Death Returns, page 22
part #3 of Death Card Series
“Five to seven people missing each day?” asked Mimi, incredulous.
“That right … that’s more than 200 people missing each month. Amazing, isn’t it?” asked Mike.
Shock registered on each of our faces. How were we ever going to find out the identity of the skeletons?
Mike continued. “I’ve called in Brian and Cindy to help us out for we need to work on all three cases: the identity of the skeletons; who is involved in putting them on the construction site and why; and the identity of my false wife,” he added with flushed cheeks.
Romano and Mimi looked perplexed. “What do you mean ‘your wife’? What is going on?” Romano asked.
Mimi looked numb. “Yes, let’s hear your story, Mike,” she said in a disappointed tone.
Mike painstakingly relayed what’d happened at the time of his celebration in Las Vegas, and the urgent need to clear his name before I went before the board about becoming Isabella’s foster mother. Upon hearing this, the room became heavy with palpable despair. I spoke up. “I think if we follow the dots as the written note said, I believe we’ll be successful. I think all three are linked together.”
Mike said, “Cindy flies in sometime tonight and Brian will be on the later Red Eye flight and arrive in the morning. Meantime, I have a list here of the security guards with names, telephone numbers, and their work schedule. They will duplicate the same work schedule each week. Again, I’m advising you not to go onto the construction site without the permission of our security guard— day or night—understood?”
Numbly, we nodded. “In no way do we want the construction company to think they can slow down their pace and blame us for the slowdown. Mimi can’t afford that, and it’s important to go on as usual. Any questions?”
“Romano, any update on Randy?” I asked.
Romano simply shook his head. “And I don’t want you to worry, you have enough on your plate as it is. Just get better.”
“I’m glad that Cindy will be staying with you, Mimi. That’s nice of you to offer,” I said.
“It’s the least I can do.”
“Gotta run,” announced Mike as he leaned down and gave me a kiss. “I’m meeting with the police chief to set up things there for Brian, Cindy, and me to work.”
After everyone left, Virginia came to my side. “Time for you to take a nap, don’t you think?”
I had barely enough strength to agree as she led me upstairs and tucked me back into bed.
CHAPTER 24
The next morning, I awoke feeling more like my old self despite the pain of my broken ribs. I felt hopeful, that with Brian and Cindy here in Las Vegas, we’d be able to resolve our issues. Mike tenderly pulled me against him, and I knew no matter what came about, I wanted Mike in my life because he, like Isabella, had become part of my heart.
A light tap at the door signaled that Isabella was awake and wanted to join us. “C’mon in, sweetheart,” I called out.
I stifled a groan as Sweet Pea jumped on the bed. Isabella cautiously came to my side of the bed and kissed me. “Are you driving me to school today?”
“Virginia will drive, but I’ll ride with you.”
“Okay,” she said, satisfied.
“I guess we’d better get dressed then,” I said as I rolled over and gave Mike a long enough kiss to let him know I’d missed him and our lovemaking. He reluctantly climbed out of bed and hurriedly got dressed to pick up Brian at the airport.
I had programmed the security guards’ names and telephone numbers into my cell phone and coded in their schedules. I was surprised yet pleased to see that Thomas was listed as the security guard today. He had worked undercover with us at the Purple Passion Lounge, and I liked him.
On the way to school, Isabella chattered away. When we neared the school, she became quiet. “You’ll be here to pick me up this afternoon, won’t you, Mama?”
“Of course, sweetheart. Virginia and I will be waiting for you right here.”
“Okay, Mama,” she said, relieved. “Goodbye, Virginia.”
“Goodbye, Isabella,” Virginia said.
Isabella climbed out of the back seat and stood outside the door. When she saw a few of the girls by the door, she stilled and drew in a deep breath. Determined, she marched forward. Watching her progress, I saw the same blond-haired girl, who had pushed into her the first day of school, standing by the door with her arms crossed, glaring at Isabella. My heart hammered. “Don’t drive out just yet, Virginia,” I ordered. “Let’s see what’s going on here.”
When Isabella reached the door, several of the girls opened a pathway for her, but not the blond-haired girl, who moved to block Isabella. She pushed Isabella, who looked back our way to see whether we were watching. Without hesitation, Isabella pushed the girl back hard enough for her to fall, and she marched through the double doors. As if reading my mind, Virginia grabbed my arm and said, “Let them work it out for now, Rosie.”
I knew she was right. “It’s going to take some time for me to become an experienced mother, isn’t it?”
“Not that long, Rosie. You have a natural mothering instinct when it comes to anyone hurting your baby,” stated Virginia.
I chuckled. Riding home, I was disturbed by the thought that most of the second skeleton was still missing. Would whoever has the bones dare to return and leave them for us to find?
Mimi, Romano, and I were sitting in the living room when Mike, Brian, and Cindy pushed through the door with an excited air.
Brian’s blue eyes settled on me before he grabbed me in a bear hug, forgetting my broken ribs. I stifled a squeal. “Oh, Rosie, I’m so sorry for the mess I created for you and Mike.”
“Oh, Cowboy,” I sighed, “You have to find Martini Darling before it’s too late. It means everything to me.”
Cindy pushed Brian aside. “We will, Rosie, I promise you.” She whispered in my ear, “We’ll do it together.”
Cindy turned away and approached Romano. He opened his arms wide while she stumbled forward and tried to hold back her tears. His eyes welled up, and they held onto each other without words.
Brian went to Mimi and wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. “How are you holding up, Mimi, with all that’s going on?”
She flushed. “I’ve had better days.”
Mike came and stood beside me. “Let’s move into the dining room where we can sit and talk. I’ll have Virginia order in sandwiches. Is that okay with everyone?” I asked.
We munched on wonderful BLT sandwiches with its own special sweet hot sauce—a specialty from the deli not far from the house. Talk turned to the time of Mike’s fake wedding. Brian and Mike were embarrassed. Brian said, “I know what you’re thinking, and I can’t blame you. I’m sorry to admit that I don’t remember much of that weekend clearly, but I do remember something different about Martini.”
“What?” I asked, hopeful that maybe we were getting somewhere.
“Well, she had unusual light-colored eyes, not blue and not gray, almost colorless … sometimes like the sky can get if you know what I mean.”
“Anything else?” I prodded.
Brian closed his eyes in memory. “Her hair was dyed blond, but I could tell her hair was really dark brown and it was curly. I don’t know much about how you girls do things, but I’d say it was naturally curly.” Brian looked uncomfortable. “And she had large fake boobs. Does that sound right, Mike?”
“I guess,” Mike answered with flushed cheeks.
Romano leaned forward in his seat. “Hmm,” he muttered.
“What’s the matter, Romano?” I asked.
“Her eyes …that sounds as if it could be … “
In a flash, a thought came. “You mean Susan? The girl who was like a runaway freight train?”
“Brian described her eyes exactly,” he answered, lost in memory. “Very light, very unusual.”
“Do you know what this means?” I screeched with excitement.
“Now hold on, Rosie,” Mike said as he grabbed my arm to calm me. “Let’s not jump to conclusions without hearing more from Romano. For Susan to have been my fake wife is one chance in a million.”
I held my chin high. “I, for one, believe in miracles, and that is what we need right now for me to become Isabella’s foster mother.”
No one said a word as they studied me and took in the ramification of what I’d said.
“Romano, what can you tell us about this girl?” urged Mike. “Anything will help.”
He had dark circles under his eyes, and it was obvious he had not slept well since Randy’s accident, but he prevailed. “It was as if she didn’t have a care in the world and wanted to experience everything life had to offer—no matter the consequences. She and her roommate were always getting in trouble…”
“What kind of trouble?” interjected Mike and Brian in one voice.
“They were arrested several times for soliciting.”
“Was this at a time when B.B. was the chief of police?” I asked, excited.
“Yeah,” confirmed Romano.
“Oh my, God! Are you thinking what I’m thinking? Is it possible he was mixed up in this? My mind traveled back to the two cops who had interviewed me at the Purple Passion Lounge. “Mimi, what about the cops who were interviewing me about Richard’s death? Do you have their names?”
“Those two guys?” asked Mike. “They’ve been suspended until the new chief clears them in regards to your former fiancé’s murder.”
“They are dirty cops.”
Brian turned to Mike. “We’ve got our work cut out for us.”
Romano looked at his watch and said, “I need to get to the hospital and look in on Randy.”
“I’ll go with you, Romano,” I said, not wanting him to be sitting there alone.
Then Cindy rose. “Mimi is going to take me to the construction site and show me the layout of where the skeletons were found and the rest of the area.”
When we got to the hospital, Romano slipped away from me for his time with Randy, and I sat in the waiting room and waited for him to return. I got up and went to the nurse’s station. “I understand two family members are allowed in the ICU at a time; is that right?”
The nurse looked me up and down. “That’s not always the case, but in this hospital, we allow that.”
“Good,” I said with the idea about talking to Romano about my becoming his ‘sister’. He was already showing the wear and tear of trying to be the only one to check on Randy. “Romano, I have an idea I’d like to discuss with you.”
After listening to what I had to say, he grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the nursing station. “I’d like to introduce you to my sister who will be changing off some of the visits with Randy,” he stated in a firm, defiant voice I’d never heard before. The nurse eyed me again with an expression that was hard to read. “All right, Romano, sign this sheet for our records, and you both can go in next time.”
I continued to sit with Romano and tried to ignore the pain of my broken ribs. He picked up my hand and held it in his lap. “Rosie, what do you think is going to happen to Randy? Tell me honestly.”
“I don’t think Randy is out of the woods yet, Romano. That’s why it’s important for you and me to take turns being here.”
“I was afraid you’d say that. It’s a feeling I have too.”
When we went into the ICU and entered Randy’s room, he was lying in bed with various machines surrounding him, ready if necessary. His right leg and arm were in a cast, and he had an IV hooked up to his left arm. An oxygen mask was slung over his headboard, not needed at the moment. I was stunned at how he looked—almost radiant with color in his cheeks and not a facial wrinkle or crease on his brow. With his brain comatose and no apparent stress to deal with, he looked beautiful and peaceful. Tears threatened at the thought of losing him. He was one of the good guys, and I was determined to do all I could not let that happen.
I bent low to Randy, held his hand, and kissed his cheek. “Hi, Randy, it’s me, Rosie. I’m here with Romano. I miss you and love you—we all do. I leaned closer and whispered, “Just so you know, Romano is a hot mess without you. So hurry up and come back to us soon.”
Romano took Randy’s other hand in his. “Hello, sweetheart, Rosie’s right. It’s lonely without you and I sure do miss you. Please wake up,” he pleaded in an unsteady voice.
We sat and each held one of Randy’s hands without any response from him. The nurse came to check on Randy, and I said goodbye to Romano so that I could join Virginia when she picked up Isabella at school.
When I walked to my car, goosebumps crawled along my body and my heart fluttered. I looked around and expected to see whoever it was who had caused that eerie feeling, but I saw no one. Where I’d parked the car, it was devoid of people. I walked faster and as I scurried along, I couldn’t shake off the sense that someone was watching me from behind. I hurried inside the car, made sure that the doors were locked, and rested my head against the steering wheel. I needed to get a grip and not create trouble where there was none. I started the car and headed home.
CHAPTER 25
CHAPTER 26
While we waited for Isabella, Virginia was as curious as I to see what, if anything, would happen when the students exited the building. As soon as Isabella spotted us, she sprinted toward us. Once inside the car, she simply said, “Hi, Mama and Virginia.”
“Did you have a good day at school, sweetie?” I asked.
Isabella remained silent, and when I looked back at her, I saw she was figuring out what to say.
“Well …” I prodded.
“You saw me push that girl, didn’t you, Mama?” she asked, worried.
“Yes, I did. Do you want to tell us what that was all about?”
Isabella let out a long sigh. “That was Tiffany. She’s the one who knocked into me the first day of school, remember?”
“Yes, I do.”
“She thinks she’s so smart because she’s the leader of some of the girls there. But I’m not afraid of her. My sister-friends and I think the only way to get her to stop pushing me around is to fight her.”
I smiled at her term ‘sister-friends.’ My mind flew back to the time I was a young girl and had done just as Isabella had and fought back at the boy who’d bullied me. I had gotten in deep trouble with my grandmother who’d been upset with me for doing so. What was the best way to handle this situation with Isabella? A puff of air alerted me that my grandmother was around, and I sensed she was chuckling at my expense. A little bit of what goes around, comes around, maybe? Then I heard my grandmother caution, “Be loving but firm.”
I turned back to Isabella. “We can’t change what’s already been done. But I want to make myself clear that this is not going to be allowed going forward. That type of behavior doesn’t really solve the issue anyway, does it?”
“No, but Mama …”
“What?” I snapped.
Isabella was quiet, shut down by my impatience. Then she defiantly lifted her head and spit out, “I’m not going to let anyone push me around, Mama. I think she’s afraid of me now, and I’m glad she is.”
We stared at each other. Finally, I spoke, “Let’s make a deal, okay? No more fighting. If she continues to harass you, we’ll need to go to the principals to handle it. Agreed?”
Still looking defiant, Isabella, said, “Okay, Mama.”
“So, tell us about your day at school. What did you do?”
Isabella was excited to tell us about all she was learning. “Do you want to help me with my homework, Mama?”
Seeing how tired I was, Virginia jumped in, “May I be the one to help you with your homework today? I’d love to see what you’re doing.”
“Then I’ll look it over with you once it’s completed, Isabella,” I added.
I sent Virginia a smile of gratitude. At home, the two of them went into my office to work and I went upstairs to lay down for a nap. The next thing I knew, there was a small hand on my shoulder gently shaking me. “Mama, it’s time to get up. Virginia has supper ready for us. She made soup and I helped her.”
When I entered the kitchen, Virginia was stirring the soup. She looked up and smiled. “That soup smells so good!” I said. What is it?”
“My special chicken and rice soup. It’s my own recipe,” she said as she held a full soup spoon toward me to taste. The three of us enjoyed our soup together, and I was seeing again the significance of having Virginia in our lives. I didn’t know what I’d do without her. We all helped to clean up our mess and then Virginia headed home, and Isabella and I headed upstairs to bed. I fell into a deep sleep, dreaming about a missing thought that floated above me like a balloon, and I unable to reach it.
CHAPTER 27
I stirred when I smelled coffee brewing and I heard Mike in the kitchen like old times. I heard him laugh at something Isabella said, and Brian joined in. I hadn’t heard any of them get up. I sighed and crawled out of bed feeling 100 years old. I grabbed my cashmere robe and threw it around me before I headed downstairs.
“Well, look who’s up?” teased Brian when he saw me.
I leaned down and kissed Isabella’s head. “I think you had better get dressed for school, sweetheart. It’s late.”
“Okay, Mama. If I hurry, can I come back down for another cup of cocoa?”
