Chapter 33: Ellen's POV

I have no idea where I went wrong. Everything was going great for Valerie back home in Trenton. She managed to catch the eye of Detective Joseph Morelli, and things were going according to plan. She was smiling and laughing, talking about her wedding and dresses, then the rug got pulled out from under her feet. Now, she's in her room, the door closed and crying. It seems that Joseph got that good-for-nothing harlot Terry Gilman pregnant. PREGNANT! And he's off to Italy to marry her and live with her. But that's not the worst of it. Poor Valerie is pregnant with HIS child to make matters even more horrible! Now, he's abandoning her and his child. Wait until I talk to Angie Morelli! I will give her and the witch Bella a piece of my mind. That apple didn't fall far from the tree.

Now, I need to work on finding Valerie a new husband. I mean, she can't have a baby not only out of wedlock but also without a husband. Once the Burg finds out Joseph was the baby's daddy, she'll be the laughingstock of the community. So, what am I going to do? First, there's that disgrace Stephanie, and now my darling Valerie. Maybe she can convince Steve to take her back.

I still can't get over that Stephanie, that little tramp, that puttana, is engaged to a man, who is quite a catch according to the women of the Burg. Apparently, he's extremely wealthy and is generous with his money. The ring that Stephanie has is a top-of-the-line diamond. One she doesn't deserve. My Valerie should have that ring. It is a pity that Valerie had to witness her engagement. I know she was hoping that Joseph would propose soon, but that obviously is not going to happen. Hmph.

Oh, goodness, what is it with the phone today? That insistent ringing is driving me crazy today. I pick up the phone, "Ellen Mazur speaking."

"Ellen, I'm surprised you picked up the phone and are not licking your wounds and hiding with your tail between your legs." I hear my mother say, voice cackling.

"Mother, now why would I do that?"

"Well, it seems Miss Perfect Valerie got knocked up by that horse's patoot Joseph Morelli, you know, the boy who took advantage of Stephanie and is now off to Sicily to marry Terry Gilman, who is also pregnant with his child. Oh, the scandal."

"I don't know why you are spreading rumors about Valerie. I mean, seriously, how will she ever find a husband with you talking like this about her."

I hear laughter on the other end of the receiver. "Ellen, she's never going to land a husband with three children. She's divorced. She has you for her mother, and she does nothing but talks badly about Stephanie. Most of the younger folks in the community are friendly with Stephanie. They like and respect her, and they don't like hearing the lies spewed by you and Valerie. Not to mention, there are many people in the Burg. They feel that both you and Valerie are getting exactly what you deserved for trying to take Stephanie's house away from her. She did nothing but work hard and raise her kids on her own, and you vilify her at every chance. No, Ellen, I don't feel sorry for you or my granddaughter. However, I do feel for my great-granddaughters. Angie and Mary Alice are the innocent ones in this whole debacle, and I will do whatever I can to make sure they escape Valerie's fate."

"What are you talking about? If anyone is a disgrace, it's Stephanie. What woman works when she has a husband who can support her? What woman wants to raise her children alone? What good wife doesn't look away when her husband must go elsewhere to satisfy his needs because she is incapable of doing her job as a wife? Not to mention, she works with all those men, those criminals. Joseph told us how they are nothing but thugs and miscreants."

I hear more laughter on the other end as I feel my blood pressure rise even higher. Where is my iced tea? "Ellen, Joseph was stripped of his gun and badge this morning and is being investigated by the FBI. In fact, since he left the country, he has been a fugitive. That is the good man that you want your daughter to marry. A disgraced detective. As for Stephanie's employer and coworkers are mostly veterans who served and, in some cases, still serve our country and protect our freedoms. Her man, the father of her children, Carlos, is an honorable and respectable man who has done everything he could to support and love Stephanie and his children since they found each other again. He treats Stephanie like a queen and supports her decisions. He's a good man, and I'm glad she found him."

I can't believe what I am hearing. I can't think that this is my mother that I am talking to right now. "Mother, I must go. I need to go to the store and get the girls from the bus stop. Please stop believing those lies. When you are ready to support Valerie and me, you can call. Until then, I don't want to hear from you."

"Fine, Ellen, have it your way. You're a disappointment, and I know that your father is rolling over in his grave on how you turned out. We raised you better. Goodbye, Ellen." I hear a click and dial tone.

I decide to keep the phone off the hook to have some peace and quiet for a little while and immediately head to the cabinet to refill my iced tea with some adult iced tea and take a sip. Why me? Suddenly, I hear a ringing from my purse, realizing that it's my cell phone. I quickly grab my wallet and answer the call.

"Hello. This is El…"

"No names. A good friend of ours has given me your number. I am contacting you about the house cleaning services you need. Please meet me at my office, 342 East Main Street, in one hour. Make sure you are alone and that you have your payment secured."

"Okay. Who should I ask for?"

"Mr. Trampa." Click. Hmph. No manners. I don't understand why young people nowadays don't know how to properly hang up.

I quickly finish my iced tea and go upstairs to get ready. I knock on Valerie's door.

"Sweetie, don't worry. Everything will be okay. I'm running to the store. I'll be home in a little while."

"Okay, mother. I'll get dinner started. No use wallowing in self-pity. I will figure something out. After all, my boss, Albert, has been trying to take me out on a date for a while. Maybe I can get him to marry me."

"That sounds like a magnificent idea, Valerie. I'll be home to help finish dinner." I smile, glad that Valerie is already thinking ahead. Her boss, Mr. Kloughn, is an attorney and will take care of Valerie and her girls. I quickly spray my hair with hairspray and put on fresh lipstick. I go to the coat closet and grab my nice wool pea coat, black leather driving gloves, and matching scarf. I put on my shoes and walk out of the house into my Buick. I decide to stop at the convenience store for a cup of coffee to soothe my nerves. About twenty minutes later, I'm outside the office of Mr. Trampa.

I park my car and finish my coffee, noting that I am five minutes early. Perfect. It is disrespectful to be more than five minutes before or five minutes late. I sit in the car for a minute, then make my way out after checking that I have the cash I need in my purse. I nod my head and carefully make my way to the office. I open the door and see a spartan desk where I would assume a receptionist would sit. I guess she's at lunch. I call out. "Mr. Trampa?"

I see a man who is about 30 walks out of an office a moment later. He's handsome and doesn't look like the type of man who kills for a living. But Alexander knows his business, and I'm sure he wouldn't send me to someone inept.

"I see that you found the place alright. Come into my office, where we will finalize the details." Mr. Trampa turns around as I quickly follow. We enter an office with a single metal desk that has seen better days, a worn office chair, and folding chairs for visitor's chairs. I guess hired hitmen don't need better accommodations.

"So, Ma'am, please explain exactly what you want me to do. I need to hear the specific details to ensure that I carry out your wishes."

I take a deep breath and close my eyes. I'm impressed with how Mr. Trampa is getting right down to business. No useless small talk.

"I want you to take care of my ex-husband and my youngest daughter."

"Names."

"Frank Plum and Stephanie Plum."

"And what do you mean by 'take care of'?"

"I want you to…to…kill them. Make it look like an accident. A burglary that went wrong or something of the sort."

"You want me to kill your ex-husband, Frank Plum, and your daughter, Stephanie Plum."

"Yes. How much will that cost."

"You owe me $20,000. Cash. Do you have that kind of money?"

"I have $15,000. I was told I could pay you the balance when the job is complete."

"You were told correctly. Now, please take out the money and count it out for me."

I quickly comply, my hands shaking a little, but thankful, it is all there. Then, Mr. Trampa hands me a receipt, which I promptly sign. Suddenly, the door to the office is slammed open, and several men start to walk in. One of them is Stephanie's boss.

"Ellen Plum, you are under arrest." I feel metal cuffs slamming against my wrists as I hear someone talking to me. I can't understand what they are saying, and it is like I hear the words in another language. This can't be happening. I'm being jerked and pushed out the door, with men yelling at me.

"Stop! What do you think you're doing? Don't you know who I am? I'm Ellen Mazur! I am an upstanding citizen of Chambersburg. Uncuff me at once. I will have all of you fired! How dare you!"

I struggle against my captor and soon am being forcefully pushed into the backseat of a police cruiser. I see my neighbors staring at me, some taking pictures or videos of me. How did I not realize that the office was a block away from the Tasty Pastry? I see Stephanie's boss walk over to Mr. Trampa and pat him on the back. What is going on?

When we arrive at the police station, I am again roughly escorted into the building. I am humiliated when they take my picture and fingerprints, treating me like a common criminal. I am NOT a criminal. I am Ellen Mazur, a church volunteer, and pillar of the community. I can't keep track of what's going on. Everything is happening too fast. All I know is that I'm being escorted into a packed courtroom. I see many people I know and soon see my darling Valerie sitting in front, crying. At least someone is on my side. I then see that good for nothing Stephanie and that sad excuse for a husband, Frank. Why are people rallying around them? Don't they know that they are nothing, that they are scum? Finally, I see that…that…dark man with his arm around Stephanie. How can she disgrace our name by being with him? He's not even Italian or Hungarian!

Mr. Kloughn, Valerie's boss, is next to me, assuring me he will get them to drop the charges. See, what a lovely young man. I'm forced to stand and listen to the ridiculous charges when the judge enters. Conspiracy to commit murder, murder for hire. Ha! I plead not guilty, and I'm being taken back to the police station before I know it. I am denied bail! How can they do this to me? Why me?

I'm sitting in the corner of this filthy cell with all these, these, ladies of the night. They are dirty and full of diseases. They start fighting. Oh, I can't handle the stress! I place my hand on my heart and feel it racing. What is wrong with me? I try to call out for help, but my world goes black suddenly.