by D. J. Wilson
“Come on, let’s get out of here. We’ve got a big day, beginning with your phone call to your mom, followed by our FedEx drop.”
“Miss Josie,” Candi shouted into the kitchen, “Again, it was all wonderful. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, but you know that already,” replied Josie, as she emerged from the kitchen with two goody bags in hand. “These are for your friends in the hospital. Tell them we’re thinking about them.”
“Will do, and let me thank you in advance on their behalf. I’m sure these will make their day. I may need another room tonight,” I said, noticing the puzzled look in Candi’s eyes. “Can you hold one for me?”
“Glad to,” replied Josie. “When you know for sure, call and let me know if one is all you’ll need.”
Walking to the bike, I just knew what the next words coming out of Candi’s mouth would be. I was in no way disappointed.
“The room, it’s for your lawyer friend, Victoria, isn’t it?”
“It is,” I confessed. “You might as well make friends with her. She’s coming here to help Gio, which helps you and me, for that matter. Remember, you’re supposed to be life-learning the trait that it’s not always about you. Sometimes it’s what’s best for everyone else, too.”
“I know, D; you’ve made that very clear. My question is, just why does she have to stay here?”
“You’re jealous. I can see it by the light of the fire raging in your eyes.” I had to laugh, but my timing was ill advised.
“Stop it! I am not! I just don’t want to share you with anyone else. With her here, I’m sure I will.”
“You have a point,” I humbly acknowledged. “I should’ve asked you first. My bad. I’ll tell her she’ll have to go find her own damn room.”
“No, you will not. As far as I’m concerned, this is the best place to stay in Calgary, bar none. Oh, never mind, we’re wasting time arguing over something I can’t win. Let’s ride.”
And ride we did; straight to the closest FedEx office. I got off the bike and dug out the Sat phone, handing it to her. “Call your mom. Remember what we talked about last night. If she’s not receptive to my offer, we’ll have to come up with plan B.”
I walked into FedEx to retrieve a hard box and packaging while she talked to her mom. On my return, Candi was hanging up.
“And?”
“First, she yelled at me for not getting them earlier. Then, she wanted to know who is supposed to collect the reward. Finally, when I told her what you said about influencing Standford to call off the dogs in lieu of the reward, she thought that was a smart move on your part. Mom said once she has the ledgers in hand, she’ll deal with Standford personally. That’s good, D. I mean, she made it sound more like a promise than an idle threat.”
“If you’re satisfied, I am. Give me her street address and I’ll take care of the rest.” Opening my trunk, I unlatched the hidden compartment in the lid that held the ledgers, along with a few extra bags of diamonds and some emergency cash. “Here, Candi, I want you to put these discs in the box personally, then seal it.”
“I can’t believe you’ve had them with you this whole time,” voiced Candi, looking greatly perplexed.
“Insurance, baby, insurance. One never knows when you’ll find yourself in a bind and need something to negotiate with. Here’s a fifty, best if your name is on the receipt, not mine,” I continued, as Candi walked inside the building and out of my line of sight.
My phone vibrated then chirped, notifying me of a new text message:
Eagle has landed. Renting SUV, where do we meet you? Vic
I replied:
Foothills Medical Centre, Room 304 Make sure SUV has GPS or rent one, On Me. LOL. C U there. Glad you’re here, Victoria. Really glad.
“There. It’s done,” said a much-relieved Candi. “Mission accomplished.”
“Excellent! Vic has landed, Candi. She’ll meet us at the hospital. Now we’re off to check on the Italians and exude warm fuzzy’s to your ex-husband and his two suits. I can’t wait!”
“Neither can I … Neither can I.”
Chapter 44
As I pulled up to my reserved space by the front door in the striped off No Parking Zone, I saw Vic sitting on a bench just to the right of the door. Dressed in a navy, wool suit with her hair pulled back tightly into a bun, Vic oozed professional. And not the kind I mistook her for on the catwalk.
“Victoria, may I present Candice. Candice, this is Victoria.” Once the pleasantries and hugs had been exchanged, I kindly asked Candi to go to the room while I filled Vic in on Gio’s dilemma.
“You’re too old for her,” chided Vic, immediately after Candi was out of earshot.
“That’s your opinion. Besides she has stamina to die for.”
“You got that right, D,” replied Vic, discreetly patting me on the crotch. “You let her keep wearing out that little thing right there, you may just see your previous statement come true sooner rather than later.”
“Hey, it’s been a long time since I’ve been with someone who wants me as much as I want them. I’m long overdue.”
“I could say the same thing, D,” Vic breathed, as she patted me on the crotch again. Then she took my right hand and patted hers, as well.
“I got it, Vic. I do. I told you, you’d be the first I called if things don’t work out.”
“ Come on now. You didn’t fly all the way here to talk about your sex life or lack thereof, did you? You’re here to talk about the best way you can represent Gio and get his charges dropped, or at least reduced. Right?”
“We can do both. Can’t we? All work and no play makes Vic a very dull girl. Fill me in on as much as you know. We’ll work first and play later.”
“First time I saw his gun was in Wyoming or Montana, I can’t remember. Asked him why he was carrying, and all he said was bears. When I pressed Candi on the matter, that’s when she confessed he was “family,” both literally and figuratively. Therefore, that gave him the right, which I assumed meant he has the right to protect himself 24/7.”
“Works for me. How good is his English?”
“It’s tolerable,” I replied. “Funny thing is, it's much better when he’s drinking.”
“I did some research on the plane, plus I made a call to the court on the way here. We can use his poor language skills, poor English reading skills and fear of the man-eating bears he’s seen in American movies about the Wild West to plead him down to scared and stupid. Best guess, this being his first offense, he’ll plead guilty to carrying an unregistered firearm into Canada and pay a fine of up to $2500. No jail time and he’ll forfeit his gun. You think he will go along with that?”
“I do, if that’s what I tell him to do. He trusts me. Long story, about six beers long, I’m guessing.”
“Well, D, I guess we’re set. Let’s go meet this bad-ass Italian perpetrator and pitch him our defense.”
Stepping off the elevator on the third floor, I pointed to the suit halfway down the corridor. “Just walk to the muscle in the dark suit and hang a left.”
“You’re joking, right? He has a guard at the door just because he was unlawfully carrying in Canada?”
“Nope, that just means there’s two more suits inside. One is Donny, he’s more muscle, the other is Joseph, the family’s lawyer. And, get this will ya, Candi’s ex-husband.”
Taken aback, Vic exclaimed, “You weren’t kidding when you said her mom was sending someone up here to tidy things up!”
“Seriously, I think I’ve resolved the main problem, I’m just not sure about the other one.”
“The walking, talking, stab-you-in-the-back-when-you-ain’t-lookin’ ex?”
“Yep, that one,” I replied, as we strolled entered the room.
With all eyes upon us, I introduced Vic to everyone, pointing to each one as I spoke. “Victoria, may I introduce Gio, Mile, Donny, Candi you’ve met and Joseph. Guys, this is Victoria, my lawyer. I’ve brought her in to clear up this weapons charge.�
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“Excuse me, Victoria, but my firm is going to be handling Giovanna's affairs,” announced Joseph defiantly.
“Really?” Victoria began her diatribe of legalese, finishing up with, “Just how many lawyers in your firm are licensed to practice in Canada?”
“Well, ah, I may have to get back with you on that, but it’s irrelevant at this point. When we get him back to the states, we’re prepared to spare no expense to have him acquitted of this trumped-up charge.”
“Really, Joseph?” Vic continued. “Just how do you plan on getting him out of the country and into the States?”
“On our private jet, of course,” answered Joseph indignantly.
“Without a passport?” Vic continued. Looking at Gio, she asked, “Is that okay with you, sir? I mean, are they going to sneak you out of the country in a steamer trunk?”
Gio just shrugged his shoulders as Joseph asked, “Gio, do you have a passport?”
“Sì,” Gio replied.
“There. How dare you insult my intelligence and his, too, miss whatever your name is? I graduated from Harvard at the top of my class, I’m a senior partner in my firm, and I bill out over 40 very expensive hours a week. Thank you very much. For that matter, I’m sure I make more in one month than you make in one year, you arrogant bitch.”
“The name is Victoria. Victoria with a ‘V,’ as in veracious or vivacious, take your pick. And I, too, graduated at the top of my class from the University of Iowa. Gio, honey, I know you have a passport, but will you kindly tell Mr. ‘God Almighty himself’ where it is at this moment?”
“Polizia,” said Gio.
“Gio, would you please repeat that, only louder so our Harvard-educated kick-ass lawyer can hear you?”
“Polizia!” repeated Gio.
“That means police in English, if my limited foreign language skills from the University of Iowa are still intact.”
“Sì,” nodded Gio.
By now the three-ring circus was in full swing, as everyone was being thoroughly entertained by Vic’s banter as she made an absolute fool of Candi’s Ex. She’ll soon have him reduced to a whimpering, whining seal pup, in ring number two, I thought. Oh, to have had that on film. It would be on You Tube before the sun went down.
Trying to let the dust settle, I asked, “Gio, Mile, how are you feeling?”
“Good, D” replied Mile. “Okay. I go home. I stay.”
“Good, D. Thanks for you, I go home tomorrow,” replied Gio.
Turning back to Gio, I began, “Victoria flew here to see that you do just that. Candi, please translate for me if needed, baby. Gio, you must plead scared and stupid, little English, poor reader, etc. We will blame the gun on you being scared of bears like you’ve seen in American movies. You pay $2500, lose the gun, plead guilty, they dismiss the charges and give you back your passport, then you go home.”
“Candi, please repeat that for me so Mile can understand it as well. She’s just as much a part of this as you are,” I directed, while pointing at Gio.
“I trust you, D. You good guy. She good, too,” said Gio, pointing to Vic, much to Joseph’s chagrin.
Completely ignoring Joseph, I addressed Candi and Donny, “The key to making this work is that Gio has to stay in the hospital until after tomorrow morning’s hearing. That works in our favor, eliciting sympathy for this poor Italian who was taken out by a Canadian Moose. Vic is sure after talking with the authorities that she can have his passport released immediately following the guilty plea and payment of fine.”
Turning back to Joseph, I attempted to initiate some degree of damage control. “I’m sure that you are a great attorney in the corporate world, sir. I’m also confident that your firm, if given sufficient time, could prepare an adequate defense. Victoria, who’s licensed to practice in Canada, came here immediately at my request to do whatever had to be done to get Gio’s passport back. My goal was to help him and Mile return home ASAP, once the hospital releases them.”
Nodding at Victoria, I continued, “I believe that by tomorrow she will have accomplished her mission. At no charge, I might add.”
The air was so thick you could cut it with a knife. It was pleasant for the moment to watch him squirm knowing that Victoria had cut him down a size, but now Joseph’s steely blue eyes seethed with anger aimed squarely at me.
“Gio, Mile, we’ll be here tomorrow afternoon to fly you back to Tampa, then home,” announced Joseph. “Candice, walk me out,” he grunted, as he stormed through the door, without acknowledging anyone else in the room.
Chapter 45
Once again, Candi and Joseph found themselves standing in the parking lot, where a spirited discussion ensued. “I’m this close,” acknowledged Candi, holding up her right forefinger and middle finger an eighth of an inch apart.
“Why are you so confident you can find them, Candice? Especially now.”
“D really likes me, Joseph. He doesn’t want to lose me. I’ve convinced him that if he gives up what he knows, I will stay here with him. Otherwise, I’m going back with you.”
“Continue, Candice, I’m still not convinced you can deliver the goods.”
“I can, I have, I will. But you’ll need to do your part. Be at the courthouse tomorrow by 9 a.m. Convince Vic it is in her best interest to ride back with you, otherwise, something will happen to D courtesy of Donnie and Mike. Furthermore, D likes the bitch. He’ll give up what he knows, maybe even the ledgers, to protect her. You just need to act mean and convincing. Make up some stupid story that you’ll toss her out of the plane on the way home if he doesn’t comply. I’ll work him from this end easy enough. Joseph, baby, there’s just one of him and three of you. Surely you can take care of that one little thing for me. Just think of this as a play and we’re all actors. You play your part and I’ll play mine. This time tomorrow, we’ll be $10 million richer. I can’t wait to be alone with you again,” Candi cooed as she stroked his arm and attempted to give him a hug, before he pushed her away.
“How do I know you’re not playing me, Candice? I mean, you are one conniving bitch when you’re backed into a corner. There’s a lot of money at stake here. It would be much simpler to turn Donny and Mike loose on your friend D, than to risk you not coming through. You’re sure you’re really that close to pulling this off? Really sure?”
“Come, walk with me,” Candi said, grabbing Joseph’s hand and using it to slap herself on the rear where the square plastic cases holding priceless commodities were nestled in her back pocket. “Closer than you think, Joseph, closer than you think.”
“Oops,” offered Vic. “I don’t think anyone in quite a while has ever talked to him like that, let alone a woman. I’m sorry, guys, but he deserved it. We’re here to help get you home, Gio, and nothing else. He’s here to generate as many billable hours as he can for his firm first, and then get you home.”
“Sì,” said Gio. “Okay, I trust D. He trust you. We,” he said, looking over at Mile, “troubled, he trouble.”
“Ladies and gentlemen,” I announced, “Joseph’s anger is all because of me. Oh, Victoria may have knocked him down a notch or two, but his fight is with me. Vic, this guy is still in love with Candi. I saw it the moment Candi walked in the room yesterday. His Harvard speech was his attempt to be the biggest cock on the walk. Of course, that lasted all of 10 seconds because Vic went for his jugular, then his balls all in one swipe. He’s gone now, and that’s all that matters. Who wants a beer or two? I’m buying,” I offered, hoping to help everyone breathe a little easier. “Can I bring you back anything to eat? I’m sure you’re over hospital food.”
“Burgers, fries,” suggested Mile.
“You got it. Gio, what would you like?”
“Same.”
“Vic? The same okay with you?”
“Yep, D. That would be great.”
“By the way, I’ve reserved a room for you where we’re staying. Is that okay?”
“Better make it four,” Vic answered somewhat appre
hensively. “It’s best if I explain later, D. Just do it.”
“Okay,” I relented, without argument. ”Four it is.”
My eyes lit up as I met Candi, walking into the lobby. “Glad you’re back. Come ride with me.”
As we were walking, I called Josie and asked her to hold four rooms instead of one. The additional reservations out of the way, I noticed just how troubled Candi seemed.
“Why did you reserve four more rooms, D? There’s just Vic, isn’t there?”
“There was. You’ll have to ask her. I’m just doing what I was told.”
“Call her.”
“You call her. Here’s my phone.”
“Never mind. I’ll find out soon enough.”
“Candi, what else is troubling you?”
“It’s Joseph. He said he plans on coming after you, and may use Vic as leverage if he can’t get you away from me. I believe he may be planning to take her from the hospital or maybe even the courthouse and trade her for you. He’s really bent on collecting that money Standford put on your head. D, I need to call mom and get her to intervene, even if she has to fly up here.”
Handing Candi the phone from my side bag, I said, “Baby, you just stay here and I’ll go grab the burgers and beer.”
“No. I can’t … You can’t … I’m sorry. I can’t get out what I’m trying to say.”
“Breathe deep, Candi. Deep breaths, just like I asked you to do that first day in Starbucks. Remember?”
“I remember, D. My horrible birthday, at least it was until I met you. We have to ride together. I’m sure Joseph wouldn’t do anything to you with me on the bike.”
“You’re really worried about him, and me for that matter, aren’t you? I’m sorry. Just so you know, I can take care of myself.”
“You don’t know what he’s capable of, baby. I don’t know what he’s capable of. That’s another reason I left him. When he gets that ‘look of rage’ in his eyes, he has trouble controlling himself. He never hurt me or anything like that. If not for my family and his position, I’m sure he could have.”