I kissed Carlos goodbye and wished him a relaxing flight. He promised to hug the children for me. It was heartbreaking to watch Carlos leave, knowing I couldn't have him help me capture Morelli. I gathered my emotions and pushed them into denial.
My phone rang, and I hoped it was Carlos. I answered with a jovial "Hello."
"Hi, Stephanie," Grandma said. I exhaled in disappointment. "Don't sound so sad. I have news for you."
"Really? What is it?" I asked, grabbing snacks and drinks from the cupboard and refrigerator. I wrapped the Coke can in the insulated sleeve to keep it cold. It might come in handy if Lula was working her corner. I grabbed a second can and repeated the process.
"Mabel and I were out at Domino's last night," she announced. I wondered how they managed to get inside the club frequented by horny men wanting to watch women strip and tuck dollar bills into their g-strings. "It was ladies' night. The men padded their crotches to make them appear larger. I squeezed one, and it felt like rolled-up socks."
"Do I need to bail you out?" I asked.
Grandma laughed. "No. Mabel and I saw that woman, Terry Gilman, with Joseph Morelli. They were kissing. I caught it all on my phone. Morelli was too busy shoving his hands under her skirt to notice me," Grandma replied.
"Gross," I said. Grandma's dentures clicked together as she moved them around her mouth with the swish of her tongue. I waited for her to add to the story without prompting. Do I want to know what Grandma had to say about what she recorded? Not likely, but I felt it had to do with the case.
"They were talking about moving stuff tomorrow. Terry and Morelli are supposed to meet Sal's Gal. I don't know what that means. Do you want me to ask around?" Grandma asked.
"No. Grandma, I need a copy of that recording. Can you meet me at the Motel off Route 1 in twenty minutes? Do you think someone, not Mom, can give you a ride?"
"She's out shopping," Grandma replied.
"I have an idea. Go outside, and Al will pick you up," I said, texting Al to pick up Grandma as soon as possible.
"Is he in town to help you?" Grandma asked. "I thought I saw him, but he put on some weight."
"That's him. It was necessary for his role. Grandma, you can't tell anyone about the recording, my involvement, or even Al's role in this mess. I'll have Al pick you up, and we can exchange the video then," I said. Al was an average-looking man. When skinnier, he was attractive in the boy next door sense. He wouldn't attract even the shy Burg girls with his extra weight.
"You're still married to that mercenary," Grandma stated instead of asking. "You don't need to confirm. I know the truth. Your mother wants to believe you're available."
"I hate lying about being available, but everyone needs to believe it, Grandma," I warned. "Al should be there soon."
"I see a car," Grandma said and hung up. Al texted me, saying he was at Mom's house and Grandma was waiting outside to make things smoother. Grandma was probably getting family updates from Al. I wondered if he would tell Grandma about Valerie's current pregnancy.
After ensuring the flimsy lock secured the window, I left my bedroom. With my .38 tucked into my waistband at the small of my back, I checked for anything else I might need and left my temporary apartment. It was time to meet Grandma and Al at the Motel. I hoped we didn't run into anyone we knew. Nobody knows if Grandma gathered evidence pertinent to my case.
Al and I had to find a way to get another copy of the video from Domino's if the club owner hadn't overwritten the footage. Driving toward the motel, I called Agent Weaver, my Miami DEA contact, hoping he could recover what we needed. I never wanted Grandma to get involved with the case or have to testify against Terry and Joe. Weaver promised to personally retrieve the videos after he obtained a warrant for the recordings.
I was surprised to find Agent Weaver with Al and Grandma at the motel, having assumed he would visit Domino's for the footage. Weaver collecting the evidence was for the best. It maintained the chain of custody; he could use it to get the warrant.
We rented a room to conduct our business. I used the fancy gizmo to check for bugs and other listening devices. We quietly talked as Grandma showed us the video. My eyes bugged open when the porno part of the recording played. Grandma caught Joe and Terry in the act. The couple discussed details of their plan while having sex. They spoke Italian, which surprised me. I never realized Joseph Morelli spoke his parents' native tongue. He never spoke Italian at school or in public. Joe might have learned the language after Valerie and I moved away with Dad.
Terry mentioned Sal's Gal again. None of us understood the reference. What was Sal's Gal? Was it a truck? Drug name? A shipping container? Boat? I listened carefully, hoping Terry or Joe would tell me where to find Sal's Gal. "Send me the video," I said after listening to it for the fourth time.
Agent Jim Weaver grinned. "We have proof of their involvement," Jim said, taking a copy for his records.
"We need to find the other players," I reminded him. "I agree that Morelli and Gilman are the brains behind the operation, but they aren't doing the dirty work. Someone is getting paid handsomely to assist."
"Are you sure they weren't blackmailed into helping?" Jim asked.
"I suppose it's possible…but," I replied.
"You think it's more likely the others volunteered their services out of a sense of loyalty or promise of a substantial payout," Jim said.
I pointed at Jim and answered, "That."
"What does your gut tell you?" Jim asked.
"That we're only scratching the surface. It feels like everything is interwoven with the drugs, Gilman and the boxer. I'm still working on that angle. I don't know if the boxer is the enforcer or if his agent was paying off the women to remain silent, and it forced him to get involved in this drug smuggling ring because the boxer was a bad investment. Especially since the primary financier backed out," I replied, speaking in Italian. In English, I said, "I'll explain everything later, Al." He was my official partner. I spoke Italian since Grandma didn't know or understand the language. She couldn't know the details of my mission since it could put her life in danger. Grandma had enough to manage without fearing retribution from Morelli, Gilman or their partners.
"You have the best instincts in the industry. Listen to that voice inside your mind, and it will guide you to the truth," Jim said, speaking English for Albert's sake. I groaned, and Grandma clapped her hands.
"Hot diggity," she exclaimed. "I can't wait for you to bring down Morelli and the mob princess. Those two want to rule Jersey."
"What gave you that impression?" Weaver asked.
"It's no secret that Terry Gilman wants to usurp Vito Grizolli, her uncle, to take over his mob. Vito is known for gambling. She convinces the men owing Vito money to pay up. Terry enjoys the power. Besides," Grandma replied, leaning closer to add, "she tried meeting Alexander Ramos, and he declined.
"Who is Ramos?"
Smiling, I replied in Italian, "An arms dealer. He just purchased a house in Deal for his new bride. Ramos refused to trade weapons for Grizolli's services." Weaver raised a brow, wondering how I came across the intel on Alexander Ramos. "His name came up in a search. Ramos stopped funding Alpha's gym operations and paying for Ramirez's trainer after the charges against the boxer were made public. He doesn't want his name associated with a serial sexual abuser."
"Was he involved in the murders?" Weaver asked.
"No. Ramos has verifiable alibis for each time someone murdered a woman who talked about the boxer abusing her," I replied in English. These murders were mentioned in the Trenton Times and common knowledge in Trenton. I had no reason to keep Grandma from hearing this part of the discussion. "Most of the women were high risk. Nobody, except other hookers, would notice their disappearance."
Grandma looked confused but couldn't piece together what Morelli had to do with the boxer. I heard her dentures clacking as she moved them with her tongue while thinking deeply.
Agent Weaver nodded in agreement. "I must leave to execute the warrant." He turned to Grandma and said, "Thank you for the recording. It will help our case immensely."
"What did they say in Italian?" Grandma asked.
"I'm sorry, Ma'am, but I can't comment on an ongoing investigation," Weaver said. "Continue the good work, Ms. Plum."
Al left to surveil Terry Gilman, leaving me to take Grandma home. "Drop me off at the Clip 'N Curl," Grandma said. "I'll have your mother pick me up for lunch." The hairdresser wasn't far from Stark Street, where I needed to talk to Lula and Jackie about Ramirez. He was the key to this drug mission. I could feel it in my bones. Going after Ramirez would crack this case wide open. It would bring him to my door, but I couldn't see another way to draw him out of the gym and Alpha's protection.
Before driving to Stark Street, I stopped by Sunny's Gun Shop to buy Sure Guard, which Sunny called a genuine chemical weapon. "Would it take down a three hundred pound man?" I asked. She flicked her hair over her shoulder.
"It sure can," Sunny said. "Do you need ammunition for your gun?"
"I'm good," I replied. I paid for the Sure Guard and tucked it into my pocket. Hopefully, it lived up to the hype.
I found a spot to park on Stark Street. It was half a block from Lula's corner. Jackie walked away as I parked Morelli's Jeep. I set the alarm and exited the vehicle, using the fob to lock the door. Having tracked my location, Al asked, "Is Morelli in his hiding spot?"
"Nope," I hissed. I grinned and added through clenched teeth, "I'm going to ask Lula if she saw him or the boxer."
"Don't do anything reckless," Al warned. "I've got eyes on Terry. I'll check in later."
I was glad to have Al on my team. He contacted the other pairs in Miami and North Carolina. They were asked to search for boats, shipping containers and ports called Sal's Gal. Searching manifests in each port would take the better part of their day. I hope we can finish this job soon. My children needed me home, and I wanted to leave Trenton.
Al's frumpy appearance kept the women from noticing him. Terry wouldn't give him a second glance. He could fly under the radar while watching her. We didn't think Terry would risk meeting Morelli during the day, but I wouldn't put it past her to visit Joe's cousin, brother, or mother, who would gladly pass along any messages to Joe.
Lula waved as I got closer. I reached into my bag to retrieve the Coke I grabbed from my refrigerator. The can was still cold. I removed the insulated cover and passed it to Lula. She readily accepted it. I watched her rub it across her voluptuous breasts to cool them. "Does Jackie want one?" I asked, offering Lula the second can.
She looked in the direction where Jackie went and shook her head. "Jackie don't want me talking to you," Lula said, opening her Coke. She took a large gulp and narrowed her eyes at me. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm wondering if you heard anything else about Ramirez," I replied.
"Nuh-uh. I no talk about him," Lula said, stepping back. "I has brains. Talking about Ramirez gets ya hurt."
"Oh," I replied. "I'm sorry for bothering you. Here, you can have this Coke, too," I said, handing her the can. She took it and slipped it in her cleavage. I expected her spandex top to burst open and expose her breasts. There was no way I wanted to see more of her than she willingly displayed to attract clients. Even that was too much.
It was too hot to stay outside. I stopped at Pino's to grab a meatball sub and salad for lunch. Then, I returned to my apartment, hoping to find another clue in the video from Grandma.
Al and I discussed everything I told Weaver in Italian. "Huh," Al said, "I understood some of that. I'm getting better at understanding the language."
"Are you practicing?" I asked.
"A bit with your dad. Valerie prefers speaking English, and Angie is fluent in Spanish," Al replied.
"I can help you with Italian when we get home. We can speak primarily in Italian, only using English when absolutely necessary," I offered. This was how Carlos taught me Spanish. Immersing me in Spanish was the best way to learn. I got frustrated initially but eventually caught on as though a light went on in my head. Carlos and I celebrated. I believe it was the night I conceived Jillian.
"Thanks, Steph. It will help. I've got to go. Terry's on the move," Al said. He disconnected the call.
I returned to my research on Jimmy Alpha. The man found Ramirez and hoped to win big in the next fight, which wouldn't happen if Ramirez got arrested again. I couldn't find anything new and decided to take a nap.
My alarm sounded at 18:00. I groaned and turned it off. The children and Carlos were expecting me to video call them. I booted my laptop and opened the program to contact them. They should be finished eating dinner.
Carlos's grin appeared on the screen. "Babe," he greeted. "I miss you already."
"I miss you, too. Where are the kids?" I questioned.
"Loading the dishwasher. They should be here in a minute. How was your day?"
"Productive," I replied.
Before I could tell him anything, Alex and Jillie appeared on the screen. "Hi, Mama," they said in unison.
"Hey, babies," I replied. They groaned, making me laugh. "How was your afternoon with Papa?"
"Great!" Jillian said. "He took us to play paintball. It was so much fun."
We caught up for the next hour until Carlos announced, "It's time for bed."
"Papa, can't we talk to Mama a little longer?" Jillie whined. She stifled a yawn.
"Listen to your papa," I replied. "I love you guys."
"We love you too," they reciprocated. Carlos blew me a kiss and disconnected the call. He wanted to ensure they went to bed.
I ate a bowl of cereal for dinner and decided to call it a night. Carlos had me up too late last night, and I needed sleep to heal.
At 03:00, I heard a noise on my fire escape. I grabbed my gun and mobile phone, dialling 9-1-1 without hitting the green button to connect the call. The apartment phone rang. I let the machine answer so I could record the message. Ramirez's voice said, "Stephanie, the champ left you a present. Look outside your window." He laughed before hanging up.
My blood ran cold as I connected to 9-1-1 on my mobile device. "9-1-1, what's your emergency?" the woman asked.
"Um, someone called and said they left me a gift outside my window," I replied. "I don't want to look until I know he's gone."
"Are your lights on?" she asked.
"No."
"I'm dispatching a team to your location. Can you peek through the blinds or curtains to see if someone is there?"
"Yes," I replied. I looked outside, catching the outline of a sheet in the dim light of the parking lot. "Something's on my fire escape. Please send someone."
"The police should be at your location in two minutes," she replied. "An ambulance is en route."
"Thank you," I said. I opened the window once I heard the sirens getting closer. "Lula!" I screamed. I climbed through the window to release her from the ropes attaching her to the rails. The police cruisers pulled into the lot. I peeked over the railing and yelled, "Help! She's hurt and bleeding."