focus was fixed on the waitresses walking in and out through the swinging door to the kitchen.
Molly snapped a bib around Hazel’s neck and scattered a handful of toasted cereal onto the high-chair tray. The three of them looked like any other family spending their lunch hour together. But this was work. Dog rescues and family introductions aside, Molly had a job to do and a client counting on her. “Do you recognize anyone?”
“I do.” Drew straightened in his chair and tipped his chin. “Gina is coming to our table now.”
Gina Hahn strode up to the table. The deep red stripes in her glossy black hair highlighted a spark of irritation in her brown eyes.
“Gina. It’s good to see you.” Drew offered the woman a small smile. “It’s been a while.”
“Ha. I worked at the DA’s office for four years. I’ve been gone from there for almost two years. In all that time, you never came to my family’s restaurant.” Gina tapped her pencil against her order pad. “But now, suddenly, you’re here. It’s no coincidence, is it?”
Drew nodded and motioned to Molly. “Gina, this is my friend and legal counsel, Molly McKinney and Molly’s daughter, Hazel.”
Gina tucked her pencil behind her ear and her notepad in her apron, then shook Molly’s hand. She gave an exaggerated wave to the baby and followed it with a cute drawn out, “Hey, Hazel.”
Molly quietly watched as the woman’s demeanor relaxed the more she interacted with Hazel. Molly unfolded her napkin, set the white fabric across her lap. She hoped she sounded casual. “Gina, I’m sure you’re aware of the charges against Drew.”
Gina moved beside Hazel’s high chair and pulled a bright pink uninflated balloon from her apron pocket. “I keep up with the news.”
“We wanted to talk to you about the DA’s office.” Molly stepped into the lead, kept her tone professional and her words direct. Molly and Drew had practiced mock trials and witness depositions while stealing French fries from each other’s lunch plates in law school. If only a French fry swap was the objective now. “Specifically, we’d like to know about your time working as an administrative assistant for Cory Vinson.”
“I was fired.” Gina inflated the balloon, tied the end and began twisting it. Her face was pleasant, her movements unrushed as if she were discussing nothing more serious than the weather. Only she never made eye contact, not with Drew. Not with Molly. Gina added, “It was an immediate termination for doing my class homework on my work computer during my lunch breaks. There’s a policy that states the property of the district attorney’s office cannot be employed for personal use.”
“That’s unfortunate.” Molly aligned the silverware on the table in front of her and worked to align herself with the young woman. “Usually, written warnings and measured work assignments are given before termination.”
“That would be due process. It only exists at Cory Vinson’s whim in his world.” Gina completed three more twists on the balloon, creating what looked like the front of a poodle. “As Drew knows.”
Drew’s shoulders rolled back. “Do you know something about the charges against me?”
Gina lifted one shoulder. Again, nothing disturbed her pleasant expression or easygoing manner. “Only what I’ve read online or in the newspapers and heard on TV. The same as everyone else.”
“But you were Cory’s lead administrative assistant,” Drew countered.
Finally Gina lifted her gaze and looked directly at Drew. “And you were Cory’s favorite assistant district attorney.”
Hazel patted her palms against the high-chair tray and bounced in her seat. Her attention fastened on Gina’s balloon animal. Gina completed her balloon dog with a poodle puff to the end of the tail and presented her creation to Drew. She added, “Curious, isn’t it? We’re both no longer at the DA’s office, but Cory Vinson is.”
“Another coincidence.” Drew tapped the balloon dog’s nose against Hazel’s cheek. He smiled when Hazel laughed, then set the animal on the table in front of her.
Gina skipped her attention to Molly. “Drew always told his paralegals and research assistants that coincidences were messages. That they had to find the connection and it wouldn’t always be obvious.”
Molly glanced at Drew. “That’s good advice.”
Drew swirled the ice around in his water glass. “It’s what I believe.”
“I shared it with my professors when I was still in school.” Gina stretched out another balloon. “It always stuck with me.”
“Then you know it’s no accident we’re here.” Molly added more dried cereal to Hazel’s tray.
“It’s no accident I’m here either.” Gina’s eyebrows lifted as she blew up the balloon.
Drew ran his palm over the table. “Gina, you’re connected to the DA’s office.”
“I was connected to that place.” Gina tied the end of the blue balloon in a quick knot as if she wanted to tie off her past too. “But that’s behind me. And I want it to stay that way.”
Molly shifted and thought she caught the slightest fragment of uncertainty in Gina’s gaze. Whether real or a trick of the afternoon sun, she wasn’t certain.
An older gentleman, his gray hair thin on top and his waistline soft, stepped beside Gina. “My daughter is the best balloon creator in the Bay Area. I taught her myself when she was young.”
“Papa, you’re too kind. This is my father and owner of Girasoli, Antonio Porta.” Gina expanded a second blue balloon. Hazel squealed. Gina smiled. “Papa always made balloon animals for my sister and me. Now I make them for my daughter and our patrons’ kids.”
“I remember when my granddaughter was this age. So precious.” Affection was laced in Antonio’s accent. He held his hand out to Gina, wiggled his fingers and grinned. She placed several balloons on his open palm. “My granddaughter is a princess. I believe all daughters are princesses.”
Molly liked Antonio instantly. His love for his fami
ly was endearing. But this wasn’t a fun family lunch. She needed real information. Something more than the fleeting thought that she’d like to return for a casual lunch with Drew and Hazel. “Antonio, how old is your granddaughter?”
Antonio made quick work of his balloon crown and revealed it to the table as if he were presenting a fine piece of jewelry. Then, with the flair of the crown jeweler, he placed the crown on Hazel’s head. “My grandbaby, she turned two last month.”
Molly picked up her glass of ice water and sipped. The cold water sent a shiver over Molly’s skin. Or perhaps that was the rush of energy returning, the kind she’d sought yesterday in her apartment with Drew. Gina left the district attorney’s office two years ago. The same exact time Drew took over the case. And now Gina’s daughter was two. Brad’s information had indicated Gina had never been married. Gina might have told Elena she wasn’t interested in having a boyfriend, but perhaps Gina had simply wanted to keep her relationship secret. And dating her boss would definitely qualify as secret worthy. The timing could not be a coincidence. Molly tried to signal to Drew over her water glass.
His head lifted, but he kept his attention on adding Gina’s balloon kitten and elephant to the collection gathering on the table. Then he busied himself organizing the animal display for Hazel.
Molly adjusted Hazel’s crown and guided the conversation into informal territory, hoping to establish a connection. “I’ve been told two is a very busy age. Hazel already keeps me on my toes.”
Antonio released a deep rumbling laugh. “My granddaughter is always on the go. Same as her mother was.”
Gina finished a horse and set it on the table beside the others. She wrapped her arm around her father’s waist. “Don’t let him fool you. My dad is the busiest one in the family.”
“Family.” Antonio’s bushy eyebrows arched high onto his forehead. “If you have that, then you have everything you’ll ever need.”
Family mattered. So did Drew and Gina. She worked on the connection—the one that would lead to trust and eventually to information. She was intentional. Some would say cold and methodical. But she had to be. “How long have you owned Girasoli?”
“Three generations. My wife and I cook. My other daughter bakes.” Antonio’s chest puffed out. “It hasn’t always been smooth sailing, but we’ve weathered every storm together. As it should be. Right, Gina?”
Gina’s hands fluttered in front of her as if she’d suddenly lost her balance. But she recovered and quickly pulled out her notepad and seemingly her focus. “I should take your lunch order. It is why you’re here after all.”
Molly opened her menu. She scanned the contents, but her mind skimmed over the variety of choices. Too many questions about Gina and her young daughter crowded her thoughts.
Drew asked, “Do you have any chef recommendations?”
“I can recommend the pappardelle in a Bolognese, topped with aged Parmesan,” Antonio offered and snapped his fingers. “Of course, the four-cheese spinach manicotti are handmade and the wild mushroom ricotta raviolis too. Both are exceptional and quite popular today.”
“You had me at handmade.” Molly smiled. “I’ll have the raviolis.”
Drew touched his stomach as if he were famished. “The same please.”
“I’ll prepare a delightful ricotta pancake for the princess.” Antonio winked at Hazel, pressed his palm over his heart. “They are my granddaughter’s favorite.”
“That would be wonderful,” Molly said. “And very much appreciated. Hazel will definitely enjoy more than toasted cereal.”
Gina finished writing in her notepad and looked up. “I’ll bring your fresh bread basket soon. Let me know if you need anything else.”
Gina hurried inside the restaurant. Antonio strolled down the patio to check in on another table of guests, once again releasing his deep rumbling laugh. Hazel giggled too.
Drew picked up the horse-shaped balloon and turned it over in his hands. “I know what you’re going to ask, Molly.”
“Really?” Molly claimed the poodle. “What is that?”
“Can I learn to make balloon animals too? That way, we’ll always have entertainment at whatever dining table we find ourselves at.” Drew lifted his gaze to hers.
Laughter rushed out of Molly, before she could think better of it. He’d always made her laugh during their mock-trial practices. Or before midterm exams. Or after all-night study sessions. As if he always recognized when she’d gotten too serious and had forgotten to take a moment to relax. She smiled. “That’s exactly what I wanted to know.”
Drew set the horse into a make-believe gallop over the dishes to Hazel’s delight. “And yes, there were rumors of a romance in the department. One that involved Cory.”
“I thought you never listened to office gossip.” Molly perched her dog beside her water glass as if it needed a drink too. And she held on to the laughter—the lightness inside her—that reminded her fun was allowed. And even welcomed in her life.
“I listened when Elena told me something.” Drew slowed the horse and set it next to the others. “If Elena was pausing her work to pass along gossip, it was usually interesting or entertaining. And often times true.”
“Who was the other half of Cory’s office romance?” Molly set her elbows on the table and leaned toward Drew.
“That’s the piece no one ever figured out.” Drew shook his head. “It amused Cory. He always liked to hear the guesses, which made me think he could’ve started the rumor.”
Molly snatched one of Hazel’s dry cereal pieces and popped it into her mouth. Hazel squealed and handed Molly another. Molly asked, “For what purpose?”
“It kept people talking about him,” Drew said. “Kept him the main topic of discussion. But the conversation stopped during his run for DA.”
“That seems odd. Because he wanted to protect his upstanding image maybe? And there was you at the same time taking over on the Van Solis case.” Molly wiped a napkin across Hazel’s chin. “And when did Gina leave?” she asked, although she knew the answer.
“The same time I came on board with the Van Solis case,” Drew repeated.
“That was all two years ago.”
Drew looked at her and nodded. “Same age as Gina’s daughter.”
Another waiter dropped off their meals and Hazel’s ricotta pancake, grated fresh Parmesan over their plates and refilled their water glasses. Molly said, “There are no coincidences, only connections.”
Drew nodded again and pierced a ravioli with his fork. “Let’s eat and figure out another way to access those connections.”
Gina checked on them once, then returned to drop off the bill. Molly wiped off Hazel’s face and hands, then passed her to Drew. “Can you take her to look at the fountain at the front of the restaurant? She loves water.”
Drew snuggled Hazel into his side. “What are you going to do?”
“Use the restroom.” And find Gina one last time.
“Meet you at the front.” Drew headed off and wove around the tables, in search of the fountain.
Molly walked through the swinging door and located Gina at the bar. “Our meal was excellent, and I appreciate the collection of balloon animals.”
“They are always a favorite of the kids.” Gina filled a glass with the soda sprayer. “I’m sorry I can’t help you or offer any more information for Drew’s situation.”
“It was a long shot.” Molly set a business card on the polished bar top. “This is my information. If you think of anything, please call me.”
Gina ignored the business card. “I was just an admin assistant. There’s not much to tell.”
“Drew told me you would’ve been an outstanding paralegal. You were always astute, alert and quick on your feet.” Skills Molly imagined served the former administrative assistant well in her work and life.
“That’s
kind.” Gina filled another glass and set it on a serving tray. “Those are skills that come in handy here at our family’s restaurant.”
“And when raising a child alone.” Molly hated that she might have to expose the hardworking single mother. She considered Drew’s reaction. But she also knew she might not have a choice. She had a job to do and she had to accept the cost. “I know the struggles of single parenting. I’m living it.”
“Then you also know every decision we make is for the benefit of our children.” Gina picked up the tray and held it over her shoulder. “Family has to come first.”
“Always,” Molly said. Everything she did was for her family.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
MOLLY BLEW BUBBLES as she sat on the large blanket she’d spread out on the grass in Brooke’s backyard. Hazel reached out, trying to capture the bubbles. Each one she popped brought a burst of giggles.
Brooke and her best friend, Nichole Jacobs, had arrived earlier with the five puppies and their mom that had been rescued yesterday. Brooke had agreed to foster the family. Dan had carried the mother dog into the house to keep her from putting any pressure on her broken hind leg. Brooke and Nichole had taken over puppy care.
After introductions, Molly shared the names Ella and she had come up with for the puppies. They settled on Nala for the mother. And Wish for the mostly black puppy with the one white paw and clear blue eyes. The other puppy names they agreed Ella and her friends would choose.
Nichole stepped out onto the back porch, Brooke beside her. The two women hurried toward Molly and Hazel.
“The puppies are settled in,” Brooke announced. “Nala is comfortable and resting. The family is together in the laundry room.”
“I got my puppy fix. Now I’ve come to sweep up all this cuteness.” Nichole dropped onto the blanket and scooped Hazel into her lap. “My son, Wesley, is twelve. He’s a good kid and funny, but the preteen attitude is not so cute.”
“Molly and I are going to decorate the alcove in her apartment tonight.” Brooke sat beside Molly. “Transform it into Hazel’s happy nook.”
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