Part Two
"I told you I'm not going to this dinner party."
"Come on Winnie."
Winifred was beginning to get used to his name for her. She and Johnny had been working together for the past two months. He had successfully made his way back into the family without suspicion.
"Listen, I know this isn't really your thing, but I really think we'll find out if he had anything to do with the crisis at the hospital."
"John, you don't have anything to connect him to that."
"I told you that he had a shipment coming in a few days before the crisis that Sonny didn't know about."
"Yes, but this cargo was on a truck," she explained as she pulled the bag of popcorn out of the microwave.
"I know my father was behind this."
Winifred could hear the definite tone in his voice over the phone. She sighed as she placed the bag on the counter. "Who all are supposed to be in attendance?"
"Well it's a dinner party to honor those whose lives were lost at the hospital, so the whole town," he explained.
"And your father is hosting this?" she asked in shock.
"Well he wants to make the Zacchara's look good, which leads me to believe he's covering something up."
"Fine, I'll be there. Do I need to wear something formal?" she asked as she walked to her bedroom.
"A cocktail dress would be fine. Do you want me to have Maxie help you find something?"
Winifred cringed at the sound of her nemesis' name. "Do you think I'm not capable of finding something presentable to wear to this dinner?" she asked as she looked down at the drab clothing she had on.
"Winnie, that's not what I meant. I'm sorry for bringing Maxie up."
She smiled at the sincerity in his voice. "It's okay. Just keep us away from one another."
"Will do. I'll pick you up at six. Oh and wear your hair down."
She almost dropped the phone at his request. "Why?" she asked hesitantly as she ran her hand through her wild hair.
"Because I said so."
Before Winifred could reply he had hung up the phone. "Like I'm going to do anything he says," she said aloud as she pitched the phone on the bed. She dug through her closet and pulled out a deep red dress from the back. She had bought this dress on a whim a few months back and never thought she'd have the chance to wear it until tonight. She pulled out the matching shoes and laid the dress and shoes out on the bed before rushing into the bathroom to get ready.
TBC