Sal Gabrini: Just The Way You Are

by Mallory Monroe

  They all stared at Sal. And then they began to cheer. And that collective fear and horror began to change. Now there was hope. Now there was a battle cry. Now there was a chance.

  After Sal’s speech, he spoke to a lot of them, conversed with a few of them, and then made his way back into the room he had vacated. He was angry he had to come all this way for a pep talk with men who shouldn’t need that kind of stoking, but he also had unfinished business too.

  All of the underbosses followed him back into the room. Sal sat back down at the table, and so did they.

  “It was a good thing you came, boss,” Nicky said. “It was just what they needed.”

  “Who iced Rita Jaleppi last night?” Sal asked Nicky.

  Nicky didn’t see what the problem was. “She stole from us.”

  “A hundred thousand,” Sal said. “She told me.”

  “Try three hundred thousand,” Nicky said. “She really did a number on us, Sal.”

  “So you bulls-eyed her?”

  “I put out the word that she needed to be taken out, yes, sir.”

  “Even if she came to me for protection?”

  “That was unfortunate,” Nicky said. “The guy who took her out should have known better than that.”

  “No,” Sal said, “you should have known better.” Sal took a fork off of the table and stabbed it straight through the palm of Nicky’s hand. He screamed and tried to jump up. The other underbosses backed up. But Sal held the fork down.

  “What did I do, Sal?” Nicky cried. “I bulls-eyed a thief!”

  “It’s not your job to bullseye shit!” Sal yelled. “That’s my lane! You don’t ever do anything like that without consulting me first. Do I make myself clear?”

  “Yes,” Nicky said anxiously, beads of sweat covering his forehead. “I’ll never do it again, I swear! Never again, boss. Never again!”

  Sal stared at Nicky. Whether Rita stole a hundred grand or three hundred grand didn’t matter to him. She stole from him, and that was the point. But Nicky had no call deciding her fate without consultation. And to hire some prick who didn’t have the judgment to hold up when Rita was at Sal’s front gate? Nicky fucked up. He had to pay too.

  Sal finally stopped pressing down on the fork and quickly pulled it out of Nicky’s hand. Blood and flesh flew out too. Nicky nearly passed out from the pain, as the underbosses dared not make a move to help him until Sal was out of sight. Sal tossed the bloody fork back onto the table, and left. Security followed him out. But as soon as he had gone, the underbosses came to Nicky’s rescue.

  “That fucker’s crazy!” Nicky yelled.

  “No, you’re the crazy one,” Angelo Scorsese said, “for fucking with him.”

  “All rise,” the bailiff said and Gemma and Mark, along with the prosecutor, rose to their feet. Judge Connors, the judge hearing the case, sat behind the bench very briefly. Gemma was there to recuse herself as Shaun’s counsel and notify the court that Mark Price would handle the case going forward, but the judge had other ideas.

  “I want to see counsel in my chambers now,” he said firmly, as if he was highly upset, and then he stood up and headed back out.

  Gemma, puzzled, looked over at the prosecution. He shrugged his shoulders. He was puzzled too. But they did as they were told, grabbed their gear from off of their respective tables, and made their way to chambers.

  Once inside, and the door closed behind them, the Judge motioned for them to sit down.

  “What’s wrong, Judge?” the prosecutor asked. “is it scheduling again?”

  “No,” he said. “It’s Mrs. Gabrini.”

  Gemma was stunned. “Me?” Did it have something to do with that car bomb yesterday? Did he get wind of that?

  “I received a very disturbing video,” said the Judge, “that has to be addressed.”

  “What is this video about?” Gemma asked.

  “Come and see for yourself,” the judge said as he turned on his desk computer. Gemma and the prosecutor walked behind the desk.

  “It’s instructive to me that you announced in court today your decision to turn over the representation of Shaun Merriment to your law partner.”

  “That’s right,” Gemma said.

  “Why all of a sudden?”

  Gemma was surprised by the question. That wasn’t his business. “I felt my law partner would be a better fit.”

  “Or perhaps this was the reason,” the judge said and pressed Play. The video was of two people making love: Shaun and Gemma. She was floored. That woman appeared to be her!

  “That can’t be!” she said, looking closer. “That’s not me!”

  “Looks like you to me,” the Judge said.

  “Me too,” the prosecutor said.

  The judge stopped the recording.

  “That’s not me,” Gemma said firmly, her heart pounding.

  “I’m going to refer this matter to the Nevada Conduct Board. Take it up with them, Mrs. Gabrini. And no need to recuse yourself from the Merriment case. I’m removing you myself.”

  Gemma couldn’t believe this turn of events. But she knew she had to keep her wits about her. She had to think! “May I get a copy of the tape?” she asked suddenly.

  “Not from me,” the judge said. “The conduct board will provide you with a copy.”

  Gemma didn’t like it. She felt as if she was being railroaded. But she knew she had to walk away. She grabbed up her purse and briefcase, and headed out of chambers. All she could think about was Sal. All she could think about was what Sal was going to do to her when he saw that tape.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  By the time Sal made it back in town later that night, Gemma was sitting on the terrace off from their bedroom sipping juice and perusing a magazine. But her mind was still in that judge’s chambers. She still couldn’t believe what she saw on that tape. It was her face, it was her, making love to Shaun Merriment. It wasn’t possible. But it was on that tape.

  And the way the judge looked at her as if trash was more respectable. The way he said he was going to refer the matter to the conduct board. The way the prosecution delighted in the mishap, and couldn’t wait to run and tell the story too.

  And now Sal was home.

  When she saw him walk out onto the terrace, his suit coat off and his hands in the pockets of his pants, she knew he had had a tough trip. And he didn’t even know her dark tale yet.

  “Hey.”

  “Hey,” he said. His mood wasn’t exactly upbeat at all.

  “How did it go?” she asked him.

  He leaned over the banister and looked out over their yard. It was a beautiful night. Clear skies and a nice breeze. But Sal and Gemma’s hearts were heavy. “It went alright,” he said. “Bunch of bullshit child’s play, but at least they got the message now. Cut the complaining and get to work.”

  Gemma had no idea what work they had been complaining about, or even who they were since Sal never discussed that part of his life in any detail whatsoever, but at least he was satisfied. “Good,” she said, and sipped more juice.

  Sal looked over at her. She wore one of the sheer peignoirs he had purchased for her. This one in particular, a golden tan, was his favorite because it purposely did a poor job of hiding her gorgeous brown body. He could see everything, even down to her nipples and bikini line. It was for his eyes only, and his eyes were feasting on her. But even with such a powerful distraction, Sal could tell in her eyes that something wasn’t right. “What’s going on?” he asked her. “You feel okay?”

  Gemma couldn’t say that she did, because she didn’t. “No,” she said.

  Sal hurried over to her, his heart beginning to pound. Gemma rarely admitted to not feeling well unless she was in bad shape. He sat on the edge of the extra wide chaise. “What is it?” he asked her. “Do I need to call the doctor?”

  “No, it’s not that. I’m okay physically,” Gemma said.

  “Then what’s wrong?” Sal asked.

  Gemma sat her glass on the side ta
ble.

  “What is it, Gem? Tell me what’s going on.”

  Tears tried to well up in Gemma’s eyes, but she fought them. “I went to notify the court today that Mark was going to take over my murder case.”

  “Like I told you to do, right,” Sal said.

  “But the judge called us into his chambers. And showed us a video.”

  Sal stilled himself. Videos in his line of work were never good. “A video of what?”

  Gemma looked at her husband. His eyes could be caring sometimes, but mostly, like now, they were too intense. “A video of me supposedly making love to my client.”

  Sal had not expected to hear that at all. He stared at her. “A video of what?”

  “Sal, I never slept with any client of mine in my life. But. . .”

  “But what?”

  “But it was me on that tape.”

  “What do you mean it was you on that tape?”

  “It was me. I mean, it looked like me, but it can’t be me, Sal. I never slept with my client. I swear.”

  “Then how did they have video of you making love to some guy?”

  “I don’t know,” Gemma said helplessly. “But I know I didn’t do it.”

  “So what are you trying to tell me, Gemma? You’re trying to say somebody drugged you and raped you? Is that what you’re saying?”

  “No. I mean, I don’t know. But I don’t see how that could have happened. I was never alone with Shaun like that. And it was like it happened in a motel somewhere. I was never in any motel with him for him to drug me.”

  Sal touched and then squeezed her thigh. He was worried. First they vandalized her office. Now this. And that shit in Chicago, was it related to this? “Show it to me,” he said. “Show me the tape.”

  “I asked the judge to give me a copy,” Gemma said, “but he wouldn’t. He said he’s turning it over to the judicial conduct board and I’ll have to get a copy from them.”

  “What conduct board?”

  “That oversees lawyers. They can suspend my license, Sal, for something I didn’t do. And I didn’t sleep with that boy. I swear I didn’t!”

  Sal’s jaw tightened.

  “You believe me, don’t you?” Gemma asked, staring at him

  Sal looked at her. “Hell, yeah, I believe you. You’re no liar. If you say it’s not you, then it’s not you.”

  Gemma felt relieved. But still worried. “What are we going to do?”

  Sal was already thinking about their next steps. And then he pulled out his cell phone.

  “Who are you calling?” Gemma asked.

  “Reno.”

  “Reno? Why?”

  “Because I need that tape and this is his town. He can get things done. This isn’t my town. I’m a newbie here. We need that tape before I make any move. I need to know just how wise, or unwise these fuckers are.”

  Gemma didn’t argue with that. She wanted to know too.

  When Sal ended the call, he looked at his wife, and then down at her luscious body. He wanted to fuck her badly, but they were both too unsettled. “Put on some clothes,” he said as he stood up, “before Reno gets here.”

  “He won’t be able to get that tape tonight,” Gemma said doubtfully, standing too. “Will he?”

  Sal nodded. “He’ll get it tonight,” he said. “This is Reno’s town.”

  And Sal was right. Within the hour of that phone call, Reno Gabrini was coming into Sal and Gemma’s house with a copy of that love scene on his cell phone.

  “Your cell phone?” Sal asked. “Couldn’t you just get a CD?”

  “What are you talking?” Reno responded. “You’d better be glad I got it on my phone. If that judge’s clerk wasn’t crooked, I wouldn’t have been able to get shit.”

  Reno handed his cellphone to Sal.

  “Have you seen it?” Sal asked him, and Gemma looked at him too.

  Reno’s eyes said yes. “No,” said his mouth.

  Sal knew he was lying, but didn’t push it. He was grateful to have the video. And when he pressed Play, Gemma began pacing the room. She couldn’t bear to see it again.

  But Sal looked intensely at it, from beginning to end. It wasn’t more than a couple minutes long. Two people making love. The woman absolutely appeared to be Gemma. But . . .

  After Sal watched the video over and over and over again, and then for a final time, Gemma stopped walking and looked at him. “I never had sex with him, Sal,” she said.

  Sal nodded. “I know, babe. This chick ain’t you.”

  Reno was surprised. “Looks like her to me,” he said.

  Sal looked at him. “I thought you said you didn’t see it.”

  “I didn’t see it per se, but I might have glanced at it to confirm I had the right thing.”

  “Yeah, right, Reno.”

  “Why are you certain that isn’t me?” Gemma asked her husband. “What do you know, Sal?”

  “I know they doctored it. I know that’s your face, but that ain’t your body.”

  Reno frowned. “How would you know that?” he asked.

  “Because I know her body better than she knows it, that’s how,” Sal said. “I’m always checking it out. I’m always looking at it. I know her body. And that naked lady in that video is not my wife.”

  Gemma looked at the video again. The face in that video, and that body if she were to be truthful, looked like her to her. It was grainy, and nothing was perfectly clear, but it looked like her. “How can you tell it’s not my body? Even I can’t tell that.”

  “That’s not your body,” Sal said. “That’s your face. But they did some cutting and splicing because that’s not your body.” Then he looked at her. “I know it too well. Especially your ass.”

  Reno cleared his throat. “Okay, too much information,” he said.

  Gemma looked at Sal. “So what do we do next? I know I’ve got to prepare to face the conduct board.”

  “Don’t worry,” Sal said, putting on his suit coat. “When I finish with this Shaun Merriment, there will be no need for any conduct hearing.”

  “And, I suspect,” Reno said, “no need for any merriment either.”

  Sal smiled. “That’s lame, Reno,” he said, “but true.” And then he kissed Gemma goodbye.

  “Bye, Gem,” Reno said, as he followed Sal out.

  After they had gone, Gemma sat down on the sofa. She was exhausted, but pleased. And then she found herself smiling too. Sal knew her body better than she did. That was, to any woman, a dream come true.

  Shaun Merriment didn’t know what hit him. First he was driving along, in his mother’s old Mercury, minding his own business, when suddenly he was rammed from behind. He tried to look through the rearview, to see who had been so careless, but before he had a chance he realized he was losing control. The car careened off of the dark highway, spitting up dirt as it swerved and swerved, and it didn’t stop until it rammed into the bark of a tree.

  When he realized he wasn’t dead, he quickly climbed out through the window. All he could think about was gas leaking and the car eventually exploding. But just when he thought he had made it to safety, two big men were grabbing him and dragging him back to the highway, and then tossing him into the back of a van. A van, from the damage he could see, that had caused the accident to begin with.

  He recognized both men as soon as he was thrown into the van. Reno Gabrini, whom he knew owned the PaLargio, and Sal Gabrini, his attorney’s wife. It felt surreal being in a dusty old van with such powerful men.

  The van began driving off before a word was spoken. After several minutes and still no words, Shaun decided to speak up for himself. “I don’t know what this is about,” he said.

  Sal suspected that would be his answer. “Do you know who we are?”

  “Yes, sir. You’re Sal Gabrini, my lawyer’s husband.”

  Reno wanted to smile.

  “And you’re Reno Gabrini,” Shaun said. “You own the PaLargio. You’re Mister Vegas.”

  Reno did smil
e. “That’s right, child. You got that right.”

  Sal tossed Reno’s phone to Shaun. “Watch the video,” he ordered.

  “The video?” Shaun said and looked at the phone. When he realized what he meant, he pressed Play and watched the video. As soon as he saw what it was about, he frowned. “What the hell?”

  He looked at Sal, panic on his brown face. “It wasn’t her,” he said. “I swear to you, Mr. Gabrini, I never made love to my lawyer! It was another woman. They told me to do her if I wanted to get off. They told me to make love to this stranger woman if I wanted to see the light of day again.”

  “Who told you this?” Reno asked him.

  “The cops. Or the prosecution. Whoever could get me off.”

  “Yeah, but who told you to make love to that woman?” Reno asked.

  “Oh,” Shaun said. “My attorney.”

  Reno frowned. “Your attorney? Mrs. Gabrini?”

  “No! The other one. Mark Price. He represents me now. He’s the one who set it all up.”

  Sal knew it! He knew that guy was crooked. “Wasn’t he the one who told you to pay my wife a visit in the first place?” Sal asked.

  Shaun nodded. “Yes, sir, as a matter of fact. He was at the bar where I was hiding out. I was hiding because I heard the cops were looking for me. I heard they wanted to question me about some murder. He told me Miss G could get me off. I didn’t know he worked at her firm until he became my attorney too. Then he told me not to tell her anything about our meeting. Then he told me how I could get off scot free.”

  Reno looked at Sal. “You think Gemma’s partner set up the whole thing? The murder and everything?”

  Sal nodded. “That’s what I’m thinking.”

  “I’ll be damn.”

  But Shaun wanted to tell it all. “So I made love to some woman like he told me to. I didn’t even know her name, honest I didn’t. But they promised to drop the charges if I did it. But first I had to testify at some hearing about what happened. I had no idea Mrs. G was involved.”