Chapter 4: A Month in Solitude.
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September goes into October and she goes through the information she has gathered over the many days, not accepting that her mother had married into a billionaire family, or that she was part of his murder. Though it's only been a couple of weeks, she had to extend the rental of her hotel room and the scooter. At least the money given to her by her stepbrother had helped out in not using the credit cards. He had given her some seventeen thousand Euros as if it was single dollar bills being given to a kid. She still has over fifteen thousand as she counts down the bits of money and information she had gathered.
As she goes through copies of news articles that state of the Polancco Massacre, having them copied and translated at the library. The thing that bothers her is the difference between what her stepbrother had told her and what the newspapers are saying. Though the newspapers say that "Mr. Polancco's wife was killed", not all say that a young daughter was killed or if there was a daughter at all. In calling Johan Polancco, he tells her that the police gave false information to the newspapers to keep the newspapers at bay and not writing scandalous stories about a possible family suicide. He warns her not to call him unless she has absolute proof that her mother was not involved in their father's murder.
It was not until she finds one of the more rogue tabloids does she finds the evidence she needed. On the front cover are pictures of the Polancco estate with the victims being removed from the house: though the largest picture was of the lord of the domain, Mr. Joseph Polancco himself, there are to more pictures of gurneys being pulled out with their victims – one has an adult female squirrel and another has smaller female squirrel child. She looks at them, dripping her tears onto the bottom of the page where the translated notes were. She crumples the paper and clutches it to her chest.
She thinks about calling her stepbrother of the news but he would probably deny as tabloid fodder. Thus she changes her mind on contacting him. Instead she reads the news article and takes down notes stating who, what, where and why. In the coming days she searches more into the news to the night of the event. Details come up that a child had survived the massacre.
In gathering the information, her Italian has improved greatly though not still fluent. As time passes, as her Italian improves so does the cold winds signing the coming of winter behind the falling of the leaves of autumn. She did not bring heavier clothes to take on the chilling winds thinking that her search would have only lasted a couple of weeks. A hospital name is gathered in the newspapers: Milan National General Hospital. It does not take long for her to find an address for the hospital. After showering up and getting dressed, she puts on her Rescue Rangers jacket and cap. Putting on her backpack with the papers put in to take out easily, she gets on the scooter and makes a mad dash to the hospital.
Like the police, the hospital gives her the run around about the confidentiality of patient information and delays her progress. There were some sympathetic hospital employees who looked at her paperwork and find them to be true and her related to the little girl that was brought in a dire condition months ago. But it takes too long for her patience. Out of frustration she gathers her papers and leaves. As she puts on her backpack at the scooter, a hospital employee steps in front of her. She looks at her, as office worker from the patient information office stood in front of her scooter.
"Miss Squirrel," she said in English with a very thick Italian accent and holding a pad of sticky notes and a pen, "I may lose mi job but you need to know that your sist-hur may have been here. Give me you email and I will sent you what I know."
Tammy thinks about it, and then takes the pen and pad from the office worker. She fills out her full information on in along with her email. The office worker nods and then leaves to enter back in the hospital.
Tammy sits on the scooter for longer than a moment. After shaking her head, she stuffs the cap into her jacket and puts on the helmet. The engine gets turned on and revved a couple of times. Checking the belt of the helmet under her chin, she lets out a sigh and pushes the scooter off its kickstand. She picks up speed on the parking lot and gets on the street.
It was already nighttime with the hotel in view, Tammy continues forward into the intersection as she sees the light being green for her to proceed. But like in America, Italy has its fair share of drunken drivers who drive through red lights. All she heard was the high-pitched growl of a four-cylinder engine approaching to her fast. She slows down to turn and looks down the intersection, and only sees the highlights of a light-colored Fiat, just feet from her in high speed. She was lucky it clips her rear tire hub and not her, forcing her to spin out from behind and fall to the floor. She continues to spin and slide on the asphalt for another ten meters. Her helmet bounces off the hard asphalt ground and the concrete of the sidewalk several times with her head inside it.
There were many witnesses including several traffic cameras recording everything. Several tried to get her to get up but she was out cold. Another tried to take her backpack but the police arrived in time before she could be made a crime victim again. An ambulance arrives a few minutes later. The scooter itself is a wreck and sent to the police impound.
The Ambulance brings her to San Antonio Hospital. The leather Rescue Ranger jacket and helmet saved her from more severe injuries but it does not save her from any injuries. Several blows to the head had knocked her out cold.
While under treatment, her property was taken and itemized by the Italian police. Seeing that she was part of the American Rescue Rangers team, the US Ambassador in Rome was notified of her presence and condition. It only takes a couple of days for an US Envoy to arrive. But Tammy does not wake up for another two more days. Eventually after talking with a hospital doctor about what happened, she is given orders to stay for another three more days for tests and observations. During this time, she is met with the police and then with the US Envoy. The police try to make the accident look like it's her fault when it wasn't and warned her not to scooter ride again.
The US Envoy walks in, a proud red squirrel himself and visits Tammy for the three days she was told to stay. But he asks the same questions.
"Why are you here?", he asks.
"I'm looking for my mother and sister. I fear something may have happened to them.", Tammy answers.
"Why have you not come to ask for help?", he asks.
"I do not know, but I figured I could do it alone.", Tammy answers.
"Well, look at you; in the hospital from a traffic accident, from this little investigation of yours. What do you have say for your self?", he tries to shake her down.
"I don't know. And I don't know how you can help. Everywhere I went too I was met with opposition, lies and delays in finding my mother and sister.", Tammy tells her.
"Who are your mother and sister? Why are they here?", the envoy asks.
"Before moving to Italy, my mother's name was Rebecca Squirrel. She married some guy by the name of Joseph Polancco and a couple of months ago I lost contact with them...", she tries to explain.
"Wait. What proof you have that your mother married Joseph Polancco? He and his family were murdered two months ago.", he asks and says.
"My proof is in... Where's my bag?", Tammy asks.
"Its probably in the hospital custody until they give it to you when you leave.", the envoy explains. "Anyways. You are not to further your investigation until you see me first."
Tammy nods in agreement but does not want too. He tosses a business card onto her lap.
"That's my contact information. Call me when you leave this place.", he tells her. He then gets up and leaves.
Between the second and third days she is given some physical therapy to check for lasting injuries, finding none. Lucky her.
On the fourth day she is given her things to leave the hospital. Somehow her luck holds out even more as everything was still where it was and nothing missing, not even the money she had stashed in the middle of the bag. She takes her clothes from the backpack and changes into them. Before she goes she is given a last meal and is escorted out of the hospital in a wheel chair.
As she steps out into the sidewalk outside of the hospital, a man in a hat and suit approaches her, "Your ride it this way."
"What ride?", Tammy asks.
"The ride to your hotel, Ms Squirrel.", the man in a hat and suit tells her.
"And if I refuse?", Tammy asks.
The man in a hat and suit steps up to her and pulls out a gun from his suit jacket, "Do not make this any more trouble than it is necessary."
Looking at the gun, Tammy sees no option to run or yell but to step into the limousine. After closing the door, the locks kick in and trap her inside; she finds others in the car with her. The man in a hat and suit steps into the driver's seat and drives the drives vehicle.
"I told you to call me when you are discharged.", a recognizable voice tells her.
"Sir?", Tammy asks, not knowing his name.
"As an envoy to the ambassador, I carry the title 'Agent.' Agent Dole, you should have read my card.", he tells her. All Tammy could do is nod. He continues, "I brought somebody with me, I hope you will enjoy this little family reunion."
All Tammy can do is turn to look at the other person at the other side of the passenger compartment. "You? What are you doing here?", she almost complains.
"With all due regrets, stepsister, I never gave you my name. It's Johan. Johan Polancco. I just heard about your accident by this person of high authority as asked me to come see you.", Johan explains. "He explained to me that by the paper work he and his staff researched proves our relations... stepsister."
"But you told me not to bother you or your family without any further proof or I would be sorry that I did. I did not set this up.", Tammy tries to explain.
"Though I am not happy with what happened, he proved that the police investigation shows that there were several people involved and that your mother was killed in the stairway of the house, far from the bedroom where father was killed. Fingerprints were not found but a latex residue was, saying that who ever killed them wore rubber gloves. Your mother was found not wearing any gloves. Furthermore bullets found at the scene did not match, implicating more than one shooter was in the house at the time of the massacre. Look, I had just found out myself about this. At least it frees your mother from any implications against my father.", Johan explains.
"What about Bink?", Tammy asks.
"Bink?", Johan asks.
"My little sister. She was about 10, and living with mom.", Tammy explains.
"Oh, the girl. There was a lot of blood found in her room, but I do not know what has happened to her or whether she is dead or alive. She just disappeared into obscurity.", Johan tries to explain.
"I am sorry about the news. Anything you may have would be a great help.", Agent Dole tells her.
"I have too much to do. The police want to see me about the accident, and I have to figure out how to pay for the scooter somehow.", Tammy says out loud but to herself.
"You do not have to talk to the police about the accident, that was taken cared of by my staff after they found out the light as green in your favor when you got hit. They are still looking for the driver of the car to arrest him.", Agent Dole tells her.
"The scooter is also paid for, Tammy.", Johan tells her, "Most importantly the Italian government will be issuing you a ten thousand euro victims' check for your assorted bills and recovery. And you do not have to worry about the hospital bill, everyone in Italy gets free hospital and medical care."
Tammy sits there no knowing what to say or how to say it.
"We are here, sir.", the driver of the limousine tells them.
"Good. Tammy, I will request that you do not further your investigation for the next few days as we try to verify a few things for you. Johan, staying or going?", Agent Dole says and asks.
"I'll be going, I have a ride nearby and have a few business meetings to go to.", Johan answers.
"Good. I'll see you later then.", Agent Dole says before the rear door opens.
Tammy and Johan step out onto the sidewalk and watches the limousine drive away.
"You have plans for the evening?", Johan asks.
"No, not really.", Tammy asks. Then she realizes, "I have this bag to carry everywhere I go.",
"You should be staying in the Milan Hilton or the Westlin Hotel. Not in this bed bug infested roach motel.", Johan tells her.
"I don't have that kind of money.", Tammy tells him.
"My father, your stepfather, has several open accounts the hotels for the family to use at any time.", Johan tells her as he slips a set of keys into her hand, "Furthermore since you like scooters, there's a Honda Helix where you kept that Vespa. It's bigger and safer than that kiddie two-wheeler you rode. It's more like a motorcycle than a scooter but functions like a scooter than a complex motorcycle. The automatic gearbox shifts for you and has it in its proper gear at all times. Plus it's brand new unlike that Vespa was. We took the liberty of getting you a new Kevlar helmet, neck collar, and gloves to protect you from getting hurt again. They are in your room.", Johan tells her, "Go upstairs to gather your things and take them to your new place."
All Tammy could do was nod. Johan manages to sneak closer to her and gives her a peck on the lips.
"Hey! Aren't I your stepsister?", Tammy complains as she steps back.
"I know how uptight you Americans can be. But here in Italy brothers and sisters kiss as do men of the same family kiss each other here. We are more intimate and not as uptight here at all like where you Americans are.", Johan explains, then changes his tone, "I'm sorry you are not used too our customs. But how can I say it? Welcome to the family."
"Yeah... I guess.", Tammy says.
"See you later tonight there?", Johan says as he points to the keys in her hand.
"Yeah... I'll be there.", Tammy says unsure of herself.
"And buy a dress that is fitting of a Polancco. There's an expense account at the dress stores in the area. Pick up a Coco Chanel LBD and Christian Louboutin shoes and purse to match. I'll pick you up around eight o'clock?", Johan tells her.
"Yeah, eight o'clock is fine, I guess.", Tammy replies.
"Don't have me waiting. A Polancco does not wait for no one.", Johan says as if to warn her. A black Mercedes pulls up behind them. He turns away and gets into its rear passenger door. Soon it is gone.