Angelina Bonaparte Mysteries Box Set by Nanci Rathbun (surface ebook reader TXT) 📗

and dry, I spent time tracing his contacts and family members. I had Susan run forensic accounting programs on him. I did all the usual things, but every avenue ran dry and Marcy couldn’t afford the charges for an intensive ongoing investigation. So we reached an agreement. For a small fee, I would continue to check the usual online sources each month—DMV records, credit reports, online court judgments, marriage licenses, even death certificates.

I logged on and did my monthly search. Still no luck. I sure wanted to find that creep. He’d cleaned out their bank account and left Marcy with three kids to raise. She worked two jobs while her mom watched the kids, and still found a way to get to school conferences and scout meetings. In my mind, women like Marcy are the saints of this world. I composed a short note telling her that I still hadn’t traced Hank, wrote VOID across her check, tucked the note and check into an envelope and sent them back to her.

Next, I called Gracie Belloni. She answered on the first ring. “Gracie, it’s Angie Bonaparte.”

“Angie, thank God it’s you. I don’t know what to do. The TV crews are camped outside the driveway, and the phone’s been ringing nonstop with reporters. I’m so scared for Tony.”

“Try to stay calm. This will be a three-day wonder. They’ll disappear as soon as they realize they’re not going to get an interview with you. I need to talk to you about our contract, but I don’t want to say too much on the phone. Bart Matthews told me that you want me to work on Tony’s case. I just want to be sure you understand that I can’t represent both of you at the same time, due to the possibility of conflict of interest. In the course of my investigation for Bart, I might find out something that I can’t tell you without Tony’s permission. You hired me, though, and if you want, I’ll turn down Tony’s case.”

“No, don’t do that. I understand about your representing Tony, and right now, that’s the best thing for me and the family. I’ll deal with the other issues when Tony’s free.”

“Then with your permission, I’ll put the original case on hold and I won’t issue a report until after Tony’s cleared.” Although I had no idea if Tony would be cleared or not, I couldn’t send Gracie into a panic. “I’m going to see Tony this afternoon and I’ll call you later. Bart’s on it and he’s the best. Now take a deep breath.” I heard her inhale. “Let it out real slow, Gracie, kind of like the breathing you use in early labor.”

That drew a shaky laugh. “If there’s one thing I can do, it’s labor.”

“Good girl,” I said. “Are you on a cordless phone right now?”

“No, I’m using the regular phone in the bedroom.”

“That’s at the back of the house, right?”

“Right.”

“Now, I don’t want you to get upset, but I need to give you some instructions so the press won’t hound you to death. Here’s what I want you to do. Don’t answer the phone, let it go to voice mail. If it’s someone you want to talk to, you can always call back. Don’t talk to anyone you don’t already know. Don’t use a cell phone or a cordless, they’re not secure. Anyone with half a brain will call you to tell you they’re coming over, so unless you’re expecting someone, don’t answer the doorbell. Keep the shades down and the drapes drawn, so no one can photograph you or the kids through the glass. Keep the kids indoors for the day. Don’t have a conversation about anything confidential while you’re in a room with a window or a patio door. With the right equipment, you can actually pick up conversations through the glass. Got all that?”

Gracie made a low groan. “We can’t live like this. What are we gonna do?”

“It’s just for a little while. After I talk to Tony, I’ll be over to see you. Then we can discuss options. Meanwhile, just keep a low profile and don’t let them get to you. You’ve got four little kids to think of, and Tony. You can’t fall apart now. You can do this, I know you can. It’s no harder than running a house, right?”

“Right.” Her voice sounded strained. “Angie, is it okay if I call Father Martin? He’s our parish priest. I’d like to talk to him about Elisa.”

“If you’re thinking about a separation or a divorce, I have to tell you that it couldn’t come at a worse time for Tony’s defense.”

“No, that’s not it.” There was a long pause. “I just need to get some things off my chest. I guess I always thought of myself as a good Catholic, a good person, but right now, I’m all mixed up. I love Tony, but I hate him, too, for what this is doing to our family and to me. And I’m sorry that girl was killed, but in a way, I’m glad. Now Tony can’t be tempted.”

Did she really think that Elisa was the cause? Did she really believe that with Elisa gone, Tony would never look at another woman? Of course, I couldn’t challenge any of that. Let her live in her fool’s paradise for now.

“I’m sure that what you’re feeling is pretty normal, kind of like feeling relieved when your teacher is sick on the day of the big math test.” She giggled a little. “Ask your priest if he can meet with you at home. If not, just follow the rules when you talk to him, use a landline and maybe drag the phone into the closet or the bathroom, just to be safe.”

“Okay. I’ll see you later?”

“It’s a promise.”

I hung up, worried about Gracie and the kids and madder than hell at Tony. Once I showed up at the Belloni home, the press would surround me like hungry sharks circling a bleeding swimmer, but I