by Julie Ramson
“I think he’s been dead for several days but it’s hard to tell since he was frozen from being kept in the cellar in this cold weather.” Shrugged. “The fire really didn't get to him. No ID yet. Same MO as Lily Hastings and Louie Bacci. One bullet hole to the forehead.”
Sean sighed. “The house is completely trashed. Someone was looking for something there - just like the Hastings house.”
Jimmy looked up. “Did you get the bullet?”
“No, but I will when I do the autopsy tomorrow morning. It’s still in the skull. Shot from close up, I think. Your boys said they got the casing, however. Looks the same as the Hastings and Bacci casings.”
I spoke up. “Dr. Cargill, Mrs. O’Brien is one of the neighbors. She said that Mr. Castelletti was in his fifties, lived alone and didn’t mix well with the neighbors. He only moved in a few months ago. Maybe she or Irma Gorman could ID him.”
Sean and the ME exchanged glances. “I don’t know, he doesn’t look good,” The doctor said thoughtfully. “It would help if we had an ID though.”
Sean looked at me. “I guess we could ask one of them if they would mind. The boys said there wasn’t much in the house on any family members. No photos yet, no address book. Could you ask Mrs. O’Brien if she can do this? I don’t want to get her upset though.”
I shrugged. “I can ask. She’s a pretty game old gal. I’ll check and be back.”
I crossed Mr. Casteletti's yard toward Mrs. O’Brien’s house. I hated to do this. I knocked on the door and she answered.
“Oh, Maggie, what a wonderful dog! He’s been a lamb.” I didn’t tell her that Killer was always a lamb. In fact, he was all lamb and no lion.
“Mrs. O’Brien, there is something I want to ask you. There is a body in that house and no one knows who it is. He’s been there for a few days or more and....” I hesitated, “in this weather, he was frozen. He doesn’t look very good but do you think you could take a quick look and just tell us if that is Mr. Castelletti? I hate to ask and you certainly don’t have to, but it would really help.”
“Of course, dear. I was a nurse for over thirty years. Not much bothers me!” She got her coat and keys and stepped outside. Killer looked at us through the storm door, mournful. “Killer, you come too,” she said. “I can’t bear to see him look sad,” she explained.
Damn dog! That’s what he did to me! What was it about Killer that made us want to baby him so much! I had to shake my head and smile.
Mrs. O’Brien, Killer and I went back to Sean. “Mrs. O’Brien’s a nurse, says she can look at the body and let us know if it is Mr. Castelletti.” I told him. Mrs. O’Brien grimaced. “Let’s do it!” she said.
We walked over to the ME hearse. The body was in the black bag and lying on the cart. The attendant waited for Dr. Cargill to step up. He unzipped the top of bag down just a bit, enough to see the face.
The front of it was reddish blue and desiccated, as if it had been frozen but the sides looked tinged from the fire.
“He was found face down, which is why his color is red on the front and the skin had slight burning on the sides,” Dr. Cargill said. There was also, of course, the bullet hole in the forehead.
Mrs. O’Brien paled but stood her ground. I put an arm around her. “Oh yes,” she said. “That’s Mr. Castalletti.” She turned away and I could see her hand shaking a bit as she pulled her coat closer around her. I kept my arm around her and walked her home. It had gotten a lot colder.
“I’m really fine, dear,” she said as we got to her front porch. “Just never pleasant to see death and worse when it is murder. I think I’ll just have a cup of tea and get my balance back.” I went in the house with her, Killer at our heels. She went into the kitchen and put on the kettle. I sat down at the table. I was getting familiar with this.
I decided to change the subject from murder. “I have to tell you how much all of us have loved your cookies!” I exclaimed. “You are an amazing baker!” She turned and smiled at me, distracted.
“Yes, I love to bake,” she said absently. “It’s always hard to see someone whose life has been taken away before his time, so ‘tis. Don’t you think?” She turned to me. So much for diversion.
“Yes. You really helped the police, Mrs. O’Brien. You’re great. I know it was hard.”
“Not as hard for me as it was for Mr. Castelletti,” she said with a sad smile. “And he was such a crab! Still.....” her voice trailed off. “I expect the police will want to ask me more questions, though.”
“Tell me more about your daughter and the party you are all giving her for her birthday, Mrs. O’Brien. You’ve helped but now we are going to think of happier things.” I was firm.
We chatted then for a while about families. I told her about Mary Grace, Michael and the kids. She showed me some pictures of her daughter Jennifer, and her three granddaughters. We talked about San Diego and finally, I said I would take Killer and let her pack. By the time I left she was much more cheerful. She and Irma had decided to stay together that night since Irma was taking her to O’Hare the following morning for her trip to California and both were uneasy about staying alone. I was relieved to hear this and teased her about her upcoming pajama party and told her to have a great time in San Diego. I got Killer and left after one more hug.
When I got back to the Castelletti yard, two doors down, there was just Sean, Digs and Brice left standing there. None of them looked happy. Most of the neighbors had gone home.
Brice took my arm again and pulled me aside. “I really am glad to see you again, Maggie,” he said. “I’ve heard you and Norman are no longer together and I’m hoping I can talk you into having dinner with me tonight. Please don’t tell me you have plans.” He smiled.
Wow, he had charm to spare, I thought. He could make you feel special just by looking at you. Wouldn’t you know I’d meet Brice again looking like I’d gone 10 rounds with a Mohammad Ali? Figures. Kind of like Johnny Depp meeting the Bride of Frankenstein.
“Brice, I really can’t tonight but maybe another time? I really would like a raincheck.” I tried to give a charming smile but really, the thought of explaining dinner with Brice to Sean - much less Digs - made my head ache.
“Of course. Sean told me about your attack.” He really did have sexy eyes. They looked like dark chocolate. And I love chocolate.
Digs came up behind me. Again, he put the hand on my shoulder. This was getting old. “Maggie’s had some injuries, Brice. I think she needs a quiet night.” Clearly he had been listening.
Brice locked eyes with him. “I agree. A nice quiet dinner out.”
“Or in. I’m going to see that she gets a hot meal and then......” Digs started.
“Stop! I’m not even hungry! Thanks, Brice, but I do think another time would be better. Digs, you too! Another time! I really am tired and my face is beginning to hurt.” It wasn’t but I had had enough!
Brice smiled at me. “Okay, Maggie. I’ll hold you to that. Are you in the phone book?” I nodded and he leaned in and kissed my cheek. “Take care. Get some rest and I will talk to you soon.” He locked eyes again with Digs and left.
“Don’t start, Digs, I mean that! Not a word!” I was getting angry.
Digs searched my face for a minute, then ran a gentle finger down the side of my cheek. “I’m sorry, Mag. I am going to see you safely home, though, and get you some dinner.”
That did sound good. I wasn’t anxious to go home alone, not after another murder. What in the hell was this case all about, anyway?
Digs and I told Sean we were leaving. I told him I would look at the files on Lily and Louie and get back to him. He nodded at me and turned back to his cell phone. He was making arrangements to attend the autopsy the next day.
I climbed in the car with Digs driving and Killer in back. He seemed to sense that it had been a rough day and pushed his head between the seats to rest it in my lap. He licked my hand. I patted his head and smiled. My Killer.
When we got home, Digs got
out with Killer. I watched them walk across the parking lot while I stayed in the car and waited. I had no desire to go into my apartment alone. Digs came back, opened my door and took my hand as we walked toward the building. He didn’t say anything, just walked with me. When we got to my door, he went in first, gun drawn. I've said I hate guns and I do. But I was also glad he had one right then.
He came back out and gestured me in. Everything looked the same. Nothing out of place. Digs put his arm around my shoulders and ushered me to the couch.
“So, Toots, what sounds good? Italian? Mexican? Pizza?” He got a beer from the refrigerator and handed it to me.
“Pizza. With anchovies and pepperoni.” Suddenly I was famished.
“Anchovies? Are you kidding?” Digs said in astonishment. “Really?”
“Yes. I know, I know, they are disgusting and no one should eat them but I like them and that’s what I want.”
Digs started laughing. “Oh, Toots, this is fate! I love anchovies and no one ever wants them on a pizza with me! We are meant to be!”
I rolled my eyes. “Oh, yeah. This is a clear and direct sign from God about us. No doubt. Practically as good as an e mail from Him.” I did a gentle head slap and another huge eye roll.
He gave me The Look and went to the refrigerator where I had the menus of a dozen different restaurants hanging. “Gino’s okay?” He asked.
I nodded. He picked up the phone and I put my head back on the couch. Just for a minute.
The next thing I knew there was knocking at the door. Digs went over and looked through the eye hole. He opened it, took the pizza and gave the guy his money. I yawned and stretched
“How long was I out?” I asked.
“Long enough to get the pizza,” he said. We sat down at the dining room table and dug in. I ate like I had not seen food in a week. Actually, as I thought about it, I hadn’t eaten much except cookies that day. No wonder this tasted like heaven.
“So, Maggie. Who’s Norman?” Digs’ eyes were dancing.
“No one. Just a guy I knew.” I didn’t look at him.
“Maggie, Maggie. Sean said you’d been engaged to him. No?” Digs picked up a second piece of pizza.
I rolled my eyes. “You’re at the scene of a murder and you and Sean talked about Norman? Get real, Digs.” I got my second piece, too.
Digs laughed. “Well, it was better than talking about gunshot holes. So, who was Norman?” He asked again, reaching for a third piece. “Mr. Wonderful? Mr. Teacher?”
“Oh, please. Old news. Not interesting.” I did not want to discuss Norman! I shrugged, so casually.
Digs put his tongue in his cheek. “Ah, the master of your sexual education? The expert?”
I almost laughed out loud. Sex with Norman was ........boring. And fast. Fortunately. “Uh huh. Right. And that’s all I am going to say.”
Digs' eyes danced and he leaned back. I got up and started to pick up Digs’ plate. He gripped my wrist. “Still some pizza left, Toots. Have another piece.”
Eying the pizza, I considered. Because I am as tall as the Eiffel Tower, I can pretty much eat what I want and stay thin. But if I keep up this diet of cookies and pizza I will soon look more like the Capitol Rotunda and have to hire Omar the Tent Maker to make my clothes.
“Nope. Enough.” I picked up the pizza and wrapped it in foil for the frige. Killed looked disappointed and frowned at me.
“Don't think by ending the dinner you have ended this topic. We can finish this conversation another time, Toots. But finish it we will.” Digs grinned.
Peachy. Nothing I like better than rehashing my romantic failures. We would finish this conversation when hell froze over.
Digs took the plates from me and rinsed them. Then he loaded the dishwasher and came back to the table where I sat. He pulled his chair around to sit next to me. I had pulled the files over and opened the one on Lily Hastings.
The police reports were short and written in cop shorthand. On the night of December 2, the dispatcher at 911 received a hysterical call from an Emily Hastings. She reported finding her elderly aunt, Lily Hastings lying on the floor of the kitchen in a pool of blood. A patrol car was dispatched and the body of 71 year old Lily Hastings was found as described. She had a bullet hole to her forehead. A single casing was found on the floor about six feet from the body. There were no fingerprints or gun found in the house. Entry was through a 3' by 4' window next to the kitchen door. There was broken glass scattered in the kitchen, indicating the window was broken from the outside in. The body showed no signs of struggle except for a large bruise on the top of the victim’s head, probably from blunt trauma. No weapon was found but the indentation was consistent with the butt of a gun.
The Hastings house had been ransacked. Every room, all the cabinets and drawers had been thoroughly searched, all contents scattered and broken, but no fingerprints left anywhere. Pictures were included in the report and appeared to me to show the same carnage I had seen. At least, for as much as I had seen of the house. The photographer had been good. He had taken detailed photos, down to the smashed clock and the photos on the dining room floor.
I studied the pictures of the living room which I had not seen, and the bedrooms and the bath. There were three bedrooms. One was on the first floor, with the bath next to it and two more on the floor above. This might have been a separate flat at one time, but there were no pictures of a kitchen so at some point it must have been remodeled. The third floor was one large room and did not appear to be in use. It was stacked with boxes, old trunks, chairs and lamps. It did not look ransacked but then, it was hard to tell. Stuff was piled everywhere.
The autopsy report indicated a healthy, 71 year old white female with blunt trauma to the top of the head and a gunshot wound to the forehead. The back of the skull was missing from the exit of the bullet. The bullet itself was a 9 mm with specific striations. It matched the bullet in size and striations with the bullet used to kill Louie Bacci, found murdered on December 3 in Cicero, Illinois. My guess was it would match the bullet in Mr. Casteletti's head too.
The cause of death for Mrs. Hastings was a bullet wound to the head. The manner of death was murder.
A statement by Emily was included. She reported having stopped in to see her aunt as usual. She brought dinner and was also slightly worried because Lily had not answered her phone. She used her key to enter Lily’s house when her knock was unanswered. She found the house in disarray and then discovered her aunt’s body in the kitchen. She used her cell phone to call 911.
Digs looked at me as we read the reports. “Someone was certainly looking for something.” he said thoughtfully. “Wonder what it was.”
I stretched. The day was catching up with me. And what about Digs? Was he going to stay over or not? I didn’t know what I wanted. On the one hand, I didn’t really want to be alone that night. On the other, Digs was dangerous, too. I sighed.
Digs had leaned his chair back and was watching me with an eyebrow cocked and an amused smile on his lips. “It’s always fun watching your mind at work,” he said. “Can’t decide if you are more afraid of being all alone tonight or of being alone with me?” He chuckled.
“Hardly,” I rolled my eyes and stuck my tongue in my cheek. “You don’t scare me in the slightest.” Back to the lies. He did scare me. Always before I had dated men I could control. And usually dated men I really didn’t care if I could control. All that head over heels, I-will-die-for-you crap was blarney. Not for me. But Digs - there was an energy there that I wasn’t sure I could control.
“Yeah?” He leaned forward, putting his chair back on all four legs. “Yeah?” he said again, leaning closer. “Not scared, huh?” He leaned closer, lips hovering over mine, eyes wide open, watching me. He reached over and brushed a finger over jaw, down my neck. That got a response. My stomach was making fluttering feelings. It’s the anchovies, I thought. No more anchovies. His fingers brushed under the top of my sweater. Oh, man. Might not be the anchovies.
He sat back and then stood, pulling me up with him. He kissed me, all hot and deep and hard. My stomach clenched. Everything clenched. He put his hands at my waist, under my sweater. Started moving north. I did want to stop him. Really. He kept moving north and circled ground zero.
I pulled back. “Stop it,” I laughed. Elaborately bored. As if I had not wanted more too. I took a shaky breath.
“I’m just trying to get some more experience,” he grinned. “Learn from the master.”
I gave him the Yeah, right look. “I’m going to take a shower and then I am going to bed.” I gave an elaborate yawn. He just grinned even more. Damn those dimples. I wanted to kiss each one. That was a complication I did not need.
“Want company - either place?” He moved toward me.
“No! I mean, I don’t think it’s a good idea tonight. I’m still kind of stiff, my face hurts, I mean....”
“Oh, Toots, I know exactly what you mean. But I’m here. Anytime.” He brushed past me, turned and kissed my neck. “Anytime.”
I shook my head and moved away toward the bathroom. “I’ll see you in the morning,” I said firmly. Once in the bathroom, I moved Killer out of the tub again. “Sorry, Pal. I need this more than you do.” I stood under the hot water and scrubbed. Another murder. Digs. What was happening in my life?
I got out and toweled off. I wrapped the towel around me and brushed my teeth. I had forgotten my nightshirt. Damn. I opened the door a little. Looked clear. I stepped out, towel around me.
“Going somewhere, Toots?” I jumped a foot. Digs was right there.
“Jesus and Mary! Don’t do that! You scared the hell out of me!”
That damn grin again. “Just coming to get Killer for his last nightly stroll.” His eyes traveled to the top of my towel. “But he could wait if he had to.”
“Forget it. He needs the walk.” I clutched the towel tighter. “Just go. Some cold air will be good for both of you.”