“Have you had any contact with the Tilucci family since then?”
“Nothing. I haven’t seen anyone from the old days until he showed up on my doorstep not long ago.”
“What made you decide to talk to me?”
“Like he said, I owed him. He’s one of the good ones, Bryce is. I’ve seen it first hand, he’s just a little more human than the rest of those monsters. I always said that Bryce did his best to inject a little positive change into the gang, but it wasn’t his place to do that. He’s not completely innocent, but if anyone deserves justice, it’s him.”
“Can you give her the names of other people of interest within the organization?” I interrupted. “Are there other people that she can consider for her story?”
“You might want to consider Horton Price.”
“Who’s that?” she asked, writing the name in her book.
“He’s an old bookie. He’s brought in a lot of money over the years. You could also see about Dominique Coulson. He’s Tom’s former lawyer. I don’t know what he’ll be able to tell you, but it’s worth a shot. Anyone else that I can think of is either still with the organization, missing, or dead.”
“Would you be willing to send me copies of any of the record books?”
“Most of them were destroyed when I told Tommy that I wanted to retire. I only have a few scraps here and there. I’ll see what I can find. Maybe I can mail them to your office.”
“You’ve been a tremendous help, Milton. I want to assure you that I will never expose your identity.”
He coughed. “I appreciate that. I know I only have so many years left in this world, but I’d just like to have some peace and quiet.”
“Sure,” she said, shaking his hand. We said our goodbyes and walked out the door, and got back into my car.
“Unbelievable stuff,” she mused as she looked through her pages of notes.
“Yeah,” I muttered. “Let’s get you back to your car.”
Doll
Bryce
“Did you get the information you needed?” I asked Jane as I pulled into the parking space next to hers.
“More than I could have even asked for,” she breathed. “Thank you so much for your help. I’m going to follow my new leads and hopefully, I’ll have enough evidence to prove all of the terrible things he’s done.”
“It’s no problem,” I said. I couldn’t be sure of that statement yet. It wasn’t a huge burden to spend an hour telling her everything I knew or even taking her to Milton’s house. That didn’t trouble me. I would have to wait and see if trouble followed in the time after her story aired.
“If I have any more questions for you, is it all right if I give you a call?”
“Sure,” I nodded.
“Well,” she said, clasping her hands together, “then it was nice meeting you, Bryce. Take care.”
I gave a short wave to her as she got out of my car and into hers. I watched as she drove away, making sure we were not followed.
I let out a sigh of relief. I started Jane on the right path to bring down Tilucci for the second time and now my job was over. As far as I knew, no one saw me with her, so there was no chance that Tilucci’s cronies would come after me. Even if Milton were found out, he wouldn’t reveal my name. I didn’t trust many people, but there was something about Jane that made me feel like I could open to her.
It was nearly six by the time I left, so on my way home, I swung by a fast food restaurant for something off the dollar menu. Unless I booked another fight soon, I would be eating this kind of stuff until payday. I had given every extra cent to Arianna, but I didn’t regret it. She deserved all that and more.
When I heard the news about Tilucci being released from prison, I was afraid that he was going to come after me for some reason. I had nothing to do with his arrest, but there was something about knowing he would be free to walk the streets that made me feel a little jumpy. After talking to Jane and Milton, I knew that I wasn’t the type of guy he was after. I worked with him and obeyed his rules until he got locked up.
Milton, on the other hand, had left on bad terms. Jane was in an even worse position. As the root cause of his problems, I was genuinely worried for her safety. She was armed, but she wouldn’t be able to defend herself against his wrath. He had too many people on his side.
Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t protect her. She reminded me a little of my Emily. They were both tough but wicked smart and caring. Emily was a fighter. I had a feeling that Jane was too.
Feeling more relaxed after forcing myself to think rationally, I took a hot shower and went to bed early. The news of Tilucci’s appeal rattled me so much yesterday, that I had a tough time sleeping. Now, I knew that if I kept my head down, Tilucci would have so much on his plate that he may just forget about me altogether.
I must have fallen asleep quickly, because I didn’t feel like any time had passed when I heard a loud knock at my door. I checked my alarm clock; it was nearly two in the morning.
On my way to the door, I grabbed my wooden baseball bat that I kept in the coat closet. I wasn’t going to take my chances.
Turning on the front porch light, I cracked the door open an inch to survey the scene. No one was there.
I opened the door a little wider and got into a swinging stance, waiting for someone to jump out at me. No one did.
Instead, there was a small box sitting on the doorstep, wrapped in white butcher’s paper and tied with twine. I nudged it with the end of the bat, in case the contents were explosive. When it remained inert, I picked it up and took it inside, dead bolting the door behind me.
I untied the neatly wrapped box, checking for any sort of clues as to where it may have come from. It was absolutely pristine. I lifted the lid to reveal a doll’s head, resting on a bed of crumpled paper.
I lifted the toy to examine it closer, but immediately dropped it when I understood what it was. The small, child-like face had curly auburn hair and bright green eyes. Tiny freckles dotted its nose and its perfectly white smile displayed the expression of child-like joy. It looked like Arianna.
I tried to reason with myself that this was all just some silly prank and not a threat against the life of my sweet daughter that I hadn’t even seen for years. In my dresser drawer, I kept the photos that her aunt sent me ever few months, and this doll was a doppelganger. Tilucci knew what I was up to and this was a clear message that he was going to make me pay.
Panicked, I called the police and told them about the mysterious package. The telephone operator told me to stay where I was and that an officer would have a look.
Time never passed more slowly than it did in those moments. I paced around my kitchen feeling like my heart was going to beat out of my chest. I dug around my pantry until I found a nearly empty bottle of cheap whiskey. It would have to do. Taking a swig, I winced at the burn, then felt a bit of relief.
When I heard the characteristic three raps on the door, I tossed my bat back into the closet and answered the door. There were two male police officers standing with their hands on their hips.
“Come in,” I said, motioning them to the kitchen counter where the tiny parcel was sitting like a deranged piece of art.
“When did you receive the package?” the first officer asked, pulling out a tablet with his police report template.
“About thirty minutes ago. Someone knocked on my door and left it there. I don’t know who it was.”
“The operator said that you perceived it to be a threat. What makes you say that?”
“I have a daughter. She looks just like this doll.”
“Is your daughter here now?” the second officer asked.
“No, her aunt and uncle have full custody of her. I haven’t seen her in years.”
“Why would someone threaten you?”
I didn’t know how to answer this question without incriminating myself. If I were investigated closely, then they’d be sure to find something on me. I had no money and no power in
this city. I’d go to prison and no one would care.
“I’m not sure,” I said. “I’m an amateur fighter. Maybe someone tried to bet against me and they lost. I don’t know how those sorts of things work.”
“I see. Have you ever had someone verbally or physically threaten you recently?”
“No,” I said.
“Have you received any strange phone calls or letters?”
“No.”
“Well, without more evidence, there’s not much else we can do with the doll. Maybe someone’s just pulling a prank on you.”
“I really don’t think so.”
“If you receive more strange messages or threats, call the station, and we’ll file a report.”
“But what about now? Can’t you have someone watch the house? What about my girl? How can I make sure she’s safe? Can you have someone watch her aunt’s house?”
“We don’t have enough guys in our precinct to give you a personal bodyguard. Especially because we don’t have evidence of a clear threat to your safety.”
“So, there’s nothing you can do?” I asked, feeling totally defeated.
“Not unless we receive more information.”
I groaned, burying my head in my hands. “Okay,” I muttered. “Thanks anyway.”
I walked the men outside and shut the door in complete disbelief. I walked into the kitchen, but the sight of the doll made me feel sick. I swept it into the trash and lay on the couch.
Feeling a sudden surge of rage, I picked up my phone and punched in Jane’s number. I needed answers and I needed them immediately.
“Hello?” she asked blearily. I had woken her up.
“You must be a really shitty journalist if we just met up today and people are already sending me threats,” I yelled into the phone.
“What?” she squawked. “What threats?”
I described the parcel’s contents and my discussion with the unhelpful police officers.
“I don’t understand the threat, though,” she said. “If this is really Tilucci’s work, wouldn’t the box have a head that more closely resembled yours? Or possibly mine?”
I sighed. I didn’t want to discuss Arianna with anyone, especially not with a journalist that was using me for my information. It made no sense to hide it any longer. If Tilucci knew about Ari, then Jane should too.
“I have a little girl, Arianna,” I said slowly. “She looks just like that doll.”
“You have a daughter? I had no idea. Does she live with you?”
“Ari’s mother isn’t around anymore and I couldn’t take care of her while Tilucci was around. I was hardly fit to be a single father anyway. I was dirt poor and working illegal jobs. I couldn’t do it alone. I gave up my legal guardianship and kept a safe distance. Arianna doesn’t know who I am. It was the only way I knew how to protect her.”
“I’m so sorry,” she breathed.
“Thanks, but that doesn’t change the fact that I gave up everything to protect her, and now her life is in danger. She is the only good thing in my life. Without her, it’s not even worth it. I thought I could trust you. I don’t know why I was so stupid to think that this would work out.”
“I didn’t tell anyone,” she insisted. “The only other person who knows that I’m even working on this story is my editor, and there’s no way he told anyone.”
“You don’t know what kinds of things people say when they’re being threatened. Or bribed, for that matter,” I retorted.
“You don’t have any right to tell me how we’d act,” she bellowed. “If you only knew—” she trailed off.
I must have struck a nerve. I had twisted arms and cut flesh, just to get people to speak. I had seen otherwise tough people break under pressure. That’s why no one could be trusted with secrets. There was always a way to get them out.
“Fine,” I said, “if it wasn’t you or your editor who squealed, who was it?”
“I honestly don’t know. Do you think it’s possible that Tilucci had his men on us from the start? If he had a plan to tail either one of us, we could have been spotted together.”
“I didn’t see anyone.”
“I didn’t either, but that’s the most likely scenario. Do you think Milton talked? He’s been tortured under Tilucci’s orders himself. Maybe he ratted you out as revenge for his finger.”
“I highly doubt it,” I said. “He owed me. Debt for saving a life binds people together. I may not be able to call in another favor to him, but I know that he wouldn’t talk about me.”
“I’m sorry this happened,” she said. I could hear the crunch of the mattress springs under her as she rolled over in bed.
“I’m sorry too,” I said. “I should have just left this all alone. There’s no beating Tilucci, do you understand? You can help put him away for a minor crime like tax evasion, but there’s no stopping him. He’s too powerful. He’s cost me so much in my life and now he’s going to take my daughter from me.”
“What about the police?” she asked.
“What about them? They’re not going to help me. I’m sure Tilucci has them all paid off anyway. They’re probably letting him know that I received his little gift.”
“Is there any way that you can watch your daughter’s guardian’s house? I’ve seen you fight. At least you’d slow down anyone coming your way.”
“I think that would only put her in more danger. I think Tilucci would rather me leave town than watch me fight. Any sign of aggression is just going to push him to send in his troops.”
“What about hiring a private security guard? At least someone who can watch their house during the night.”
I scoffed. “I hardly have enough money to feed myself. That would cost a fortune.”
“I think I can help you out with that,” she said. “I’ll make a few phone calls in the morning and see if I can set something up.”
“Okay,” I said wearily. “I guess there’s nothing else that we can do right now.”
“Try to get some sleep,” she said. “I’ll talk to you in the morning.”
I hung up and tossed my phone onto the ground. There was no helping me out of this scenario.
I lay awake for hours, staring up at the ceiling of my bedroom. Before I knew it, orange light starting filtering through my curtains. I must have drifted off eventually because I dreamt that I drove to Lilian’s house to introduce myself to Arianna, so I could take her home to live with me. She was as perfect as the quarterly pictures I received in the mail, stashed under my socks for safe keeping.
Sharpshooter
Jane
I didn’t sleep well after hanging up with Bryce. In fact, I felt a little sick to my stomach. I wracked my brain to think of someone who could have possibly caught on to us, but I came up empty-handed. The only thing I knew for certain, was that the leak didn’t come from my side.
I knew that he was upset, but I was seriously hurt by the implication that my editor or I could possibly be coerced into giving up information. If he only knew what we had been through during the war, he wouldn’t have ever suggested that we’d give in to the threats of a few mobsters. He didn’t know me and he didn’t know Pat’s story.
Still, I felt responsible for what happened late last night. He wouldn’t have been dragged into this mess with Tilucci if I hadn’t sought him out for questioning. He could have remained anonymous if he hadn’t been spotted with me.
I also felt nothing but rage and disgust that Tilucci would threaten the well-being of an innocent child, just because he didn’t like what I was finding out about him. If it came down to it, I’d gladly smash Tilucci’s face in. I wouldn’t even think twice about making him suffer.
Reluctantly, I picked up my phone and dialed my friend Andrea’s number. It was early, but I knew she would be awake. If anyone could help me out with this, it would be her.
“Hey, Jane,” she said cheerfully. “Long time, no see.”
“I know. I’ve been so incredibly busy lately,” I said gu
iltily. I wasn’t good about keeping up with the people in my unit. “Are you free today? I want to catch up and ask you about something security related?”
“Sure thing! Working on a new story?”
“Actually, I am. I can’t tell you any details, but I have some things I want to pass by you. Can we meet for lunch?”
“Sure thing. I have a meeting at ten, so I’ll just swing by your office when I’m finished.”
“Perfect. Thanks, Andrea.”
“Always willing to help out an old friend. I’ll see you soon.”
Once I arrived at the office, I rushed into Pat’s office and shut the door behind me.
“Oh, no,” he said, without even looking up from his newspaper. “What happened?”
“Has anyone asked you about the story I’m working on?”
“The prison worker one? I’ve talked to production about going out to the penitentiary this week to shoot some footage. Why?”
“No, the Tilucci story,” I said, lowering my voice at his name.
He looked up. “Do you really think I’m that dumb? I don’t want you doing the story in the first place. I’m kind of hoping that you’ll get stuck and change your mind before you get yourself into too much trouble. Have you already gotten yourself into too much trouble?”
“I’ve got some incredible leads,” I said. “I talked to the former accountant, and he gave me the names of the family’s bookie and lawyer. I’ll get more information on them, and then I should have enough to pin some murders, maybe even some police corruption on him.”
“So, what does this have to do with me?” Pat asked.
“What do you mean?”
“You came storming in here, asking me if people have asked me questions.”
“No reason,” I said. It was wiser not to get Pat involved with this. I knew he wouldn’t be happy to hear about Bryce’s accusations. I trusted Pat, and he clearly didn’t leak a word of my research to anyone.
Her Protection: A Bad Boy Mafia Romance (Omerta Series Book 2) Page 5