With ease and caution, she slowly uncoiled her aching body and forced herself to sit up on the edge of the bed. Once up, an excruciating sharp pain charged through her body and prevented her from any further movement. Gasping for air, she collapsed back onto the bed and broke down crying. “Now what do I do?”
After a few minutes, she thought of her cell phone. Where was it? She moved with caution and checked the pockets of her suit jacket. Got it! She pressed the only name listed on her emergency contact and prayed he’d answer.
“Italian Farmhouse. This is Pete Russo, how may I help you?”
A sense of safety surrounded her when she heard his voice.
“Poppy,” her voice strained.
“Mandy? Is that you?”
“Need help.” Her distress was unmistakable.
“Where are you? What’s happened?”
She managed to utter a few weak words. “Home. He hurt me. A lot of pain. Help me….” The sudden quiet that followed frightened her. “Poppy! Poppy!” she screamed.
“I’m here, sweetheart. Someone is calling 9-1-1 from another phone. The police and ambulance on are the way. Can you let them in?”
“No, can’t move.”
A brief silence followed. “Amanda, they’re going to break down the door, so don’t be alarmed when you hear them.”
“Hurry, Poppy, hurry,” she pleaded through uncontrolled sobs.
“You’re going to be fine, honey, I promise.” If Amanda were lucid, she would have heard the panic in Pete’s voice just as he could hear her voice growing weaker and weaker. “Just stay on the phone and listen to me.”
Poppy kept her attention by telling her about events at the Farmhouse.
Amanda struggled to listen before the sudden pitch of pain took her by surprise, forcing her to drop the phone. She quickly scrambled to recover it.
“Mandy, are you still with me? Can you hear me?” Her grandfather’s concern intensified.
“Yes, I’m here. Dropped phone. Pain bad.” Her sobs continued.
“I know, Mandy, but hang on,” he coaxed. “Help should arrive any second now—” A deafening, knife-sharp scream interrupted him.
“He’s back. He’s back. Breaking down the door.”
“It’s not him,” Pete assured her. “It’s the police and EMTs. They’re going to take care of you and get you to St. Joseph’s Hospital.”
“Poppy. Poppy….” Her voice disappeared. Nothing but dead air loitered.
Within seconds, another voice came through. “This is Sergeant Parker of the DPD. To whom am I speaking?”
“This is Peter Russo. How is Amanda? What’s happened?” he asked with unmistakable anxiety.
“Sir, are you the party who called 9-1-1?”
“Yes.”
“What is your relationship with this young woman?”
“What do you mean, Sergeant Parker? There’s no relationship. That young woman is my granddaughter, my only granddaughter.” His indignant tone filtered through the phone. “Listen to me, young man. Her name is Amanda Conifer, and she’s very special to me.”
“Sorry, sir, it’s my job to ask—”
An annoyed and offended voice stopped listening. “You did your job, Sergeant. Now please, answer my questions. How is she? And what has happened?”
“From what I can ascertain, it seems an intruder violently assaulted her. She’s in shock. The paramedics are attending to her, getting her ready for transport to St. Joe’s. That is what you requested, isn’t it?”
“Yes. Yes. St. Joe’s.” Pete cleared his throat then shifted gears. His tone took on a more serious note. “Sergeant, was my granddaughter sexually violated?”
“I don’t know that, sir. That’s something that can’t be established at this time.”
“Did you ask her?” Pete pressed for information.
“Mr. Russo, I know you’re concerned, but honestly, she’s not up to much questioning right now. We’ll have to wait until she undergoes a thorough examination.”
Pete cleared his throat again. “Please assure her everything will be all right and that I’ll meet her at the hospital.”
“I will do that, Mr. Russo,” Sergeant Parker promised. “But now, I have to go do my job and try to find out what actually happened here.”
The line clicked, ending the call.
Chapter Four
The elderly man lingered at his desk for a few seconds, ran his hands through his silver-white hair, and tried to digest what had just transpired. He sighed with a feeling of sadness, then rose and made his way to the kitchen.
“Amanda is hurt,” he told the staff. “I have to go to her. I don’t know how bad it is or when I’ll be back.” He stood in the middle of the restaurant kitchen in deep thought for a few seconds, then quickly proceeded through the swinging doors of the kitchen to find his hostess and explained what happened. “Sara, please contact Charles and get him up to speed. Tell him I’ll need him here for the next few days.”
He dashed into the office, grabbed his jacket, made his way back through the kitchen and out to the parking lot to his car.
About an hour later, one of the ER doctors at St. Joe’s assured Pete Russo that Amanda’s injuries appeared worse than they actually were. “She has three fractured ribs, a broken wrist, a multitude of contusions, and is still in a state of shock.”
No one could mistake the heartbreak in Pete’s intense sigh. “May I please see Amanda now? I want her to know I’m here.”
At first, the doctor hesitated, but seeing the older man’s stress level and love for the young woman, he relinquished his position. “Just remember, sir, she’s experienced a severe beating. Fortunately, nothing life-threatening. She’s badly bruised, swollen, and has a broken wrist. We think there may be internal injuries. She’s hurting so we’ve medicated her to ease pain until we can finish our examination and get her the tests she needs. Please be prepared for a very unpleasant sight.”
Pete swallowed hard then asked the same question he had asked Sergeant Parker. “Doctor, was my Amanda sexually violated?”
“No, Mr. Russo. This wasn’t a crime of rape.”
He momentarily closed his eyes, tightened his lips, and sighed with relief.
The doctor continued, “Please keep in mind the fact that along with the physical abuse, she’s been emotionally violated, and that has many long-term consequences of its own.” He paused. “So far, her treatment has been routine. And although there are a few more procedures to be completed, you should know I’ve made her as comfortable as possible.”
He forced a smile. “Thank you, Doctor. I’m sure you and your staff are doing everything possible for my Amanda. If there’s anything you need, anything, just say the word. There’s nothing she can’t have if needed. I can and will take care of everything.”
The doctor placed his hand on Pete’s shoulder. “Right now, Mr. Russo, I’d say the best medicine for her would be a little TLC. When she is discharged, I suggest she be taken to a place where she can feel safe and let time heal her physical and emotional injuries.”
“Of course she’ll get the best of care. That’s not a concern. She’ll come home to Crestview. I’ll take care of her as I did when she was a child.”
Even though warned about Amanda’s appearance, Poppy never imagined her condition would be as dreadful as when he saw the extent of the swelling, black and blue bruises and cut lip. He breathed in sharply at the sight of her distorted facial features. Oh, Mandy. I wish I were lying there instead of you and that you never left our mountain safe haven and moved to Denver.
He stood at the foot of her bed observing her stillness and deep silent breathing, trying to comprehend how much suffering she’d have to endure during the healing process. “Dear God, why did this ever have to happen to her? Please watch over her and help her through this most difficult time.”
He walked to her bedside and whispered her name. Amanda opened her eyes.
“Poppy, I’m so glad you’re here.”
A hint of a smile dented the corners of her mouth.
“Where else would I be?” He leaned in and kissed her forehead through the tears trickling down his cheeks. “Don’t talk, you need your strength.”
He reached for her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Rest your mind, Amanda. Everything’s going to be fine.”
A nurse approached. “I know you’ve just arrived, Mr. Russo, but we must get on with helping your granddaughter. If you could retire to the waiting room, we’ll come and get you as soon as we’re finished and she’s settled in a room.”
Pete nodded, kissed his granddaughter again, and turned to leave.
“Poppy, please don’t go.”
Amanda’s strained plea tugged at his heart.
“I’m not going far. As the nurse said, as soon as the doctor has completed your treatment and you’re settled, I’ll be at your side. Promise.”
Amanda closed her eyes. The nurse wheeled her bed down a corridor, and then, they disappeared into an elevator. He found a quiet corner in the waiting room, from where he dialed Charles Wharley, his right-hand man at the restaurant, gave him an update, and told him he’d be staying at the hospital overnight. Charles offered to come and keep him company.
“Thanks, Charlie, I know you’re concerned, but right now, she’s stable and in good hands. Besides, I need you at the restaurant.” He took a deep breath. “I promise to call as soon as I know more or if anything happens.”
Pete alternated between sitting and pacing until finally allowed to be with Amanda. Once in her room, he pulled up a chair and sat holding her hand. “I’m so sorry this happened. The doctor says you’re going to be just fine. In addition, I plan to give you that and more when you come home to Crestview to heal. I will nurse you back to health and keep you out of harm’s way.”
Amanda began her protest, as he’d expected. But he interrupted her. “This is not the time to profess your independence. This is a non-negotiable matter. I’m making the call on this and won’t have it any other way. You can’t do it alone, no matter how self-sufficient you are or think you are. You’re coming home with me so you can heal your body, mind and spirit.”
They discussed the kind of care she’d need, and he added, “I’ll hire a private nurse to help with your care when I’m at the restaurant. She can live in our guest room quarters on the lower level. Between the both of us, you’ll be on the mend in no time.”
“Thank you, Poppy. I’ll come home.”
He smoothed her hair and gently kissed her on the forehead.
“Home is where the heart is, Mandy, and yours is with me. Until you’ve made a full recovery, you’ll come back up the mountain and let me practice my grand-parenting skills again.”
* * *
The Crestview Project Committee held another meeting. They discussed the next phase of the master plan, amended the agenda, agree to proceed in a timely fashion, and boost the morale of all associates. They were dedicated and ready to establish the next gambling Mecca in Colorado, invest their time and money, and commit to go the distance. Each understood the importance of trust, secrecy and extreme discretion. The current agenda included:
1. Start fielding the buyout of all Mom & Pop businesses.
2. Snatch up as many other real estate properties in the downtown area.
3. Restrict the use of violence as a tool of persuasion; a request by some of the associates who voiced strong disapproval.
4. Meet with Peter Russo for one last-ditch effort to persuade him to get on board and reap the benefits.
5. Be prepared to change and accept the direction of persuasion if new plans are needed.
Chapter Five
Two men drove from Denver to Crestview with a definite purpose in mind: to talk to Pete Russo. The passenger balanced an open notebook on his lap and checked off the names of every business the driver called out. They made their way down Main Street to the Car-Corral Parking Lot and found a spot near the only freestanding building bearing a sign—Italian Farmhouse—nestled between a variety of pine, blue spruce, Douglas-fir, cottonwood and aspen trees as far as the eye could see.
The driver spoke. “The town’s businesses are vital to the plan. Since they’re all Pete’s allies, and he’s the leader, so to speak, it’s imperative this meeting counts. He’s in the know about the overall plans, but reluctant to get involved. Our latest prospectus is spot on. If it doesn’t convince him to come on board, the others will never follow.”
“Why is he being so obstinate? Doesn’t he realize he’ll get a cut of the action?”
The man in the driver’s seat nodded. “Pete’s one of the founding fathers of Crestview is often referred to being the honorary mayor. Back in the day, he purchased a massive parcel of land and turned the original farmhouse into a small pizza place; did well.” With a sweeping motion of his hand that encompassed the Farmhouse building and surrounding land he continued. “Look at it now. Over the years, he expanded, added authentic Italian food, and made it what it is today…a first rate dining experience from soup to nuts, with fine wines and spirits and outstanding desserts.
“That’s quite a story.”
“Indeed it is…but there’s more…His love for the land and his green thumb are also worth noting. He’s produced a garden, which comes as close to the Botanic Gardens in downtown Denver as anything I’ve ever seen.”
“Damn…He sounds too perfect to be true.”
The older man nodded. “Our problem with him is that he’s still idealistic, insists on keeping the Farmhouse a hidden treasure.”
“What about home development?”
“Pete doesn’t mind home development, but he doesn’t want an invasion of commercial development. The thought of Crestview becoming the next perfect gambling Mecca of the Rockies sends him into a frenzy, and he’ll fight hard to save his ‘small-town-USA’ haven.”
Before they got out of the car, the passenger gathered his papers and handed them to his companion. “Are you going to make this a hard sale visit?”
“Definitely not,” the older man said, vigorously shaking his head. “Pete would never stand for that. An instant game over.” He opened the car door. “Listen, I’ve known him for too many years to count. We go in, be friendly, give him the updated information, mention how committed our associates are, and enjoy a great lunch.”
“That’s it?”
“Yup.”
“So you’re telling me we came all the way up here to indulge an old man?”
Pete’s contemporary shook his head. “Believe me, my friend, he’s not just an old man. He’s the Pied Piper of Crestview. We get him involved, and it’ll be clear sailing all the way to the bank.”
They exited the car and headed into the restaurant.
“What happens if he doesn’t come through? Can’t we find something on him, like we did with some of the others?”
“Not a chance. Pete’s squeaky clean, always was, and always will be, and that’s why he’s so hard to deal with.”
They stopped before entering.
“Seems to me,” said the younger man, “if he has any sense at all, he’ll see it’s a deal of a lifetime, something that’ll keep his family financially secure forever, and why so many of us can’t ignore getting involved.”
“If only that were true. Pete is not like the rest of us, or like anyone I’ve ever known. He’s tough, opinionated, stubborn and morally sound.”
In a mocking tone, the young man asked, “What is he, a saint?”
“You don’t know how close to being right you are.”
“How will you deal with him if it’s a no go?”
“Not sure, but the Committee will come up with something. We can’t let this opportunity slide by without giving it our best shot. Besides, we know the right kind of people, those who will carry out any strategy for resolution we propose.”
When the two men stepped inside, Pete Russo happened to be standing in the reception area waiting to greet his incoming customers. He smiled a
fter seeing their familiar faces and welcomed them with a warm handshake.
“Nice to see you, gentlemen. It’s been a long time since either of you have been up this way. What brings you in today?”
The visitors smiled and simultaneous said, “Good food and huge appetites.”
“Now that’s music to my ears,” Pete said. “In fact, I know the chef and can guarantee you’ll leave totally satisfied.”
All three laughed then exchanged a few pleasantries before Pete’s present-day contemporary lowered his voice and spoke. “I heard your granddaughter had a run in with a burglar at her Aspen Peaks condo. How is she?”
The tiny hairs on Pete’s neck prickled, but he managed to hide his surprise and irritation at the question.
“Thanks for asking,” he politely answered. “Amanda’s doing just fine. She’ll be back to her old self in no time.”
“That’s good news, my friend. I was alarmed to hear what happened to her, and the idea of a break-in at the Aspen Peak Complex. We’ve been in the condo for years now, Pete, wouldn’t want to have to find another place. It’s perfect for our weekend stays and for clients who come in from out of town.”
His look of concern and his question, “Have the police made an arrest?” drew Pete’s attention to something he hadn’t thought about: Amanda’s attack must have been the conversation among all the residents of the complex. Instinctively, he felt a need to assure his tenants that it was a fluke.
“There’s been no arrest to date, but the police are keeping the case open. Doing all they can to find and apprehend the culprits.” Pete’s thoughts wandered as he signaled for the hostess. “I wonder if you wouldn’t mind assuring anyone with questions or concerns that the management is doing everything, including hiring a night watchman to patrol the grounds, to prevent anything like this from ever happening again…. Our little community will be safe.”
“Of course, consider it done.” Then before following the hostess to their table, the older of the two spoke. “Pete, we’d like to show you the latest update on the project. Will you join us for coffee later?”
Matters of the Heart Page 2