by Lee Weeks
‘Just trying to get a bigger picture of Eddie, beyond the ex-criminal headlines. I just wanted to understand the nature of your relationship.’
‘Nature?’
‘I mean, you were happy working together? Did you feel five per cent in a business when you did the donkey’s share of the work was good enough?’
‘Yes. Of course. I mean I always earned a good wage. I was grateful to Eddie.’
‘But did you ever see yourself taking a bigger share? Was it ever discussed?’
Willis came back out of the warehouse.
‘No, it wasn’t.’ Manson looked at his watch. ‘It wasn’t what I would have wanted. I didn’t have the risk that Eddie did. I didn’t need to worry about the financial side of things.’
‘Okay, I’ll let you get on. Thanks for these,’ Carter said, holding up the envelope.
Back in the car, Carter waved at Manson, who wasn’t watching them. He’d already got into his car and started the engine.
‘Find anything?’ asked Carter as they were back on the road.
‘There has been some activity going on, boxes moved, that kind of thing. I took another set of samples. It seems to be looking very bare in there. I wonder why they’d need such a big warehouse.’
‘Manson said they often have building materials collected there ready to ship to sites,’ Carter said. ‘But there’s something I don’t trust about him. He’s too polite about everything. I got the feeling he thought I was an idiot.’
‘I thought you always counted that as a success when people thought that.’
‘You’re right, but he’s scared.’ Carter smiled. ‘Natural, I suppose. He must wonder if he’s next on someone’s list. Even, if he’s not scared about dying like Eddie, he has a whole livelihood to lose. Still, something about him is not ringing true to me. I want him checked out thoroughly. Where did Manson come from? He said Eddie found him when Manson made a kitchen for him. Sounds like Eddie was really taken with him. Turned out he was right, they must have made a lot of money, but Manson always got five per cent of the profit and the profit has dwindled to nothing. How come Manson isn’t mentioning that? How is he managing with a gold Rolex on his wrist and driving a new car? Was Eddie doing a lot more than building villas?’
‘I’ll get Pam on to it right now,’ said Willis as she took out her phone and made a call to Pam. When she finished she looked up from her notebook. ‘Where are we headed now?’ She didn’t recognise the route.
‘You want the full history, the complete picture? Then we’ll head down to Ramsgate and visit Della Vincetti’s family. It’s about time I went back.’
Chapter 10
They parked up on the seafront at Ramsgate and walked back into town; the wind and rain had eased slightly as they walked up a steep hill above the marina and along to the row of restaurants in the Victoria Westcliff Arcade. Fredo’s Ristorante was at the end, tucked into the cliff side. They opened the door to a wonderful warm mix of the welcoming smell of pizza dough and slow-cooked tomato sauces, Marsala wine and herbs.
The restaurant was split-level, with arches separating the two sections. The old brick walls were painted off-white, and were dotted with paintings of Italy.
A blonde, middle-aged woman looked up from serving customers and gave them a smile that said, I’ll be with you in a second; and then she took a double take.
‘I don’t believe it! Dan, how are you?’ She walked across and paused. Shocked but happy, she hugged him.
Carter hugged her and kissed her on both cheeks.
‘I’m well, Connie; you’re looking just the same. How do you do it? You don’t look a day older. Let me introduce my colleague. Ebony, this is Connie.’
Connie took Ebony’s outstretched hand and covered it with both of hers. ‘Oh, your hands are cold. For goodness’ sake! I can’t believe it.’ She looked at Dan, still shaking her head. ‘What are you doing here? I mean, come in, come in.’
‘Well, I thought we’d get some lunch, for a start,’ said Carter.
‘Of course. I’ll call Fredo. Wait a minute. Let me take this order through. Come and sit down.’ They walked beneath the arches and down the step into the main section of the restaurant then down further into a small private area.
Fredo was led out from the kitchen, wiping his hands. He stopped in his tracks when he saw Carter.
‘Bloody hell,’ he said in his Italian accent. ‘I can’t believe my eyes. Look at you, you’re grown up. You’re a man now.’ He stood beside Carter and put his arm around his shoulders. Willis thought Fredo looked about to cry.
‘Fredo, this is my colleague Ebony.’ She stood to shake Fredo’s hand.
‘Please sit down. Can you believe we knew this man when he was like a boy.’ He slapped Carter on his chest.
‘Is that mentally or physically?’ Willis said. ‘Because in one way he probably hasn’t changed.’
Fredo laughed loudly. He couldn’t take his eyes from Carter.
‘Come on, please, sit down and we’ll eat together. The restaurant is not busy and we have our nephew, Paulo, working in the kitchen now. He can cope on his own. You sit. I’ll be back.’
Fredo went into the kitchen and then returned minus his apron and with two bottles of wine in his hands. Connie came to join them, in between seeing to the other customers in the restaurant.
‘Your parents, Dan? How are they?’ Fredo looked across the table at Willis. ‘Excuse us, won’t you? It’s been a long time.’
‘Of course, go ahead. I’m so looking forward to eating here.’ Willis was starving now. The smell of the restaurant was enough to elevate her hunger to stratospheric heights. She had what Carter called ‘hollow legs’: it didn’t matter what she ate, there was always room for more.
‘Mama is in great shape, she’s busy with all her grandchildren,’ answered Carter. ‘I have a son, Archie, now. But he’s one of eight grandchildren that she helps look after. But Dad’s not been so good. He’s in remission right now, but he’s had throat cancer.’
‘I’m sorry to hear that. Send them our love,’ said Fredo. ‘Bring them with you next time you come. It must be at least twelve years. I don’t know where those years have gone. I’m sure Della would love to see them too. We talked about you just the other day, with Della, didn’t we, Connie?’ She nodded.
‘When she came for the funeral?’ asked Carter.
‘Yes. We didn’t go to it, of course,’ said Fredo. ‘We said our goodbyes to Eddie in our own way. We didn’t like all that with the black horses and the carriage, and then, look how it all went wrong.’
Connie brought out plates of antipasti and a bottle of wine; a man was with her, helping her carry the food.
‘Here is Fredo’s nephew, Paulo.’ She did the introductions.
‘I remember you,’ Carter said as he stood for them to shake hands. ‘You were still in short trousers then.’ Carter scrutinised Paulo’s face and scanned his memory banks. ‘You were the snotty-nosed kid who always wanted me to play football with him in the park.’
‘Yes, I am glad I made such an impression on you,’ he laughed. ‘I am never allowed to forget you, even if I wanted to: my aunt and uncle speak of you often.’ Paulo mimicked, ‘Dan used to make it like this, Dan’s way was the best, et cetera, et cetera. You are a lot to live up to.’ He smiled.
Dan shook his head, touched but embarrassed. ‘It was a long time ago. I learned how to cook here.’
Paulo left for the kitchen and they ate. Willis was glad not to be the one having to talk. She loved Italian food. Over their partnership, Carter had taken her into some of the best Italian cafés in London. He was a great cook, as well, they were right. The food on the table was her idea of heaven. As they finished one plate of antipasti, Paulo came out with lobster ravioli and fresh, stone-baked pizzas.
‘Did she come here?’ Carter asked as he started eating.
‘Yes, she came here for an afternoon,’ said Fredo, and Connie stopped eating to hear what he was going to say
. ‘Her heart is broken,’ continued Fredo. ‘She has so much to cope with, my poor little Della.’
Connie nodded. ‘You saw her, Dan?’
‘Very briefly. I gave her a lift after the wake. She didn’t want to stay at the country park with the others; I can understand why.’
‘She was grateful for that.’
Fredo proposed a toast.
‘To happier times,’ Fredo said, then shook his head sadly as he looked across at Willis. ‘That’s the problem, Ebony. You fall in love with your daughter’s boyfriend. You want her to stay with him for ever, to have beautiful babies and to take over your business some day, but then they go and spoil your dream by making a mistake.’
‘We can’t say it was a mistake, Fredo. It was her choice,’ Connie said, looking slightly anxious now as she listened to Fredo spill his heart across the table.
‘I know, I understand. But for me? It was a big mistake. It’s one hell of a family she married into. I think she sees trouble ahead. This is a tough time for Della.’
Carter looked at Connie, who nodded. ‘She doesn’t tell us much. But . . .’
‘It’s like marrying into the Mafia,’ added Fredo in a whisper. ‘She cannot go where she want, or see who she want. The family do not accept her; they never have. We are very worried for her.’
‘Can you help her, Dan?’ asked Connie.
Willis watched Carter’s reaction closely as he stared into his wine glass. She could see that it was a big thing for a proud, private woman like Connie to beg for help for her daughter.
‘I can try but I’m not sure how, or whether she’d want my help. At the moment we are working on trying to find Eddie’s killer.’
‘Huh . . .’ Fredo shook his head. ‘Good luck with that. We heard what they did to him. This was one Mafia to another; I don’t think you’re ever going to find who is responsible.’
‘Then you think Eddie was involved with organised crime? With something he shouldn’t have been?’ asked Carter.
‘No, not him, but surely the family is,’ answered Fredo. ‘I know that Eddie wanted to break away from them; Della told us that they were going to move. Eddie was getting ready to turn his back on the family.’
A silence ensued, while Carter drank his wine.
‘Is that what brings you here?’ asked Connie. ‘For information about Eddie?’ Willis glanced Carter’s way as an uncomfortable feeling had landed at the table.
‘No. I was just reminded of times gone by, that’s all.’
‘Della said it was nice seeing you again,’ said Connie with a smile.
Carter nodded. ‘Yeah, it was nice to see her too, after all these years. She’s as beautiful as ever.’ Connie and Fredo looked at one another and Connie smiled and nodded.
‘I can’t tell you how much she could do with a friend right now, Dan,’ she said.
‘I understand, I will do my best,’ said Carter. He looked across at Willis.
Willis asked, ‘Have you had anyone come in here looking for Della or talking to you about Eddie?’
‘I can’t think of anyone,’ answered Connie, looking across at Fredo, who shook his head to confirm. ‘No one strange.’
‘Dan, if this was a Mafia execution of Eddie,’ Connie asked, ‘does that mean all of us could be in danger?’
Carter paused before answering. He looked at Willis, who hesitated to answer for him.
‘We don’t know the answer to that yet, Connie,’ replied Carter. ‘We think it could have something to do with Eddie’s brother, Tony.’
‘That no-good piece of shit,’ said Fredo, throwing his napkin on the table in front of him and sitting back in his chair in disgust. ‘We always knew he would be trouble for Eddie and Della.’
‘Did Della ever talk about Tony and Eddie being involved in something illegal together?’ asked Carter.
‘No, of course not. Eddie was straight.’ Connie bristled. ‘He built top-of-the-range luxury villas for people all around the world.’
‘He was no Boy Scout,’ said Carter. ‘He set up the business with stolen money.’
‘It’s a long time ago,’ Fredo said defensively.
‘People were beaten up, doused in petrol, they thought they were going to die. The robberies they were involved in were brutal,’ Carter answered.
Carter stopped eating and wiped his mouth with the napkin. The table had become tense.
Fredo stared at his wine and shook his head slowly. ‘This is all in the past, Dan. He served his time in prison.’
‘Yeah, but he kept the spoils. The money from the diamonds was there waiting for him when he got out. His Paradise Villas was set up with it.’
‘What can we say, Dan?’ Fredo looked up. ‘Is this important now?’ he asked. ‘Is this still a reason to kill him?’
Carter shook his head. ‘No.’
‘Dan, we understand exactly the way you feel. But, we have learned to live with these facts over the years,’ Connie said. ‘We know about his past but the man we knew was gentle and kind. He was a good husband to Della. He didn’t deserve to die like that. No one deserves that.’
‘No, of course. That’s for certain,’ Carter answered. ‘We will do our best to find out who did it, and why. We are looking into his company, just in case there was trouble with a client of his. We talked to the manager at Paradise Villas before we came here today; do you know him?’
‘Billy Manson? Yes, we know him well,’ answered Connie. ‘When Eddie was over here working he’d come and see us and bring Billy with him. They often ate in here and Billy’s even been here with his family a few times. He has two great kids and a lovely wife, Jo.’
‘Eddie and Billy seemed like good friends,’ agreed Fredo, ‘not just colleagues. I know Eddie relied on Billy to run the business for him. He trusted him, so can you. Billy will tell you the truth.’
‘But we haven’t seen Billy for about a year now.’
‘What about Eddie? When was the last time you saw him?’
‘About six months ago,’ answered Connie.
‘Was that usual?’ Carter looked from Connie to Fredo.
‘No, we were thinking it was a long time since we saw him,’ answered Fredo. ‘Della said he had been working hard, that was all.’
‘She said Eddie was ready to start afresh, leave the family,’ Connie added.
‘Now it’s too late,’ said Fredo. ‘Poor Della.’
Chapter 11
Della got back to the villa after her talk with Tony; she had a rest and then got up and ran herself a bath. Her head and heart felt in freefall. She was trying hard to take one emotion at a time and not feel so overwhelmed that she fell apart. The one thing she was sure about was that Eddie’s family wouldn’t be waiting to catch her if she fell, they’d have already placed the daggers out.
Slipping into the warm water, she submerged her head and listened to the hum of silence in her waterlogged ears.
She listened to her own breathing, felt the tickle of the warm water creep across her scalp. She opened her eyes and saw Tony’s grinning face.
As she raised herself up out of the water, Tony’s hand grasped her throat and she felt the water rush into her nose as she fought for breath. She instinctively pulled at his hands around her neck but changed her defence to attack and punched hard into his face and throat. The last blow sucked all air from his windpipe and his face was out of her view as she rose in one leap forward and out of the bath. She stood naked, coldly angry, coughing. She watched him choking, retching on the floor. She was shaking with anger and with adrenalin.
‘Get out of my fucking house, Tony. You ever come in here again uninvited, I will kill you.’
Tony rolled onto his side and lay staring up at her, his eyes red from the effort. He clutched at his throat. Now he was so wiry and thin, all his ribs stuck out like a fossil.
Tony considered her for a moment and then he smiled and raised himself to his feet, breathing hard. His face was dripping wet. His eyes were black and mad. He
was nodding with some deep understanding that had just dawned on him.
‘Okay, princess. You have it your way. I can come in any time with the bulldozers. I can start knocking the walls down around you, and I will.’
‘You don’t own my house.’
‘I will soon. I spoke to the lawyer; now we have a new will. It signs everything, and I mean everything, over to Yours Truly. You, my little caged bird, are free. Free to fly away. And’ – Tony turned to leave after wiping his face with a towel nearby – ‘I suggest you fuck off before I bury you in this place. Pack your bags and leave. You better be nice to me – I’m the only thing stopping you getting sliced up like Eddie right now. Of course, they would take their time with you.’
Della felt the vomit rise acidic in her throat as she locked the door after Tony had gone and made a dash for the toilet. She tasted bitter bile as she retched. The porcelain toilet was cold beneath her hands as she gripped the sides.
Afterwards, she stood, washed her face and looked at the blotchy reflection staring back at her and averted her eyes. This was no time to feel sorry for herself; she was too scared to be a baby now. She was going to have to fight for everything she had left. Tony had some mad, vicious plan; she could see it in his whole demeanour. He looked delirious about it. Tony clearly knew a lot more than he was saying about Eddie’s death.
She went back to lie on her bed to try to calm herself. Could Eddie have left her so unprotected? He must have known this would happen. After an hour of staring at the ceiling and thinking things through she got up and went into the dressing room and opened the shoe closet. Then she knelt and uncovered Eddie’s personal safe. Her hands were shaking as she turned the combination. Surely, there must be deeds to the villa somewhere? She tried to open it. Twice she went wrong. Eddie had put in an anti-theft device. She knew she had one more attempt before it would be blocked. She went to Eddie’s side of the bed and pulled out the drawer. There was the book he always kept there. Della knew what page he’d told her the code was on. It was the sum of their birthdays. Hers was the 12th of February; his was the 9th of July. She added up the combination of numbers and turned to page 30. She took the first sentence on the page and the first letters of each word and wrote down the corresponding number to the position of the letter in the alphabet. Then she went across to the safe and carefully fed in the numbers. Her hands were still shaking as she reached inside and pulled out the files.