THE PLOT THICKENS
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HOTEL PICCOLO - ROME
AJ sat and watched Webb pace back and forth. It was obvious that something was on his mind but he wasn't talking.
"Clay she's out of the woods, what's wrong?" AJ asked.
"We have bigger problems." Webb said finally stopping.
"What problems?" AJ questioned.
"She's wanted for murder by the Reston PD." Webb stated.
"Once they know the whole story any charges will be dropped." AJ said.
"I don't know, they think she killed Giordano and ran." Webb said sitting down.
"When I get back to DC I will see what I can do." AJ said. "Does her family know?"
"Angelo knows I'm not sure about Lucia." Webb said shaking his head.
"You need to tell her." AJ said.
"I don't know how. By the way when are you going back?" Webb asked.
"I'm leaving tomorrow, unless you want me to stay." AJ replied.
"No, it's fine." Webb replied. "You've done more than enough."
"Do you want me to be with you when you tell her?" AJ offered.
"No, I need to do this myself." Webb replied.
"Whatever you think is best." AJ said.
The next morning, AJ made arrangements to return to Washington and find out what charges were being sworn out against Anna. Clay met with Angelo and Lucia to fill them in.
"Will the charges be dropped?" Lucia asked.
"They linked Anna to organized crime based on the past." Webb explained.
"But she worked for the Federal Prosecutor so did Anthony, I don't understand the connection between her client and the Corelli's." Lucia stated.
"Anna has all the answers if she can remember. There is no other evidence suggesting another shooter. AJ is going to see what he can find out when he gets back to Washington." Webb replied.
"Anna didn't kill anyone." Lucia said. "This is a bad dream."
"It's going to be ok; I am going to make sure of that." Webb said. "She'll come home and we will straighten this out."
"I hope better than you rescued her." Angelo said under his breath.
"Angelo that was uncalled for." Lucia admonished. "Clayton is the one who found Anna."
"I know it's just that this is all such a mess." Angelo said.
"I'll fix this, I promise and AJ and his team will help too. We need to find the killer." Webb said.
"That's not going to be easy," Angelo stated
"Especially when the police have no other suspects," Webb replied.
"Where are you going to start?" Lucia asked.
"With Anna and how much she remembers." Webb said and they left for the hospital.
ROME AMERICAN HOSPITAL
When they arrived at the hospital Anna was already up and giving the nurses a hard time.
"I don't need a bed pan, I can go by myself." Anna hollered at the nurse. "I've been going alone for a long time now."
"That's Anna." Clay said as they hurried down the hall.
"She has such a mouth." Angelo said.
"Would ya give me some privacy?" Anna yelled.
"That's my daughter." Lucia said walking into the room.
"Signorina please you should not be getting out of the bed." The nurse pleaded.
"I am not gonna to pee in a bowl unless it's connected to plumbing." Anna snapped.
"Anna, calm down." Lucia said walking into the room.
"Ma, this is crazy I feel fine." Anna said sitting on the bed.
"Listen to the nurses." Angelo said looking at her chart.
"I am gonna hold it until I float!" Anna warned bouncing a bit, like a little kid.
"Sono spiacente" Lucia said to the nurse.
"Clay, tell them I am fine, please." Anna said looking to him for support.
"I'm on their side; I don't want you moving a muscle until you are 100%." Clay replied with a smile.
"Are you sure about that?" Anna said with a wicked smile.
"Anna, get back in the bed." Clay playfully ordered and Anna complied.
"She listens to him." Angelo chuckled.
"I gotta go." Anna whined. "Pleeeeese."
"Pico you aren't supposed to be out of bed, if you want I will suggest they put the catheter back in." Angelo warned.
"Oh no, no way," Anna said crossing her legs. "Please let me get up."
The nurse relented and helped Anna to the bathroom.
"See wasn't that easy." Anna said smiling when she returned.
"You always have to have your way." Clay said fixing her pillow.
"You know it." Anna laughed. "Now when can I go home?"
"Anna how much do you remember about the night Giordano was shot?" Clay asked not answering her question.
"Everything, why?" Anna asked.
"Right now you are the only suspect in Giordano's murder." Clay began. "You know who the shooter was?"
"Me? You're kidding?" Anna said.
"I wish. Can you identify the shooter?" Webb asked.
"Identify him? I can name him." Anna replied. "It was Vito Camarelli."
"You aren't serious," Angelo said.
"You should have seen his face when he saw me." Anna said.
"Who is Vito Camarelli?" Clay asked.
"Frank's cousin, brother the bad apple of his family." Anna said.
"Your fiancé's cousin is a hit man?" Clay said in shock.
"Former fiancé," Anna corrected.
"Whatever," Clay replied.
"Vito came in shot Michael and turned his gun on me. When he saw who I was he couldn't pull the trigger." Anna stated.
"Because of the pact?" Clay asked.
"Not exactly," Anna said, "I got him out of trouble once and I almost married his cousin."
"Not exactly, what aren't you telling me?" Clay asked.
"There is something else you don't know." Angelo said.
"What don't I know?" Clay asked.
"Everything we discussed that first time at our house…" Angelo began.
"I remember. What did you leave out?" Clay demanded. "I need to know everything."
"The families are protected based on the deal that Salvatore made back in the 20's. Everyone is protected except Anna. After she gathered that evidence and the attempted murder, the family was told Anna would be kept alive if she never went after the Corelli's again. By all rights Vito should have killed Anna." Angelo said.
"We need to find Vito." Clay stated.
"His family lives in New York." Angelo said.
"Explain to me why a hired killer from New York would go to Virginia to kill a petty arsonist?" Clay asked.
"Giordano told me that he was hired by John Milano to set the fire." Anna said.
"Who's John Milano?" Clay asked.
"John Milano is Santino Corelli's great grandson. His father Salvatore Milano who is the oldest son of Santino's daughter is head of the Family." Lucia advised.
"I still don't understand what does the Corelli family have to do with this?" Clay asked.
"The building that was torched belonged to Corelli; from what I gathered they were being investigated and needed to destroy the building contents. I never knew what was in the building and I didn't ask. Michael didn't realize who had hired him. I recognized the name and convinced him to testify in exchange for a lighter sentence." Anna said.
"How did they find out he was going to testify?" Angelo asked.
"I am sure someone leaked it. They needed to keep him quiet. Even if he didn't testify against them, some of the facts would have come out in the trial." Anna said.
"Why didn't you just drop the case once you realized who was involved?" Clay asked.
"You're kidding right. There is no way I was going to let Corelli get away with arson," Anna said. "He is not above the law."
"Just like her father." Lucia said shaking her head. "That damned justice."
"Ma, it would have been another nail in their coffin, how could I just walk away? After all that work I did before." Anna said.
"Anna, you could have been killed." Lucia said.
"But I wasn't." Anna replied. "I'm fine; it's going to take more than a bullet to keep me down."
"Anna do you have any of this recorded?" Clay asked.
"I had my files, but I can almost guarantee they are no longer there." Anna replied. "It means starting from scratch."
"Anna I am confused about one thing; if Camarelli was sent to take care of Giordano wouldn't they have known that you were his lawyer?" Clay asked.
"From what I overheard; Vito was following Michael, he followed him to my place. If I know them and I do, the plan was to kill both of us." Anna said. "I just ruined the plan."
"How did you get here?" Clay asked.
"Vito took me to Maryland then Marco Benini came and brought me here. I am guessing they found out some people were looking for me and he called Anthony Corelli, who took me to Prizzi. Vito did this without consulting the Milano's, he always had a soft spot for me."
"By now I am sure they know Anthony Corelli is dead." Clay said.
"Anthony's dead?" Anna said softly. "That poor man."
"Anna he was holding you hostage." Angelo snapped.
"Angelo, he didn't know anything. Benini told him my family had sent me here to protect me from the Feds. I tried to tell him the truth, but he was kept saying that the trauma of my client's death was affecting me and I was confused." Anna said. "They had him fooled.
He thought he was protecting me, which is why he went after you."
"Anna, I hate to say this; they are going to come after you." Clay said.
"I am sure they are. Honestly, if you hadn't gotten here when you did, I probably would have been killed soon anyway." Anna said flatly.
"What do you mean?" Clay asked.
"I was with Anthony for less than 2 days. Once he contacted Sal or John Milano, who are his cousins, to tell them I was in Prizzi under his protection, they would have told him the whole situation and ordered my execution." Anna replied.
"Anna, it's too dangerous for you to go home." Angelo said.
"Angelo it is more dangerous for me to stay here. I need to go home and take care of this. Speak to the police and clear this up." Anna said.
"You're going to have to surrender yourself." Clay stated.
"I know would Mac or Harm be able to handle the arrangements?" Anna asked.
"It shouldn't be a problem." Clay replied. "I will speak to them."
"How did everything become such a mess?" Anna asked shaking her head.
"We'll fix it." Clay said kissing her forehead. "But in order to do so, I need to get back."
"I know how did you get the time off anyway?" Anna asked.
"I didn't; which is why I need to get back." Clay replied.
"When are you leaving?" Lucia asked.
"I have a flight leaving tonight. But I will stay if you want me to." Clay said.
"No, go home. I will be right behind you." Anna said.
Lucia and Angelo left the room to give Clay and Anna some private time.
"I can stay if you want me to." Clay said sitting on the bed and putting his arms around her.
"I know it's fine really. I need you to go home anyway and start fixing this mess." Anna said leaning into him.
"I'm sorry I wasn't there to protect you when this happened." Clay said.
"It wasn't your fault. I know you would have protected me if you were there. Besides you came for me." Anna said.
"And got you shot." Clay stated.
"That wasn't your fault either." Anna reassured him and then added, "And next time it's your turn to take the bullet."
"That humor, sometimes I wonder about you." Clay said giving her a kiss.
"But that's why you love me. Now leave before I change my mind. Hopefully they will let me out of this place soon." Anna said.
"I want you home." Clay said.
"Me too, Virginia is our home after all." Anna said with a smile
"You finally listened." Clay said kissing her. "I better get going."
"Be careful blue blood, I love you." Anna said.
Clay kissed her again and left. In the hall he spoke briefly with Lucia and Angelo. He went to the hotel, gathered his things and went to the airport. He hated leaving Anna, but for his career he had to leave, but more importantly to clear her name it was necessary.
"Anna, I am going to go back with Clay." Angelo said picking up his jacket.
"Angelo, be good to him. You don't still blame him?" Anna asked.
"No, I don't." Angelo replied. "I need to get back and talk to Vinny."
"Angelo, don't bring him into this." Anna warned.
"Pico right now you are in no condition to be giving orders." Angelo said.
"Wanna bet? There is no way I want Vinny dealing with those people." Anna snapped.
"It will be ok. Vinny can handle it. He has before." Angelo said. Anna grabbed the phone and dialed Clay's cell.
"Clay, get two more tickets." Anna ordered. "I'm leaving now."
"Anna let me go home and speak with Mac and Harm." Clay protested. "Besides you aren't strong enough to travel yet."
"Don't argue with me. Get the tickets, one for me and one for Ma." Anna snapped and disconnected the call.
"Anna this isn't wise." Lucia said.
"Ma, I have to go back. Vinny can't handle this. I know how they think I know what they will do." Anna said.
"So do I. They are going to try to keep you quiet." Lucia warned. "By any means necessary."
"Anna, they hate you more than your father. You fooled them back then. You walked into their lives, told them that the Paparini Family wanted back in and then put most of them in jail. Now you are doing it again, except this time they will see you coming." Angelo warned.
"Yeah I remember I was there." Anna said. "If I surrender to the police, I will be protected."
"Anna, the police want you for murder. You even said someone could have tipped off Milano about your client. Don't you think it's risky?" Lucia said.
"Ma, I know what I am doing." Anna said getting her clothes.
"Anna you just regained consciousness, you are still healing." Angelo advised.
"I know how to handle this situation better than any of you." Anna stated.
"Clay said he and your friends were going to handle this, let them." Angelo replied.
"They don't these people either, I need to be there." Anna said.
"You aren't going to listen are you?" Angelo said.
"No I'm not. Now you can either come with me to the airport or you can stand here and watch me leave. The choice is yours." Anna said as she rang for the nurse.
Within 20 minutes and after listening to the Doctor's warnings, Anna thanked them and walked out of the hospital. She was weak and in pain but she didn't care, she had to take care of this herself.