by LS Sygnet
“It’s about Danny’s murder, isn’t it?”
“In part. It has more to do with Sofia’s kidnapping. As the investigation continues, I can’t help but realize that the two events are absolutely related, Celeste.”
“His uncle is involved?”
The dismay in her voice dragged my eyes up to meet with hers. “No Celeste. There is no doubt in my mind that this mess has nothing to do with Sully Marcos. In the first place, Danny wasn’t exactly cooperating with the feds in their case against Sully. That information that I found and turned over to them, it was what your husband was trying to find to prevent us from using against his family.”
She stiffened and pulled her hands free from mine. “Then what are you saying? That my husband had something to do with Sofia’s –”
“No,” I interrupted with absolute conviction. “Danny was devastated by Sofia’s kidnapping, Celeste. He was frantic with worry for you and his daughter. He cooperated with me completely. Let’s be clear on that right now. I do not believe and have no evidence whatsoever to support Danny’s involvement in what happened last week.”
“Thank you.” More tears sluiced over the dam.
“But the woman who had Sofia when I found her, she’s making claims that Danny voluntarily placed Sofia with her for a legal adoption.”
“He would never do that!”
“I know. I’m sure you understand how and why someone would want to point a guilty finger at Danny, given his legal problems prior to his murder.”
“Of course. But that’s not fair, Helen! He did one bad thing, made one terrible mistake. It doesn’t make him responsible for every crime in this city.”
“I know. And I agree with you. Unfortunately, what I merely believe isn’t admissible in a court of law. We need evidence of his innocence in this matter.”
“How can you prove someone wasn’t involved in a crime?”
The door to what I needed creaked open loudly. “Well, if I can take evidence to the district attorney that shows conclusively that Danny’s business life was completely legal, that like you said, he made one terrible mistake, for which he had been caught and was being prosecuted, it shifts the burden of proof back onto the woman who claims Danny was responsible for Sofia’s abduction.”
Her tousled blonde curls cascaded about Celeste’s shoulders. “Wait a minute. They’re claiming that Danny somehow used one of the companies to do this?”
I nodded.
“But I already told you that Destiny would be cooperative –”
Devlin finally spoke. “She wasn’t cooperative, Mrs. Datello. She told us that if we wanted to see anything that we’d need a warrant.”
“Can’t you talk to Mr. Stefano? Surely my husband’s lawyer could tell you that Danny had nothing to do with what happened to Sofia.”
“We’re only interested in looking at the records of one business, Celeste,” I measured my words carefully. “You see, an allegation has been made that Danny was involved in something far more illegal than custodial interference with your daughter.”
“Like what?”
“Have you read the papers this past week?” Devlin sat beside her on the sofa. “There was an article about a little girl found dead on the shore the night that we were searching for your daughter.”
“I think I recall reading something about that. But what’s that got to do with Danny?”
“Her body washed up in an area that is routinely used by Danny’s fishing business,” I said. “This little girl wasn’t a native of Darkwater Bay, Celeste. She had been abducted. Now, Melissa Sherman’s lawyer is desperate enough to use any thing that looks even remotely suspicious to get his client deemed not guilty for what she did to you, to Sofia. We need to prove that Danny wasn’t involved in that or anything else.”
“Oh my God. Oh my God. Will they never let him rest in peace?”
I gripped Celeste’s hands again. My legs started to ache from my position crouched in front of her. I ignored it and soldiered onward. “Celeste, if you, if Destiny are completely cooperative with our investigation to prove that this Sherman woman acted alone, that Danny had nothing to do with any of this, it goes a long way in showing that Danny wasn’t involved. As it stands now, Destiny’s lack of cooperation is exactly what Melissa Sherman’s lawyer is counting on. It makes it look like Danny had something to hide.”
Her eyes widened in comprehension. “You want access to the fishing business?”
“Yes,” I said. “Only to prove that Danny wasn’t involved in anything illegal. As you know, Johnny Orion and OSI had been watching all of Danny’s businesses for a very long time. They saw nothing that indicated there were illegal activities in any of them. A peek at the books would be all the confirmation we need.”
“Of course,” she rasped. “I’ll call the office right now and tell them that you are to look at any records you request.”
“You told us that Destiny has Danny’s power of attorney,” Devlin reminded her. “Doesn’t that permission need to come from her?”
“It did,” she said. “Until Danny died.” More tears fell. “His attorney informed me that he left everything to me in the will. It doesn’t matter if Destiny runs the company or not. It belongs to me now. She has to do what I say.”
“Give me your mother’s phone number,” I pulled my cell out of my pocket and poised to dial. “While you talk to the office and clear the way for us to prove that Danny had nothing to do with any of this, I’ll call your mother.”
She rattled off a number and slipped away to use the phone.
One of Devlin’s eyebrows danced the mamba while I dialed.
A moment later, a feminine voice answered the phone. “Yes, hello?”
“With whom am I speaking?”
“Kim Hughes. Who is this?”
“Ma’am my name is Dr. Helen Eriksson.” That was as far as I got before the woman on the other end of the call became hysterical.
“Oh my God! Has something happened to my daughter? Tell me she’s all right!”
“Ma’am, Celeste is fine, physically at least.”
“Oh thank God.”
“Emotionally, she could really use some family support right now.”
Tension crackled across the phone line. “My daughter made it perfectly clear who her family is now, detective.”
“I’m not a detective anymore,” I said. “And I understand how you feel, believe me. When I learned that my late husband was related to the Marcos family, I too wanted nothing to do with him.”
Stunned silence.
“But your daughter is grieving the loss of her husband. Her child was abducted. She’s in a very fragile state right now. Do you really want her surrounded with Danny’s employees instead of her real family?”
“She could’ve called me,” Hughes whispered.
“Sometimes that’s the hardest part for children, making the first move. Please Mrs. Hughes. Celeste needs you now more than ever. I’m with her right now in the penthouse. Could you come –”
“I’ll be right there.”
I shoved the dead phone back into my purse and glanced at Devlin.
“Is she coming?”
“Right away. Who knew it would be that easy. Is Celeste still on the phone to the office?”
He nodded. “You were pretty honest with her about your belief that Danny wasn’t involved in any of the other mess, Helen. What if we learn otherwise?”
“I can’t think about that now. Besides, he has three huge companies under the umbrella of his empire. It wouldn’t be the first time we learned that the mice were up to no good while the cat was away.”
“I have a hard time imagining that someone like him would have been ignorant to any aspect of his business ventures, Helen. Like you said, given the family history…”
I pressed one fist against my gut. “I know he wasn’t involved in this, okay? Could you trust me on this? If we find anything, it’s going to be so subtle that nobody would’ve noticed unle
ss they knew exactly what they were looking for.”
“What makes you so sure he’s not part of the bigger picture here?”
“You were there when I interviewed him after Sofia was abducted, Dev. You were part of the investigation that resulted in Danny’s arrest. You know how this man feels about close family, and I’m not talking about the extended bullshit that Uncle Sully always represented. None of this would’ve happened if David Ireland hadn’t stumbled across evidence that Danny was ratting his family out.”
“So now you’re saying he had justification to murder another little girl’s father?”
I rubbed my temples. “It’s not that cut and dried. Danny wanted to protect his family. Sully murdered Anthony Datello. Danny would’ve never been able to let that go. It was his father. Believe me, I understand the sentiment.”
“But your dad is in prison, Helen.”
“Yes,” bitterness bubbled on the tip of my tongue. “And the traitorous wretch who tried to kill him was thankfully the one who died instead.”
“What? Who tried to kill your father?”
Our eyes met.
“My mother.”
He blinked slowly. “Helen…”
“Shh. Celeste is headed this way.”
“Helen, I spoke with Raleigh Shaw. He’s the man that oversees the fishing business. I told him that he’s to give you whatever you request. He’s expecting you at the office.”
“Is this Danny’s office building in Darkwater proper?”
“No,” she said. “The fishing business operates right here on Hennessey Island. Do you know where the marina is?”
“Yes.”
“There’s an office building right there.” She hesitated. “Helen, did you talk to my parents?”
“Your mother is on her way over here right now.”
“Could you… could you stay until she gets here?”
I saw the protest perched on Devlin’s lips before he spoke. He wouldn’t understand why Celeste wanted me to stay. After all, Bay View Division still had officers posted inside the casino and outside to make sure Celeste was safe.
No, her request was rooted in a different kind of fear. I was the only person left who understood her husband and his twisted sense of justice. It was something we shared after all. Guilt uncurled in my heart. Danny was dead. I was just as guilty as he was and walking around not only free, but with my sins completely cloaked by a man I alienated last night.
“Of course we’ll stay,” I said quickly. “Where’s that beautiful little baby of yours?”
Tears evaporated under the heat of a radiant smile. “Stay right here. I’ll go get her. She’s probably going to be awake starving to death in a minute anyway. Who thought someone so small could eat so much?”
“Helen,” Dev spoke low when Celeste hurried from the room, “we really don’t have time for this.”
“Trust me. It’ll be a miracle if her mother doesn’t get a speeding ticket on the way over here. Do me a favor and let the guys from Bay View know we’re expecting company and that these people are authorized to be here whenever Celeste wants them.”
She reappeared with the cooing infant in her arms.
“She’s been so happy this morning, Helen. Would you like to hold her?”
I nodded and accepted the tiny bundle. Butterflies fluttered in my chest this time. I wondered how it would feel the first time I held the child growing inside me. I barely noticed when Devlin excused himself.
“She seems like she’s grown so much since the last time I saw her,” I said. “Is it my imagination?”
Celeste laughed. “I don’t think so. My mom warned me that they grow up too fast. I don’t want to miss a second of her life, Helen. There are no words that can express how grateful I am that you found my daughter.”
Big brown eyes looked up at me, seemed to focus more than possible for a newborn. “She’s very alert.” Protective instincts, some might even call them motherly, swirled in my belly. “It’s easy to understand how a parent would do anything to protect his child.”
“The last time I spoke to Danny, he told me not to worry.”
I glanced up at her. “Was that after I talked to him at the jail the night we started searching for Sofia?”
She nodded. “He said that no matter how you might feel about him personally, he knew that you’d find Sofia. He knew that there was nobody else who would take it personally enough not to rest until she was found.”
“Yeah,” I swayed gently. “Children are innocent. She deserves the best life, Celeste. I have no doubt that you’ll give her that.”
“Danny wanted to protect her from his other world too, Helen, like he sheltered me from it.”
“I believe you.” More than that, I understood it completely. I didn’t want my baby growing up with monsters lurking in the shadows. I didn’t want him to ever know the ugliness that I’d seen in life.
“You seem different this morning. And I can’t help but notice you’re wearing a piece of jewelry that wasn’t present the last time we talked,” Celeste said.
“Oh. Yeah.”
“The paper says you and Commander Orion got married.”
“Yes,” I said.
“I wonder what our lives might’ve been like, Helen, if we’d met each other without all of the ugliness that made you and Danny so…”
I thought she was going to wax on the feud between us.
“So very much alike. I wish he’d taken your path in life instead of the one he chose,” she said. “If he’d become a cop, you might’ve been the best of friends. I’m sorry that you both understood that dark world.”
The door to the penthouse opened again. Devlin wasn’t alone this time. A woman who was probably less than five years older than Datello rushed inside. She skidded to a halt in the middle of the room.
Kim Hughes.
Celeste cowered into a protective shell. It lasted all of three seconds.
Kim spoke, opened her arms. “Oh, my poor baby,” she whispered. “Celeste, I’m so sorry. Daddy and I should’ve been here for you no matter what.”
Hugs and tears followed. I felt Devlin’s discomfort growing exponentially. When the women finally separated, Kim turned to me.
“Detective Eriksson, I cannot thank you enough for looking after Celeste and our granddaughter.”
I slid the baby into the new grandmother’s arms. “Celeste, I’ll be in touch.”
“Thank you, Helen. I hope you’ll stay in touch, even after all of this other business is over.”
In that moment, I really intended to do just that.
“Excuse us, ladies,” Devlin steered me away from the emotional reunion. Outside the penthouse, he cleared his throat.
“What?”
“You tell me. It’s like an alien has taken over your body, Helen. You’re doing all kinds of shit that makes no sense.”
“What did I do wrong?”
“Since when do you bond with the families of criminals and develop an ongoing relationship after a case closes? I get why you’d feel a bond in this case since we found the little girl and all, but this woman married one of the most ruthless criminals I’ve ever seen. I thought you were gonna start crying because the son of a bitch died on our watch.”
“He was a victim too, Devlin.”
He snorted. “You ask me, Preston did the world a favor.”
I gripped his arm. “Don’t say things like that. And don’t let your opinion of Danny predispose you to believe that Sherman isn’t really part of what we already know she orchestrated, Devlin.”
He waved one hand between us. “See? This is exactly what I’m talking about. All of a sudden, he’s Danny. I get it that you were once loosely related by marriage, but Helen, that ended with your divorce. You’re somebody else’s wife now. Or have you forgotten that?”
“Of course I… never mind. Let’s just get over to the fishing operation and take a look at the books. I sincerely hope this Raleigh Shaw understood Celeste’s ord
er enough to follow through.”
“You’re worried that he called Gerard, aren’t you?”
“She dug her heels in pretty hard according to Crevan. I wouldn’t be surprised if Shaw got off the phone with Celeste and called the real boss. Look at her. If you were in charge of a major business, would you take Celeste seriously? She’s a beauty queen for crying out loud.”
“I wish you’d gotten a better address for this fishing outfit than the office building at the marina.”
I grinned. “Trust me. You can’t miss it. Datello’s businesses are architectural advertisements for the brand. We’ll find it. The level of cooperation remains to be seen.”
In five minutes our question would be answered.
Chapter 34
Destiny Gerard paced the front walk outside Datello’s fishing business. I suspected that her stilettos left dents hammered in the hardened concrete. “Looks like somebody’s unhappy,” I said.
“I knew it. Shaw called her,” Devlin growled.
“Maybe we should have Zack get a warrant after all.”
“Let’s hear what she’s got to say.”
On our approach, she stopped pacing and laid into me specifically. “How dare you! I knew you’d prey on Celeste’s vulnerability, but you’ve gone a step too far, Eriksson!”
“I believe that she’s made her instructions to Mr. Shaw perfectly clear,” I said. “Excuse us. We’ve got work to do.”
“I’m in charge of this company,” Gerard hissed. “You’re not stepping foot into this building or looking at so much as a blank envelope. Is that clear?”
I looked up at Devlin. “Correct me if I’m wrong, Devlin, but I don’t think a power of attorney supersedes a man’s will. Does it? Maybe I’m mistaken –”
“His will hasn’t been read yet!”
Devlin stepped between us. “Ma’am, Celeste told us no more than half an hour ago that the will was read and Danny Datello left his entire estate to his wife. Now, I’m not sure how kindly disposed she’ll be to keeping an employee who refuses to follow directions, but I’m guessing she won’t like it all that well.”
“As I explained to Celeste, we’re not here to build a case against her late husband. We’re trying to prevent someone else from implicating him in a crime in which we are certain he had no involvement.”