We arrived home after the holiday weekend away, so I can post this only two days late.

Chapter 160.

As I strolled to my office, I thought about the approach to take with Marcello. I didn't think he'd have a problem supporting Cuddy with the board, but you never knew. Cuddy still didn't know about his relationship with Bev, at least I hadn't told her. At the same time, I wanted to warn him about what was going down Saturday morning.

The light on my office phone was blinking. Before I called Marcello, I scrolled through the list of callers. The only message I was interested in was from Bev. Smiling, I called her back.

"Hello, Dr. House. Sorry I didn't call earlier today."

"I've been in and out most of the day."

"Giordano canceled the meeting, or rather postponed it to Saturday morning."

"That's interesting." I wondered what it meant.

She lowered her voice. "I don't want anyone to hear me." She paused. "My boss just returned from somewhere and he was in a foul mood."

"I know where he's been. Listen, Bev, I'd steer clear of him for the rest of today, but make sure you're at that meeting, and then call me as soon as it's over."

"Sure. What do you think it's about?" she asked.

"All I know is that the Bernini trucks are being used tomorrow for some kind of pickup and delivery. The meeting may be related."

"Could they be bringing the furniture for the restaurant?"

"I doubt it's something that benign, but it is possible." Could it be that simple? I didn't think so. "On another topic, you heard they're springing your sister on Monday."

"Yes, she called and told me." Her voice was much more cheerful, besides being louder. "Guess we'll have to get moving on that party for her."

"I told Ricky about it. He's volunteered to help, but I told him to talk to Jess. No need for him to talk to you. Someone might tumble to the fact that you know the Locarnos."

She chuckled. "From what she told me, Marlene will be thrilled to have him there."

I thought a minute. "Probably the best way for Jess to contact you about the shindig would be for her to drop in on her father to see how his restaurant is doing."

"For the same reason, huh? Yes, as far as Mr. G. is concerned, I know nothing and nobody." She laughed.

"I have to call your boyfriend now about hospital business."

"Tell him...maybe I better wait until I can speak to him myself."

I laughed and closed the connection, then punched in Marcello's number.

"Dr. House?"

"Who else would be calling you from my number?"

"What's up?"

"Aside from the fact that I just talked to your girlfriend, and before that I visited your father, twice today, not much."

A pause. "What did you talk to Bev about?"

I smiled. "It's interesting you're more interested in that than in what your papa said."

He chuckled. "I know you'll tell me even if I don't ask."

"My conversation with Bev was about her new boss and the party for her sister."

Another pause. "That's it? What about her boss, and when is Marlene going to be released?"

It was my turn to laugh. "Her boss rescheduled a meeting with his staff for tomorrow morning and coincidentally, there's a special shipment that will require the use of Bernini Fruit Company trucks. By the way, that was one of the things I discussed with your father."

"What does he have to do with it all?"

"Giordano approached him to allow his restaurant to open. He ostensibly wants approval from your father and his cronies."

"But he's tied to Molino." He sounded surprised.

"He denied it."

"What did my father tell him?"

"That he'll have nothing to do with any business associated with Molino."

Marcello sighed. "I feel a little guilty now, finding the property Giordano is using for his restaurant. But he's Jess' father."

I knew how he felt. "Jess and I were the ones to steer him your way in the first place. We all have moves we regret."

"Well, what's done is done. How's Bev?"

Back to her again. I smiled once more. He had it bad. "She sounded fine. I think she actually likes working on the restaurant."

"That's good. I just wish she hadn't agreed to spy on Giordano."

"After the year or so she spent with Molino, it's probably a piece of cake for her."

"Maybe. What were you saying earlier about the party for Marlene?" he asked.

"She'll leave the hospital on Monday. Jess will probably set up the party for Tuesday evening."

"I wish I could be there." He sounded wistful. Time to change the subject.

"Cuddy says you're not returning her calls."

He sighed. "That woman is a cougar."

"She's not that much older than you. Five, ten years."

"But she's persistent."

"Yes, I've noticed. Actually, she wants you to support her during the board meeting next week. For once I agree with her position. Cutting the costs of the school is a bad idea to begin with, but doing it by forcing the hospital's doctors to teach is worse."

He chuckled. "Because that would mean you'd have to. You're probably an excellent teacher, the kind young doctors can get a lot from."

"I have enough with my Fellows. I don't need a lecture hall full of idiots."

"Then how else do you think the hospital can cut costs?" he asked.

"Instead of that, they should go for increased funding. There are some deep pockets they can tap. Like your father."

"He already contributes sizable amounts, but I understand your viewpoint." He hesitated before going on. "Okay, I'll give Cuddy a call and offer my support. But on one condition: you make sure she doesn't take it as a tacit invitation to pursue me."

"Just tell her you're taken," I suggested.

"I can't tell her about Bev. At least not yet."

Even though my original plan was to get Cuddy and Marcello together, I had to admit it hadn't been one of my better ideas. "I'll do what I can to keep her from attacking you." I'd have to find someone else for her. "Well, I guess my mission is complete. See you around, Marcello."

"Ciao, Doctor."

I wasn't ready to run to Cuddy to let her know he'd call her. First I had to find someone to take her mind off Marcello. Now when had I taken up matchmaking? Not that I was too bad at it.

I was musing about my next steps when I sensed someone in my doorway. The only one less expected was Morgan, but he was next on the list.

"Mr. G. You must like this place."

"What do you mean?" Giordano seemed to be thrown by the question.

"You were here earlier, up on the roof." I watched his face to see his reaction.

He didn't disappoint. A scowl accompanied by a glare. "What do you know about that?"

"You and Bernini have plans for tomorrow." I knew I shouldn't be disclosing how much I knew, but maybe it would get him to give me more details and I wouldn't have to wait for his son to report. If it was an innocent delivery, he'd relax. If not...

He strode toward me, invading my space. "You keep your nose out of this, or Bernini will come after you."

"Your daughter wouldn't like that." I kept my voice as calm as possible, although I knew what Giancarlo Bernini could do.

He shrugged. "She'd find someone else."

"You really are working with Molino. Not because he has a hold on you. You're as ruthless as he is." I stood to face him, nose to nose.

"You don't know anything, Dr. House. Locarno and his cohorts think they can run things in this town, in this state, but they don't have the organization or the discipline to continue for long." He sneered at me.

I sneered right back. "I'm glad your children have been able to get out from under your thumb. Jess no longer wants or needs your approval. She and Nina are about to prove they can be successful without you."

He shook his head slowly. "That won't last either. When we take over this town, every business in Princeton will be under our control."

"Not gonna happen."

He ignored me. "And when we control this hospital, guess who'll be the first doctor who's fired."

"You don't scare me." I could only hope they didn't have the clout to do it. As much as I disliked having to put up with Cuddy, I knew few other hospitals would be as tolerant of some of my shenanigans.

"Oh, don't I?"

"I don't think you realize the resistance you'd get if you tried to expand Molino's influence. Locarno alone has been able to limit him. He's got lots of influential friends in this state and the support of many more. Molino doesn't even live here. If you're his idea of a front man, his judgment is questionable."

"Molino's been working on this for years. He has much more of a foothold in New Jersey than you or Locarno think." His smile was almost sinister. "I'd watch myself if I were you, Doctor." He turned and walked away.

I tried to have the last word. "What are you going to do? Send Mike Morgan to crash a truck into my car? He'll have to come out of the woodwork first."

He turned back to say, "Morgan is the least of your worries." Then he continued out the door.

I had an uneasy feeling. Were there precautions I should take? What could he or Bernini do to me? Was he going to try to get to me through Jess? I'd have to warn her.

At least now I knew for certain that he was firmly tied to Molino and what their plans were. I'd have to break the news to Jess. Her mixed feelings for her father were about to get a severe blow.

She was probably busy with last minute details for the first catering job. Should I disturb her? I punched in her number. If nothing else, I had to warn her.

"Hi, Greg. I'm kinda busy right now, but for you I think I can take five or ten minutes." She sounded breathless. I could hear lots of voices in the background.

Since I didn't have much time, I told her about her father first. "Your papa just left."

Was she alerted by my tone of voice? "Why was he there?" she asked.

"He came to warn me to stay out of his business and Molino's."

She sighed. "How deep is his involvement?" Her voice was resigned.

"Deep. Listen, I was going to suggest you go to see his restaurant so you could talk to Bev, but after his warning, I think you should stay away from him. Far away."

"I hear you. But what did you want me to talk to Bev about?"

"The party for Marisa. With Wilson releasing her Monday, Tuesday may be the best day for the party, but that doesn't give you much time to plan. Oh, and Ricky wants to help." She didn't answer right away, so I said, "Jess?"

"Sorry, I'm still absorbing the fact that my father would actually come to you and warn you to stay out of his business."

"Well, I kind of provoked him by letting him know I'd seen him plotting with Bernini earlier."

"He was?" She didn't sound surprised. "Why'd you tell him? No, don't answer. You wanted to see his reaction. Well, I guess you got one. So, now how do I contact Bev? And more important, how are we going to protect ourselves?"