Bubonicon went pretty well this weekend. I apologize again for posting late.

This coming week I'm leaving on a long train trip with stops along the Pacific coast. I'll post again when I can.

Anyway, here's this week's chapter. Hope you enjoy. Leave a few words if you wish.

Chapter 170.

Jess wiped a tear from the side of her right eye. "What happened to your grandson?"

"He was born with a defective heart, according to the Italian records." Locarno's voice cracked as he spoke. "He lived only three weeks."

"And Molino blamed you? That isn't logical." I shook my head.

"Grief isn't logical." He sighed. "Carlo Molino decided his sister would not have died if she hadn't met my son. Granted, there was enough truth in his belief that I felt guilty and then acted guilty, only reinforcing his determination to get even."

"Did he have anything to do with Ricardo's death, or with Lucy's?"

"Not Ricardo. He was quite ill. But Lucy...well they never proved that the crash was intended by the other driver."

"Or that it was Mike Morgan, the scourge of New Jersey, who crashed his truck into her car?" I asked.

Locarno nodded once. "Just so."

I finally had one of the last pieces of the puzzle. "How long has Molino been holding this grudge?"

"It's been..." Locarno narrowed his eyes. "...fifteen years." He said it as if he was surprised it had been that long.

"Well now the war between you has come to a head."

"And maybe now it can end." He put his hands flat on the table. "Hopefully without any more deaths. But Molino plays by his own rules, and I can't predict what he'll do."

"Mr. Locarno, is there anything we can do to help?" Jess had obviously been moved by the story he told. "We care about your son, grandson and granddaughter."

"The best you can do is lay low, stay out of Molino's field of vision. I know that will be difficult because of your father, but you must try."

"We'll be catering a welcome home party for Bev's sister this week," she said. "She's being released from the hospital. I guess we can focus on that, but I'm not sure it'll keep us out of the way."

"I wouldn't want you to change your plans, but is there any way this party can be postponed?"

"We'd rather not."

"What day will it take place?"

"Tuesday evening," Jess replied. "Marisa doesn't know about it. Bev is helping us with the plans."

"You have an idea." I had one of my own, but first I wanted to hear his.

He bunched up his lips, then sighed. "I hate to cause you any further problems. Who is invited to this event?"

Jess' eyes widened as she thought about it. "We'd love to invite Ricky. Marcello, too, but that might not be the best idea."

"Do it," Locarno said. "Where will it be held?"

"The Black Keys, where Marisa sang before she lost her voice."

"You want to lure Bernini and his thugs to the party," I guessed.

He nodded. "It would be even better is Molino was already in town. I'm sure he'd like to join in the fun."

"Do you think they know about the party?" Jess asked.

"It's unlikely, although I'm a little confused about how much they know about Bev."

"And what were they planning to do with all the guns? Surely Bernini didn't have Marisa's party in mind when he bought them."

"I'd hesitate to speculate on what Bernini might be planning, or Giordano for that matter. But I do suspect Molino is looking for an opportunity to hurt me through my family. When did you say Molino's expected?"

"Giordano told Bev within the next week."

"We have to do something to bring him here sooner."

"Are you sure you're ready to confront him?" I asked.

"Ready or not, the longer it takes, the more chance for others to be hurt."

By the time we left Locarno we'd agreed to his plan. I didn't like the idea that it put Jess, Nina and their staff in danger, as well as Bev and Marisa, but I was already thinking of ways to minimize their exposure. My earlier idea might work.

"I'll talk to Bev about the plan when we meet tomorrow to iron out the details for Tuesday evening."

"I'm sure she'll be happy to learn that Marcello will be there."

Jess didn't seem as happy. "She's in a precarious position, but I'll be glad if she decides to quit working for my father."

We drove home, each lost in our own thoughts about what Locarno said. As she got out of the car in front of the condo, Jess said, "We should warn everyone about Locarno's plan and the danger we'll all be in at Marisa's party."

"And what'll they do if they know? We'll tell Bev, of course, and your sister." I opened the door and we went in. "We have to explain to them why you've suddenly asked Ricky and Marcello to attend. I can hear Wilson's objections now." I imitated my friends voice. "We'll be sitting ducks, bait. Didn't we have enough on Friday? How are we going to protect all of these people?"

Under different circumstances, I'm sure Jess would have laughed. Instead she said, "Those are valid points, you know. How ARE we going to protect everyone?" She tossed her purse on the table near the front door and kicked off her shoes.

I shrugged and followed her to the kitchen. "Ricky and Marcello will bring their own bodyguards. Edgar and Thirteen can coordinate with them. But really, we all have to look like we're vulnerable. Otherwise, Bernini won't attack."

"You sound as if you want him to." She took out some scotch and poured us each a glass.

"If I know Locarno, he'll have this set up like a trap. This time Bernini's people won't get away. With them in jail, and the legal charges against his companies, Molino's operations will be crippled." I sipped my drink, relishing the smooth taste and thinking about my alternative plan.

"But first we'd have to get through the night. And it won't be the fun party we wanted for Marisa." Her frown was still in place.

"I'm sure everyone will make it up to her." I put a hand on Jess' shoulder. "I have faith in Locarno, but that doesn't mean we can't make our own plan."

"Like what?"

"I'm working on it."

We finished our drinks, but rather than take another, we went to bed. And I don't mean to sleep.

By the morning, my plan was fully formed. As I told Locarno, I didn't want to interfere with anything he'd set in motion, but I also had to protect Jess and assorted others. What I had in mind might even aid his overall scheme.

As unlikely as it sounds, my plan involved my team. Then again, the one thing I knew best was medicine. I gave Jess only the skeleton of my insidious plot, but she knew me well enough to not ask for details.

We had a quick breakfast before I left for the hospital. She had some phone calls to make, mostly to warn her sister and the others about what might still go down at Marisa's party.

I smiled when I reached my conference room. Foreman sat alone, nursing his coffee and reading a newspaper. Looked like the New York Times.

"Pop quiz time." I dropped into the chair next to his. "What's the fastest acting laxative?"

"Huh?" He had that what-the-hell-are-you-talking-about stare down pat.

"How about diuretics?"

"House, you know the answers to those questions as well as I do."

"Humor me."

"Miralax."

"Too slow."

"How about an enema?"

I rolled my eyes the way he usually did.

"They give patients a mixture of Dulcolax and magnesium citrate to clean them out before colonoscopies."

I nodded.

"Of course, there are several teas and herbal remedies."

"Even better. Okay, thanks." I left him trying to figure out why I asked.

Five minutes of Mr. Googles time and I had a list to investigate. I didn't really want to try any on myself, but couldn't think of anyone who'd cooperate without a significant bribe. What I wouldn't give at the moment for a patient with a constipation problem.

The key player in my scheme would be my new friend, Edgar. I hadn't heard from him, and couldn't assume he got the job at the produce company, so I called.

"Hey, Doc. I was just going to call you. There were six applicants for Petey's job. Who would have thought so many people wanted to drive a fruit truck?" He chuckled. "But I was easily their first choice. I start tomorrow morning."

I smiled. One obstacle eliminated. "How much contact will you have with the merchandise when you deliver it?"

"I'll be hand carrying the crates into each customer."

"What about the fruit the other drivers handle?"

"We all load at the same time."

My smile broadened. "Here's what you're going to do for 'Project Red'." I described exactly every step. He didn't balk at any of it, in fact, by the time I finished, I had him laughing. "Meet me at the hospital at four today and I'll give you the stuff."

"Will do."

Now all I had to do was determine which of the teas would be the most effective, and then make up enough for Edgar to apply to every red fruit and vegetable he could before they were delivered to Bernini's customers Tuesday morning.

I headed out to the nearest Oriental food store, then brought the samples back to my conference room. By then I'd decided on my guinea pigs.

"What are you doing?" Chase asked, as I made up the first batch.

"Just a little experiment. None of your concern, unless you'd like to try it."

But, of course, he insisted on helping and asking inane questions.

"Have a cup." I filled one for him, and he sipped it cautiously.

"Not bad. Better than some of the stuff Cameron used to foist on us."

Taub entered. "What's that?"

Another guinea pig. By the time I filled his cup, Chase bolted for the door, probably on his way to the mens room. Taub watched him go, but drank the tea anyway. Before he joined Chase, I saw the light bulb go off in his head.

Chase returned first and looked at me with wide eyes and a big frown. "What was in that stuff?"

I told him.

"Are you insane? "

I shrugged. "No more than usual." I explained my plan.

"They'll blame Edgar."

"No they won't. The fruit company will take all the blame."

He started to say something, then stopped. I could see his brain working and then a smile spread across his face. He nodded. "Insane, but brilliant."

"No more than usual," I repeated.

By then Taub was back. Unlike Chase, he didn't ask what I was up to. "Remind me never to take anything from you again."

I grinned at him.

"Jess isn't going to like this," Chase said.

She might not, but it would incapacitate Bernini so he couldn't make a move during Marisa's party. Locarno might not like that. He was primed for a showdown. Still, he would see the big picture. Bernini would fail again, and that would bring Molino to New Jersey sooner. Meanwhile, the welcome home for Marisa would be safe for everyone involved. What could go wrong?