Necessary Decisions, A Gino Cataldi Mystery Read online

  I took the cup from her, dried it, and put it away, then grabbed the next one. “I was doing dishes long before I was a detective.”

  She placed some saucers on the counter then dipped them into the sink full of suds.

  “Besides,” I said, “if my wife were here, she’d argue that piece about no need for a detective to do dishes.”

  Lucia smiled. “Call her up. Sounds like a person I could get used to.”

  I stopped, suddenly choked up, but continued doing my duties.

  “Well, Detective, get her over here. I could use some female company. Or is that against the rules?”

  “My wife passed away a few years ago.” I said it quick, holding back emotion.

  She stopped, shaking her head. “I’m sorry. I didn’t…”

  I took a plate from her and dried it, trying to move on. For a few moments we were silent, and then I thought I heard her say something.

  “What’s that, ma’am?” I realized too late she was praying—with tears in her eyes.

  She shot a quick glance toward Lonny then back to me, whispering, “Is my baby girl gonna be all right?”

  I set the towel down and looked her in the eye. “Lucia, I’m working this case like it’s my own child out there. And there is nothing I wouldn’t do for my child. I can promise you that.”

  She wiped her eyes, leaned over and kissed me on the cheek. “You’re a good man, Detective. I’m gonna trust in you and the Lord to bring my girl home safe.”

  As I continued drying, I said my own prayer.

  I sure hope you’re listening, God, because I don’t have the first damn clue how we’re going to get these guys without the ransom. Whatever happens, don’t let them hurt that girl.

  Chapter 28

  Early Morning

  I went to sleep about two o’clock, opting for a recliner in the family room. Delgado had the sofa across from me, and his snoring woke me every half hour or so. I made a mental note never to share a room with Delgado again. I was a man who needed sleep.

  Sometime between dreaming about Salma Hayek and Scott’s girlfriend in the thong panties, I found time to pray we could bring Jada home safe. I also cursed myself for suggesting to Scott that he send the girl home, but the curse must have been vocalized, because Delgado woke, and sat up.

  “What did you say, Gino?”

  I looked over to him. “Did I say anything?” I hoped I did. I didn’t want to think that Delgado and I had the kind of connection that would allow him to hear me think.

  “I think you said, ‘Why the fuck did I do that?’”

  “Go back to sleep.”

  “You said, ‘Why the fuck did I do that?’ What were you talking about?”

  If I continued arguing, I’d wake up for good, so I spilled my guts. “I was cursing myself for telling Scott to send thong-panties home.”

  Delgado lay back, pulling a cover over him. “I was already asking myself the same damn thing. Ruin my fuckin’ night.”

  I drifted back off and woke to the smell of bacon, one of the most wonderful things in the world. I always thought someone should make an alarm clock like that. No noise, just the smell of bacon released into the room. It would get my ass up every time. I stumbled into the kitchen to see Lucia cooking. Sitting next to her was a bowl filled with eggs ready to scramble. Cheese eggs, I hoped.

  “Smells good,” I said.

  “It’s gonna be a long day,” Lucia said. “We all need nutrition to get through it.”

  I poured water into the coffee machine then checked to be sure no one else was in the room. “Where do you find the strength, Mrs. Hackett?”

  She set the spatula on the counter and looked at me. “I don’t have any. This is all fake.” She gestured with her head toward the other room. “But that man has been through too much. I’m afraid he’ll break if he has to worry about me and our girl. I figure I can help him that much.”

  “Coffee?”

  “You go ahead. I’ll have tea.”

  When she was almost done cooking the bacon, she walked to the bottom of the stairs. “Mars. Alexa. Time to eat breakfast.” On the way back out, she leaned down and kissed Lonny on the head. “Come on, mister. It’s a new day. Gonna be a good day too.”

  I envied Lonny Hackett. He had a wife like I used to have. A strong woman, full of optimism and goodness. And courage. “I’ve got to step outside and call my captain,” I said. “Be right back.”

  I dialed Coop’s cell as I opened the front door.

  “Good morning, Gino. Anything new?”

  “I want off, Coop.”

  “What the hell are you talking about?”

  “Call the FBI or give it to someone else.”

  “Once you start paddling downstream, you can’t turn around.”

  “Don’t start, Coop. I’m not in the mood for any damn Texas sayings. I want off.”

  A long pause followed, then, “Gino, you’re the one for this job. Didn’t you tell me you solved those cases in Philadelphia? Get another one under your belt. Those people are counting on you.”

  “Maybe that’s what I’m afraid of—them counting on me. These are good people, Captain. I can’t let them down.”

  “Then don’t, dammit. Find these sons of bitches!”

  I hung up feeling worse than when I’d called. I didn’t tell Coop the cases I worked in Philly weren’t clean. The victims came back alive, but one had been raped and the other beaten so badly she spent four months in the hospital. On the nights I visited her, she mostly cried and told me how she wished she had died. The rape victim said the same thing. The worst part about her was that two years later, she was still saying it. I didn’t need another memory like those to keep me awake at night.

  ***

  Number Two was up at five. She donned her mask, got dressed, and then poked her head in the door to check on Jada. She removed the girl’s gag then untied her hands. “You need to use the bathroom?”

  Jada nodded. She rubbed her wrists where the rope was, then her ankles. Number Two led her to the bathroom.

  When she came out, Number Two led her to the bed and sat her down. “I’ll get you some food. Don’t move.” She walked to the other room, where she got some day-old bagels, donuts and a bottle of water. “This is all we’ve got. It should only be one more day, though. Then you’ll be home.”

  Jada’s face lit up, but she said nothing.

  “I’ll bet you’re ready, aren’t you?”

  Jada finished munching a donut. “What if he doesn’t pay? What happens then?”

  “Try not to worry. It will be all right.”

  “I’m just asking.”

  “Don’t.”

  Jada nodded. “Are you staying with me today?”

  “I’ll be back tonight. Someone else will be here today.”

  “Not him!” she said, her voice trembling.

  “It won’t be him. I made sure of that. It’s another guy, but he won’t give you trouble.”

  “You sure?”

  “I’m sure. Now finish up. I’ve got to tie you again.”

  About an hour later, Numbers Four and Five came to relieve Numbers Two and Three. They called when they arrived, so Three and Two could vacate one of the rooms, leaving them a place to enter and put on the masks, one at a time. When each was done, he entered the center room. “Boss said to go straight to the meeting place. He’s making the call soon.”

  Three started to leave, but Two stopped him. “You get everything you brought? Clean everything?”

  “I’m not a rookie,” he said and walked into the next room. He alerted Driver that he was coming out.

  Two took Five aside. “Some things you should know—”

  “Boss already filled me in,” he said.

  “I’ve got more to add,” she said. “The girl is ransom. You got that? She’s not to play with, or torture, or hurt in any way. Treat her as if she were worth seven million dollars. She is.”

  Five nodded, but Number Two didn’t like
the way he looked. “I’ll leave you with this, Five. If you hurt her, I’ll kill you.”

  “Guess you bitches all stick together, huh?”

  “Us bitches live for getting even with pricks like you. Remember that as you while away the hours.” Four was just entering the room. “Four, I just filled him in. If the girl gets hurt in any way, I’ll kill both of you.”

  He said nothing.

  She waited. “Got it?”

  “I got it.”

  Number Two walked into the room, ready to call Driver, but thought better of it. She called Boss. “This is Two. Change of plans. I’m bringing her in.”

  “Why?”

  “I don’t like what’s going on here. The men can’t be trusted.”

  “Tell Five to stay and guard the rooms. And be careful.”

  “No need to say that.”

  She got the girl, making her wear a hoodie and keeping the blindfold on. She called Driver to let him know they were coming. When the way was clear, Two took the girl to the van. After putting on her mask, she got into the back with her. Three was already there. Two took her customary seat by the back door, perched on an old speaker covered in carpet. Jada sat beside her. Four came in a moment later.

  Three glared at Two as Driver negotiated the roads. “You think you’re pretty tough. I’ll show you tough if you ever get out from under Boss’ wing.”

  “I don’t need Boss.”

  “Maybe I’ll see you on the street someday, and we’ll test that out.”

  Silence.

  “You’d like it; I can tell you that. They all like it from me.”

  Number Two remained silent. She wanted to take out her gun and plug him…but she didn’t. The man was just running his mouth. Like all men. He didn’t know what she looked like and never would. Once this was over, they’d never see each other again. She’d make sure of that.

  They drove for about twenty minutes before Driver announced they were pulling into the meeting place. A tapping sound on the ceiling signaled that they’d arrived. They got out and went inside to see Boss.

  “How did it go?” Boss asked.

  “No problem,” Three said.

  “He tried fucking with her,” Two said. “If I hadn’t stopped him, he’d have raped her.”

  “Bullshit!”

  Two glared at him. “Ask the girl.”

  Boss threw a lightning-quick jab to Three’s face, followed it with a kick to his groin and a massive punch to the left kidney. Three doubled-up on the floor, gasping. Blood dripped from his nose. “Disobey orders again, I’ll kill you.”

  Three stayed on the ground for a moment. When he got back up, he glared at Two. She smiled.

  “We’re making the call shortly,” Boss said.

  “Why so soon?” This from Four.

  “We moved the timetable,” Two said. “They should have the money. No reason not to get it today.”

  Jada moved toward the sound of Boss’ voice with her blindfold still on. “I don’t want my dad delivering the money.”

  “Tough.”

  “Please, don’t let him.”

  “Why not?” Two asked.

  “He’s got high blood pressure. And a bad heart.”

  “A lot of people do. He’ll live.”

  “Wait! He’s…he’s got a really bad temper. I’m afraid he might try something. And then he’ll get hurt.”

  Boss smiled. “Ah, so now we get to the meat of it. So who would you have deliver it?”

  “Uncle Eddy. My mother’s brother. He lives here.”

  Boss looked to Number Two, who shrugged. “I don’t care who delivers it, as long as they bring the money.”

  Boss looked to Three. “What do you say?”

  Three held a napkin, dabbing his bloody lip and nose. “I don’t give a fuck who does it. Let’s just get it over with.”

  Boss turned back to Jada. “We’ll see when we call, but if you try anything, all guarantees are off. I’ll give you to these perverts. Understand?”

  “I understand,” Jada said. She shook when she did.

  ***

  Five minutes had passed since Lucia had told Lonny to come eat, but he still hadn’t gotten up.

  “Lonny, get your sorry self out here and eat. I won’t have a hungry man growling at me all day.”

  Maybe it was the pervasive smell of bacon, or maybe the tone of her voice, but one of them brought Lonny to the kitchen. He took a cup of coffee like a starving man grabs food and situated himself at the end of the table between me and Scott.

  “What time you think they’ll call?” Lonny asked.

  “Could be anytime from now until tonight,” I said. “They gave us forty-eight hours to get the money. Today is just to keep us on our toes.”

  “What have you got planned? You do have a plan, don’t you?”

  “Not much we can do until we get the call. After that, we’ll get more men for surveillance. Get resources for tracking the money and the bag. Our techs will plant GPS devices in the car.”

  Scott cleaned his plate and headed to the patio, already on the phone.

  “Excuse me, Lonny,” I said.

  I caught Scott before he went outside. “Remember, Mr. Winthrop, tell no one anything. And don’t stray far. They could call at any time.” I went back to the table, not wanting to face Lonny again, but I’d try to assuage his fears.

  His coffee cup was empty, but he continued to lift it as if he were sipping it. “So we have no money to give them.”

  “We’ve got no money, Lonny. That’s right.”

  “Why—”

  “It’s policy. It has nothing to do with who you are or who Jada is. The police and FBI never pay ransom.”

  “So how you gonna catch them?”

  I didn’t want to say I didn’t know, which I didn’t, but I couldn’t outright lie to him. “A lot of what we do depends on what instructions they give us. I can tell you this—we’ll have enough men to keep them under surveillance no matter what they do. We’ll get them.” I started to get up, but he grabbed my arm.

  “What about my girl? Am I gonna get to talk to her?”

  “They said they’d put her on today.” I stared at him. “Understand, though, they think she is Scott’s daughter. Somehow Jada has kept them believing that, so you can’t talk. Not one word.”

  “I understand.” He looked at Lucia, who had joined us at the table. His expression was almost like he didn’t want to ask the next question.

  “What is it, Lonny?” I asked.

  “How will we know if she’s all right?”

  I didn’t quite know how to answer that. “You can tell a lot through the phone. But remember, she’s scared. Scared as hell. And she doesn’t know what to expect. She’ll sound nervous. She’ll probably cry. No matter what happens, though, you have to be quiet. Let Scott do the talking. They know his voice.”

  Lonny fidgeted. I could tell he wasn’t convinced, so I did what I didn’t want to. I grabbed hold of Lucia and Lonny by the arms and took them to the other room. “I can’t say this strong enough. These people are dangerous. If they suspect something is wrong, they may hurt Jada. I know you don’t want that. It may be better for both of you to stay out of the room when they call. We’ll have it taped. You can listen afterward.”

  “No way!” Lonny said. “I’m—”

  Lucia took him by the hand and sat him down. “What are you gonna do in that room but worry and get angry?” She paused. “And maybe say something that could get our baby killed?”

  I left them alone, convinced he was in good hands. A few minutes later, Lucia came out and said he’d stay in the family room when the call came in.

  Scott paraded through the kitchen with his briefcase in hand, heading for the garage.

  “Where are you going?” I asked.

  “They called from work. We’ve got some issues I need to look after.”

  I’d thought that after our talk last night, the man had taken a turn for the good. Wrong. “Whoa! Mr.
Winthrop.” I placed a hand on his shoulder and not so gently steered him into the dining room. “Sir, we need you here in case they call.”

  “I’ve got my cell phone. If they call, get hold of my secretary, and she’ll patch it through. I’ve—”

  I looked around, made sure no one was near then whispered, “Are you a fucking moron? This girl is fighting for her life.”

  He leaned in close and whispered back, “Detective, I have a job to do. I don’t know if you understand this, but I’m taking this company public. That requires a lot of preparation.”

  I wanted to hit him; instead, I grabbed the keys from his hand. “You’re going nowhere!” I felt certain this would earn me a suspension, but I didn’t give a fuck.

  He raised himself up, aggressive. “Detective, give me those keys.”

  Just then the home phone rang. The tech called from the other room. “Got an unknown caller here.”

  “That’s them!” I grabbed hold of Winthrop and dragged him toward the kitchen. “Get ready. And don’t fuck this up.”

  Chapter 29

  Answer the Phone

  On the third ring, Lonny moved toward the kitchen. Lucia intercepted him and took him back to the living room. The tech signaled that he was ready. I instructed Scott to pick up on ring number four. The script we rehearsed lay on the table in front of him.

  “Hello.”

  “Is the money ready, Mr. Winthrop?”

  Winthrop looked at me, panicked. I shook my head and pointed to the 48 marked on our sheet.

  “You said forty-eight hours.”

  “But I know you have it. Let’s do the transaction today. I’m sure you want your little girl back. I know she wants to go home.”

  Scott looked to me for an answer. I scribbled on the pad: 3:00 PM.

  “I can probably get it by three.”

  I pointed to a part of the script we’d rehearsed.

  He nodded. “Is my daughter there? I want to speak with her.”

  Silence.

  I pointed to another line of the script.

  “I won’t do anything unless I know she’s all right.”

  “You’ve got thirty seconds,” the man said. “Clear?”