OK so this outtake was only supposed to be one chapter but I couldn't get the following scene out of my head so ... hope you enjoy.
Man, talk about running the gauntlet. I don't know where all those reporters were from or how they got the information they did but someone's gonna pay dearly.
That thought however was short lived as I remembered the sight of Jeanne-Ellen Burrows going head to head with Ranger Manoso on the mats. But no one has seen Jeanne-Ellen for weeks. Rumour has it she's out of the country. So maybe she wasn't the culprit.
I heaved a sigh of relief as the taxi turned into my street and my house came into sight. After listening to Helen's Plum whining for hours on end then being accosted by all of those reporters I definitely needed a beer and some peace and quiet. I've even had to turn my phone off. I'd turned it on as soon as we landed and it immediately convulsed in frenzied overload due to the massive number of incoming alerts for missed calls.
I paid the cabbie and dragged my weary ass up the front steps. As I unlocked the front door, dropping my duffle on the floor inside I wondered where Bob was. My cousin Mooch had been looking after him while I was gone and normally Bob would launch himself at me as soon as I walked through the door.
My heart stuttered in my chest as I realised I was not alone. Sitting in my lounge chair with cigar in one hand and the other on top of Bob's shaggy head, scratching his ear, was none other than Vito Grizolli, Terri Gilman's uncle and head of The Family.
Shit. Just when I thought things couldn't get any worse.
Vito was old school mob, and looked relaxed with elbows on the arm rests and one ankle balanced on the opposing knee. He watched me with cold blue eyes as he continued to pamper my traitorous dog.
"Joey. Come in. Take a load off." His voice was deceptively calm and welcoming. There was no way this meeting was going to end well. The click of the door as I closed it behind me sounded like a macabre death knell.
"Vito" I responded in greeting, making my way nervously into the lounge.
"That's Mr Grizzolli to you." One of his muscle responded. There were two with him, standing politely at attention, one guarding the back door, one to Vito's left.
I decided that if I wanted to live longer than the length of this meeting that it would be in my best interests to be respectful and co-operative.
"Sorry. Mr Grizzolli." I corrected, sounding suitably apologetic.
Vito looked down and Bob, removed his hand from Bob's head and said simply, "sit" and Bob dropped to the floor beside his chair. WTF?
He returned his attention to me, studying me critically.
"Joey, Joey, Joey. …..What am I going to do with you?"
I could feel my stomach roil and hoped I wouldn't embarrass myself and puke all over the floor. I was thankful that my voice didn't sound too high pitched or nervous when I answered.
"I'm sorry Mr Grizolli. I don't understand. Is there something I can help you with?" That's it. Be proactive. Be helpful. Don't show any fear.
Vito took another long pull on his cigar and exhaled before answering.
"I find myself in a …. dilemma." He reflected, as though faced with a difficult decision.
"Trenton seems to think you are engaged to Miss Plum. And yet pictures have emerged of you with my niece, Terri. Do I need to explain the nature of those pictures?" Vito's eyes narrowed at me and I could feel the sweat break out on my upper lip. I swallowed hard, trying to keep my voice level.
"Sir, I ….I…."
I was lost for words. My first reaction was to tell him I could explain, the very words I spoke to Cupcake when she caught me with Terri were coming back to haunt me. I really am going to puke.
"You what? Can explain? ….. That won't be necessary." Vito's voice was low and calm, but there was no mistaking the deadly threat behind it. He flicked his wrist, shaking the ash from the end of the cigar onto the floor.
"You are a man without honour,…..Detective." The last word was spoken slowly and with contempt.
"You treat my niece no better than a common whore, and you betray those that have stood by you and placed their trust in you."
Vito contemplated the end of his burning cigar before continuing.
"Miss Plum is a remarkable woman. She is resourceful, tenacious, loyal, and a far better judge of character than my niece. But then, …. Terri always did have poor taste in men."
Vito stared at me coldly and all I could do was wait and sweat over what he would say next. I hadn't been in Church in what seemed like forever but my Catholic upbringing suddenly resurfaced and I found myself praying.
"Not only have you dishonoured Miss Plum, my niece, and my family, ….. you have brought … unwelcome interest from the police to some of my… business activities. So here is what's going to happen. My niece has expressed her contrition for her lack of judgement, and will be moving to New York for the foreseeable future. She has begged my indulgence in sparing you the usual repercussions for such disrespect of my family, and so tomorrow, you will apply to your Captain for a transfer to another city. Effective immediately. I am sure he will be more than willing to assist you."
Vito watched me as though waiting for a reply or response. All I could do was nod my head in agreement. There was no need for words, it would only keep this nightmare going longer than necessary. The fact that I was not going to end up as fish food in the Delaware was nothing short of a miracle.
Vito stubbed his cigar out on the polished surface of the coffee table. "A reminder, of our conversation. You'll remember this discussion every time you look at this coffee table, even if you replace it. I'm a man of my word Detective Morelli, I promised my niece you would not come to any harm. On this occasion." The implied threat was not lost on me, at all.
Vito stood and Bob immediately bounded to his feet, looking at him adoringly, seeking more attention.
"I like your dog." Commented Vito, scratching Bob behind the ears again. "I always wanted one like him as a kid."
I managed to find my voice, albeit strained. "His name is Bob. He likes to eat furniture."
"I can see that. Perhaps he needs his own room, with some more substantial chew toys."
Vito's muscle nodded, as though in agreement with something. You've got to be kidding me. The body guard near the back door opened it and they silently trooped out, an ecstatic Bob prancing along with them.
They didn't bother closing the door behind them, but once they were out of sight I launched myself into the downstairs bathroom and emptied the contents of my stomach into the hand basin.
Finis.