Where There's a Will ....There's Murder

by Julie Ramson

  He looked at her silently for a few moments. “Always. I had always done that, even when Uncle Herbert was alive. I can’t believe you don’t remember it, Emily, from your childhood.” He had a bland look on his face.

  I guessed that he would have been about 8 or 10 years older than Emily. “Did you ever work for your Uncle Herbert?” I asked.

  “Briefly in about 1985 or so. I was about 25 at the time and needed a job to help pay for grad school. Uncle Herbert gave me odd jobs to do but after he died I went to work for the Museum of Science and Industry as a janitor and then a security guard.”

  “I don’t remember that either.” Emily sounded defensive.

  John gave her a sharp glance. “You weren’t around much then.” Emily flushed. “And, you were a lot younger. Ten years’ difference at that age seems like more.” His voice had a faint edge to it.

  Emily didn’t answer. Odd, I thought, watching them. They grew up in close proximity and yet there certainly wasn’t much affection there. Almost an undercurrent of hostility.

  “Do you know if your aunt ever made a will?” I asked. He looked surprised.

  “No, I don’t know. I assumed she did but I don’t really know.” He eyed me. “Why?”

  “Well, we can’t determine if she ever did. No will has surfaced.”

  John shrugged. “I can’t help you there.” He turned to Sean. “She never mentioned one to me.” Emily was still watching John intently.

  Digs spoke, “John, when was the last time you saw or spoke to your aunt?”

  John looked down. “I was there for Thanksgiving dinner and called her the next day to thank her again. She invited me over for dinner on the following Sunday. She said she had something she wanted to talk to me about but, of course, by Sunday she was........it had happened.”

  “You didn’t know what she wanted?” I asked.

  He shook his head. “No. I never found out.”

  Watching John, I wasn’t sure what I saw. Certainly, a very handsome man, articulate and well educated. I also saw someone who had been genuinely fond of Lily and mourned her loss. But there was something odd in the interaction between him and Emily.

  Our conversation turned to the news of the day and lighter topics. We lingered a bit over coffee then asked for the bill. We split it and left a generous tip to cover the extra time we had sat at the table.

  John got his coat. “It was a pleasure meeting all of you,” he said. He looked directed at Sean. “I hope you find whoever did this to Aunt Lily. She deserves that.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet. “Sean, here’s my card. Please call me if you learn anything else.”

  “John, could I have one, too?” I asked. “Just in case I think of something or need to reach you.”

  “Sure,” he said and gave me one. I handed him my card as well. “It has been great meeting you and, again, I am so sorry about your aunt. She sounds like a wonderful woman.”

  “She was,” John said. “She was a truly good woman. I will miss her greatly.” he said. He shook hands all around and left.

  We all got up from the table and headed toward the door. Sean helped me walk over to it and got my coat. “What’s wrong with your leg?” Emily asked. She frowned. I glanced at Sean and Jimmy.

  “Oh, a slight problem. I’ll tell you about it later.” Emily seemed like she was going to ask me more but Jimmy took her arm.

  “Ready?” He started ushering her out the door. Sean stayed behind after John, Emily and Jimmy had left. I was able to walk but it was slow.

  “Brice Connolly wants another Task Force meeting tomorrow at 11. Same place. Okay?” He didn’t look happy.

  I scowled. “For what? We don’t know any more than we did on Sunday.” The last thing, the very last thing I wanted was to see Olivia again.

  Plus, my leg was starting to throb. I opened my purse and dug around for my pain pills. I found the bottle and swallowed one dry. I’d had enough to eat, I thought. Sean watched me.

  “Maggie, how much does your leg hurt?” he asked.

  “Some, not terrible. I’m going to go home and put it up.” I smiled. “It’s fine, though.”

  “Uh huh. That’s why you’re taking pain pills.” Sam made a face at me. I had to laugh.

  “Just taking one before I try to get some sleep with it!” I laughed. “I also have to change the dressing. Probably won’t be fun.” I made a face. “My head, my face, my nose, now my leg......I’m starting to feel like the target at a demolition derby!” Keep it light, Mag.

  Digs said nothing, just took my arm. We all went out and got in our cars. Sean was taking Sam home and Digs got in the driver’s seat of my CRV. It was much easier to get in and out of that than his truck. With a last wave, we left.

  When we got to the apartment building, Digs walked me into the foyer. “I’ll go get Killer. Wait here for me.” he disappeared into the elevator and I sat in of the chairs. My leg was really starting to hurt. In minutes, he was back with Killer, who greeted me like it had been years, not hours, since he had seen me. “I’ll wait in here, Digs.” I was careful not to look at him.

  He nodded and walked out with Killer. I watched him go. I couldn’t help it. I did like him and I wasn’t happy about that. I sighed. Olivia seemed to always be right there in my mind. She was so much more right for Digs than I was. Not that it mattered. He was tumbleweed, always going on, always moving. I shook my head. I wasn't going to think about that.

  I limped over to the front part of the building where our mailboxes were, just inside the front door. I hadn't gotten my mail in a couple of days and as I leaned against the wall to pull out my key to open my box, a large hand grabbed my arm from behind, pulling me out the front door. I was too startled to scream - because of the suddenness of the attack but also because of the sudden, sharp pain in my leg. Someone jammed a large hand over my mouth, yanking my head back.

  CHAPTER TWENTY - TWO

  The man shoved me against the outside wall, keeping his hand over my mouth. I couldn't breathe. He bent down and leaned in, his face very close to mine. Pushing hard on my face, he used his other hand to pull on the scarf around my neck.

  “Where is it?” He growled the words. He had a big scar across his forehead and pockmarked skin. His hand was huge. I couldn’t tell the color of his eyes, but they were cold. Flat. Scary.

  “I - I - what?” I stammered as his hand eased up slightly.

  “You know what. The money. Where is it? Them bills?” He lifted his hand from my mouth.

  I tried to shake my head. “We do-don’t - have - I don’t know!”

  “You all been in that house - you have it!” He leaned in closer and pulled on my scarf. “Them bills is Vito’s! And he wants 'em back.” He tugged again on my scarf, harder. It was tight, starting to choke me.

  I was speechless. Even without his hand over my mouth. I could only shake my head. The scarf was cutting off my air.

  “You find them hundreds.” He shoved me away from the wall and I fell down hard into the bushes as he let go and ran down the street. I crawled on my hands and knees to the front sidewalk. My leg throbbed and I could feel something wet. I was shaking and weak. I couldn’t get up.

  “Digs!” I tried to scream but my mouth was dry. “Digs!” That was better.

  “Maggie! Maggie! My god, what happened?” Killer and Digs came running around the building toward me. “You weren’t where I left you! What happened?” He helped me up. I held on to his arm for balance - and for strength. I was scared to death.

  “A man - He grabbed me! He wants the money! He said he knows we have it! I told him we didn’t and he said to find it! He said Vito wants those hundreds back!” By this time, I was clinging to Digs as if he were a lifeline. I guess he was.

  “Maggie, let’s go upstairs. We’ll call Sean. It’s okay, Mag, it’s okay.” He kept repeating that to me as we moved toward the elevator. My leg was killing me and I knew it was bleeding. Digs held me up as we walked. I couldn't have done it with
out him.

  CHAPTER TWENTY - THREE

  Once in the apartment, Digs carried me into the bathroom so I could brush my teeth and wash the feel of that man’s hand off my face. I scrubbed hard. I used mouthwash. I could still smell him.

  Digs settled me on the sofa with a glass of water and a pain pill. He put a towel under my leg and laid out the gauze and sterile water. I knew it was bleeding. I could feel it. After getting everything ready, Digs called Sean and told him what had happened. Sean, of course, said he was on his way. Bless Sean! And Digs.

  Digs kept up a steady stream of chatter. He put a pillow on my lap so I couldn’t see the wound. He lifted my skirt back up over the wound.

  “Mag, I planned to get your skirt lifted.....but not like this!” he teased as he soaked the bandage for removal. He cleaned the wound with the sterile water. I could feel him wiping away the blood and putting tight bandaids that pulled on the cut, then gauze, then tape across the wound. He wrapped my leg with more gauze then taped that in place as well, all the while chatting and distracting me.

  “You’re very good at this,” I said curiously.

  “Ought to be. I have two brothers who are as devilish as I am and we spent many an hour in the ER - or bandaging each other up, sometimes without the ER, hoping our parents wouldn’t find out that we were injured.....much less how we got that way!” He laughed. Then he wiggled his eyebrows at me. “I’m just full of talents you don’t know about, Mag! And I love to play doctor,” he ended with an exaggerated leer as he pulled my skirt down. I laughed.

  By the time he was finished, Sean was at the door, along with Jimmy, Olivia and Brice. Great. Sean must have called them. The whole damn gang. This was getting very old.

  “Maggie!” Sean rushed to the sofa, followed by Brice and Jimmy. Olivia stood leaning against the wall and Digs remained seated on the sofa at my side. I noticed Brice was in jeans and so was Olivia - Perfect Olivia. Hers were designed jeans, though. Of course.

  I was feeling much better. Safer. There wasn’t really a good reason for that logically but who cared?

  “Take a breath, Sean!” I put my hand on his arm. “I was scared. I’m fine. My leg bled a little but Digs re-bandaged it.” Out of the corner of my eye I could see Olivia’s mouth tighten.

  “What happened, Mag? Start at the beginning.” So I did. I told them how I was reaching for the mail when a man grabbed me. I repeated what he said as best I could. I told them he was a very, very big man with an ugly scar across his forehead.

  “How do you know he was very tall?” Sean pressed me.

  I thought a minute. He had to lean way over to get me eye to eye and I'm not short.” I thought again. “His face was very scarred. Not just the big one on his forehead but pockmarked. Heavy.” I sighed, adding. “But my description of him and the events might not be exact.” “Why not?” Olivia asked. “Poor lighting?

  I stared at her. “Yeah, but even more, pure terror. Loss of air when he yanked on my scarf. Unbelievable pain in my leg.” I made a face. “Those things.”

  Brice smiled. “Oh, Maggie, you've done a great job with the description. We appreciate it, thanks.”

  Digs helped me sit up more and propped up my leg. He smiled and said, “Yeah, terror can goof up the best description.” I hit him with the sofa pillow.

  Sean relaxed once he saw I could still be a smart mouth about it. Olivia frowned.

  “Maggie, this is serious!”

  I stopped. “I know, Olivia. Believe me, I do know!” I shrugged. “But it’s over and I’m fine. He could have really hurt me but he didn’t. He didn’t intend to hurt me. He didn’t even really threaten me! I’m fine,” I repeated.

  Brice smiled. “Yeah?” But he smiled then looked at Sean and Digs and Jimmy - as if for support. “But,” he paused, his face serious, “I think you should consider a safehouse for a few days.”

  “No!” I was definite. I was not moving. “Brice, I don’t want to be forced out of my own apartment!”

  Olivia spoke up. “This is exactly why we don’t like civilians involved in these things. They are at risk for being hurt - or worse - and they use up resources!”

  Digs’ head snapped up. “Don’t worry about the resources, Olivia,” he said sharply. “She won’t use any. I’ll be here with her.” Olivia flushed.

  “I only meant...” she faltered. I gave her a sour look. She was clearly not happy about any of this – not out of concern for me, I thought wryly, but rather because I was getting so much attention. She made it clear she'd rather I was not around. Come to think of it, I wouldn’t mind having her far away too - like on another planet in another galaxy for example.

  “I know what you meant, Olivia.” Digs’ tone of voice was softer though.

  Brice looked from one to the other, then back at me. He said, “Maggie, we have safehouses and I am very willing - in fact, I would prefer it - if you went to one. But of course, I won’t force you to.” He turned to Digs. “If you’re here - I assume you have a gun.”

  Digs just looked at him. Brice nodded.

  “Well, then. Maggie, if you are up to it, I would like you to come to the meeting tomorrow morning but I understand if you can’t.” His tone was gentle and he had taken my hand.

  “Brice, I will be there.” I smiled. He was a softie for all his FBI toughness. “This could have been much worse! I was scared but I truly am fine now.” I looked around the room. “And, as you can see, there’s no shortage of big men who are certainly happy to tell me what to do!” They laughed. “And, since I’m not as mobile as usual.....” I finished dryly. Brice laughed too.

  “I see that.” He was still smiling. “We will see you tomorrow, then.”

  The men moved to the door, still talking about the meeting. Olivia and I just looked at each other. No expression on her face - probably not on mine, either.

  I motioned Sean to stay. When they had all left, Killer came creeping out of the bathroom. Poor Killer! What a day he’d had! He came over and looked at me sadly. He really needed a hug. I scratched his ears and his head and he snuggled right in for more. Goofy dog.

  “Sean, I haven't had a chance to ask you about Ben Freeman! Emily was there at dinner and then John, but tell me! Did you find anything on him?”

  Sean considered. “Just a couple of teenage things, like he said, but they were assaults. Possibly gang related, but not the mob. He's been at that corner with his garage for about 12 years. No other arrests, no other complaints.”

  “He's a little rough, Mag.” he added. “I don't see a motive for murdering Lily, though – much less Louie Bacci.” He paused. “And those two murders are definitely tied together.”

  “Do you think he's capable of murder, though?”

  “Anyone is, Maggie. Just depends.” Spoken like a true homicide cop. “We're going to do some more checking, that's for sure. Something's off there.” He rubbed his eyes.

  Sean looked exhausted. I shooed him out and leaned back on the couch. My leg was still throbbing but the pain pills had started to dull it.

  Digs came over and checked the bandage again. “I want to just make sure that there’s no more blood on the dressing,” Digs said. It was still clean. No blood. Digs looked relieved. Nothing serious had broken open in my fall.

  “I would like to get into the bathroom, though.” I looked at Digs. He nodded and came over and picked me up. He carried me in. When he put me down, we stood looking at each other for a moment.

  “I’ll get your nightshirt.” His eyes searched my face.

  I smiled and nodded. I reached up and touched his face with my fingers. “Digs, thank you. For everything. I’m glad you’re here.”

  He reached up and took my hand, holding it. “Me too, Maggie.” He leaned over and kissed me softly. “But anytime now, feel free to stop getting attacked, shot at, mugged.......I don’t know how many more of these close calls I can take!” He grinned but then touched my cheek. “I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

  Tears
stung my eyes. “I know,” I whispered. He kissed me once more and then left the room. He returned with my nightshirt.

  “I’m going to make you some of your almond tea. I think you need it.” He smiled and left.

  I did my night stuff thinking about what a treasure Digs really was. For someone. Not me, though.

  He came back in a few minutes and carried me to the table. This man was in shape! He sat with me and we went over the events once more. I couldn’t remember anything else but I found that talking about it had eased some of the terror of it. He wanted to carry me into the bedroom but I insisted on trying to walk. It went all right - slow, but all right.

  We settled into bed and Digs pulled me closer, spooning. “It’s a law, Maggie. Bed rights include spooning. I’m surprised you didn’t learn that in law school.” Then, just before I fell asleep, he whispered, “I’m glad I’m here, too, Maggie. There’s no place I’d rather be right now.” I fell asleep smiling.

  CHAPTER TWENTY - FOUR

  WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16

  I woke alone in bed. It was warm and cozy and I could hear sleet or rain or something outside. I looked at the clock. 8:10 am. I could snooze a bit longer. I closed my eyes and ten seconds later about 100 pounds of dog landed on the bed next to me. I grunted and opened one eye. Killer was licking my face and wagging his rear end. Digs stood in the doorway, leaning against the frame.

  “Up, Lazybones! We have a big, important Task Force meeting to get ready for.”

  I gave him the evil eye. “It’s not nice to wake an injured woman with a vicious dog at this ungodly hour of the morning.”

  The ‘vicious dog’ in question had just rolled over, paws in the air waiting for me to scratch his belly. A fearsome creature indeed.

  Digs raised a brow at me. “Yeah, he’s scary.” He came over and pulled Killer off. “Come on, Big Guy, let the lady get dressed.”