“I don’t think two shots qualify as a shootout, Owen,” I replied.
He looked at the hole in the bench. “Who was sitting here?”
“I was,” T.J. said. “Lizzie yelled at me to get down and shoved me to the ground just before the shot, then another shot came from the opposite direction.”
“Did you either of you get a look at the shooters?” We both shook our heads. “Any guesses, or should I even ask?”
“Depends on if you really want to know the answer,” I said.
“Good Lord,” he said, shaking his head.
“We need to find them before someone gets hurt,” T.J. said.
“I have limited resources. I can’t conduct a door to door search.”
“But I can,” T.J. replied. “She’s a federal fugitive.”
“Then I’ll leave it in your hands, as long as you keep me in the loop. What about Amato?”
“Well, he’s crossed state lines to commit murder, as well as the attempted murder of a federal witness, so we’ll search for him as well.”
“But we will get first crack at him for the Lowdermilk murder, right?” Owen said.
“I’ll be honest, I don’t know. That will be up to all the attorneys and prosecutors. But I wouldn’t hold your breath. They will probably use Amato to get Greco, which means he could get away with the murder.”
“What about Al Sherman? We can still prosecute him, correct?”
“Again, that’s up to all the attorneys. I don’t think he is going to be much help to them. He doesn’t really know much about his uncle’s operations. Amato is more valuable to us than Sherman.”
“How soon can you get help down here to start the search? I don’t want any innocent people getting caught in the crossfire.”
“An hour, maybe two hours at the most,” T.J. said, pulling out his phone. “Give me a minute.”
I heard an unfamiliar ringtone coming from my purse, and I realized it was the phone Debra had left me. I pulled it out and answered it. “Hello?”
“Are you two alright? You didn’t get hit, did you?”
“No, we’re fine. It’s a good thing I’m a big fan of all those cop shows. I saw the laser light on T.J.’s shirt just before the shot.”
“I wondered why you shoved him to the ground.”
“I take it you fired the second shot.”
“Yes.”
“Where was he?”
“On the rooftop of the hardware store,” Debra said.
“Did he see you?”
“No.”
“I had an interesting conversation this morning with a business acquaintance of yours.”
“Who?”
“Vinnie Amato.” It got quiet for a minute, followed by a few choice words I won’t repeat. “What did he want?”
“He wanted to know where you were so he could discuss a business transaction with you.”
“Business transaction, my foot,” Debra scoffed.
“He didn’t believe me when I told him I didn’t know.”
“He didn’t hurt you, did he?”
“No, I’m fine,” I said, keeping quiet about the whole gun in the ribs thing. “He gave me his card and told me to call him when I heard from you.”
“What does T.J. say?”
I ran my fingers through my auburn hair. “He wants you to come in. I think Owen feels the same way.”
“What do you think?”
Glancing over at T.J. and Owen, I walked further away before answering. “If you want my honest opinion, I think you should at least consider it. From what T.J. told us, Peter Greco has put a hit out on you. My guess is Vinnie is the one who got the job.”
“Vinnie is one of the best. I taught him everything he knows.”
“Then he’s not going to stop until he does what he came here to do.”
“Probably not.”
“Where are you now?”
“Close.”
“Then come over here, right now. Let’s get this over with.”
“Not yet. I’m not ready.”
“When do you think you will be ready?”
“I don’t know. I’ve got some things to take care of first.”
“If you put this off too long, Vinnie is going to find you.”
“Not if I find him first,” she said before she hung up.
Chapter 16
I walked back over to T.J. “Did you get everything arranged?”
He nodded. “They’ll be here in two hours.”
“I don’t think they are going to find anything.”
“What makes you think that?”
I held up the phone. “Guess who called?”
“What did she say?”
“She wanted to know if we were alright. Amato was perched on the roof of the hardware store,” I said.
“She saw him?” I nodded. “So she was the one who fired the second shot?”
Personally, I thought that was pretty obvious, but I guess federal agents need definitive proof. “Yeah.”
“Did you talk to her about giving up?”
“Yes, I did.”
“And?”
“No.”
“No?! Why? Did you tell her Amato was after her?”
“Yes, and I told her if she stayed out too long, he was going to find her. I don’t think she plans on letting that happen.”
“Great, just what I need,” Owen grumbled. “Two nuts shooting at each other in my town.”
“When the search team gets here, we’ll start at the hardware store and go from there. The helicopter can cover more ground from the air, and there are two K-9 units coming as well. Don’t worry; we’ll find them.”
“I hate to sound naïve, but how do you know that?” I said. “We’re talking about two people whose main purpose is to avoid detection. Debra knows you are going to be looking for her, and if Vinnie doesn’t realize that yet, he soon will.”
“We’re trained for things like this, Lizzie,” T.J. said. “Don’t worry about it.”
The two of them walked off, leaving me standing near the bench. Something told me this wasn’t going to be as easy as they thought.
“If you were being hunted by the police, where would you go?” Dale said.
After leaving the park, I had gone back to the office to think. Ellen had ordered some food from the café, and we were sitting in Dale’s office, eating and brainstorming.
“Well, my first instinct would be to get the heck out of town,” Ellen said, taking a bite of her BLT. “But from what you’ve said, it doesn’t sound like either one of them plans on doing that.”
“They will hide in plain sight,” I said. “Change their appearance so they blend in.”
“I’m sure the police will take that into consideration, too,” Dale replied.
“Where are they staying?” Ellen asked. “It would have to be some place close.”
“There are plenty of abandoned farmhouses in the county,” he pointed out.
“She’s used one in the past,” I agreed. “This isn’t anything new to the police or the FBI. So why are we worrying about this?”
“But they don’t know the area like we do,” Dale replied. “This is our turf, so to speak. We should be able to figure some of this out.”
“What’s the point?” I asked him. “I don’t want to get involved in this anymore than I already am. I agreed to talk to her; I did that. I’m out.”
“Oh come on, Lizzie! This is the biggest story this little town has ever had! If we do this right, the paper could get a Pulitzer!”
“Do you remember what happened the last time you eyed that prize?” I said. The excitement left his face and he sat back. I knew it was a low blow to remind Dale of his daughter’s death, which led to his wife being committed to the funny farm. But I didn’t want to see anyone die just to get a story.
“What do you suggest we do?” Ellen said. “I have to agree with Dale on this one, Lizzie. This is a major story that people will love to read, even though
they won’t admit it. Stories about the mob have been fascinating people since the 1920s. You’ve got a mob boss; a former FBI agent turned hit man; a federal witness almost killed by another hit man, who has now been ordered to kill the first one. It’s the kind of story that will be picked up by news agencies worldwide. And it’s all happening in our own backyard! We have to pursue it.”
“You both seem to forget that I am connected to this story in a way. Everyone always wants to talk to the family of the people in the story. Do you really think I want blood thirsty newshounds, present company excluded, camped out at my house, or at my mother’s house?”
“Even if we said you were an anonymous source, it wouldn’t take long for people to make the connection between you and Cosgrove,” Dale replied. “Face it, kid, you’re part of this story whether you want to be or not.”
“I now understand why my college professor said I’d never make a journalist,” I said, grabbing my purse before I stood up. “I’m not heartless enough.” Opening the door, I collided with Jake. “Excuse me.”
“Hey, where are you going?” he called out after me.
“Anywhere but here!”
Chapter 17
I drove to Red Oak to buy some groceries at the new Wal-Mart that had opened a few months ago. My mother has repeatedly told me not to shop when I am emotional, but I never listen, which explains the carton of Blue Bell Chocolate Chip Ice Cream that “accidentally” jumped into my basket, along with a box of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, Tostitos and guacamole. Out of guilt for all the junk food, I grabbed some grapes, strawberries and apples.
It was just after two p.m. when I got home. Slinging my satchel and purse onto my left shoulder, I grabbed the three Wal-Mart bags with my left hand, closed the truck door and headed for the front door of my house. After unlocking the front door, I switched the bags to my right hand, dumped my purse and satchel on the floor, and kicked the door closed before going to the kitchen.
“I thought you said you didn’t know where she was,” a voice said from behind me.
I dropped the bags on the floor and spun around. “You scared the crap out of me! Can’t you use the door like normal people?! How did you get in here?” I realized I hadn’t seen Babe, my bloodhound, or Mittens, the Maltese I had adopted. “Where are my dogs? What did you do to them?”
“They’re out back. Did you really think that puny security system is going to keep someone like me out? And you should be scared,” Vinnie said. “You lied to me.”
Picking up the bags, I put them on the table and started taking out the food. “I didn’t lie to you.”
“Then who took a shot at me at the park?”
“So it was you who tried to shoot Agent Roosevelt?” Vinnie said nothing. “Too late to take it back now.” Grumbling, he turned around and punched the wall. “Hey!” I said as I threw the ice cream into the freezer and slammed the door shut. “You want to punch holes in something, go home and do it to your own walls!”
“You are a very irritating, yet fascinating woman.”
“Thank you…I think.”
“Where is she?”
“The answer hasn’t changed since we talked this morning. I don’t know where she is.”
“It’s pretty obvious she is in town, though.”
“Why, because someone took a pot shot at you? Are you sure it wasn’t a ricochet?”
“Did you seriously just ask me that?” I just looked at him. “No, it wasn’t a ricochet, and you know it. I am going to ask again: where is she?”
“The answer is the same: I DON’T KNOW!”
Vinnie grabbed my arm and pulled me closer. “I think you’re full of it, Ms. Crenshaw. I am not a man you want to cross. It would be in your best interest to be cooperative.” He released my arm, walked into the living room and picked up my purse. Bringing it back to the kitchen, he turned it upside down and dumped the contents on the table. “Why do you have two cell phones?”
“One is for work, the other is for personal use,” I replied, reaching out to grab the throwaway phone.
Vinnie snatched it before I could. “Well, lookie here,” he said, checking the incoming calls list. “A woman with so many friends, and you’ve only received one call?” He stared at the screen. “I’m sure it is just a coincidence that this one call came in five minutes after someone fired at me. Anyone I know?” He hit the redial button and when it started to ring, he put it on speakerphone.
“Lizzie?” Debra said.
“Try again.”
“Where is Lizzie?”
“She’s standing right here with me. Don’t worry, she didn’t tell me anything.”
“If you hurt her…”
“You’re in no position to make any threats, Cosgrove. You and I have some business to discuss.”
“I know what you want to ‘discuss’, Amato, but you are going to be on the short end of that particular talk.”
“Do you think I’m the only one looking for you? I’m just the first of many.”
“I guarantee I can send one message that will deter anyone else.”
“And what would that message be?”
“I’ll kill you.”
I got chills just listening to this conversation. It amazed me how two people could talk about killing each other so casually, like they were discussing where to go for lunch. “Knock it off, both of you. You sound like a couple of kids on a playground, trying to one up the other.”
“You stay out of this,” Vinnie said.
“Butt out, Lizzie,” Debra replied.
“I’d love to ‘butt out’, but you two have put me in the middle of it! When did I become a mediator for murderers?”
“I didn’t put you in the middle of this; she did,” he said.
“You both did, so shut up, Vinnie.”
He pulled his gun out and pointed it at me. “Do you really want to push me right now?” Never argue when a loaded gun is pointed at you. I crossed my arms and glared at him. “That’s better. Don’t say another word. Cosgrove, you and I need to get together, sooner rather than later.” The only reply he got was a clicking sound as Debra hung up. Vinnie threw the phone at the back door, and it fell apart. From the backyard, I heard Babe and Mittens start to bark, and breathed a sigh of relief.
“There went your only way to communicate with her,” I said.
He looked at the broken phone and then at me. “I would take you with me right now, but you would just slow me down. I’d kill you, but I need to keep tabs on you because I know she will show up here sooner or later.”
He was probably right about that. “You aren’t staying here.”
“That’s a thought,” he replied.
“Well, forget it.”
He pointed the gun at my face. “What makes you think you are in any position to negotiate here?”
“Because if you were going to kill me, you would have already done it. Put that stupid thing down.”
“A gun is not a ‘stupid thing’,” he said as he put the gun in his waistband behind his back.
I went over and picked up the pieces of the phone. I reached up, unlocked the door and opened it, letting the dogs in the house. Mittens immediately ran over to Vinnie, barking and growling. “I don’t think she likes you,” I said as she bit the back of his leg.
“Son of a…get her off me!” he yelled, trying to shake her loose.
Babe started barking, moving toward Vinnie. He stumbled backwards, and Mittens had to let go to avoid being stepped on. The dogs kept barking and growling at him, forcing him to scramble for the front door. “Wow, the big, bad hit man is afraid of two dogs.”
“Call them off!” he said, pulling his gun out again. “Call them off or I’ll shoot them!”
I called for the dogs and they walked over to me. As they sat down, I heard a car turn down the driveway. Vinnie looked out the window, cursing. “Move over here.” I walked slowly to him. He grabbed me and shoved me face first into the front door. The dogs immediately started g
rowling at him again. “Stay there and don’t move. You’ve got my number. Give it to your aunt. Stay out of my way, Lizzie, or you will get hurt.”
I heard the back door open and close. At that moment, I realized I had been holding my breath. Exhaling, I turned and dropped to my knees, hugging Babe and Mittens. I was shaking uncontrollably, scared out of my mind.
This was going to be a two ice cream carton night.
Chapter 18
I heard someone knocking on the front door, but I was too scared to move. I’m normally a strong person, but having someone point a gun at me three times in one day was just more than I could bear.
“Lizzie, open up!” T.J. yelled through the door. I ignored him. Mittens had crawled into my arms and Babe had taken a defensive position next to me. “You can open the door or I’ll break it down!”
“It’s unlocked, you idiot!” I yelled back. “Did you even think to try the doorknob?”
T.J. opened the door. “Are you alright?” I shrugged. “Has something happened?”
“Vinnie Amato was here.”
He knelt beside me. “What did he want?”
“What do you think he wanted?”
“What happened?”
“Oh, the usual,” I replied. I could feel tears welling up in my eyes. “He threatened me, she threatened him, he put a gun in my face. Just the normal, everyday things a person goes through when you have a killer in the family.”
“I don’t think that is really a normal thing…”
“I don’t care what you think!” I snapped, putting Mittens on the floor and standing up. “You are just as much to blame as they are!”
T.J. stood up. “You’re right.”
“Don’t agree with me, thinking that is going to make everything alright. It won’t. I had a nice, normal, quiet life before you and that nutcase showed up in my life. Now I’ve got mob hit men breaking into my house…”
“Whoa, wait a minute. Amato broke in?”
Sniffling, I nodded. “He was in here when I came home from the store.”
“So he knows she’s in town?”
“It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out she was the one who fired the second shot.”
“Tell me exactly what happened.” He listened quietly while I told him. “That means he is going to use whatever is at his disposal as leverage to get to her.”
5 Death Catches A Killer Page 5