How Long is Forever
Chapter 13
Carolyn Ames stood in the circle of Frank Faulkner's arms, quietly sobbing. Lt. Tragg and Hamilton Burger watched as an emergency crew worked on Violet.
When they had placed Vi on the gurney and wheeled her out, Tragg stopped the doctor.
"What are her chances?" His gruff voice was choked, as though his concern over the woman's well-being mattered greatly to him.
"Right now, about 20/80. But if I can get the bullet out without causing any further damage, the odds improve. I'll know more when we get her into surgery."
"Okay, Doctor. Please keep me informed."
The doctor nodded and followed the gurney out the door. Tragg pushed his battered hat back on his head, looking around the room.
Something tells me we've stumbled on a hornet's nest. I just wonder who's going to get stung.
Noticing that Carolyn had finally controlled her sobs, he motioned to Hamilton to join him.
"Miss Ames, are you able to answer some questions for us?" he asked kindly.
Frank kept his arm around Carolyn's waist, guiding her to a chair.
"Lieutenant, can't this wait?"
Carolyn patted his hand. "It's alright, Frank. It is pretty straightforward, Lieutenant. Vi and I had breakfast at the Bagel Bin. I had the wire that Mr. Mason gave me on. Frank was at a table close by, listening. I coaxed Vi into telling me what happened the night Michael Domenico died."
Hamilton crossed his arms and stepped closer. His attention was firmly fixed on her answer to his next question.
"She knows who killed Domenico?"
Carolyn nodded, then affirmed, "Of course. Gina Anzellmo."
Tragg let out a low whistle. Yes, definitely a hornet's nest.
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Carolyn, Frank Faulkner and Lt. Tragg gathered in Hamilton Burger's office to wait for word on Violet Adams. While they waited, Carolyn gave her statement to Hamilton's secretary.
"This may be hearsay, but Violet stated she had still been in the dressing room when Paul Drake entered the club that night. Michael Domenico was in a partnership with Rocco Anzellmo to move drugs. He was also playing up to Gina. Gina thought she had finally found the right guy in Domenico until Paul showed up at the club. It was the day after Domenico had assaulted Miss Street. Mr. Drake told Michael if he ever came near Miss Street again, he'd kill him. Michael boasted that Mr. Drake had better back off because Miss Street was still his wife and if she didn't toe the line, he'd make sure she did."
Hamilton looked at Tragg then back to Carolyn. "Miss Street was still married to Domenico?"
"According to Domenico. Anyway, that's when Paul slugged him. Vi said that the one punch knocked Domenico out. Then Mr. Drake left the club."
Hamilton interrupted again. "Miss Adams is positive Domenico was still alive when Paul left the club?"
"Yes, Mr. Burger. Paul did not kill Michael Domenico."
"Okay, Miss Ames, please continue."
"Rocco showed up about that time. Domenico was just coming around and madder than…well, anyway. He was threatening to kill Mr. Drake. Rocco told him to calm down but that just made Domenico madder. He told Rocco that no one was going to tell him how to treat his own wife. That's when Gina came out of her office in a fine rage. She accused Domenico of lying to her, and she wasn't going to let some low-life drug dealer make a fool out of her. She grabbed a whiskey bottle that was sitting on a table and…well, you know the rest."
Hamilton ran a hand across his jaw as he processed the statement. Now, more than ever, he needed Violet Adams to collaborate on the statement. Everything Carolyn had said was inadmissible if they couldn't prove it. He leaned over and whispered something to Tragg. That was the least he could do until the doctor called.
Tragg reached for the phone on Hamilton's desk. "Brice, Tragg here. Draw up some arrest warrants for Gina Anzellmo on first degree murder and Rocco Anzellmo as accessory to murder and drug dealing. Burger will have a judge standing by as soon as you walk them over. Get them picked up NOW!"
The moment Tragg replaced the receiver, it rang.
Hamilton scooped it up. "Burger! Yes, Doctor? I understand. You did all you could." He listened for a moment, then said, "Okay and thank you."
Frank Faulkner and Carolyn were watching him carefully. "Well?" they asked in unison.
Looking at them, he smiled. "Violet Adams is out of surgery and will make a full recovery. She won't be up to questions today, but I think I have enough to make another call." He picked up the receiver and spoke to his secretary. "Get me the Governor's office. I want an immediate release for Paul Drake."
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Gina and Rocco Anzellmo had been picked up as they were headed for the airport. Of course, they both lawyered up. But an authorized search of their luggage revealed not only over one million dollars in cash but a considerable cache of illegal drugs.
Hamilton took Rocco first. His lawyer again stated that Mr. Anzellmo had nothing to say on the charges.
Just smiling, Hamilton rose and was preparing to leave when Lt. Tragg stopped him. In a voice just loud enough to be heard by Rocco, he winked at the D.A.
"Gina just rolled over on her brother. For the drugs and the murder of Michael Domenico. She said how shocked she was that her brother would kill his partner."
Rocco came out of his seat so violently, the wooden chair slammed against the wall.
"That's a lie! She's behind it all!"
His lawyer was trying to keep him quiet but Rocco just shook him off.
"She was using the club to run the drugs! She's the one who killed Domenico! She did it! She did it all!"
He sat down in the lawyer's vacated chair, dissolving into tears.
"Does that mean you're ready to answer some questions, Rocco?" Burger asked smoothly. "The sooner we clear up this matter, the sooner your sister will face the music."
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Hamilton, Lt. Tragg and Rocco's lawyer stepped into the room where Gina sat smoking. Her lawyer immediately started to say she had nothing to say when Hamilton held up a hand to forego the statement.
"Miss Gina Anzellmo, I am formally charging you with the murder of Michael Domenico…"
Her lawyer again started to say something but with a look from Rocco's lawyer, stopped.
"These charges are based on the statements of Rocco Anzellmo and witnessed by Lt. Tragg and Mr. Anzellmo's own lawyer."
"Why that fat sonofabitch! Whatever he told you, you owe me the right of hearing my side."
She glared at her own lawyer. "You're my lawyer, do something!"
Her lawyer gave her a look of pure disgust. Then picking up his briefcase, followed Rocco's lawyer out of the room.
"Weak as water!" she shouted after them. Then she turned to Burger. "Your mind is made up, too, huh?"
Hamilton smiled and turned to leave.
Gina grabbed his arm. "Wait! I demand representation."
Hamilton shook her hand off. "Of course. I'll see about getting the public defender in," he turned back once more, "but he is a very busy man."
He could still hear Gina swearing as he strode down the hall.