I apologize for the delay in getting another chapter posted, but we've had little time and less Internet access than I thought during our trip. I'll be home next week. Meanwhile, finally, here's the next chapter.

Chapter 171.

When Edgar showed up later that day, he was full of questions. "How do you expect me to apply that stuff to the apples and tomatoes and such?"

"Don't they wash the fruit and vegetables before they deliver them to their customers?" I smirked at him.

He shrugged. "I guess so."

My shoulders went up higher than his. "So, you'll put it in the water you use. It's practically colorless. No one will know."

"I guess that will work." His eyes narrowed. "You're sure the stuff will do what you want?"

"Absolutely. Tested it."

"On yourself?" He wrinkled his nose.

"Are you kidding? When I have a whole team to do my dirty work?"

The big guy laughed. "You're something else, House."

"Did you find out anything else at Bernini Fruit?" I asked.

"The foreman has been talking to some of the guys about a job they have for tomorrow night. Seems they're only using the people who've been with the company a while. And they're bringing in some guy who used to work there."

That got my attention. "What did they say about him?"

"Just that he had to leave for a while because of something he did. He's supposed to have a hair-trigger temper."

I smiled. "Sounds like Mike Morgan."

"Yeah, some one used the name Morgan. I forgot until you said it. Who's he?"

I told him about Morgan's history, his time in jail for vehicular homicide and everything else he did.

Edgar whistled. "I'm surprised they'd even use him."

"If they want someone killed with a truck, he's your man."

"Then who are they targeting?"

"Could be lots of people, any of the Locarnos or Bev or her father." I puffed up my lips and blew out the air. "I'm afraid I was the one to provoke him last time when he rammed the front window of the The Black Keys."

"Isn't that where the party is tomorrow night?"

"Yes, and I bet he's dying to finish the job he started there."

"Does the place get produce from Bernini?"

"Not anymore. Guess I should warn Rudy, the manager there. When did they say Morgan would be back?"

He shook his head. "No one said. Sometime today, I'd guess."

"Watch out for him. He's dangerous."

"Okay, I will. If there's nothing else for now, I'll head out. I promised Cheryl I'd take her to dinner tonight."

I thought about asking what he saw in her. She was pretty enough, but he could do so much better. In the end, I handed him the tea leaves to use in the spray and left it at that.

He passed Chase as he was leaving, and my minion was entering.

"Recovered so fast?" I asked.

His face was pale but otherwise didn't show any aftereffects. "I didn't drink that much of the stuff." He tilted his head toward the door. "You should see Taub."

"All for a good cause." I told him a little about my plan.

He rubbed his ear. "Since Ellie will be one of the servers at the party, I'm kinda glad you found a way to keep Bernini occupied, although I wonder what Locarno will say when he finds out you've thwarted his plan."

"I didn't thwart it," I insisted. "Not exactly. He'll have another chance, and by then Molino will be here."

"Jess hasn't signed off on this yet, has she?"

"Well, no. Why is everyone asking me that?"

"Because she has a level head on her shoulders. She tends to keep your most outrageous acts in check."

I grimaced. Right as he was, it was hard to admit it. For so many years Wilson made a half-hearted attempt to quash my best moves, but he never succeeded the way Jess had. I had mixed feelings about that.

"You should tell her," Chase said.

"I told her some of it. I'll tell her the rest." But I had to find the right time, and the right words. Meanwhile, I had to make sure I hadn't put Edgar in harm's way. He could take care of himself, of that I had no doubt, but Mike Morgan wasn't just any thug. "One thing I didn't mention. Morgan's back, or rather will be later today."

What color remained drained from his face. "He better not come after Ellie, Chris and me."

"I think he'll have other things on his mind. Bernini is probably bringing him back for tomorrow night. Did you ever come up with proof he was the one who rammed you?"

"Unfortunately no. It would be nice, though, if we could sic the cops on him." I'd never seen him look so angry and vindictive against anyone before. "What about the manager of the Black Keys? Didn't he file a complaint?"

"Yes. But then Morgan disappeared, or rather ran off somewhere, leaving his job at the produce company open."

"Was that why Petey was working there? And now Edgar?"

"Right. But Edgar heard the foreman talking about Morgan returning." I watched his reaction to that bit of news.

"I don't like the sound of that."

"Neither do I. Every time any of us gets in a car, we could be targets."

A pained look crossed his face, but I doubted it had anything to do with Morgan because he abruptly left the room, heading toward the men's room again. That tea worked better than I ever thought, and kept on working.

It was time for me to go home. My team could deal with the personal consequences of my little experiment. In a way, I was looking forward to the next day and the uproar that could happen when customers of Bernini's customers suffered the same fate. The produce company would be inundated with complaints. Was there a chance that Bernini could still attack the Black Keys and the shindig for Marisa? Probably. I wouldn't count it out. But it wouldn't be as forceful, so it would be easier for Locarno's people.

Jess was waiting for me when I arrived home. The frown on her face could have been caused by almost anything. "Rudy's not sure he wants the party at the club. He's afraid of what might happen."

"Coward." I put a hand on her shoulder. "I set my plan in motion." I gave her more details. "It should mitigate any danger. But where else can you hold it?"

"I could talk to Bertoli or my uncle. They might agree."

I nodded. "Call them. Bertoli first. He knows what's at stake. Tell him about what I'm doing. It might get a chuckle out of him and encourage him to take the chance."

She took out her phone and made the call. "Oh, hi Julio. Is Mr. Bertoli there?"

She smiled at me as she waited. "Mr. Bertoli, it's Jess Giordano. I need a big favor." She put the phone on speaker so I could hear Bertoli's part of the onversation. "Rudy at the Black Keys is suddenly chicken about hosting the welcome home party for Bev's sister. Would you be willing to have the party at The Melting Pot?"

"For Marisa? Of course," he readily agreed. "But what is Rudy so worried about? Does he think Bernini will come after everyone there? Well, if they want a fight, I'll be happy to give it to them."

"Thanks, Mr. Bertoli. You're a lifesaver. Your friend, Tony Locarno, has some plans. You might want to talk to him about them, coordinate efforts."

"And Dr. House? Does he also have a plan?" He chuckled.

I told him, too, what I'd put in motion.

He laughed. "Bernini doesn't stand a chance with you, me and Locarno allied against him."

"Don't forget Bernini isn't alone either. He's got Molino. And Peter Giordano," I warned.

"Of course, but this will bring Molino to Princeton sooner than he planned."

"Exactly what I was thinking. Great minds and all that."

His laugh grew louder if possible. "Jessica, if you're listening, I will be happy to host the party."

"Thank you!" She smiled. "That's a load off my mind."

"Let me check to make sure we don't have any big groups coming in tomorrow. We could probably use the back section of the restaurant. I'll call back and let you know the best time to start."

"Perfect. I don't think Bev will have a problem convincing Marisa to have dinner with her there."

"Give me five minutes."

While we waited for him to call back, Jess was already making plans. "We'll have a different menu, of course. And I'll have to inform everyone who was invited about the change in venue." She made notes to herself as she thought it through.

True to his word, Bertoli called five minutes after he hung up. "You can start at seven."

"It was going to be a black and white party when we planned it for The Black Keys, but we should probably change that."

"A black and white party. I like that. We can still do it at my place. Or come close. Cheese fondue and chocolate. Chicken and steak. That sort of thing."

"That sounds even better than what we had in mind." She was grinning by then, sure that the party was saved.

"I'll let Tony know."

"Good. Thanks again. You're a life saver."

"My pleasure, especially for my daughter and her sister."

"I'll keep in touch and let you know if there's anything else we need."

Once Jess ended the call, I said, "It might be a good thing Rudy backed out."

"Definitely."

"Bertoli would do anything for Bev."

She nodded, but there was a strange look on her face. "Unlike my father."

I pulled her into my arms. Sometimes I forgot how hurt she was by her father's attitude and treatment of her, Nina and Petey. "Bertoli is just trying to make up for Bev's early years," I reminded Jess. "And maybe for asking her to spy on Molino."

She nodded. "I understand that, but it doesn't change the fact that he loves his daughter, while my father..." she couldn't go on.

"Your father doesn't deserve daughters like you and Nina."

She smirked at me. "What about Petey?"

I laughed. "You have to admit, though, that your brother is a better man than your father."

"I guess you're right." She looked surprised at the thought.

I tilted her head up so I could peck her lips. "Forget about your father. He'll get his, along with Bernini and Molino."

"I'm beginning to accept that he deserves to be taken down with them." She traced my lips with a finger. "I only hope they don't find a way to get out of the noose Locarno and Bertoli are tightening around their collective throats."