“To the team,” Alec said, raising his drink.
Lily raised her glass, remembering Morgan as she clinked hers with the others. She looked over at her partner, who finally returned a smile.
After the toast, Jeremiah and Alec started their own conversation as Evan leaned toward Lily. “Why did you lie about what happened in Saint Germain?”
Both guys got up from the table and went to talk to two ladies seated at one of the high tables.
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
“You’re letting Mikey walk free.”
“This one is different. I don’t have a choice.”
Evan’s eyes narrowed. “Does this have anything to do with Jeremiah?”
Lily turned away and watched her colleagues claimed the empty chairs next to the women.
“Mikey’s grudge against your partner,” Evan said, dropping his head in his hands. “You swapped out your story to help him out.”
Lily was tempted to tell Evan everything but kept her mouth shut. She had one more thing left to do before she’d call this case done.
Chapter 34
December 31, 7:00 a.m.
Pop Surace and Vicenzo finished their breakfast and sat in silence in the dining room as the maid cleared away the dishes. When she left, Pop turned and faced his nephew. “As hard as I’ve tried to steer Mikey in a good direction, he veers off course, breaking my rules. I’m worried that he won’t be able to run the family when I die. What are your thoughts?”
Vic wiped his mouth with a napkin and laid it on the table. “If you feel this way, you could name another person as boss, but then you’d have to worry about sour grapes amongst the men. If you do that, you might lose those most loyal to you, which will weaken the family.
“Or you could make Mikey boss, but appoint a guardian; someone who’d watch over him and have the family’s best interest at heart. If you decide to do that, I’d suggest an older blood relative, one who’s not easily turned. A person who believes in the old ways but can work around the modern ways.”
“Humph. The modern ways make it hard for people like us to do anything. Too many people want to be famous instead of loyal. Rather than sing to the freakin’ cops they spill everything on social media, writing books, and these live shows on television.”
Vic took a sip of his orange juice. “You’ll be fine Uncle, as long as you keep it in the family.
The words from his nephew stewed in Pop’s brain. Having his son take over was what he wanted. But at what price? Was it worth the risk making Mikey the boss in hopes that he’d clean up his act? He liked the suggestion of naming a guardian, although he wasn’t too happy about where that led him. Because there was only one person, he’d even consider. His sister. She was the only sibling he could trust. Except he wasn’t sure if she’d take on the task of watching over her nephew.
As a woman, would she be accepted in a world where women were not allowed? He pushed away from the table and switched his thoughts to Mikey’s concerns regarding the man he trusted to handle the contracts. “How do you feel about Quentin? Do you think he’s capable of being a big brother to Mikey?”
“I think he’s doable, while you’re still alive. He’s faithful to the old school ways of running a family. Do I think he’d turn rat? No. But I believe that he likes being a thorn in Mikey’s side.”
“Do you think we should get rid of Quentin?”
“It’d be a good thing to consider. It’ll calm Mikey down about being stepped over, letting him focus on being a better boss. But you must place a guardian over him.”
Pop nodded his head slowly and stared at the hutch he’d given to his wife for their third anniversary. “I’ll make a call. I think it’s about time I break some precedents.”
*
7:17 a.m.
Ibee rolled over and looked at her phone, which showed Lily’s number. “Jesus, don’t you believe in having a day off?”
“I need you to do something for me.”
Ibee sat up in bed and saw that her lover was gone. That was the way she liked it. Pleasure with no commitments. She shifted the phone onto her shoulder. “What?”
“I need you to get me the sorority anklet Ariel was wearing the night she died.”
“You know how it works. I can’t do it.”
“I know that there was no physical evidence on the anklet. The mother wants to bury Ariel with it on. I told her that you’re a compassionate person and would see what you could do. She said your campaign to keep criminals off the street is what pushed her to vote for you.”
Ibee gazed at the two clown knives swimming around in a rippling motion. Once they reach adult years, they are known as predators and loners: similar to what Ibee had been labeled by others who didn’t have any idea of what her life had been like.
“So now if I don’t help, I’ll look like a liar.”
“I’d never ask you to do something that would jeopardize your case.”
“Meet me at Hindle’s at ten o’clock.” Ibee hung up and scrolled through the email notifications. Chills discharged through her as she read the name of the sender. ‘Not Guilty.’
“Get your affairs in order and enjoy your brief victory as District Attorney. Because when I get out, it’ll be my turn to celebrate.”
*
10:35 a.m.
It had been three hours since Lily had gotten the sorority anklet from Ibee. Now she stood next to Ariel’s mom and watched her place the anklet inside a shadow box used to create a mini-shrine for her daughter. Seashells, a ribbon, and Ariel’s police badge lined the inside of the box filled with decorative paper, while a picture of Ariel holding her twins stood between two lit votive candles.
“It means a lot that you got it for me,” Chanda Moore said, removing an oxygen tube from her nose. Her face tired and worn, she glanced into the play room where the twins played quietly with their toys. “I’m not sure how I’m gonna take care of my grandbabies. I’ve got COPD and can’t barely breathe on my own some days.”
“I imagine they’re a handful,” Lily said, squatting next to the boys. She wondered if they realized it had been a while since their mom held or hugged them. As she lifted a toy police car, their eyes widened. “Mama,” they both said.
Lily sat the car back down, touched the roof and watched it drive away, sounding its siren. Yes. They were missing their mom.
She wrapped her arms around herself and stood. “I wished I’d had a chance to meet Ariel. She had a difficult job.”
Chanda pointed at her grandbabies. “I think you already have. She loved being a mom and a cop.”
Lily smiled. “Yes ma’am, you’re right. If you need me for anything, you have my number.”
Chanda nodded and trudged toward the little ones who started to meander towards another room.
Lily let herself out.
*
12:05 p.m.
Lily stood in the kitchen and watched Sharon knead the dough for the peach cobbler. If anybody could confirm what Lily had found back at the bank, it was Sharon. “Is Haley my sister?”
Sharon rolled out the dough. “That’s none of my business. You should be talking to your mother.”
“Yes, I should be talking to Mother, but she doesn’t reveal anything until she’s ready.” Lily took some of the dough and began cutting it into strips. “I appreciate you being there for my mother. But I need you now. Dad’s gone. You’re the only one left that has been around long enough to set me straight. Is it true?”
Sharon put the rolling pin to the side and scooped the mixture into the bowl. “It’s true. You have an older sister.”
Lily’s heart skipped a beat as she placed the dough strips onto the wax paper. “Did Dad know about Haley?”
“I suspect he did. Your dad was a proud man. Family was important to him, but Collin treasured forgiveness. He wanted his little girls to have both parents in their lives.”
“I believe it. Dad worked to keep the Blanchette name from being marred by Mother’s affai
r with my biological father.”
Sharon finished up the cobbler and placed it in the oven. “Whatever you found out, bad or good, remember your mother loves you. As much as I hate to say it, I think you were always Deena’s favorite. A woman with multiple children should never do such a thing. But I can tell you she loved all three of her daughters.
“However, things happened that with Celine and Haley that made things difficult for Deena to have a relationship with them. Things haven’t been all roses for your mother, so give her a chance to explain about Haley before you rush to judgement.”
“I’m not here to judge. It’s just hard not to always be on the defense when it comes to Mother. It’s hard to discuss things with her and not feel like she has an ulterior motive.”
Sharon wiped her face, leaving a smudge of flour on her pudgy cheek. “If you can’t believe anything else good about your mother, believe that she loves you. You understand?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“You have to let go of the anger you feel towards her. Use this unfortunate situation with the breast cancer and realize that we’re not promised to wake up the next day. The next five months, she will need the strength to recover from the chemo and radiation treatments she’s going to receive. She doesn’t need to worry about whether or not her child is going to forgive her.”
Lily nodded. “I know. You’re right.”
“That’s my girl.” Sharon hugged Lily. “Deena’s going to speak with Haley and you after the New Year’s party. She’ll need your support.”
*
1:11 p.m.
Soft thunderstorms drowned out Mother’s voice shouting orders at the party decorators in the living room as they scrambled to put together the party of the year for the Blanchette household. Their faces fixed with molded smiles.
The sharp strike of heels tapped the marble floor. “I wanted the artificial snow to go on the bottom of the glass vase and the cranberries on top,” Mother dictated as she marched down the hallway.
Lily sat at the kitchen table, looking past Pop Surace. She stared out the patio door at the overcast skies looming above and watched the rain pelting the grass.
Pop grabbed his handkerchief. “What you did for my son will never be forgotten,” he said, coughing into the silk cloth.
The wisp in Pop’s voice wasn’t like anything she’d heard before, strong and commanding. Lily wondered if it had to do with him being in someone else’s home. Or if there was something else behind this sudden change of his presence.
Slowly, Lily sat forward, trying to avoid the discomfort from her wound. “How’s Mikey? He’ll be free soon.”
“I think his ego is wounded, more than his shoulder. Anyway he feels terrible, about your condition. For me, I was worried.”
“I’d think you’d be planning revenge.”
“You believe that, yet you still agreed to see me.”
“You didn’t give me much choice.” Lily pushed away from the table and stood. “Mikey pulled his gun on me after you told him to leave me alone. I interfered with the family’s revenge on Brian Weeks. There’s plenty there for me to question trusting you.”
“I can assure you that I didn’t issue any such order. In fact, I told you that if you got to him first, we’d back off. But you didn’t. There’s no hard feelings on my end. Mikey’s a big boy. I’ve always told him to avoid the cops. But as I’ve said before, he doesn’t listen too well.”
Lily pulled out Jeremiah’s phone, scrolled quickly to the texts, and handed it to Pop. “Here’s the proof you asked for.”
“I don’t need this anymore. A favor for a favor. No questions asked.”
“No, sir. I’m giving you what you wanted,” Lily said, pointing to the phone. “I’ve given my statement, clearing your son. However, the contract on Jeremiah has to be gone. Forever gone. I have to know that when you’re no longer head of the family, Mikey isn’t able to put out another contract, all because he has a “bad moment.”
Pop sat back in his chair and scrolled through the texts. “You have my word.”
“If something happens to Jeremiah, I won’t go back on my word, but I can promise you, I’ll be waiting for Mikey to mess up. Because you and I both know that he will.”
Deena came into the kitchen and halted in her tracks. She looked at Pop. “I didn’t know that my daughter had company.”
Pop stood slowly from his seat and took Deena’s hand. “Ciao, Deena. Tale belleza. Tale madre, Tale figlia,” he said, pointing at Lily.
Deena’s cheeks turned a dark red. “Grazie, Signore.” She turned to Lily. “Is everything okay?”
“Everything’s fine. I stopped by to give a gift to your daughter,” Pop said, walking towards the living room.
Lily followed him out and opened the front door. “As long as that gift is genuine, I’m grateful.”
Pop tipped his hat like the elderly man he was who controlled half the city. “It’s genuine.” He walked down the stone steps toward the limo.
“Why was there a mobster sitting in my kitchen?”
Lily closed the door and exhaled. “Why didn’t you tell me you spoke Italian.”
“Don’t be sassy.” Deena grabbed some of the presents she bought for the baby and placed them under the tree. “I’m waiting for an answer.”
“Mr. Surace knew Dad and thought it’d be okay to come by and thank me for helping out his son.”
“I feel differently about that situation, but all I care about is that you’re home.”
Lily watched as the limo drove off.
“About that, I’ll be moving back to my place next week.”
Sadness settled into the narrow lines under Deena’s eyes. “You don’t have to leave just yet.” She rose and faced Lily. “Besides, I thought with your pregnancy and my upcoming chemo treatments, we’d support one another.”
“We’ll make it work.”
*
4:10 p.m.
Rain continued to fall as Pop stood in the center of his sunroom, staring at the pictures of his wife and his son propped up on his side table. For years he’d spent holidays, birthdays, and anniversaries without his wife, but at least he had his son. This time, he didn’t have either one.
What was he to do, let his only child rot away in prison and lose what was left of his family? No. He’d done the right thing to keep his son from being in prison. He’d saved his boy from what he knew would break him, making him even more ruthless than what he already was.
Only in Pop’s world.
What he’d asked Lily to do wasn’t right, but she had survived. A favor for a favor. One day, Lily and Pop would sit down and talk. But it would be him needing her to honor one final request.
*
10:58 p.m.
Christmas music filled the living room of the Colonial, which had been decorated as a silver winter wonderland. Shimmering tinsel Christmas trees and sparkling snowflakes matched candle holders and ornament centerpieces.
Lily’s red sleeveless Peplum dress stood out from the other gold, black, and silver dresses that mixed with the New Year’s Eve formal wear for the celebration. She smiled as her eyes drifted over to the crowd of friends chatting and having a good time.
A woman with dark hair grabbed Evan’s arm and pulled him out onto the dance floor. Frowning, he leaned back and looked over his shoulder at Lily.
Figuring she should go rescue him from the woman who looked like she was drunk and probably wouldn’t make it to bring in the New Year, Lily crossed the room and soon was at Evan’s side.
“Her next drink should be water,” Evan said, gently stepping out of the lady’s grasp and walking away.
The woman burst out laughing and looked at Lily. “Hey, cousin.”
“Haley. You’re embarrassing yourself.”
“I’d embarrass myself for a cutie like him any day.”
“Is there a problem?” Deena asked joining them.
Haley stiffened. “No problem. I’ll just go find that cute co
p I was dancing with.”
“Evan’s dating Lily. Please be a lady and find yourself someone who’s single,” Deena said. “I don’t want this party ruined. Smile and don’t cause a scene.” She cleared her throat at looked at Lily. “Can I see you for a minute?”
Lily nodded as Haley mingled with a different group of people who immediately involved her in their conversation.
Deena marched over to the buffet table, turned and crossed her arms. “That didn’t take long,” she mumbled.
“What’s that?” Lily asked, scooping some taco dip onto a plate.
“Never mind. There’s something important that I have to talk to you about, but I wanted it to wait until after the party.” She looked in Haley’s direction. “Although I’m not sure that’s going to happen.”
For a few seconds, Lily mulled over what Deena wanted to tell her, and it kept coming back to one thing. Haley. Curiosity was getting the better of Lily. She wanted to know why Haley had been kept such a secret.
Considering Haley’s age, it wasn’t hard to figure out that Deena had her before she married Dad. The question that stuck out like barbed wire; who was the father?
Then her thoughts tumbled back to her talk with Pop Surace when he handed her the ledgers from the hotel. The many times Deena shared a cabin with Landon, while Lily and Haley were at camp. Was it so they could be nearby their daughters and live in secret for the summer? “Why not tell me now?”
As the DJ prepped for the next song, Alec walked up to the fireplace. “Can I have your attention?” he asked.
Lily craned her neck, looking over at Evan as he headed her way.
Evan took Lily’s hand, kneeled down on one knee and looked up at her with a wide smile. “You turned down my proposal at McGinley’s because you said I had no right asking you to marry me in some bar. And I know that you don’t believe in eloping. So here I am. Out of my comfort zone, in front of our friends and family, hoping you’ll let me do this here.”
Lily’s heart raced.
“We’ve been through so much, and I don’t want another year to go by without making you, my wife. For the second time, Lily Blanchette, will you marry me?”
Her Final Watch (A Detective Blanchette Mystery Book 2) Page 25