I'm finally back on schedule with writing and posting, or almost. There's still lots going on in RL, but I'll still try to keep writing.

Chapter 173.

I stared at my phone, processing what Edgar told me. "I suppose that's a good thing," I said. "At least you'll be able to warn us when they're on their way to the restaurant." Something else occurred to me. "How does Bernini know we changed the venue?"

"Beats me. But he knows alright."

"Has Morgan showed his face yet?" I was still cogitating on how the Bernini's response to my gambit would affect anything else. A new round of warning calls would be needed.

"Oh, yeah. Bernini proudly introduced him to me as his right-hand man." It sounded like Edgar was chuckling.

"As long as they both trust you, use that."

"I will. I'll keep in touch." A click signaled he'd ended the call.

Chase had only heard my side of the conversation. "What happened? Is Morgan in town?"

"Yes. He's assembling a group of thugs since the drivers are out of commission."

He frowned. "Guess your plan backfired."

"I wouldn't say that. Bernini, and Morgan, too, trust Edgar, so they're including him in whatever they do. He'll be our eyes and ears on the enemy's movements."

Chase nodded. "Even if I wasn't invited as one of Marisa's doctors, I'd insist on being there."

"I counted on it. Keep your eyes on Ellie and the other servers. Edgar won't be able to join Ricky and Marcello's bodyguards, since he'll be with Bernini's gang, so anyone we can use to protect Jess, Nina and their staff will be helpful." I'd decided on the sequence of calls I had to make. "I'm going to call Bertoli and let him know what to expect."

He smirked. "Maybe Julio will help."

I nodded. "I'm sure he'll want to because of Tina if for no other reason."

"I'll talk to Foreman, Thirteen and Taub. They were invited, too, and if they have forewarning, they'll be more helpful." He left, and I made my first call.

I could almost hear Bertoli's frown after I told him about Morgan and the goon squad. "That puts a whole new spin on things," he said. "I'll talk to Tony. Between us, we should be able to enlist our own muscle in addition to the bodyguards Marcello, Ricky and Tina have."

That meant I didn't have to call Tony Locarno. With Bertoli's assurances in mind, I called Jess instead. "I think your sister might be well enough by this evening to show up."

"That's good news. I won't ask how you managed that."

"And I won't tell." I smiled slightly, then grimaced. "Unfortunately, my little plan for the fruit company drivers kinda backfired."

"Oh, no! What happened?"

I told her what Edgar had reported. "I warned Bertoli and he's taking even more precautions."

"And if Edgar can get word to us about what Morgan and company are doing, that'll help." She sighed. "I just hate that all this might turn Marisa's party into a shambles."

"I'm sure Bertoli will do everything he can so she won't even realize what's happening." I said it to convince myself as much as Jess. "Chase is telling the rest of the team, so they'll be on their guard."

"Did you tell Wilson?" she asked.

"Not yet. I don't want him to have the time to insist that Nina stay home. We need her there. YOU need her there."

After a short pause she said, "I guess Rudy had a right to be too frightened to host this party."

"In a way, I think the Melting Pot is a better venue than the Black Keys. And it means Bertoli will provide everything we need."

She swallowed. "Greg, if we get through tonight without any disruptions, I'll be relieved. But until then, I don't mind telling you, I'm scared."

"Jess, it'll be fine. Don't worry." I couldn't believe I was saying all of this to her. When did I become such a supportive person?

"Thanks, I needed to hear you say that."

Was I imagining her emphasis on the word 'you'? I cleared my throat. "What time do you have to be at the restaurant to set up?"

"I'll go over around three, three-thirty. I've been there before, but I want to make sure there's enough room for everything, and the kitchen knows what we want."

"I can be there by four." It was as good an excuse for leaving the hospital early as I ever had. "And bring reinforcements."

"See you then."

After talking to her, I wondered if there was anything else I could do, besides convincing Wilson that Nina would be safe, especially if he was there with her. I couldn't wait any longer to confront him.

As luck would have it, he was in his office and alone. He looked up as I barged in. "Nina told me she's feeling much better thanks to you," he said.

"Why should that surprise you?" I plopped down on his couch. "She's well enough to work tonight. That's the important thing."

"Is that why you went to see her?" he asked. I guess he needed to understand my motivation.

I sneered. "Jess' sister was sick and you abandoned her with a decongestant that didn't work for beans. What else was I supposed to do?"

"Right. Out of the goodness of your heart." He practically spit it out.

"I'm a caring person."

"And now I suppose you expect her to expose herself to whatever dangers there are at the restaurant." He shook his head. "She's not going. I won't let her." He's so predictable.

"Which means you won't be there to celebrate the recovery of YOUR patient? What kind of doctor are you?"

He fiddled with a pen on his desk. "I didn't say I wasn't going."

"But you meant it. I don't know what you expect will happen tonight, but Bertoli and Locarno have things well under control." I did all I could to appear calm.

He smirked. "And I suppose you're not worried about Jess and your team? No, you wouldn't be. What do you care if they're injured by the lunatics targeting the Locarnos?"

"No one's going to get hurt. Edgar will call when he knows what form the attack will take, and Bertoli and Locarno's people can use that to plan their counterattack. As long as Jess, Nina and their staff are aware of any possible danger, they can take precautions."

"How did Edgar get involved in all of this?" he asked.

"Bernini trusts him, or at least he's relying on Edgar's strength to be an asset to Morgan's brute squad." I smiled. "What he doesn't know, of course, is that Edgar's on our side and will do whatever he can to thwart their plans."

He raised his eyebrows. "Morgan? So he's back? Can things get any worse?"

"Yes. When Bernini's drivers were suddenly too sick to be of any use, he called Morgan in to recruit replacements."

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

"Hey, if we can take them out, it will cripple Bernini's position. I doubt Molino will be very pleased."

"What about Giordano?"

I'd tried not to think about what part he'd play in Bernini's plans, but I couldn't dismiss him altogether. "You heard him warn the girls that this was wasn't over yet. I expect he'll be involved in some capacity, although, for the life of me, I can't imagine what skills he has to offer."

"Did anyone warn Beverly of the imminent danger?"

I shook my head. "All Jess told her was that the party was moved to her father's restaurant. She seemed to like the idea."

Wilson frowned. "I still don't like it."

"Oh, come on Wilson. Where's your spirit of adventure?"

"You're really convinced that Bertoli's people can deal with anything that happens?" He looked so unsure, I began to question it myself.

But I waved him off. "With everyone forewarned, this should be a great party for Marisa."

"I hope you're right."

I left him frowning and started back to my office, but I was waylaid by Taub.

"So I had to suffer for nothing?" he growled at me.

Although I knew what he meant, it was more fun to say, "The joy of seeing your reactions was worth it to me."

"And now you want us to expose ourselves to even more danger?" He shook his head. "Count me out. I have better things to do with my time than participate in your little experiments."

I shrugged. "Suit yourself. You'll be missing out on a great show as well as some fabulous food."

"Not my idea of a fun evening."

"I won't try to inveigle you to come but Marisa will wonder why all of her doctors aren't there. If you're the only one who doesn't show up, it'll be even more noticeable."

"So you want me to risk my life for a patient? When did you ever do that?" he scoffed.

I bristled. "I do it all the time."

Our voices must have been raised, because Thirteen came out of the conference room. "What are you two arguing about?"

"Chicken here refuses to attend Marisa's party." I pointed my cane at Taub.

She rolled her eyes, something she must have learned from Foreman. "Taub, you don't have to stay if you're a scaredy cat. Just show up long enough to congratulate her on her recovery."

"Exactly." I smirked at him.

"Easy for you to say," he told Thirteen. He sighed. "Alright. I'll be there, but only long enough to wish Marisa well."

Thirteen smiled at me, proud she'd accomplished something I hadn't been able to.

When Taub walked away I said, "Don't know where that yellow streak came from."

"None of us knows what to expect tonight, but at least I know I can defend myself." She crossed her arms over her chest and grimaced.

I nodded, and she left.

The afternoon passed slowly, partly because we didn't have a case, but also because I anticipated the evening with a mix of apprehension and excitement. At three thirty I was ready to leave for the restaurant. Unfortunately, I couldn't get away so easily. Cuddy appeared in my doorway.

"What's all this I hear about the party tonight?"

"Were you invited."

"Yes, I was. House, what are you up to?" she demanded.

"Why do you always jump to the conclusion that I'm up to something?" Even to me my voice sounded high pitched.

Cuddy glared at me, but as usual, she didn't scare me.

"There's a possibility that Molino's compadres might come after the Locarnos at the shindig, but Bertoli and Tony Locarno have it covered." I shrugged. "Nothing to get your panties in a twist over. That is, if you're wearing any." I focused my eyes on her skin-tight pencil skirt."

She tried to harumph, but couldn't pull it off. It came out as a snort. She started to say something, seemed to think better of it, and finally left me with, "I'm not buying it."

Did she really think I was planning something? When there were several others with plans of their own?