Chapter Ten of "In the Name of Revenge"

It's now been released on Wattpad and I'm sharing it below. Enjoy!

TEN

There was no way Pavel wanted Phillip Mancini in jail. He had plans for Mancini that didn’t include his son’s arrest. If he was going to see the old man feel the pain he’s endured all these years, he needed to get his son out. There were more important uses for Phillip.

He didn’t want to involve anyone else in his revenge. He felt guilty making the telephone call to the detective’s wife, but it needed to be done. He knew the police were now forewarned that someone wanted Phillip Mancini out of jail. He realized that they would immediately think it was the family. It was…in a way. It just wasn’t a blood part of the family.

His hope was the detective would back off and maybe go even as far as to tell the district attorney that Phillip was falsely accused. He wasn’t sure if it would work, actually he highly doubted it would, but it was worth a try. He had to find a way to show Mancini he was doing his job. He didn’t need any suspicions surrounding him as far as the family went, especially the old man.

His action was from a call he received from Carlo, requesting him to do something to get Phillip out of jail. The family thought he was performing on their behalf. Little did they know he was reaping his own reward. He was allowing them to think he was aiding the family. When he acted, it would be for his gain and his gain alone. He couldn’t seek his revenge if Phillip was in jail for murder. It was now or never.

As Pavel put on his jacket and reached to open the door, his telephone rang.

“Boss wants to see you,” was the response he got after saying hello.

“When?”

“Now.”

“I’ll be right over.”

“No, not at the house. It’s being watched.”

“Watched?” Pavel asked.

“Yes, are you that surprised? Happens all the time. You should know that. Be outside your house in five minutes.”

Pavel knew he couldn’t say he had plans and wasn’t available. That was just not something you told the boss. When he told you he needed you in five minutes, it better not be six minutes later that you show up.

“Fine,” he responded and hung up.

As he sat on his front steps, a long black limousine slid to the curb. The windows were tinted, but Pavel knew who it was. Ever since he could remember, the boss never drove himself around and he always had a black Cadillac. This time was no different. Carlo lived his life just like the crime lord depicted on television. It actually made Pavel laugh in derision.

The passenger window rolled down and a deep, gruff voice barked, “Get in.”

He did as he was told and sat down facing Carlo Mancini. To Carlo’s right sat Roberto, his personal bodyguard. Pavel didn’t know his last name and didn’t care to. He didn’t need to know because Roberto was unimportant in the scheme of things. All Pavel needed to know about Roberto was how accurate a shot he was and how much weight he could lift. All other personal details were not necessary.

For the first few miles no one spoke. Finally, Carlo broke the silence.

“I’m getting old, Pavel.”

“No, not yet, Boss,” Roberto answered.

“Was I talking to you?”

“Sorry, Boss.”

“Now, as you know my figlio is to take over after I’m gone. We all know I’m not long for this world. My upcoming surgery will be fine, that much I know. After all, it’s just a hip replacement and we all know I don’t need to walk to rule this organization with an iron fist.”

He started coughing and grabbed his handkerchief out of his breast pocket. Carlo was the sort of man who was always in a full three-piece suit, complete with a monogrammed handkerchief neatly placed in the pocket of the coat.

“My doctor told me the other day that I have liver cancer. They call it hepatocellular cancer, a name I can barely even say. Fortunately, mine is just a single tumor, or so they tell me. What does it matter? Single, multiple…whatever. It’s still going to kill me. How’s that for kickers, huh?”

Pavel tried to find something positive to say. Truth be told, he was glad the old man was suffering from liver cancer. It couldn’t have come at a better time. He was finally at the point to make the old man pay for the murder of his parents. It was reassuring to him that Carlo would still be around to feel the same heartache Pavel has lived with for many years. The only thing that bothered Pavel was that Carlo wouldn’t live enough years to really experience the destruction of his family and empire.

“I’m sorry to hear about the cancer, Sir. You still have many years left. It won’t kill you tomorrow,” Pavel told him.

“Ah, this is true,” he agreed, pointing his index finger in the air.

Carlo pressed a button on the side of the doorframe making the middle window between them and the driver quietly slide shut.

“I am not just droning on endlessly about my health, Pavel. There is something we need to discuss. We’ve already spoken about you aiding Phillip as you have helped me all these years. I want you to be his right hand man as you have been mine.”

“I know, Sir.”

“There’s more. I trust you, so I want you to become part of this family.”

“I already feel as if I am.”

“No. I mean, yes, it has been as if you are part of my family. What I mean is you will become my genero.”

“What? Your son-in-law? What in God’s name…?”

“Exactly as it suggests,” Carlo cut him off. “Are you completely stupid? You will marry Teresa.”

At this statement, Roberto whipped his head up and gave Pavel a look that could kill. It was widely known among the family that Roberto was in love with Teresa and her him, but her father forbade a relationship to transpire between the two and no one, not even a blood relation, dared to defy him.

“You want me to marry your daughter?”

“Finally you catch on! Sometimes I wonder about you, Pavel.”

“Why do you want me to marry her?”

“I don’t need to answer to anything or anyone. However, since you’re going to be my son-in-law, I’ll answer that…I trust you.”

“What about Roberto?”

Roberto now glared at Carlo.

“Posh,” Carlo waved his hand in the air and then looked at Roberto. “Roberto knows he is not good enough for my figlia.”

“Come on, Boss, at least I am Italiano, no? He…he is Russian.”

“Shut the fuck up, idiot!” he yelled at Roberto. “You are worthless and spineless. My Teresa needs a man who can take care of her. You cannot even properly care for your shoes. Look at them.”

Carlo pointed down at Roberto’s scuffed black shoes and with disdain written all over his face, told him, “I would be ashamed to have you as a son-in-law.”

Roberto sat there mortified, not daring to respond.

“Ah, yes, Pavel, you are the one to marry my precious, innocent Teresa. I know she will be safe with you.”

“With all due respect Sir, I don’t want to get married.”

“It will all be arranged. Teresa has already been told.”

“What does your daughter have to say about all this?” Roberto inserted.

Carlo gave him a look that would have frozen boiling water and said, “She does as I tell her to do. She doesn’t need to say anything. Why are you questioning me at all, you little vermin?”

Carlo pressed the button and the window between them and the driver rolled silently down.

“Stop here,” he demanded.

“You’re dismissed.” He waved his hand in the air, signaling Roberto to leave his presence.

“Here? How will I get back?”

“That is your problem. Now, get out.”

With a hateful backward glance at Pavel, Roberto uttered under his breath, “Stupid asshole.”

He opened the car door as it came to a halt and stepped out onto the sidewalk.

Carlo slid the dividing window shut again.

Pavel had a feeling Roberto would be trouble. It was apparent that Roberto loved Teresa and Pavel doubted he would accept this wedding without a fight. Knowing this, he needed to be on constant alert.

“Sir, with all due respect, I really don’t know your daughter. I’ve had little contact with her over the years.”

“That will all change. You will start courting her immediately. Get to know her. I’m sure you will come to love her soon enough. I have ordered her to take cooking lessons so she’ll be fit as an Italian wife should be; do not worry.”

“I don’t know…”

Carlo cut him off, “You will not question this, Pavel. It is a done thing. I should have had you marry her years ago.”

“I still don’t understand why.”

“What do I have to do draw you a picture? She needs someone to look after her. She’s a bit wild yet, but she will calm down soon enough. Her brother will be too busy filling my shoes to be there as much as she needs someone to be. She must be protected, and who better than Phillip’s soon to be right hand man?”

“Sir…”

“Are you trying to piss me off? Do not argue with me. You should know better! Now, I’m an old man and God knows what will happen to me. Maybe it will be the liver cancer which will kill me first, maybe it will be one of my many enemies. I don’t know. What I do know is you’re going to marry my Teresa and it will be before I leave this God-forsaken world.”

“Sir, I do believe Roberto loves Teresa and may cause problems where this arranged marriage is concerned.”

“Pavel, you bring me shame. I thought you were brave. Are you going to let a mindless, good-for-nothing, piece of meat like Roberto scare you? I thought you had bigger gonads. I hired you because I believed you did. Besides, Roberto knows better than to interfere with my plans. This isn’t a wish, Pavel. It’s an order.”

He knew what Carlo was referring to about Roberto knowing better. Should he dare to defy Carlo, Roberto would be lying at the bottom of the river with cement shoes on, or shot between the eyes and left for dead in a back alley somewhere. Even though Pavel was sure Roberto knew what the consequences of his actions would be should he try anything, he still didn’t trust Roberto. Not at all.

Pavel bit his tongue. It was useless to argue with Carlo any further. When he made up his mind about something, it would take Hell’s terror to change it.

There was no way he was going to marry Teresa. He loved Felice, and soon, she would be his. He didn’t need Teresa standing in the way. Pavel figured it was time to hurry his plan along.

“When are you wishing this wedding to take place?”

“Soon. However, this wedding cannot happen with Phillip in jail. How are you progressing with getting him out?”

Pavel was in a quandary. He wanted Phillip out of jail to proceed with his plan on getting revenge on Carlo, but now the situation was more entangled. He didn’t want Phillip out of jail because Carlo would insist the wedding take place as soon as Phillip was free.

“I’m getting there. I disguised my voice, called the detective’s wife and threatened her.”

“So? Exactly what do you think you will accomplish by that?”

“I am trying to get to the detective who arrested him.”

“So?” he angrily asked again.

“I’m sure he realizes we want Phillip out of jail. By threatening his family, I believe he will become afraid of the Mancini family and back down.”

“Oh, you think so? You tried to put the fear of the Mancini’s in him, huh? I happen to know that this detective is a hot head and has it out for the Mancini family, as do a lot of people. It won’t work.”

“I’m hoping he’ll be afraid enough for his wife that he relents.”

“Listen to me, Pavel, because I will only say this once. You better do more than that or you can kiss your own ass good-bye. Capici? Don’t fuck with me!”

He knew Carlo wasn’t kidding. If Pavel didn’t do what was requested of him, and soon, Carlo would not be a happy man. It was time he upped his ante and called in some favors, but that meant marriage.

Pavel silently grunted at his dilemma.

“I will. I’ll make it happen. Don’t worry.”

“See that you do,” Carlo gruffly replied. “This discussion is over.”

Once he arrived back home, Pavel immediately went to his safe, securely stashed under the floorboards of a hidden closet beneath the stairway. He took out a notebook and began to jot down his daily notes, adding to the ones he penned in the night before. He went to his copier that was set up in his study and copied a fresh set. He sealed them in an envelope marked ‘Felice’ on the outside and put them back in his concealed spot. He then put the original documents in an envelope, sealed it and immediately called his contact.

“We need to meet, now,” Pavel said as soon as the telephone was answered.

“Same place?”

“Yes, be there in fifteen minutes.”

* * * * *

“We need to talk.”

Pavel met his contact at the usual dinghy bar on the upper east side of the city. The only people who drank at Finnigans were local alcoholics who were usually drunk before they even arrived.

Pavel steered Nick towards the back, passing the bar on the left and an area to the right that held small round tables and chairs. At the moment, the tables were empty. The floor was littered with last night’s remnants of stale peanuts and old popcorn. The owner apparently didn’t pride himself with the cleanliness of his establishment.

The bar was almost the full length of the room. The few customers who were actually there at this time of the day—which was not quite four o’clock in the afternoon—smelled of body odor with a stench of alcohol permeating their clothing, adding to the air of disgust. They walked past the bartender who was sitting on a stool watching a program on a small television set that was stuck in the corner of the bar. He nodded at the bartender as they passed. The owner knew who they were and the bartenders and waitresses knew never to question their appearances.

Pavel positively hated this hell-hole they called a bar, but knew it was a place he wouldn’t be found. Turning left at the end of the bar, Pavel opened the door to the back room. He found it empty and plopped himself down in the old, worn, leather chair that creaked when he sat. Nick stood and looked at him.

“Well? Are you going to tell me why the hell you needed to meet on such short notice? You know it’s not protocol.”

“You and your protocol can kiss my ass,” he muttered.

He was getting tired of playing the game. It has been many years of the same façade and he wanted it to end. He was so close, and now too much was at risk. It was more than his revenge, it was Felice and the baby, too.

“Spit it out, man. I’ve got things to do.”

He took out the envelope that contained his latest notes and slid it across the desk to Nick. Pavel told him of his latest meeting with Mancini and what was now expected of him.

“So, marry the girl. What’s it going to hurt?”

“Are you crazy? I’m not marrying Teresa. You better find a way out of this for me!”

“Look, you can always get a divorce if you later feel you don’t want to be married to her. Frankly, I’ve seen the girl, she’s hot. Nice body. I wouldn’t mind bedding her,” he chuckled.

“Then you marry her. Hot or not, it’s not happening.”

“Well, what do you suggest?”

“That’s your job. I’m doing mine, start doing yours.”

“What’s the big deal? What’s really going on here, Pavel?”

“You know damn well what’s going on. I am not getting married. How many times do I need to say it?”

“I’ll talk to the others and try to figure something out. In the meantime, I suggest you do what Mancini wants you to do. How’s it going with Phillip?”

“Same. He’s in jail. Can you get him out? Don’t you know anyone who can help?”

“I’m trying. It’s not that easy. Let’s just say my friends are not cooperating. We are after all, talking about the Mancini family and no one wants to get involved.”

“Get them involved. As much as I don’t want it to happen, we need Phillip out of jail.”

“What’s your hurry?”

“My hurry? I have Mancini breathing down my neck. If I don’t get Phillip out and soon, you’ll find me and some heavy ankle weights some sixty feet under those murky waters we call our lake.”

“I’m doing what I can. In the meantime, hang loose. I’ll get back to you.”

Nick picked up the envelope from the desk and turned to leave.

“You do that. I’ll expect to hear from you soon,” Pavel said.

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Chapter Nine of "In the Name of Revenge"

I'm continuing to post chapter-by-chapter "In the Name of Revenge." Here now is Chapter Nine. Enjoy!

NINE

Detective Wolters received the forensic report back. There were no fingerprints on the bassinet or anywhere. In fact, the tests showed the blanket and sweater had recently been laundered. Wolters assumed it was the kidnapper attempting to erase any evidence. Needless to say he did a good job. Other than the baby’s pink blanket, no evidence was found in the park and no one saw anything or anyone suspicious.

Even though the picture of Rita Grace was distributed to all the local stations in the county and surrounding areas, no one saw her nor did anyone come forward with any information. He questioned the babysitter, Bellicini and Thornton and interviewed those who worked for Thornton, as well as the fellow coworkers of Bellicini. No one could shed any light on who would have done such a thing. Each of them told Detective Wolters that as far as they knew neither Thornton nor Bellicini even had any enemies. He had their cell phones and home phone checked to see what calls were placed. They called one another, the babysitter, each of their respective jobs and a few friends. Nothing out of the ordinary. The father didn’t call, nor did they call him. They were like a perfect family, but apparently, there were skeletons in someone’s closet.

He was still trying to locate Pavel Ivanovich. He was waiting to get the DMV records. If he lived locally, the Department of Motor Vehicles would have him on file.

His telephone rang at his desk. He was hoping it was the DMV.

“Wolters.”

“Brandon?”

It was his wife, Monica.

“Hi, honey. What’s up?”

“I just received a strange telephone call. I was instructed to tell you about it.”

“What do you mean? Who called?”

“I don’t know who it was,” she said. “When I answered, they told me to not speak, to just listen. They said to tell you that you are putting your nose in business that you don’t belong in and it would be best for you to get his man out of jail.”

He was quiet.

“Brandon? What is going on? Is this part of some investigation you’re involved in?” this part of some investigation you'not speak, to just listen. They said to tell you that you were putting your”””

“One I thought was over. We arrested a member of the local crime family. I handed in my report and the district attorney has the case.”

“Well, it’s not over. They’re calling the house, Brandon. You need to do something.”

“Monica, please don’t worry. I’ll handle it.”

“I’m worried.”

“Okay, maybe you should go to your mother’s house for a while.”

“Are you sure? Are we in danger?”

“No, I’m sure everything is fine, but I just want to err on the side of caution.”

“I see. You wouldn’t tell me if you did think so, would you? In any case, I think going to mother’s is a good idea, at least for a little while. Brandon?”

“Yes?”

“Please be careful. I want you home safe. I love you.”

“I love you too, and I will be careful. Call me when you get there.”

After hanging up, he grabbed the Mancini file and walked into his Sergeant’s office, completely forgetting about the DMV reports he was waiting for.

“Got a minute?” he asked.

“Sure. What’s up?”

Sergeant Roger Palazzio was going through paperwork, but set it aside when Brandon came in.

“It’s the Mancini case.”

“I thought that was over.”

“I did too.”

He repeated the conversation he just had with his wife. He felt that it was the Mancini boss getting revenge.

“Apparently, he doesn’t want his son in jail.”

“Maybe. Are you sure this is about the Mancini case?”

“Pretty sure. I told my wife to go to her mother’s for a while.”

“Good idea. I’m also going to mandate protection for you.”

“Come on. I don’t need protection. I just want this asshole to leave my family alone.”

“So do I, but not at your expense. You’re off the case, Wolters.”

“What? You can’t do that, I’m the arresting officer. I’ll need to testify anyway.”

“I can do that. Let’s get the ADA in here.”

* * * * *

“Okay, you’re saying you think that the telephone call made to your house is connected to the Mancini case?”

Assistant District Attorney Sami Benson paced back and forth in the Sergeant’s office. Detective Wolters repeated, once again, the telephone call that made his wife nervous.

“Yes, I do. Although they didn’t say the name, they meant Phillip Mancini. I know it.”

“You’re basing this on what…one telephone call?”

“Yes, and my gut instinct. My stomach’s in turmoil over this.”

“I can’t go to the judge with what may or may not have been something you ate, Detective,” she said, as she stopped pacing to look at him.

Detective Wolters ignored her wise remark, and said, “They said they want their man out of jail. He’s the most recent man I’ve arrested who, to this day, remains in jail awaiting trial. Besides, it’s the most high profile case I’ve worked on lately. Who would call my wife and demand that their son—a man suspected of murder—be let out of jail? Who else could it be if not the Mancini boy?”

“Sami, I have to agree with Brandon here,” Sergeant Palazzio interjected.

“I’m not saying I disagree, but what do you expect me to do? I can’t go to the judge with this. Mancini’s been in custody, away from the general population and has no contact with anyone. How could he be threatening you and your family?”

“It’s the Mancini family. They have ways. The old man is ruling that family and he’ll do what it takes to get what he wants. It wouldn’t be the first time. All I’m suggesting here is that you talk to the guy. Maybe get him to leave my family alone.”

“I will interview him, that goes without saying. As far as doing anything about it…well, there isn’t any proof the Mancini family is behind that phone call.”

“I’ve taken Wolters off the case for his safety.”

“Sergeant, I’m asking you not to. I can handle this.”

“It may be a good idea to keep him on this case,” Benson told Palazzio.

“How is it a good idea?”

She turned and looked at Wolters.

“Well, if it is indeed the Mancini family who is doing this, they’re targeting you because you are the arresting officer. You will be the one testifying, the one t be the first time." They have ways. It wouldn'y member of his family. How could he be threatening you and your family through LoListenwho targeted Phillip Mancini and the one who was actually able to get enough proof to arrest him. They know all this.” She turned her attention to the sergeant, and continued, “Whether or not you take him off the case is irrelevant. He will be testifying.”

“So, what do you suggest?” Palazzio asked.

“Let’s use you as bait,” she turned back to Wolters. “Are you game?”

“Depends on what you mean by bait.”

“Your wife is leaving town, right?”

“Yes, today I hope. She’s going to her mother’s in Ojai.”

Ojai was a small community, tucked into the hills and off the beaten path of any major city. It was a very artsy town, and most who lived there knew one another. Brandon felt it would be a safe place for Monica to be.

“Good, make sure she does. You’ll do nothing about the telephone call. You go on as you always do. Once they don’t get a response from you, they’ll try again. We’ll have a shadow team following you. You won’t be alone. Let’s see what they do next.”

“What? Wait like a sitting duck? You’ve got to be kidding me,” said Palazzio.

“He will be well-protected. If you want to do something about this, then we need to act, or not act, as the case may be.”

“I’ll do it.”

“I’ll want to have your home telephone tapped as well as the one at your desk,” Benson told him.

“We can easily tap the one at his desk since it’s his individual line,” Sergeant Palazzio said. “Should we get a warrant?”

The ADA started pacing again.

“It’s not really necessary as anyone calling in has no expectation of privacy.” She stopped in her tracks and continued, “Just to be sure though, I think I’ll go ahead and get one. That way, it we do get a caller taped, there’ll be no issues to contend with.”

“That’s all just great, but what good will it really do?” Wolters asked.

“We need the wiretap to get an insight into who it is that actually called and if they are, in fact, tied to the Mancini family. Plus should we make an arrest we may be able to use it to get a confession during an interrogation. We cannot fight someone unknown and assume it has anything to do with this case.”

 “What about his house phone?” asked Palazzio.

“Since his wife was called at home like I said, it would be a good idea. I’ll get that set up as well,” Benson said.

“So, what happens when we know for sure? Because I am sure,” Wolters said.

“Then we handle them,” Benson stated firmly.

“I guess then, you’re still on this case, Wolters…for now,” Sergeant Palazzio told him.

“Then let’s get started,” Benson crossed to the Sergeant’s desk and snatched up the telephone.

While she arranged the tapping of the telephones, Wolters took his Sergeant aside.

“Sarge, I have a feeling here,” he said, pointing a finger at his stomach, “that this is just starting. We thought it was over when we arrested Mancini, but that was only the beginning of our problems.”

“If you’re right about your hunch that this has to do with the Mancinis, then you may be correct in worrying. This is only going to get uglier.”

Chapter Eight of "In the Name of Revenge"

As you all know, I've been posting for FREE chapters of "In the Name of Revenge" here on my blog and on Wattpad. Don't worry, the entire book will be released, so you don't have to worry about getting halfway through and finding out that you'll never get the rest.

Enjoy Chapter Eight!

_______________

CHAPTER EIGHT

Pavel returned to his small second floor apartment in Thousand Oaks after dropping off his daughter at Tracy’s place. He stood in the living room and looked around his stark bachelor’s pad, as if seeing it for the first time. His entire place was done in neutral colors and was crying out for a woman’s touch. A leather sofa sat on hardwood floors, with a wing-backed chair placed next to it. The two were separated by a small table. An area rug was neatly placed in front of the fireplace, which was positioned across from the sitting area.

His kitchen held quality pots and pans and every utensil and dish needed to make and eat a gourmet meal even though Pavel has not once cooked in his kitchen. He felt it depressing to cook for one and then eat it alone.

His bedroom was just as bleak. The massive king-size bed, which he had yet to sleep in, sat in the middle of the room. It was still made up the same way as the day the decorator put her final touches of toss pillows on it. He couldn’t bring himself to sleep in the huge bed alone. It held a bedspread that matched the draperies, which covered the wall-to-wall windows that overlooked the city.

Everything was decorated tastefully, but without any warmth. He hired the interior decorator when he moved in here, giving her freedom to decorate the place. She added the accessories where she felt they were needed and provided the most exquisite furnishings. The one thing she couldn’t add was the touch of a family life: the lingering scent of a baby’s precious smells or a woman’s fragrance as she entered the room. It finally dawned on him that money did not make a house a home. Only a family could do that.

Pavel knew he was taking a chance, but he wanted to see his daughter. He wanted to spend just a little time with her. He saw them in the park, acting as one big happy family. He was glad Felice was happy. She deserved it, but he felt she should be happy with him and their daughter, not with someone else.

He saw his opportunity when Felice turned away to look at something in the trees. He had no idea what she was looking at, but he didn’t have time to waste. In anticipation of seeing his daughter, he previously put a car seat in. After all, he didn’t want to put her at risk. He quickly picked up his daughter and darted towards his car. He was out of sight before Felice turned around.

He kept tabs on Felice throughout her pregnancy. He was friendly with a nurse at the doctor’s office where Felice went for her visits. Even though it was against policy and everything she believed in, Helen kept Pavel up to date on Felice and the baby. They maintained a long time friendship and she felt sorry for him because she believed it was Felice who walked out on Pavel. He never corrected her, allowing her to believe it to be true.

He visited the hospital the day the baby was born just to see if everything was okay, but left without seeing his daughter. It was the hardest thing he had ever done. He desperately wanted nothing more than to see Felice and to hold his daughter in his arms.

He regretted his deception from the day he left her…the day he left a living piece of himself inside of Felice. Part of him prayed she wouldn’t abort their baby, the other half of him wanted her to, just so he didn’t put his own flesh and blood in harm’s way.

Since the day he allowed her to cry by herself in the bathroom, he wanted to go to Felice, tell her everything and to beg her to take him back. It was his love for her that wouldn’t allow him to go to her when she cried and what made him leave her when she told him she was pregnant. He cut all ties with her and moved from his residence. He couldn’t take the chance Felice would try and see him. If she did, he knew he would be unable to stop himself from telling her everything.

When he was at his lowest, he would cheer himself by sending Felice gifts. He wouldn’t allow himself to include a card when he sent her the vase or when he had the flowers delivered to her. It was his way of letting her know she was still on his mind. He realized that she didn’t have any way of knowing those things were from him, but it made him feel a little better, a little closer to her.

He knew all about Felice’s present life. He made it a point to watch her, without being seen. When he realized she was seeing Darryl, it broke his heart. Then he found out she was going to marry him. The thought of her being with someone other than him for the rest of her life felt as if someone put a knife in his heart. Not to mention the fact that his daughter would be brought up by another man. His daughter would call that man ‘daddy’. A name which should be reserved only for him.

Now, being unable to stand one more minute of not seeing his daughter, he took her. He knew it was wrong, that Felice would be worried, but it didn’t matter. All he wanted to do was spend some time with her.

Before taking her, he prepared. He went to his storage facility where he kept all of the things that were most important to him—things his parents gave him as a child and special mementos he kept dear to his heart. Pictures of Felice were among those things. He took out his baby bassinet and made sure it was still sturdy. He had it recovered with padded fabric. So as not to be spotted by anyone in the Mancini family, he went to Calabasas, a city close by, and bought baby food, toys, clothes, blankets and diapers.

Instead of taking her to his place, he rented a tiny apartment in Calabasas. He could not take the chance of anyone seeing him with a baby. When he returned there, he noticed the pink blanket she was bundled in, was missing. He wasn’t too concerned as he bought others for her.

He spent just a few precious days with his daughter. It was then he truly realized how badly he wanted her around all the time, but he wanted Felice there as well. He wanted them to be a family.

They were the best days of his life and the ones that flew by the quickest. Because he forgot to buy a highchair, he sat her in his lap when he fed her. He loved everything about taking care of her, even when she spit her food out and he would have to again, replace her t-shirt with a clean one. He didn’t even mind when he had to change her diaper. He played with her and knowing that he was far enough away from where he took her, went for walks with her in the small park near the apartment. He figured he’d be safe. No one there would guess that he was anything other than a man walking with his child.

He was proud to be her father. Being with her and caring for her gave him the most wonderful feelings he could ever have.

It was the normalcy of the actions that amazed him. Pavel had not felt like that for a very long time. He forgot what a typical, easy going day was. Felice gave him a sense of that, but he threw it away. Now, caring for his child seemed the most natural thing in the world to him. He didn’t have any clue as to what to do, but it all came unexpectedly easy to him.

The times he most cherished was when, after giving her a bath, he put her down in her crib in the bedroom. She lay there looking up at him and smiled. She knew instinctively he was her father, not Darryl. He could see it in her eyes. He couldn’t sleep. Instead, he sat up and watched her breathe easy as she lay in her bassinet, her tiny little hands balled up. He took her small fingers in his and awed at the precious baby he helped give life to. For the first time in his life, he knew what it was to love unconditionally. There was nothing that sweet, little baby could do to ever make him stop loving her. Not now, nor when she grew up into a wonderful young woman. He knew this deep in his soul. He knew what it meant to be a parent and found it was what he’s been missing his entire adult life. He felt almost complete when his daughter was with him. He would be whole when Felice joined them.

However much it would hurt him to do so, he knew he had to return Rita Grace. Felice would be going out of her mind with worry and that was not his intention. He hadn’t even considered that when he took the baby. All he wanted was to be part of his daughter’s life, if only for a short while. He prayed it would be soon that he could put this entire incident and the drama with the Mancini family behind him and be with his family.

What he didn’t know was whether or not Felice would take him back. If she didn’t, he vowed he would not allow her to keep him from his daughter. He loved his little girl and was determined to become a vital part of her life. She would grow up to know him and he intended on being there for her.

Once he completed his quest for revenge, he was going to go to Felice and beg her to forgive him. Until that time there was no choice, he would have to wait. He wasn’t sure how long it would be before he was able to see his daughter again, to spend more time with her. He also didn’t know how he was going to be able to accomplish that. She was his daughter after all and he wanted her to grow up knowing him…one way or another.

Standing at the window, he stared down into the street while holding a glass of wine in one hand and a teddy bear in the other…he never felt so alone. He turned the teddy bear over in his hand, noticing her dribble all over it. He smiled, never thinking he would enjoy the idea of baby drool.

After staying up for two nights he was exhausted, but he didn’t mind. He held these special memories dear to his heart. He knew they would have to sustain him for a little while longer.

He thought of the few short days he was blessed to have with his daughter and began to cry. It was the hardest thing he ever did when he left her. He felt so hollow. His existence seemed pointless now. What kind of life did he make for himself? He was alone, living in an apartment and holding a dangerous job. Suddenly, he realized all he really wanted was to be a husband and father.

He put his wine glass down, walked over to the coffee table and picked up the pictures. Tears streamed down his face as he looked at the snapshots he took with his digital camera. He captured her smiling and sleeping. She was an angel, his little cherub.

“Soon, my little girl, we’ll be able to spend time together again,” he said aloud to her picture, studying every inch of her sweet, baby face.

*****

He knew it was nearing time to bring the boss down. He wanted the old man to know what it felt like to lose someone he loved. He wanted Carlo to experience the deep, heart wrenching pain of witnessing an execution of a family member like he was forced to. After his parents were killed, he had no choice but to watch the life drain out of each of them. That night, Pavel sat tied up in the chair for what seemed like hours, staring at his parents. Even though it made him sick to his stomach, he was unable to look away. His father landed with the side of his face on the carpet, eyes open, but unseeing, facing Pavel. He could see the star-shaped entrance wound on his father’s forehead, which showed the powder burns where the bullet went in. His mother landed face down and, fortunately, Pavel could not see her face.

He threw up for what seemed like an hour, until it was just dry heaves. He couldn’t stomach what he witnessed. He couldn’t help his parents. He was unable to do anything except cry for the man who had been a person he grew to love and respect and the woman who had so endearingly loved her family.

From the time the masked man left that fateful evening, until the time his aunt came to visit the next morning and found them, Pavel stewed with rage. All night he sat there, unable to get out of his bindings, and vowed revenge. Since his parents’ unjustified and brutal murders, it was a scene Pavel replayed night after night in his nightmares. The horrible event wasn’t the only thing he saw. He also saw his own red, the fiery anger of what they did to his family and the red he wanted to shed in retribution.

He didn’t know who the man was, but he knew who he reported to. He knew why his parents were dead and that it was at the hands of Carlo Mancini. What he didn’t understand is why they spared him. To Pavel, that particular fact didn’t interest him. The only thing that did was revenge.

Pavel learned Carlo had two children, a son and a daughter. Although he didn’t doubt Carlo loved his daughter, it was his son Phillip he valued the most, as he would soon be taking over the organization. Carlo was getting on in years. He was almost eighty. Phillip was groomed to fill Carlo’s shoes and from what Pavel could tell, was primed well.

Pavel didn’t plan on hurting the old man physically. He wanted more than that. He wanted Carlo to personally know what it’s like to lose someone in a vicious way while being made to watch the event unfold. It was the son Pavel planned on going after. He wanted Carlo tormented with the violent murder and ensuing grief.

It was all planned…he would kidnap Phillip while Carlo was out of town. But he would be kept alive until Carlo returned. He wanted his audience. Pavel knew it would have to happen soon because Carlo mistakenly confided in him that he was to have surgery. His hip was finally giving out. He was having a specialist at UCLA in southern California perform the surgery. That left Phillip in Thousand Oaks to run things. Pavel planned on using that time to do what he needed to do. He was just waiting for Carlo to tell him when he would be leaving to have his surgery. He promised Carlo he would be there to aid Phillip in whatever needed to be done. It was an empty promise. Pavel knew it was going to be Phillip helping him in what needed to be done, even if Phillip didn’t know this quite yet.

"Deadly Decisions" FREE

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The Character's Perspective

As a post, I am not going to say a word. Instead, one of my characters from the Ivanovich series has opted to speak. Please allow me to introduce to you Teresa Mancini, daughter of mob boss Carlo Mancini and girlfriend to the FBI agent who took Carlo down.

 

___________________

From the voice of Teresa Mancini

“I’m definitely honored my creator asked me to speak to her audience. But I’m not surprised that she thought of me. Who else would be better to relay their regal existence? My creator—I am instructed to call her that, by the way, and it isn’t my first choice of names—told me to tell you about my life. 

“My life wasn’t always glamorous and definitely had its ups and downs. You would think growing up in a powerful Italian family that you would have it all. It’s not true. ‘Family’ was supposed to mean something, but all that it meant to my father—Carlo Mancini—was how much power he could yield and how many lives he could destroy. He didn’t care that in the end, it was his own family he shattered.

“When I was young, I thought I was the luckiest girl alive. Even though my father was busy building his empire, my mother Madeline, was always there. She did everything with me. She made me feel like a princess. But when I got a little older, she began to mold me into the young lady I was expected to be in an influential Italian family. At six, she began teaching me the proper clothing to wear, how to walk and even what to eat. Salads? Honestly! At that young age? I wanted junk food, but that was never an option in our house.

“I loved my mother, adored her, then she was ripped from my life when I was ten. I don’t know what happened, only what my father told me . . . she died. He never elaborated, but I recall sitting in church at her service holding my father’s hand. I started to cry, but he quickly shushed me, telling me that crying in public was not allowed. It made us appear weak. It was the last time my father touched me, let alone held my hand.

“It was very difficult after my mother was gone. I lost the smile I used to have, I lost the interest in being the perfect Mancini princess. My father showed less interest in me than he did before. I was pretty much raised by staff members. Our mansion was cold and completely loveless. It’s a wonder I’m as amazing as I am now.

“I came to understand what my father did. Let’s say it as it is: he killed people for a living. He was a drug runner and gun trader. If anyone dare come up against him for any reason, he had him killed.

“My father informed, he did not discuss. When he said something, it was as if Moses himself wrote it on the stone tablet. It wasn’t going to be changed. At least, that’s what Father told himself.

“I was pretty much treated like I didn’t exist in my own home. I grew up in that hateful mansion. You would think that because I had everything money could buy, I would have been happy. But money and power couldn’t bring my mother to me. I acted the part of the perfect daughter when I was called upon to do so. I was invisible when I needed to be. I was a good Italian daughter of a mob boss.

“That’s what I had everyone thinking. What I really did was listen to everything, paid attention to what deals were happening and when. I tucked everything away in my mind, knowing it would be useful later. And it was.

“When my father was finally arrested for years of criminal activities, I sang like a canary. I knew what he’d done, who he was. I gave the FBI information that would hang the bastard. And yes, I enjoyed every moment of it, just as he relished the power he exerted over so many people for so many years. I hoped the bastardo rotted in jail.

“Now though, I am my own person. No one controls me or tells me what to do. I’m still sort of lacking in the friend department, but I have Pavel Ivanovich. He’s enough. And I know that I’m certainly enough for him. Have you seen me? Pavel can’t keep his eyes off of me. I can’t say as I blame him.

“My creator made Pavel the FBI agent, but I think she made a mistake. I honestly believe that I should have been the agent. I would have been so good. Don’t you agree?

“It was nice to meet you, but I’m sure the pleasure was all yours.”

 

In the Name of Revenge - Chapter Seven

As you all are aware, I have been posting "In the Name of Revenge," chapter by chapter on WattPad and here. I'm now giving you Chapter 7. I would love to hear your comments! Post them here. Enjoy!

SEVEN

Darryl picked up the twins from the babysitter’s, figuring it might be a little easier having the children around to take Felice’s mind off of Rita Grace.

To put it bluntly, it had been hell the last two days for both Felice and Darryl. There was no telephone call from the kidnapper. The cops were still there taking shifts while monitoring telephone calls.

They tried their best to entertain the twins, but Felice’s heart wasn’t in it. Darryl tried getting her to look at catalogs full of wedding ideas, but she couldn’t concentrate. All she could think of was her baby. Where was she? Who had her? Why had they taken her? What did they want? No one had the answers she was seeking.

Using his computer, Darryl printed up posters with pictures of Rita Grace. He included a police tip hot line number they were given. He also added in their home telephone number for anyone to anonymously call if they saw anything. Along with the request for information, he posted a ten thousand dollar reward. That morning, Darryl drove around tacking up the flyers everywhere he could think of near the park, in the city and near their neighborhood.

Felice still refused to leave the house. She couldn’t even bring herself to shower for fear she would not hear the telephone ring. She dressed in sweat pants and a t-shirt, looking as haggard as she felt. She didn’t care. All she wanted was to get her baby back.

Darryl’s parents called and said they would be happy to fly there to take care of the twins. Darryl thought it was a good idea as other people in the house might help, but Felice insisted they stay home because she didn’t want company right now.

She didn’t sleep and it showed in her sunken eyes. She only ate when Darryl forced her to. She was lifeless and beyond consolation. Darryl felt like a failure, not knowing what to do. He desperately wanted to go out and look for her himself, but was concerned about leaving Felice alone. She couldn’t take care of herself right now, let alone the children.

Darryl finally insisted she shower and get dressed, telling her that it would revive her. She got in the shower and let the hot water pour over her. She began to wash her hair when another wave of panic overcame her. She sank down to her knees, the water spraying across her back. She knelt there, her own arms wrapped tightly around herself and cried until she felt numb inside. Shampoo from her hair began to drip into her eyes, making her cry harder. Falling against the shower doors when she tried to stand up, she realized how weak she was from not eating or sleeping. Struggling to find just a little energy, she finished her shower, stepped out of the tub and dried herself off.

She walked over to the mirror and was startled at what she saw. Swollen eyes stared back at her. Her skin was pale, deathly pale, even though her complexion was normally a deep tan. It was then she made a decision.

“I’m coming, baby. Mommy is going to find you. I’ve wasted three days sitting here feeling sorry for myself while you’re out there needing me to find you.”

She quickly got dressed and rushed into the bedroom.

“Darryl?”

“I’m here, dear.”

“Let’s go.”

“What? Where?”

“Out. I need to find my baby and I can’t do it sitting here wallowing in self pity.”

Darryl just stared at her. It was like a new woman emerged from the shower.

When he didn’t move, Felice asked, “Are you coming?”

“Of course.”

He moved into action and followed Felice through the hall and down the stairs. He stopped her when they reached the living room.

“Sweetheart, I can’t leave the children alone.”

“I know that. I’m going to call Tracy to see if she can come and sit with them.”

“What about the police?”

“What about them? They don’t need babysitters. They can sit there on their collective asses and wait for a call that’s not coming, if they want. I’ve had enough. I’m going to find my baby.”

She called Tracy, who agreed she would come right over.

“Do you have any posters left from this morning?”

“Yes. They’re in the hall by the front door.”

“Good. We’re going to put more up. Then I plan on talking to as many people as I can near the park. I don’t care if I have to go door-to-door, but I will find someone who knows something.”

As soon as the words were out of her mouth, the doorbell rang. Darryl went to answer the door just as the telephone rang.

Felice waited until she was given the signal from the police and then answered.

“Hello?”

“Felice?”

“Yes? Tracy? Aren’t you coming over?”

 “It’s Rita Grace.”

“What are you talking about?”

“She’s here!”

“What?” Felice thought she heard wrong.

“She’s here, Felice. Someone dropped her off.”

Darryl was showing Detective Wolters in when Felice yelled, “Darryl! Rita Grace! She’s at Tracy’s.”

Darryl quickly picked up the extension phone in the hallway.

“Tracy? She’s there?”

“Yes.”

“Oh my god! I’ll be right over.”

Darryl hung up the telephone and reached for his jacket.

“Wait,” the detective said. “I need to go with you…”

Felice interrupted him as she grabbed her jacket, “I’m the one who’s going.”

“I’m afraid that’s not possible, this is still a police investigation,” the detective told her.

 “I honestly don’t care what you have to say. I’m going to get my daughter and that’s all there is to it.”

“Listen, it could be a trick of some sort,” the detective said.

“Trick? What are you talking about?” Darryl asked.

“It’s possible that your daughter wasn’t the one they wanted. Maybe whoever took her was just trying to get to you.”

“Me? Who could possibly want to get to me? And why?”

“Mam, we don’t know anything. We just can’t take chances. The officer is going to stay here with you while Mr. Thornton and I pick up your little girl.”

“This is ridiculous!” she yelled. “I’m not going to stand here and waste time arguing with you.”

She started toward the door, but Darryl stopped her.

“Sweetheart,” Darryl told her, “someone needs to stay with the twins.”

In her excitement, she forgot about them. Although she was feeling guilty about not remembering the twins, she insisted she be allowed to go.

“She is my daughter and I will be the one who picks her up. You stay!” she exclaimed as she turned to Darryl. “I’m going.”

She began walking towards the door again when this time, the detective stopped her.

 “I understand your desire to see your daughter. However, I believe that if it is a ruse, it would be easier for them to get to you if you were somewhere other than here in your home. You’d be safer here with the officers. Mam, I know she is your daughter and I understand that you want to be the one to go get her. However, what if someone is there at your babysitter’s home trying to lure you there? Think about it? Why would someone take your child then simply drop her off at the babysitter’s? There has to be something more. In any case, do we know anything for sure?”

 “Please,” Darryl pleaded with her, “I need you to be safe.”

Looking at the anguish on Darryl’s face, she finally gave in. It was the last thing she wanted to do, but she knew Darryl would not be able to handle it if something happened to her right now. He hurt through this entire ordeal just as much as she did.

“I don’t agree with this, but I will stay. Let me say this for the record though, I am not happy about this. Please, Darryl, bring my baby home as quick as you can.”

“I will, honey. I promise.”

The detective drove Darryl to the babysitter’s house. During the drive, Darryl couldn’t contain his excitement.

“I’m so thankful, so grateful that she’s okay.”

“You love her, don’t you?” Wolters asked.

“As if she were my own. That little girl is precious. One day when I came home from work, Felice had her in the playpen in the den. I walked in and she held up her arms wanting me to pick her up. She’s so young yet, but she knows who I am. She wanted her daddy.”

He couldn’t stop smiling. He felt like he just won the lottery.

“You’re not her daddy, though.”

“Not biologically, but that’s not what makes a father. You think the man who simply donated a few sperm cells deserves to be her father when he hasn’t even set his eyes on her?”

“I happen to agree with you. I shouldn’t have said that. You appear to be more like a father to that little girl than most men are to their own biological children.”

“Thank you for saying that, Detective.”

When they pulled into the driveway, Darryl barely let the car come to a stop before he jumped out. He ran up the walk and without bothering to knock, opened the door. He was immediately greeted by crying, sounds so sweet to his ears he could barely hold back his desire to just grab her and run back to Felice. Instead, he took her from Tracy and cried along with Rita Grace.

While Darryl held onto her, afraid to let her go now that he had her back, the detective questioned Tracy.

“Mam, can you tell me what happened? Who dropped off the baby?”

“I don’t know. I didn’t see the person,” Tracy explained. “I thought I heard someone outside. I was in the small bathroom near the front door getting ready to go to Darryl’s house. When I came out I looked out the door, but didn’t see anyone. I was going to head upstairs to get a jacket when I thought I heard a baby cry. I opened the front door and sweet Jesus, there was Rita Grace. She was bundled in the white hooded sweater you see her in now, with the hood pulled up around her. She was inside this,” she said pointing to an old fashioned, wooden bassinet standing on the floor.

The inside of the bassinet was softly cushioned with yellow fabric decorated with white flowers. The bassinet looked old, but the fabric was new.

“You didn’t see anyone?”

“No, I’m sorry.”

“Tracy…” Darryl hadn’t realized he was still crying until he choked on his words. “Thank you.”

“It’s obvious that whoever took this baby didn’t mean her any harm,” the detective observed. “Furthermore, the person knows you.”

“Why would you say that?” Darryl asked.

“For one, he or she knows your babysitter.”

Darryl stood there, holding Rita Grace and realized what those words meant. He immediately thought of his own children. Did this mean they too could be in danger? With the kidnapper knowing where Tracy lives, it stands to reason they know who Glenn and Gabriella are.

“Detective, do you think someone has been following us? Are my children in danger as well?”

“Unfortunately, anything’s possible. Perhaps it’s someone close to you. Think hard. Is there anyone, anyone at all, who would want to do something like this?”

“Honestly, Detective, no one comes to mind,” he responded emphatically. “You said, ‘for one’, what’s two?”

“Well, look at the bassinet. It looks like it’s been in someone’s family for a long time. It’s an old fashioned one. Your family’s?” he asked Darryl.

“No, I’ve never seen it before.”

“Mam?” he turned to Tracy. “Do you recognize it?”

“No.”

“Are you sure someone just dropped off the baby on your doorstep?”

Jumping in to defend her, Darryl said, “Are you saying…Detective, that’s impossible. I’ve known Tracy for nearly six years. She’s been babysitting the twins for a long time.”

“Detective, I would never do this to them, or anyone else for that matter.”

“I’m sorry to have to ask these questions, just doing my job, Mam.”

He walked over to where the bassinet sat on the floor. Pulling on a pair of gloves, Detective Wolters carefully picked it up.

“I’d like to take this and have it dusted for prints. Is this hers?” he held up a small plush teddy bear.

“No,” Darryl answered.

“Did you give it to her?” the detective asked Tracy.

“No.”

“Mr. Thornton, this is personal. Someone took this baby and cared for her, then left her on the doorstep of your babysitter with gifts. I can only assume it’s someone who knows you or Miss Bellicini…quite well in fact.”

“Who? Like I said, we don’t know anyone who would just take her, to say nothing of giving her back. It doesn’t make sense.”

“Since Miss Bellicini isn’t here, I’m going to ask this. What do you really know about this baby’s father?”

“The baby’s father? Like we told you, Pavel isn’t around and we don’t know where he is. He’s never made any contact with Felice after she told him she was pregnant. That bastard left her high and dry. He didn’t want the baby then and he sure as hell wouldn’t come back for her now.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, well…I don’t think he would. Why would he? Besides, if he did why didn’t he just call and ask to see her?”

“Are you sure he hasn’t?”

“Hasn’t what?”

“Called. Maybe he’s contacted Miss Bellicini and she just didn’t tell you.”

“Not a chance. Felice is nothing if not honest. She would tell me if he called. We have no secrets between us, Detective. What’s more, if she even thought Ivanovich would ever do this, she would have told you.”

“Okay, I’m going to keep this teddy bear and bassinet. I’ll return them to you once forensics has gone over them.”

The detective put the teddy bear back in the bassinet.

“This type of bassinet was common about thirty years ago. I don’t have children, but this looks pretty unique. It’s almost like a picnic basket. See here…the handles to carry it with…the way you have to carry this bassinet is almost the same as you would a picnic basket. It’s just bigger, with legs.”

“I see what you mean. Look, Detective, I promised Felice I’d get right home with Rita Grace. Can you please take us?”

“Sure. Mam?” he turned to Tracy. “I’m sure you’ll be around if I have any more questions for you.”

It was more of a statement requesting her to be available, than it was a question.

This fact was not lost on Tracy. She was very offended by his comment and made sure that he understood she knew exactly what he meant.

Shaking her head as if she couldn’t believe he could think such a thing, Tracy answered, “Of course. I’m not going anywhere. I’ve been caring for Rita Grace almost since the day she was born and the twins for years before that. I want this person apprehended just as much as everyone else does.”

When Darryl walked through the front door with her daughter, it was all Felice could do not to collapse with relief. She scooped her daughter into her arms and held her so close that Rita Grace whimpered. Pulling her back, Felice kissed her daughter.

“I’m never letting you go. I promise I will never again let you out of my sight for one second. Oh, honey, I’m so sorry,” she cooed to her daughter.

Darryl hung up his jacket then went over and hugged both of them.

“That goes double for me,” he said. “I will always be here for you and make sure this never happens again.”

He wasn’t sure if he was trying to reassure Felice or himself and he prayed to God he could always keep the promise he just made.

Glenn and Gabriella stood next to them. Felice gently placed her daughter in Darryl’s arms, knelt down and hugged the twins.

“Thank you, both,” she told them.

“For what? We didn’t do nothin’,” Gabriella said.

“Yes, you most certainly did. Gabriella, you told the officers about Rita Grace’s pink blanket. Glenn, you took good care of your sister and stayed at Tracy’s when we asked you to. You both were very helpful to Daddy and me. If she could, I’m sure Rita Grace would agree.”

Gabriella looked at Felice and asked, “If Rita Grace is okay, then why are you still crying?”

Wiping away her tears, Felice answered, “Remember when we talked the other day at the park, and I explained that sometimes people cry when they’re happy?”

“I remember. So, you’re happy, right?”

“You bet I am. I’m glad that you two are here with your father, Rita Grace and I. Most of all, I’m thrilled we’re a family.”

“Me, too! ‘Cause soon you’ll be our new mom.” Glenn said.

“Soon I will be here as your mom would have been. As I told Gabriella a while back, your mom is in heaven and she’s watching over both of you. Since she can’t be here physically, I’ll be here in her place. Just to make sure you two are taken care of as your mom wants you to be.”

“Dad?” Glenn asked.

“Yes, son?”

“I am glad she’s okay.”

“So am I, son…so am I.”

The detective quietly stood by while the family was reunited with the baby. His job wasn’t over, in fact, it has only just begun. He needed to ask them more questions.

“Um, I’m sorry to interrupt a happy family moment, but I do need to see the two of you.”

Darryl gently placed Rita Grace in the playpen in the den and asked the twins to go upstairs and play, telling them they would all have hot chocolate in a little while.

When the twins left, Detective Wolters turned to Felice and said, “Ms. Bellicini, when your daughter was left at your babysitter’s house, she was left wrapped in the white sweater she’s wearing, inside a bassinet.”

“A bassinet? She doesn’t have a bassinet.”

“That’s what I understand from Mr. Thornton. I’d like you to take a look at it and tell me if it looks familiar. Please follow me out to my car.”

Felice scooped up her daughter and followed Darryl and the detective out to his car. Frowning, Felice looked at the bassinet. Detective Wolters told her not to touch it as he was going to have it dusted for fingerprints.

“Detective, this looks old. I don’t know. It doesn’t look familiar at all. Where did this teddy bear come from?” she asked, noticing it sitting in the bassinet.

“It was with her in the bassinet,” Darryl explained.

“Darryl said it doesn’t belong to her,” the detective said.

“He’s right, it doesn’t. It looks new, just like the fabric inside the bassinet. Detective, who would kidnap my daughter and return her to our babysitter’s house inside a bassinet with a teddy bear?” Felice asked.

She didn’t understand what was going on.

“That’s what I would like to know. You don’t know anyone who has a bassinet like this?”

“No, my parents put me in one when I was a baby. I can remember seeing it in their photo album. It was similar to this, but it’s not the same one.”

They walked back into the house. Felice still shaking from everything that happened. Darryl put his arm around her as they sat on the sofa with Rita Grace.

The detective stood in the middle of the living room, facing them.

“Ms. Bellicini, I’ve already asked Mr. Thornton, as he will probably tell you, but my gut instinct is telling me that the baby’s father has something to do with this. Has he called you and asked to see her?”

“No, I would have told you so and I definitely would have told Darryl.”

“Have you received any weird telephone calls? Any hang-ups, maybe?”

“No, not at all. Look, Detective, I haven’t heard from Pavel since he walked out of my life before our daughter was born. He hasn’t called and I haven’t seen him.”

“I know I keep beating this subject to death, and I’ve asked about the baby’s father over and over, but…I need you to really think about this. Mam, this appears to be very personal. Someone knows who your babysitter is since they brought the baby back there. I suspect it’s because they figured we’d be here with you and couldn’t take the chance of being seen. This wasn’t a random kidnapping, nor was it of malicious intent.”

“I know all this…and I’m sorry, but my answer is still the same. Do I need to keep answering this question? I have no idea who could possibly do this and I haven’t seen or heard from Pavel.”

“Have you seen anyone following either of you lately?”

“No,” both Felice and Darryl answered in unison.

“Okay, I appreciate your time. I will get back to you with what I find out.”

“Thank you, Detective.”

Darryl and Felice stood and walked him to the front door.

“Oh, one final thing, I need to take the sweater from your baby. It’s evidence. I’ll have it checked for fingerprints and DNA.”

Felice moved to take off the sweater when the detective stopped her.

“May I take it off of her? There’s already enough of your and Darryl’s fingerprints on it.”

He pulled on a pair of latex gloves, carefully took the sweater off and placed it inside an evidence bag.

“I’ll call you when I know anything.”

After the detective left, Felice, still holding Rita Grace, sat back on the sofa with Darryl. She took in the aroma of her natural baby scent, she missed it.

The twins clambered up on the couch with them.

Gabriella asked, “Can I hold her?”

“Of course,” Felice answered as she gently laid her daughter into Gabriella’s waiting arms.

Long ago, she taught the twins how to properly hold her. Gabriella remembered and assumed her position.

“I missed you,” she told Rita Grace as she held her.

Glenn sat next to her and lightly rubbed Rita Grace’s head, and agreed, “Yeah, I missed you, too.” Then, leaning down to whisper in her little ear, he said, “I will take care of you like I do Gabriella. Just don’t tell her I said that.”

Darryl and Felice smiled at one another. Felice wanted to capture this moment in her mind, like taking a mental snapshot. She never dreamed she would end up being this happy. People could have all the money they needed and then some, but it could never give them this memory. Her heart was full of joy.

Darryl hugged her and told the twins, “I’m sure she missed you, too.”

“How do you know, Dad?” Glenn asked.

“Well, look at her. She’s smiling. She’s happy to be home with her big brother and sister.”

“With our mommy, too,” Gabriella said, smiling at Felice.

The words were not lost on Felice. She heard them and knew what Gabriella was saying. She now considered Felice her mother too. She was on top of the world. No matter what life dealt them, nothing could ever take this moment away from them.

Felice put her arm around Gabriella and told her, “I love you, my little girl.”

“Do you mean me?” Gabriella asked.

“Yes, silly…you. I’ll say it again. I love you with all my heart, and that includes you, Glenn. Besides your father, the two of you and Rita Grace are the best things that have ever happened to me.”

“I’ll agree with that,” Darryl said. “Life has shown us an ugly side, but right here and now, I feel like the luckiest guy in the whole world.”