House and Jess are off to follow up on the people Tina mentioned, her uncle and brother, but first to check out the other auto shop Molino owns. Are they close to finding out who kidnapped Jess, her sister and Julio? And will they ever know why?

I'll be out of town for a few days this week, but I should have another chapter for you next weekend. Thanks for reading and for your comments.

Chapter 100.

We took Tina back to where she'd parked her car near Julio's apartment, and then continued on to Trenton. I wanted to see the other shop owned by Molino, even though I was sure no one there would tell me whether Tina's brother or any other members of her family were customers. We also needed to talk to Tina's uncle and brother. I knew I'd think of some excuse to approach them.

The shop looked very different from the one we'd been to before. We were in my car instead of Nina's this time, but it was more appropriate for the work that this shop did. I parked in front of the office and we went inside. The interior had more of a resemblance to the other shop. A few desks and walls covered with photos of the work they'd done over the years with beaming customers standing next to some souped up older cars. A salesman made a beeline for us before the door closed.

"Can I help you?" he asked. He was tall and slim, fairly young with a bit of a scruff but well-groomed brown hair.

"A friend of mine had some work done here about a year or so ago, and he talked me into having the engine in mine replaced, maybe even the wheels and tires."

"That your vehicle out in the lot?" He pointed to my car.

"Yeah. I've had it forever, but it would be nice if it had a bit more oomph, know what I mean?"

He nodded and smiled, probably thinking he had a pigeon he could sell all sorts of add ons.

"Ricky said you did the best work around the area," Jess said, smiling back at him. Having a young and pretty woman along wasn't hurting.

He looked her over. "Ricky, that's your friend?"

She nodded. "Ricky Locarno. Poor guy. He still enjoys driving, but it hasn't been the same since his accident."

The salesman shook his head. "Sorry, I don't recognize the name."

Jess and I exchanged a look, but let it drop. "So, what can you do with my car?" I asked.

Smiling the man motioned over to one of the desks. As we sat down, he took out some lists, brochures and a few photos and began a long spiel about how they could replace the V8 in my car with something five times more powerful and yet smaller. Then he segued into exhaust systems and other ways to boost the performance.

"I'm going to have to think about it." I took some of the brochures he had and stood to leave.

"Sure, take your time and think about what you want. We like our customers to be satisfied." He pointed to the pictures of smiling folks on the wall behind him.

"We'll be back when we decide," I told him.

"Just ask for me, Tom." He held out a hand. I let Jess shake it and we left.

"Well, that was a bust," she said.

"Not necessarily. If Ricky had work done over a year ago, he may never have met him." I opened the car door but didn't get in. "The interesting thing was the picture of the woman next to the red convertible."

"The dark-haired woman? She did look familiar."

"If I'm not mistaken, it was Francesca."

Jess nodded slowly. "Yes! I think you're right. But why would she be in a picture on the wall of a business her husband owns?"

"Exactly. If she left Italy to get away from him, why was she anywhere near one of his shops?"

"I think we need to bring Julio here to see that photo once he's released from the hospital," she suggested.

"I wonder who else he might recognize. Tina, too."

"But what can we do for now?"

I started the car and drove out of the lot. "Perhaps it's time to pay a little visit to the Locarno office in Trenton, maybe even talk to Uncle Marcello."

"We had a good excuse at the car shop, but why would we be visiting that office?"

I shrugged. "It's a real estate office. We could be looking for a new place to live."

"We just moved into our condo," Jess reminded me.

"Marcello won't have to know that, just that we own a place in Princeton. Maybe we're looking for a bigger place."

"In Trenton?"

"Most real estate agencies cover a wide area of the state. Then again, why not Trenton?" A new idea occurred to me. "Or even better, you could be looking for office space for the new catering business you're starting with your sister."

Jess smiled. "Yes, that might work. Office space in Princeton is expensive. I'm sure there are cheaper places in Trenton that would be just as convenient for the business."

"You realize we're not really looking for office space."

"Oh, I know, but it adds some truth to why we're there."

The Locarno firm was in a new office building in one of the better parts of Trenton. We parked in a nearby lot and entered the building. It was cool inside the lobby. The marble walls and floors and high ceiling gave an appearance of wealth and prestige. A beefy man in a guard uniform sat at a desk in the middle of the lobby, scrutinizing everyone who entered. "Are you here to see someone?" he asked them.

"Marcello Locarno." Jess flashed her best smile.

"Do you have an appointment?" He glanced down at a sheet on the desk in front of him.

"I...I thought we did. Jessica Giordano." She pretended to try and see the list.

He shook his head. "Names not here."

"Well, do you think you can check with his office. Maybe they didn't add it."

He stared at her but picked up a phone and hit a few buttons. "There's a Jennifer Jordan here..."

"...that's Jessica Giordano!"

"Uh, Jessica Giordano. She claims she had an appointment with Mister Marcello." The man listened, then turned to them, shaking his head. "You don't have an appointment with anyone."

Jess looked at me, frowning. "Didn't you say that it was today with Marcello?"

I shrugged. "That's what Tina said."

"Well, maybe she didn't tell him." Her shoulders slumped. "Could we make an appointment?" she asked the guard. "I really wanted to work with him. We want to find the best place we can."

The man took one look at her and spoke into the phone again. "Cheryl, does he have any free time today? There's a lady here wants to talk to him about finding a place." He listened, then smiled and hung up the phone. "Mr. Marcello can see you in an hour."

"Thank you so much!" Jess gushed. I think she would have hugged him if the desk wasn't in the way.

He blushed as if she had.

We walked back out. A few doors down we found a coffee shop, a good place to pass the next hour.

"What do you think Marcello can tell us?" Jess sipped at one of those frou-frou coffee drinks that sound terrible and taste worse. She made a face. "This is bitter."

"Serves you right. Gimme a good old cup of java any day."

She pushed her cup away and sat back waiting for me to tell her what our game plan should be.

"We need to casually mention Carlo Molino, his wife, and Julio, and see his reaction to the names."

She nodded, with me so far.

I pursed my lips as I thought about it. "It might not hurt to bring up any of the other players in this little drama: Bertoli, maybe even Tina and her brother."

"Well, the last two are his niece and nephew."

"Yeah, but who knows what the relationships are in the Locarno family."

"Ah, right!" She nodded a few times. "I've gotta get something else to take this taste out of my mouth." She stood and went to the counter, returning before long with a glass of iced tea. She took a few pulls on her straw. "That's better." Her phone began to play. "Hi, Nina. How are you feeling?" After a few "Um-hms" and as many nods, she said, "OK, we'll see you later." She slipped the phone back into her purse. "Nina wants us to meet her at Uncle Johnny's restaurant for dinner."

"She must be feeling much better. You didn't tell her where we were or what we were doing."

Jess shrugged. "There'll be time for that later." She glanced at her watch. "But right now, it's time to see what Marcello Locarno can tell us."

We finished our drinks, and returned to the office building. This time the guard pointed us in the direction of the elevators. "Tenth floor. The doors are opposite the elevators."

Jess and I looked at each other, got on the elevator, and she pushed the button for ten.