“Not that different. The neighborhoods are still a lot alike. There are different people living in them, but the structures haven’t necessarily changed much.”
“Over by the railroad yard.” He pointed to the southern end of the city. “In this big field here. And this looks like one of the places here on Cropsey Avenue. I think. But these buildings weren’t there then.”
Reed focused on the huge field, immediately dismissing any place that they wouldn’t be able to gain access to. Two to three hundred yards worth of trees and grass was a beautiful thing. “How many are buried here—that Alfeo did?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“Give me an idea. Four, ten, fifteen.”
“Maybe like fifteen or twenty.”
That was an excellent number. The odds of finding the remains of someone Alfeo killed were high. “You put them in bags?”
“I told you we did.”
“Always?”
“Every damn time. Wrapped them in plastic first. Kept the smell down—plus we’d heard about dogs sniffing out bodies, so we thought that might help if anybody got nosy. Fucking hard work getting them in there, though—messy after Alfie finished with them, but it made for easy moving, and we didn’t have to worry about leaving anything behind in the trunk.”
“What does that mean—after Alfie finished with them?”
“He was a cruel son of a bitch. Liked to torture them before he killed them—cut off their hands.”
“While they were alive?”
He nodded. “They weren’t alive much longer after. Liked to shove money in their mouths—sometimes up their ass. A symbol of their disrespect and greed.”
He winced. “Jesus. Did he wear gloves?”
“No.”
His excitement started to build. DNA was a long shot, but it wasn’t impossible. “Where did you guys stash your guns?”
“Dino and I would toss them in the water, but Alfeo always used the same one—said he liked it the best.” He shook his head. “Cocky bastard.”
Was he really hearing this? “Alfeo used the same firearm for every murder?”
“Every one.”
“The same pistol he used the night you guys took out that family?”
Vinny cleared his throat. “Yeah.”
This was big. This was fucking huge—exactly what they needed. If they could locate and link a bullet to Alfeo’s gun that would still be locked away in evidence somewhere, this would be endgame. “Where would the bodies be?”
“It’s hard to say. That’s not exactly a small place, which was the point. We liked spots where not many people wanted to go—mud up to the ankles most of the time. Probably somewhere around here.” He pointed to an area about fifty yards from the water. “Or maybe it was over here. Somewhere around there, I’m thinking.”
“This is good. Real good, Vinny. Where else?”
He shook his head. “I don’t know.”
He tore his gaze from the computer and potential gravesites to look Vinny in the eye. “How do you not know? I would think you would remember something like that.”
“It doesn’t look the same. I told you, I hate these fucking computers.”
“I want a list of everyone you guys killed. I want everyone Alfeo did. Focus on that.” He slammed the laptop closed. “You get it to me and I’ll see if I can get us some sort of map of the location.” Skylar wouldn’t be able to get a team together to go looking for remains without something more solid to work with.
Vinny tamped out his cigarette. “Not on Sunday. Sunday is for Bella.”
“Agreed. We’re going to move on this.” It appeared that this was going to be their only shot—and it was still a long one. But it was good. Finding bodies was always very good.
“What now?”
He took the laptop from Vinny and walked over to the table. “You start working on that list—every detail you can remember about each murder, and I’ll contact my informant and see what he can figure out about Nicoli having a child.”
“He got your package?”
“Yeah. He signed for it this morning.”
“I don’t want you saying anything to him about Bella.”
“Let me do my job, Vinny.”
“You didn’t do such a hot job the first time around—getting yourself shot.”
“If it doesn’t kill you, it makes you smarter,” he said, touching his hand to the small crater in his chest beneath his shirt.
“Let’s hope to God you’re right.”
He gathered his papers and stacked them. “You just think about where we’re going to find the bodies, and I’ll be back on Sunday with Bella.”
Vinny nodded, his movements jerky.
“I’m not going to let anything happen to her. Trust me.”
“Are you in love with my daughter?”
“Yes.” What was the point in denying it? He grabbed his laptop case and shoved the computer inside, the remaining items next. “I want to get home to her before she goes to bed. I’ve barely seen her this week.” And he missed her—was so damn sick of the lying. “I’ll see you Sunday.”
“Okay.”
Reed locked up behind him, looking around as he got in the truck while the sun moved closer to the horizon. He needed to call Skylar and Joey, let them in on the latest development, but that would have to wait a bit yet. The drive back to the Palisades would give him plenty of time to get everything taken care of. Right now, he was eager to find out if there was something to Alfeo’s cryptic comments about Nicoli’s potential child. He dug through his wallet for the number he hadn’t touched in almost a year and dialed on the burner phone before backing out of the driveway.
“Hello?”
“It’s Reed.”
Silence filled the line.
He turned onto the busy street, heading toward the interstate. “I need information.”
“I’d heard rumors you were dead.”
“I’m talking, so I guess not.”
“Things are too dangerous.”
He blew through one green light, then a yellow. “You know I pay for information. You got my envelope this morning.”
“That’s not enough this time. I want a guarantee that you’ll get me out of here after I get you what you need.”
“We’ve worked together long enough for you to know that I don’t promise anything I can’t guarantee.”
“Find a way to guarantee me my safety. Everybody’s dying around here.”
He made it through the next traffic light and merged onto the 405. “Let me make some calls and I’ll see what I can do. You’re going to have to be able to get me something big—something I can use—if you want a deal with the Feds.”
“What do you want?”
“I want to know what Matty’s up to. What are he and Alfeo planning once Alfeo’s out?”
“How the hell am I supposed to get you that without ending up like Dino? Nobody’s saying nothin’. Everybody’s on guard—keeping their mouths shut.”
He moved into the left lane, kicking his speed up to eighty-five, craving home and Bella. “Try anyway. I heard rumors that Nicoli Caparelli has a kid.”
“I haven’t heard that one.”
His shoulders relaxed slightly. His informant was one of the higher-ups—certainly not part of Alfeo’s inner circle, but he had his pulse on the family. “Check it out anyway.”
“I’ll do what I can, but it’s gonna take time.”
“You get me something good that shows the Feds you’re not fucking around—look into my inquiry into the kid, and I’ll do my best to get you that deal.”
“I want payment too. A grand for this kind of information.”
“I’ll give you six hundred when you deliver something I can use.”
“Seven hundred.”
“Fine. Watch your back. You don’t do me much good dead.”
“I’ll call you back on this number.”
“No, I’ll call you next week.”
; “That’s not the way we’ve always done things.”
“It’s the way we’re going to do them now.” He hung up. When his informant used to deal with him, he dealt with Mad Dog. Every day, more pieces of Mad Dog McKinley slipped away, but he would have to find that part of himself again. At some point in the near future, he had no doubt that he would be heading back to the mean streets of Bensonhurst. He wanted this over quickly, but his gut told him things were just getting started.
~~~~
Bella combed her fingers through her damp hair as she walked downstairs toward the kitchen. She hit the light switch along the way and stopped in front of the island, studying the golden crust and pretty berry center of her first-ever attempt at a galette. “Not bad,” she muttered, currently as impressed with her culinary efforts as she’d been when she pulled her creation out of the oven nearly two hours ago. Now if only she could eat it. She glanced at the clock and sighed. It was well past eight and Reed still wasn’t home. She’d waited for him, stalling with a long walk on the beach and then a shower, wanting to share the results of her cooking adventure with her partner in crime, but things didn’t appear to be working out that way tonight. “I guess I’m diving in alone,” she said to Lucy, taking one plate from the cupboard when she’d hoped to be grabbing two.
Lucy thumped her tail halfheartedly on her bed, not bothering to open her eyes.
“Those seagulls get you every time, huh?” She chuckled as she cut herself a small slice and paused mid-transfer to the plate when she heard a key twisting in the lock and Reed walking through the front door. Grinning, she abandoned her treat and hurried into the living room. “Hey, there, handsome.”
He smiled, toeing off his shoes. “Hey.”
“Welcome home.”
“Thanks.” He set down his laptop bag and closed the distance between them, wrapping her up in a tight hug.
She returned his embrace, grimacing as she breathed in the nasty scent of cigarette smoke. “Yikes, you smell like you’ve been at my dad’s.”
He shook his head, still keeping her close, running his fingers through her hair. “A bar.”
She frowned as she moved her hands up and down his back. “You were at a bar?”
“On duty. Not drinking.” He wandered his palms along her sides, stroking. “God, I love when you wear your nighties.”
She eased away enough to look him in the eyes, slightly concerned by his tired tone and unusual greeting. Reed hugged her all the time, but this was different—sort of desperate. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah.” He kissed her. “It’s been a long day—a long week.”
She nodded her agreement. “I’ve heard a rumor that tomorrow’s Friday.”
He groaned, resting his forehead against hers. “And you’re all mine. Our date—just you and me.”
“I like the sound of that.”
He sniffed the air. “Something smells good in here—besides you.”
“Dessert—the galette I told you about this morning.”
“Right.”
“You want some?” she asked, wiggling her eyebrows.
“Try and stop me.” He nipped her chin. “But I should shower first.”
She wrinkled her nose. “I’m not going to argue with you.”
He grinned. “I’ll be right back.”
“Okay.” She went to the kitchen, her brow furrowing slightly as the stink on Reed’s clothes trailed behind her. She hoped wherever he’d been tonight and whomever he’d been with weren’t going to be a regular thing. Working in a smoky environment wasn’t good for his health. She shrugged away her concern and cut Reed a large slice, then grabbed the vanilla ice cream from the freezer, scooping two decent-sized helpings to finish off the presentation of their desserts.
Moments later, Reed hustled into the kitchen, wrapping his arms around her waist and nuzzling her neck, smelling much better.
“That was quick.” She turned to face him, realizing he’d come downstairs boxer-clad. “Are you a superhero or something?”
He smiled. “No, I just missed you.”
“I missed you too.” She smiled back, tracing her fingers along his excellent pecs. “Tell me all about your day.”
He sighed. “There’s not a whole lot to tell—just lots of running around.” He glanced over her shoulder. “But it looks like it’s about to end pretty well. Dessert with my girl. Couldn’t be better.”
She studied him, noting that he didn’t look quite so tired anymore. “That was an excellent answer.”
He chuckled. “How about we grab these plates and you can tell me about your day? In bed.”
She lifted her brow. “Okay.”
He picked up their plates. “Or we could sit down at the table and eat this right now.”
She laughed. “Let’s sit at the table.”
He grinned. “I’m a sucker for sugar and instant gratification.”
She laughed again. “Clearly.” She pulled out his chair for him. “Have a seat. Enjoy.”
He sat down, setting her plate at her usual spot. “This looks so good.”
She loved that he loved her cooking. “Go ahead.”
He cut into the berries and piecrust, sampling a huge bite. “Man, this is killer.” He groaned, closing his eyes as he chewed. “A-plus, Bella.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
“Like’s not a strong enough word,” he said through another mouthful, giving her a thumbs-up.
Grinning, she sampled a bite of her own, enjoying the combination of tart berries, sweet ice cream, and flaky crust. “I’m turning into a chef.” She beamed at the idea.
“Yeah, you are.” He ate more. “So, how was work?”
“Not much happened. But I talked to Emilia’s aunt this afternoon.”
“How’s she doing?”
“She’s fighting another infection right above her knee. Keeping that leg isn’t looking good.”
He shook his head. “That sucks.”
“Yes, it does.” She stabbed a strawberry, sliding it around in the melted ice cream. “She’s been pretty down in the dumps, so she and Bianca are coming over sometime in the next couple of weeks.”
He got up, pouring them glasses of water. “I get to hang out with you guys, right?”
“If you want to.”
He came back, setting one in front of her. “I totally want to.”
“Thanks.” She gestured to her glass. “I was going to have Kylee and Olivia over, but Olivia’s pretty booked up with ballet for the next little while, so they’ll come next time. I think it would be best to have a two-to-two ratio to make sure everyone feels comfortable.”
He nodded, taking his seat again. “Makes sense.”
“I talked to Abby and Sarah too.” She popped a blueberry in her mouth. “Abby has a fashion show next Friday that she’s inviting us to—a fundraising event for the Stowers House locations—and Sarah’s putting together a party the weekend after.”
“Huh.”
“I was thinking we could make an appearance. I know that’s not your thing—”
He paused with another bite on his fork. “But it’s yours. We can go.”
“To both? Are you sure?”
“Yeah, it’s no problem.” He scraped up the remains of his dessert. “Bella, this is really great.”
“Thanks. I think my dad would love it.”
“Have you talked to him today?”
She nodded, setting down her fork. She’d had all the sweets she could handle. “I called him tonight. I’m going to go up on Sunday.”
He took her hand, kissing her knuckles. “How do you feel about a tagalong?”
She snagged her lip with her teeth when he nibbled the tip of her index finger. “You know you don’t have to come.”
“I want to. He’s a nice guy, and you’re my girl.” He winked.
She smiled, liking it when he called her his girl. “We would love to have you.”
“Sounds like it’s settled, then.” He st
ood, stacking their plates.
“We’ll probably do what we did last time—I’ll go to the store and you can keep Dad company.”
“Yeah. Definitely. I’ll make sure we’re locked up.” He rinsed the plates and put them in the dishwasher, then headed off to check the doors while Bella wrapped the remains of their dessert and set it in the fridge. “Ready?” he asked, holding out his hand.
“I am.” She laced their fingers. “Come on, Lucy. Let’s go to bed.”
Reluctantly, Lucy got up, following behind.
“You took her to the beach.”
She grinned. “How could you tell?”
He shrugged. “Just a guess.”
She leaned against him as they climbed the stairs. “I like having you home at night.”
“I like being home at night.” He kissed her forehead as they walked down the hall and into the bedroom.
Bella moved to the bed, pulling back the covers. “Have you ever given any consideration to bringing the rest of your stuff over here and just staying?”
He stared at her across the mattress.
She swallowed, worrying that she’d just crossed some dreaded early relationship line. “I don’t want to make you uncomfortable or rush you into anything you’re not ready for.” Settling in, she pulled up the covers and grabbed her magazine, afraid she had.
He got in next to her. “Is that what you want? To move in together?”
“We don’t have to.” She jerked her shoulders, turning the pages randomly, not daring to look at him. “It’s pretty sudden.”
“Hey.” He tilted her chin his way. “Is that what you want?”
“It kind of makes sense. You’re over here all the time anyway, and most of your stuff is in my closets and drawers.”
“What about my boxing stuff?”
She nibbled her lip as she thought of the guest room she’d painstakingly decorated that would have to be taken apart for Reed’s punching bags. “Boxing’s pretty important to you.”
“It’s been my lifeline for years.” He kissed her. “How about I keep my place for a while so you can keep your guest room and I can keep my gym?”
She nodded. “That makes sense. If only I had one more bedroom. I’m just afraid my dad might need the one I’ve got.”
“That’s a logical thought.” He kissed her again. “I love staying here with you. I love waking up right next to you. Maybe we should consider a place with a third bedroom.”
Deceiving Bella: Book Eleven In The Bodyguards Of L.A. County Series Page 35