BREAKDOWN

—Chapter XVII—

I commanded Beth to stay home and to lock the door while I drove my way to Manhattan. The Meade Publications building was submerged in chaos that Wednesday morning: news people, reporters and all sorts of curious busybodies, gathering at the main entrance. I exercised my influence with Antonio so I could finally pass through without complications.

I stepped out the elevator. Someone collided with me and threw me aside without even stopping for an apology. A very serious Averaimo walked hastily by Wilhelmina's side and a group of police officers, heading to the conference room.

Two murders at the same office were a disaster for the struggling magazine but, with Matt and Daniel out of the picture, she found a way to turn the situation with the press to her advantage, reassuring everyone it was going to be fine. She knew how to perform majestically on such stage and swiftly rose as the new 'savior of MODE'. She really got what she wanted.

Someone pulled me back. I gave little resistance when he drove me into a corner, away from the crowd.

"You shouldn't be here" Pietro Vitelli spoke quietly to me. I could see how proud he looked in his tailor suit. "Even less after that stuff you told me this morning about finding the weapon. This is no good."

I'd asked him on my way there to which was the best way for Beth to declare her connection to Matt relating the murderous weapon, how we suspected he was the one doing the killings and the shock about the news of his demise. I pressed him about the case.

"He was caught off guard, still sitting in his own desk. He'd got several deep cuts in his chest. Not a pretty sigh. Obviously a butcher's knife, just like the ones you use at your place. Haven't found it yet. We do know the metal detectors were off this week for maintenance. Stupid people, thought everything was over" Pietro shook his head. "The first one got directly to his heart. That killed him. He was totally taken by surprise. The mortician's gonna have to do a hell of a good job to delete that terrifying expression of shock in his face."

"Spare me the details" I said. I hated the guy but I couldn't help feeling some pity for him. "Do you have any lead?"

"You know what this means, right? He was killed by someone he knew or had confidence enough to let him enter his office. By the way…" Pietro whispered to me. "Where is she? The Hartley chick."

"She's safe."

Pietro did a clacking sound with his tongue.

"Not for long. Boy! She's deep in this shit to her neck. She stayed here at unusual hours last night. I personally checked the records. And you were here too, Gio. Something you conveniently forgot to tell me this morning. I can't cover for you any longer. You'll both have to declare sooner rather than later."

"Is there any chance for her? To declare her dealing with Matt and get out clean?"

He didn't even try to sugar coat it.

"She's screwed, cousin. She's got the gun and she's declaring against a dead man. No matter what she does she's going to be locked in as our prime suspect. If Mrs Slater or anyone representing the Hartleys pushes for a quick wrap up of this case, Averaimo won't even investigate further. She'll be the only target."

"How long until you lot start opening the case file?"

"Wilhelmina Slater forced us to be on hold until she cools the press. But there's going to be calling for blood soon, pressure from the top for us to close this shit. So I don't know… forty-eight hours tops."

I nodded and was about to leave. Pietro put his hand on my shoulder.

"You can't leave the country" he said. "We'd find you."

"She's clean and I'm clean" I said. "I'm not worried about this misunderstanding."

"You should. I don't know why but this murderer has a particular interest in all the Hartleys and she's the last one standing."

—0—

I asked Maurizo to work the business again while I ran full-speed back home. He didn't take it happily. I had to endure his silly ramblings about scheduled deliveries, unsorted supply orders and something about missing cutting tools from the Deli. But I wasn't really listening. I just wanted to stay as close to Beth as possible, until we figured out the best way to take her to the police.

I got a call on my mobile phone. Of all the people I knew, I didn't expect to hear the voice of Hilda Suarez.

"Gio, it's Betty. She's not feeling well after… you know… what happened. She's mad! We called Dr. Squazzi. He says its nothing but she yells and screams and cries. Maybe you could come and see her?"

"Hilda I'm in the middle of something—"

"I know it's a big favor. But I'm asking you" Hilda begged, "She doesn't listen to any of us."

"Hilda, I—"

"She keeps calling for you, Gio"

I hit the steering wheel in frustration. Sometimes I hated to be myself. I made a quick u-turn and drove straight to the Suarez residence.

Hilda Suarez opened the door for me when I arrived almost an hour later.

"She's a bit better now. I begged her not to go to work today." She said and guided me to her room. "If there's anyone that always knew how to cheer her up it was you, Gio."

Hilda entered the room while I stood by the door. She was on her bed.

"Betty, dear, you've got visit."

"I don't want to see anyone" she mumbled.

"It's Gio."

At the mention of my name, Betty's swollen face crept out from between the covers. Hilda excused herself and left us alone.

I sat on corner of the bed and she came to sit beside me. I had no idea how to handle her with all my worries in my head but it felt right to at least be there by her side.

"I don't think I have the strength to go to the Hartley mansion. I… can't face going there" She sank in the pillows of her bed. "I don't ever want to go back there."

"You don't have to" I said.

"But I do. Daniel counts with me. So much work and this issue is almost due. My notebook is there and I—"

"God! Betty, can't you stop that?" I scolded at her gently while I held her hand. "Always thinking about others and your work… even now."

"I just can't let them down. Not now. I must be strong." She insisted. "But I can't face going there and getting my things. It's just too much for me."

"I'll pick it up for you" I offered.

"Thank you."

She squeezed my hand with affection.

"You've always been there for me, haven't you, Gio?" she said and her brown eyes showed a glimpse of light amidst all that sorrowful darkness. She leaned closer and her lips touched mine softly, like a whisper.

The Gio of old awake inside me and I was not myself when I kissed her back. Part of me longed for her and I shut my eyes and I held her tight, my heart hurting inside my chest, a knot forming in my throat.

She pulled away softly and there were tears in her pretty eyes.

"I'm too late."

"Betty—" I started softly.

"It's her" she said touching her wet lips "It's Beth."

I couldn't find words to say.

"She's the one behind all this. She's playing you. She's playing us all. She probably played Matt and killed him!"

"You don't know what you're talking about, Betty, you have no idea" I finally said "If she ever lied was to hide her true motive for joining us. She wanted to prove it wasn't him, to cover him up."

"Cover for…" she finally understood. "You mean, Matt? What are you talking about?"

"We found his weapon. It's the one used on Mr. Hartley."

"It can't be Matt" she looked at me in horror. "It can't be!"

"Must be him! Beth had been trying to protect him since the first day."

That angered her more.

"Protect?!" Betty yelled. "Matt is dead! Dead!"

We stood there in silence.

"Why you do you even care? Why are you protecting her? She'd taken everything from me. Everything I ever cared for."

Her inquisitive eyes pierced my soul. My heart skipped a beat. For a moment I had the illusion it wasn't Matt she was talking about.

"What you like of her? Don't you see how she treats me, Gio? She thinks she's above me because I'm not rich or fancy like her. She doesn't think I'm enough to belong to her family. Don't you care for me anymore?" she asked.

I didn't respond.

"Are you with her? Are you sleeping with her?!" Betty asked me, her voice cracked as the words came out.

I stepped forward and hugged her. She was burning in fever. I didn't want to hurt her. It was never my intention.

"No" escaped from my lips and that was all I said.

I felt Betty's heart beat against mine, and memories came to me of the love I once had for her.

I could barely believe it was happening to us again: the wrong timing, after all that time, after all my efforts…

I closed my eyes and let the moment exist and take its place in my memories.

—0—

It was a real pain to go to the Hartleys. I spent more than two hours trying to get inside. They had the nastiest security system access into the house. I had to go through three different checkpoints and they stripped me away from most my possessions: my phone, my ring my bracelet, even my belt. It was all so stupid. Not even that could prevent the tragedy falling over their family.

I finally got some of Betty's stuff with me and brought it back to Queens. Hilda told me Betty was in her room, finally getting some sleep. So I thought it was better if we left her alone for a while.

"Promise me you'll return back" Hilda clang to my arm, probably looking for strength.

I knew what she meant. Just like when Betty had to face the loss of her first love, all the despair throughout the recent years, I'd always been the rebound, the shoulder to cry on… I'd been her savior.

Hilda knew it well.

"Betty needs you, Gio. Don't leave her. Not yet."

—0—

I was still troubled and confused driving my old van, when I realized I hadn't turn on the ring volume of my cellphone since I returned from the Hartleys. I noticed a list of several missed calls. They were all from Beth. Just as if on cue, the phone started ringing.

"Yes, Marc?" I recognized his voice.

"We must meet tonight at your deli."

"No problem. I'll call the rest of the—"

"No, just you and me."

"Did you find something?" I asked and drove further into the streets of Queens.

Instead of answering my question, he said.

"I don't think I told you I had a friend at the Federal Medic Association."

"No."

"Well, I do" he said. "I asked for some old records and I finally got them faxed today. You're going to love this… I just need to tie some knots but I'm pretty sure know the reason—"

The other line was ringing. I was certain it was Beth.

"Marc! Marc!" I interrupted him. "Gotta hang up now. I'm on my way home. Call me and we'll arrange a meeting. Bye."

I got the other line and was taken aback at Beth's voice. I could barely understand the words coming through the line.

"Beth. What's going on? What's happening?"

"I—" she started. "I was at your home—"

"You 'were'? What?!" I interrupted and hit the break by mistake almost causing an accident. "You left the house alone?"

"I asked a neighbor to get me to a taxi. I had to leave." She said. "A note got slipped under the door. Another one. Another note!"

"What does it say? Where are you?"

"I'm at the Deli now. I just couldn't stay there. I've never been this scared in my life, Gio. I came immediately. I couldn't take it. I've been calling you all morning."

"What does the note say?"

She paused a moment.

" 'Today, you are next'. Gio, it says I'm next!" She said. "Is the same person. It's the same. I don't know what to do."

"I need you to stay in the deli. I am on my way." I ordered "Please put Maurizo on the phone. Don't leave the backroom. Wait for me right there, Beth."

I gave a few instructions to Maurizo and hit the gas. The transit was heavy and I struggled through side streets and congested main streets until I found myself crossing the Queensboro bridge. Then, I dialed Maurizo cellphone.

"How is Beth doing? Anything unusual at the deli?"

"Nothing so far."

I breathed. But my sensation of peace didn't last for long.

"Is it Joe? Hello Joe" a familiar voice sang through the line —it was Amanda.

"Maurizo, where the fuck are you?"

"Why, I'm at MODE" He said, nonchalant.

My heart skipped a beat.

"What the hell are you doing at MODE?!"

"I was making a delivery in the building and just decided to drop by to say hi to la mia ragazza—"

I cursed aloud and gave a quick turn avoiding the nearest traffic light, heading to the Deli through a side street at full speed. He spoke again.

"What's wrong with you, Gio?! I just came for a few minutes. There's nothing to worry about."

"Sei pazzo?!" I shouted through the line "You left Beth alone!"

"Hey, Calmati! Okay? Calmati… It was just a second. But I couldn't ignore this delivery. Its huge man! I think we got covered this week's expenses. Not that you're caring for the business anymore, anyway."

"What the heck! I told you not to leave the place. Not to accept any orders… Any fucking orders!"

"Dai! Dai! Calma! This was a quick one. Couldn't miss the opportunity. An urgent call by a special person, don't be paranoid. È la ragazza you used to like so much... la paffuta, the one that comes sometimes to those late meetings" He paused a second as if reading a note "Betty Suarez."

My heart jumped uneasy, almost terrified. I closed the mobile and sped to the deli. I was thankful I was only a few blocks away.

The shadow.

"Damn!"

I maneuvered through the infinite sea of cars and ended up stuck in a traffic jam. I turned off the engine, jumped out of the van and left it there, in the middle of the street.

I ran with all my strength.

"Pietro" I called my detective friend and I managed to say through my heavy breathing, "I need a favor. Please don't say no."

"What is it? What's going on?" his voice lowered down. He probably was at the police station.

I asked him to go to the Deli immediately.

"Are you insane?" he said. "I can't mobilize the force just like that. How can you be so sure the killer is going to show up?"

"I just know" I was sweating, running like a madman through the sidewalk, breaking between the hoards of people, stirring the curiosity of the bystanders.

"Okay," he finally agreed, "give me fifteen minutes. I'll go there myself."

I hadn't closed the phone when I started wondering if it'd been a mistake to call Pietro. The killer could be anybody. Anyone of us. I didn't trust Pietro, Marc or even Maurizo. I only trusted myself and her. Only her.

Something wasn't right. Something didn't fit right. Why would Betty call the Deli for such an order? She wasn't even in Manhattan. She wasn't inside the Meade building. She was sleeping, resting back in Queens.

The shadow that night in the back alley.

All I knew was that Beth was in danger, her smile, her hair, the heart shaped mark on her face —wait for me. Please, wait for me.

I threw myself to the front door of Gio's Deli. It was locked from the inside, the "Closed" sign plastered against the glass. My trembling hands searched for the keys and opened the lock with some difficulty.

I heard a loud female cry and I bolted to the back room.

What I saw froze my veins. Nothing of what I was expecting to see.

Betty Suarez was lying prone on the floor, unstoppable blood streams emanated from her body and, knelt beside her, clutching her deadly silvery knife in her hands, was Elizabeth Leigh.

The final chapter comes next

Notes:

Sei pazzo! = Are you out of your mind?!

Calmati! = calm down.

Dai! Calma! = Come on! Easy!

La ragazza, la paffuta = the chick, the chubby girl