Potts Better Butter Bakery

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Potts Better Butter Bakery Page 11

by S. D. Anderson


  Twenty minutes later, Williams knocked. “Connie and Sativa are here, Sarge,” Williams whispered as he peeked into the office.

  “Bring them in, Williams,” Matt said in a soft voice waking up the dozing dignified man.

  “Matt,” Sativa had to restrain herself from leaning over the desk and giving him a hug.

  “Hi, Matt, we tried to hurry,” Connie said, as the dignified man stood, retrieved his briefcase, and extended his hand.

  “My name is James W. Marshall IV from the law firm of Marshall and Sutter. Our offices are located at 600 Montgomery Street in the South Market Financial District in San Francisco.”

  Matt immediately made the formal introductions and Connie reached forward and shook the man’s hand. Sativa followed.

  “Please be seated,” Matt said as he brought forward another chair and walked around his desk to sit in his own. Archie came in quietly and stood by the door to thwart any intrusion.

  Mr. Marshall IV Esq. cleared his throat, sat his briefcase on the front of Matt’s desk with a ‘May I’ and proceeded to pull documents out and lay them neatly across the edge of the desk.

  “What is this all about, if I may ask?” Connie asked politely.

  “First, I need to determine your identity, Madam,” he began. “Are you Constance Maria Columbo Cappelli?”

  “Yes, I was but changed my name back to my maiden name, Columbo, when I moved here with my daughter Gina. Please call me Connie.”

  “Were you at any time, the wife of Basilio Cappelli?”

  “Yes,” Connie answered hesitantly.

  “Can anyone here verify this information?”

  Both Matt and Sativa said “Yes!” in unison.

  “Thank you. Now I can proceed. I have here some legal papers for you to sign and if you two will witness the signature?”

  “Wait a minute, what legal papers?” Matt asked annoyed with the high-handedness of this procedure.

  “The first papers are to legally identify Constance as the wife of Basilio Cappelli. Once that is signed and witnessed, we can continue.” He handed the papers first to Matt and then to Sativa who signed and passed the documents back and Mr. Marshall also added his signature. He filed the papers back into his briefcase and withdrew three bank books.

  He opened the first one and handed it to Connie.

  “When Basilio sold his interest in the casino he came to me and asked me to set up these accounts. This is a trust fund for the new baby listed here as boy baby grandson because we had no legal name for him. When he is christened, we can make the changes. The account has a balance of $250,000 in trust for him until he comes of age at 21.”

  Connie started to cry. Sativa handed her a package of tissues which Connie gratefully used.

  “There is a second book for his daughter, Gina Marie Cappelli, that account, also in trust for $250,000. We will have to have Gina sign the necessary papers. I understand she is at home with the baby.” He handed the books to Connie who was muttering her thanks through the pile of used tissues.

  “The third book is for you, Connie, the account holds the rest of the funds from the casino sale, $500,000.”

  Connie fainted.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Sativa was about to drop cold water on Connie’s face when she sat up and pushed Sativa’s hand with the cup away. “So sorry, I have never fainted in my life. Please forgive me. The news is so overwhelming.” Connie turned to the elderly attorney and said, “Mr. Marshall, I am so grateful for what you have done for Basilio and us. How can we ever repay you?”

  “No need, my dear lady, Basilio has already done that with a very generous payment. We still must have Gina sign the papers before I fly back tonight. Could you help me with that part?”

  Sativa and Connie stood and almost overwhelmed Mr. Marshall with hugs.

  “Of course Sativa would be only too pleased to drive you to our home immediately. Would you like to meet the new baby? How about a home cooked meal before you leave?”

  “I would so enjoy both if you please. How old is the baby?” A month? When is the christening?”

  “Things have been so chaotic; we have not thought about it.” Connie said honestly.

  “No problem. Your local bank can make the changes to the account for you when you are ready, but I would love to meet the little guy. Basilio was so excited to be a grandpapa. He knew Gina was expecting. What a shame that he never got to see the baby.” Which brought a few tears to Connie’s eyes.

  “Basilio’s killer, a man called Knifey, is already in custody. The FBI flew the entire gang back to Vegas two days ago.” Matt added. Mr. Marshall nodded.

  “Come, let’s allow Matt to get on with his business. We’ll take Mr. Marshall back to meet Gina and the baby.” Sativa suggested gently as she rose and helped Connie to her feet. Mr. Marshall shook hands with Matt and was profuse with his thanks for the use of his office and his time. He also extended his thanks to Archie for his help. He gathered his briefcase and pronounced himself ready.

  The ride to Connie’s was over quickly. Mr. Marshall admired the little house and the well-kept yard. There appeared to be room enough for a set of swings in the back yard. Mike had the door open before they even got out of the car. Gina bounced down the steps to meet her mother and to give Mr. Marshall a huge hug. Matt had already told Mike the news.

  The baby was once more adored, this time by a doting grandfatherly figure, (Mr. Marshall). He had made his intentions very clear that he would act as Surrogate Grandfather for the baby’s Paternal Grandfather. He assured everyone present that this was a commonly accepted legal procedure.

  The delicious home-made meal, praised profusely by the guest from California, had been eaten family style. The remains had been cleared away and they were relaxing around the table with coffee and a cake from the bakery Indica had just baked that day without the ‘better butter’. It was the perfect time for reminiscing about Basilio and his life. Mr. Marshall took the spotlight and told what he knew of the story:

  “I met Basilio when he was an infant in his mother’s arms. She was a bride of a few months when her husband, Basilio’s father was killed in the war. Her parents were well-to-do socialites in San Francisco and would not acknowledge the child nor the husband who was of Italian background. That is when she decided to come to me for help, or rather my father, Marshall the third. She had decided to place the baby in an orphanage for adoption since her parents refused to acknowledge him or her and had cut her off from the family and any financial help. After that, she was sent to live with her paternal grandmother as a maid/companion (a punishment). She never re-married. When the grandmother died a year ago, she left Carmella without a penny. I found out about Carmella’s death few months later when I made provisions for her burial. A most sad story. Especially since Carmella’s’ well-to-do parents never had any other children and sad to say no other grandchildren.”

  The group, Connie, Gina, Sativa, Indica, Matt and Mike sat in silence for a few minutes digesting this news. Gina had signed the papers earlier and everyone welcomed Mr. Marshall into their lives. Connie and Gina had decided to name the baby James (after his own father who was away in the army) Basilio Eldridge.

  “We will wait to schedule the christening until Jimmy can get a few days leave.” Connie told the group,” the Army does allow for that.”

  “Mr. Marshall, would you tell us how you became James W. Marshall the Fourth?” Gina wanted to know as she was preoccupied with names presently.

  “It is believed that my great, great, great, great grandfather, James W. Marshall, was the one who started the Gold Rush of 1849 in California. He was hired to build a sawmill for Sutter when he found the gold in the stream that he was to use to power the mill. That find started the famous Gold Rush which I am certain you have heard about. Also, that is how we came to name the practice Marshall and Sutter. Marshall and Sutter were partners in other enterprises as well.”

  “Mr. Marshall, time is close so we must get
you to the bus station for the Logan Express to get you to your flight. I am happy to drive you there. I do have my unmarked here.”

  “I would so appreciate your doing this. I have never met such kind and generous people. Is everyone on Cape Cod like this?”

  The entire group responded with a resounding, “Yes.”

  “Mr. Marshall, if you ever want to come and visit or spend some time here, we would love to have you.” Connie offered.

  “Thank you, Connie, I will seriously consider the offer. Please keep me updated with pictures of the baby. My grandchildren are grown now, so I miss the baby stage.”

  “Goodbye and thank you so much for your kindness,” Gina whispered as she hugged him tightly. Connie, Sativa and Indica shook hands.

  “Connie, we will leave you because we have to be up early to bake for tomorrow. Will you be there? I mean, you are now a wealthy woman and have no need to work but we are hoping you will stay with us at the bakery. We will pay you, of course so you can be wealthier.”

  Everyone laughed at that remark and the guests left to go their separate ways.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Mike helped the girls clean up the kitchen. Connie washed and Mike wiped and put the dishes and silverware away. Gina went to change and feed the baby leaving Mike and Connie to finish up.

  “Matt will pull me off duty here, Connie, you won’t be needing my services anymore,” Mike said as he put the dinner plates up on the top shelf of the cupboard. “You, Gina and the baby have become family to me. I will miss all of you.” He folded the dishtowel neatly and hung it on the rack. “You are a rich lady now. Basilio left you well provided for.”

  “I have been thinking about that, Mike, and I have a few questions about these accounts Basilio left us. That is an awful lot of money.”

  “Yes, I know and it puts me right out of the running, doesn’t it?”

  “If you are asking what I think you are, the answer to that is “no”, you are not out of the running as you state it,” Connie chuckled and became very thoughtful. She slid a glance at Mike and decided to ask, “How long ago did your wife die?”

  “Over ten years ago.” Mike replied softly. He turned and smiled at Connie, “Would you seriously consider dating an old guy like me?”

  “Of course I would. Mike, I have been semi-single for a lot of years and I did love my husband so I remained true to my vows. Now I no longer have that to think about. He was a good man, Mike, and a victim of the circumstances of other people’s choices. He tried to make it up to Gina, the baby and me. I honor him for that.”

  “What are your questions about the bank accounts, then, Connie? The million from the sale of the casino is straight-forward enough. What is your concern?”

  “Mike, let me get the books and show you. I don’t even think Mr. Marshall knew about this. Be right back.”

  Mike started to pack his few belongings as Connie returned with the three bank books. She sat at the kitchen table and motioned for Mike to sit across from her. She handed him the first book.

  “Let me see, here is the baby’s book. No question there. This looks legal. Except for the baby’s name but we can fix that when his dad comes home and he is baptized.”

  Mike put that book down and opened the second book, Gina’s. “Nothing unusual here, Connie. These seem to be legal and above board. He sold his interest in the Casino for a million plus. You have most of the proof right here. There is nothing to be alarmed about.” Mike handed her back Gina’s book and picked up Connie’s.

  ” This seems to be fine, too, except the amount is bigger. Are you worried about having that much money, Connie? I can assure you that there are people here on the Cape with much bigger bank balances. (legitimate or not). I am not a banker, but I have seen a lot of questionable transactions taking place. No need to worry here. No one will want to murder you for your money.” He started to hand the book back to Connie when she reached over and pulled it away from him. She opened the book to the last page where she pointed to a series of figures written in pencil.

  “Then what are these numbers written in pencil? I’m no banker, either, Mike, but these look like a different bank series of numbers.”

  “Let me see. O.M.G.! Connie, unless I miss my guess, these look like Swiss Bank account numbers. I know because I have seen some like this before. Dammit!”

  “What do you suppose??? “ Connie questioned.

  “THE LOOT!” they both said in unison.

  “Looks like I better stay here on a permanent basis, Connie.”

  “Not the Mob again?” Connie almost cried, “Should we tell Matt?”

  “Probably, but he cannot do anything about the loot. It is completely safe in a Swiss Account and nobody can touch it except the holder of the account. Not the FBI, the CIA or any of the government agencies.”

  ”Then why were they involved and wanted to get Basilio’s body? What is the connection?”

  “They probably thought he brought the money with him when he flew to the Cape.”

  “He really was smart wasn’t he? How clever to hide the loot that way.”

  “Yes, and you are an extraordinarily rich woman. He made sure of that.”

  “Do you think the Mob will ever find out that I have the bank book and the account numbers?”

  “I think I heard Matt tell Archie that the Mob won’t want to touch that money. If they do, it will ruin them and they will have to close their respective Casinos and do a long stretch in San Quentin. Some of the deals they did to get the money in the first place were far from legitimate. So, I can honestly say that you are safe. Or I think so.”

  “Mike, I think I will bury that book somewhere in the back yard but before I do, I will ask my bank to transfer the $500,000 to a trust fund or somewhere it will start earning dividends. They don’t have to see the rest of the numbers. I might just erase them and forget about it.”

  “Connie, Basilio gave you that money and he died defending his decision to keep it away from the mob so you would be well provided for and never have to worry about money ever again.”

  “Yes, Mike, I know that, and I am incredibly grateful to Basilio, and what am I doing now? Worrying about money.”

  She laughed and Mike stood and came around the table. He picked up the bank books and handed them to Connie giving her a big hug.

  “Come on, let’s go and see if Gina needs us to rock the baby to sleep.”

  “See that, Bugs? You have nothing to worry about now. Connie will be safe, and she really likes this guy.”

  “Ya, Fritzie, this Mike seems nice enough and he is a cop.”

  “And he loves the baby and thinks Connie and Gina are beautiful.”

  “I know, I know. He already thinks of them as family. But they are my family, too.”

  “Ya, Bugs, and when the baby goes to school and has to introduce his Grandpa to anyone, how is he gonna do that?” Fritzie poked Bugsy. “And how are you gonna play Santa Clause and bring the baby his presents?”

  “I know, Fritzie, I know. I screwed up my life. Now I gotta pay for my mistakes.”

  “You already did that Bugs. You died for your mistakes, but you did it right. I gotta hand it to you, Bugs, you were really smart the way you hid the LOOT. I never would have thought to do it that way.”

  “Mr. Marshall, that attorney who bailed us out when we were kids on the street, it was really his idea, Fritzie. He was always good to us. I left him a big chunk because he deserved it.”

  “Good, Bugs because he was always there when we needed him. So, what should we do now? Should we go back to Vegas?”

  “Naw, Fritzie, I think I’m gonna stick around. I like it here on Cape Cod. The people are nice, and I want to be near Connie and Gina and the baby. Maybe I can do something good. What about you?”

  “I’m sticking with you, Bugs, we was best buddies and always will be. Maybe I can help you and be a do-gooder too.”

  “Can we shake on that? I like that idea, Fritzie!”

&
nbsp; “Me too, now can we go get one of them Better Butter Brownies? It’s dark and no one is in the bakery now!”

  “Good idea, I’m a little hungry myself.”

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  “Matt, how nice to see you this morning. Coffee?” Indica greeted Matt. “Please excuse me, I have brownies baking. Sativa can get your coffee.” With that she turned and trotted back to the kitchen.

  “Yes, that would be great, cream, two sugars.” Matt said as he shrugged out of his raincoat and draped it on the back of the little wire chair indicating he was here for a visit and not official police business.

  “What brought you here this morning?” Sativa asked as she set his coffee on the counter. Morning rush was over and the shop was empty. Sativa motioned to Matt to take a seat at the little table beside the showcase. She grabbed his coffee, set it down in front of him on the little table, turned and went back behind the counter and made one for herself. She took her cup, came around the counter and sat down on the other chair to join him.

  “We were exceptionally busy this morning, This is my first break and my second cup today. The first was at 5:30 AM. So thanks for this!” She raised her cup and nodded, then reached over and patted Matt’s hand.

  Matt’s mind was running rampant with a million thoughts, I am trying so hard not to jump off this chair and take her in my arms and hug and kiss the daylights out of her!

  Instead, he took her hand and brought it to his lips to plant a kiss on her knuckles which smelled deliciously of a mixture of coffee and roses. Her hand cream?

  “Wow! What brought that on, Matt?” Sativa grinned with obvious pleasure and took her hand back.

  Instead of answering her, Matt reached into one of his trouser pockets and pulled out a small sandwich bag and placed it on the table between them.

  “Hmmm, what’s that? My locket! My beautiful locket! I thought I’d lost it! How did you find it? Where?“ Sativa babbled choking up, her eyes clouded with tears.

 

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