Til Darkness Falls, page 29
“I don’t know, Brian. You look like shit.”
“Thanks a lot. I thought you were supposed to humor the sick.” He grabbed a glass of water on his way back to his desk, and he took a deep swig, both the rinse out his mouth and to deflect her attention.
“Are you really sick? You seemed fine until you were looking at that stuff I found on the Internet. I didn’t have a chance to look at it too closely. What the heck did it say?”
“Macon! Lovell! In my office.”
Brian didn’t think Captain Preston’s harridan tone had ever sounded so welcome. Angela continued to eye him with skepticism as they answered her summons.
“I know you got that ballistics report before you both decided your beauty sleep was more important than work. So you’d better have something earth-shatteringly informative to tell me.”
Neither detective bothered to mention that their vacations had been their first days off in over six months. The captain was in fine form, sitting in her chair in her characteristic “queen” pose. She was wearing some Dolce Prada whatsit ensemble that probably cost more than either of them made in a year. Her dark hair was artfully tousled to look like she’d just gotten out of bed, a style that had probably taken hours to achieve, but her brown eyes were sharp and looked utterly unwilling to accept any bullshit.
“Ballistics IDed the weapon as an Arctic Warfare sniper rifle,” Angela explained.
“And what does that tell us?”
“Nothing much, I’m afraid. We know our shooter might be ex-German army, but then again, he could with any number of paramilitary groups. Apparently, the Arctic Warfare is very popular with marksmen all over the world.”
The captain eyed Angela’s practical pantsuit with distaste. Brian was concentrating on keeping his stomach in line when her gaze skewered him where he stood. “What about you, Macon? Have anything to add to your partner’s lackluster report?”
Brian opened his mouth to answer when something in her eyes made the words stick in his throat. He suddenly got the sense that she could see through him, right down to his bones. It was like she knew that he’d possibly discovered who the sniper was, like she knew it was the man he’d been sleeping with for the past few weeks. God, the very thought nearly made him sick all over again.
Get a grip, he scolded himself. The captain might be a very perceptive woman, but she wasn’t a freaking mind reader. He took a deep breath. “No, ma’am. I don’t have anything else at this time. We’re hoping the Conti hit will provide more information.”
You’re lying. You know who it is, but you can’t bring yourself to admit it.
Brian felt a chill run down his spine. If he didn’t know any better, he could have sworn he’d heard her voice in his head, but when he looked the captain, she was glaring at Angela in annoyance. Squeezing his hands into fists, Brian tried to convince himself that he wasn’t going crazy, he was just having a really bad day.
“That’s just fucking perfect.” The captain’s lips pursed into an attractive “O” as she let out a gusty breath. “I’m sure the commissioner will be thrilled with how unconcerned you are with not being any closer to solving this case than you were a month ago.” She gritted her teeth before leaning back in her chair and gazing at them from beneath her lashes. “So, what’s your next move, since forensics seemed to be a bust?”
“Brian and I talked earlier about leaning on Giovanni Rivella and seeing what dripped out of his oily hide. It’s pretty clear that whatever’s going on, the Milanos are behind it, so he’s probably our best bet at this point.”
“Fine. Go. And if he gives you any lip, threaten to haul him in on unpaid traffic tickets.” Preston laughed shrilly. “I’m sure that sleazy bastard has a few floating around in the database.”
“YOU sure you’re up for this, sweetie? Gio will keep ’til tomorrow if you want to go home.”
They were sitting in their unmarked car outside of Rivella’s apartment. Brian looked up to the top story of the building, annoyed that the little twerp was living the highlife in an expensive penthouse while he had to content himself with his tiny apartment.
His brain instinctively shied away from thoughts of his place. The shock was still too fresh. Gripping the car door handle, Brian fought to suppress the perverse stirrings of his body the mere thought of the blond caused even as his stomach flipped in denial. The more he pondered his recent discovery, the more difficult it became to wrap his mind around the concept that the hands he’d seen create such beautiful music, the hands that had touched him so gently, were the same hands that had murdered half a dozen people. Maybe he’d remembered Alrick’s tattoo wrongly and what he thought was a perfect match was nothing more than a passing resemblance. But even as he tried to convince himself of his mistake, he knew that he had an incredible eye for detail. He had to with this job. If the tattoo was identical to badges given to enlisted sharpshooters, it was highly unlikely that someone who had only served the compulsory time period would be eligible for one. And if Alrick had lied about that, what else had he lied about?
Brian’s mind spun from one conclusion to another until he wanted to rip his head apart. Ignorance had to be preferable to this horrible uncertainty.
“Brian? Okay, that’s it. I’m taking you home.”
“No, Angie. I’m sorry. Just thinking about what we should say to Gio.”
Angela stared at him closely for a long moment, but just as he felt himself begin to sweat beneath her scrutiny, she looked away, turning her gaze upward to the penthouse. “No idea. I guess we can’t just knock on his door and tell him that we know he’s connected to the murders, can we?”
“WE KNOW you’re connected to these Cosmino murders, Rivella. It would be real convenient for you and your little gaggle of pals if the Milanos were to become the only mob in town.”
“We’re this close to getting a warrant for your arrest, and if you want to be in a position to cut a deal with us, this is your chance to start talking.”
A feral grin spread across Gio’s face as he looked at the two flat-foots standing in his foyer. The woman was a bit long in the tooth, but it was apparent that she’d been a looker in her day. The man, however, looked like he had a not inconsiderable stick jammed somewhere that didn’t see a lot of sunlight. Gio leaned against the door jam, crossing one foot over the other as he got comfortable, ready to appreciate the show that had landed on his doorstep.
“Are you serious? I mean, come on, detectives, I’m not some jag-off just off the boat. If you really had something to threaten me with, you wouldn’t be appealing to my better nature. So why don’t you just toddle on back to your little precinct instead of bothering helpless civilians, huh?”
“Helpless, my ass, you little shit. No one else has anything to gain from knocking off the Cosminos.” The man’s jaw was clenched so tightly Gio wondered if it would shatter.
“Well, except for every other law abiding citizen of our fair city who would be more than happy to be rid of them.”
The woman glared at him with exasperation. “We know your uncle or one of his lieutenants hired the shooter.”
“And right now,” the man interrupted, “we’re far more interested in the gunman than we are about your small-time ass. Just give us a name, something that we can use, and we’ll be on our way.”
Gio sighed heavily, trying to radiate as much false sympathy as he could muster while stifling a laugh. “I really am sorry, detectives, but I’ve got nothing for you.” He stepped forward and slapped a hand on the male cop’s shoulder. Gio was a little irritated that the guy was a good three inches taller than him, but the frustration on the man’s face helped to soothe his battered ego. “But I’ll tell you what, next time I feel like dabbling in police work, I’ll be sure to call you first.” He winked at the female cop and slammed the door in their faces.
Gio laughed as he heard the detectives make their way back to the elevator, and his amusement at the pathetic encounter lasted well into the evening. Thinking of the reason the cops had come to visit, however, tempered his enjoyment of the memory somewhat. It was time for the Death Angel to make his next hit. Gio was a little pissed, because although it had been almost a week since Tony Conti had has his mind expanded all over that warehouse floor, the creepy German was nowhere to be found. Gio had left messages for him in all the places he’d been instructed to use when he wanted to make contact. So far he hadn’t heard anything back. Maybe he’d been working the guy too hard, and hell, everyone needed a vacation. Or maybe he was holed up with some little honey getting his rocks off.
Titillating thoughts about who the German might be screwing were interrupted by the sound of the doorbell. Heading toward his front door, Gio glanced at his watch and wondered who was coming to see him at ten thirty at night. The disgruntled putdown he’d prepared died when he opened the door. It was another cop, but a sexier piece of ass he’d never laid eyes on.
“Captain Preston.” He grinned at the woman standing in his doorway. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
Hayley swept past him without a word, her long legs easily eating up the distance from the front door to his bedroom. Gio closed the front door and turned to watch her walk. She was wearing a thigh-length fur jacket and a pair of red stilettos. When the jacket suddenly hit the floor, he jaw tried to follow. She was wearing only a scrap of black lace that hid nothing, matching garters, and fishnet stockings. Her dark eyes burned right through his clothes, instantly setting his crotch on fire. Hair flaring in a wide arc, she turned and disappeared into the room.
GIO was halfway undressed by the time he joined her there. Hayley was waiting for him on his bed, and he fell on her with all the enthusiasm and grace of a rutting dog. She forced herself to moan when he latched onto her neck with a sloppy kiss. The sex was just as uninspired. After he finally rolled off of her, she turned on her side to look at him as he lay on his back, basking in self-congratulations for his imagined prowess.
“I understand you had a couple of visitors earlier today.” Hayley drew her nails over his chest, watching idly as red marks raised in their wake. Gio groaned, shivering at the slight hint of pain.
“Yeah, two of your murder police by the looks of ’em. Heh. What a great name.”
“I’m glad you approve. What did they want?”
Gio hissed when she scored a nail over his nipple. “Evil bitch.”
“Best to remember that, lover. Now answer my question.”
“They were just sniffing around for information about my project. Stupid bastards. Like I’d tell them anything.”
Hayley smiled. “Oh, believe me, one of them already knows everything.”
Gio sat straight up, the bedsheet falling back to reveal the dark patch of hair that began a couple of inches below his navel. He stared down at her in horror. “What the fuck do you mean by that?”
“Shhh, relax.” Hayley knelt up and pushed him back down to the bed none too gently. She tossed the sheet away and straddled his naked hips. His cock stiffened immediately, but she didn’t let him penetrate her. “It’s not you he’s after.”
“Who, that depressed looking son of a bitch? He said the cops are mainly looking for the hit man. Is that true?”
“For him it is. Trust me, lover, he could care less about you. There’s only one man he wants.”
“I don’t get it. Why would he be more interested in the shooter than in the one who hired him? I thought you guys were always going for the big score, not trying to net the guppies.”
Hayley merely smiled at his confused expression, letting his atrocious metaphor go without comment. She lowered her head and kissed him, her hair falling around them like a curtain as she explored his mouth with her tongue. She would rather miss this when he was dead. He might be an obnoxious twerp, but he was a decent kisser.
Gio squinted up at her when she let him up for air. “I don’t get you, babe. Why betray your own people by fucking around with me?”
Surprised at the insight his question showed, Hayley considered how to answer. “Because there’s something more important to me than my career.”
“And what would that be?”
On a whim, she made a decision. “Shall I tell you a bedtime story?”
“What the fuck are you talking about? Ouch!” Gio pressed his fingers to his lips after she bit him, growling in annoyance even after he realized that she hadn’t broken the skin.
“Hush. Pay attention and there might be a reward at the end.” Hayley smiled wryly as he shut up. “Once upon a time there was a foolish girl who met a handsome prince.”
“And they fell in love and lived happily ever after? I’ve heard it before.” Gio’s grin lasted only for a second when she scowled down at him at the interruption.
“No. The girl wanted power, and the prince was the way to get it. She gave up her home and even her name in pursuit of her dream. But on the night of her wedding, she discovered that her prince loved another. Her heart burning with rage and thwarted ambition, the girl struck a foolish bargain with an evil god. She demanded that he curse the lovers and destroy them. The god warned her that fate himself had joined them, but the arrogant girl vowed she would take it upon herself to keep them apart. And so the god set her on the lovers’ heels throughout eternity like a hound on the scent of blood. Time after time, destiny brings their souls together, and the girl is doomed to follow them, never living her own life as she seeks to destroy theirs.
“Do you feel sorry for this poor girl, Gio?”
“Hell no. She sounds like a dumb bitch.”
Anger flashed through Hayley, but it was gone in an instant. Unable to deny the truth of his crude assessment, she chuckled before pressing a far gentler kiss to Gio’s lips. “Perhaps. But since she’s stuck with the deal she made, she’ll just have to make the best of it, right?”
Gio didn’t bother asking her what she was talking about, most likely because she'd wrapped her hand around his dick and was working it with long, firm strokes. Raising herself back up, she sank down on him and let him fill her.
“If I asked you to do something for me, Gio, would you do it?”
“Yeah, baby. Ughh, whatever you want.”
“Even if it’s dangerous?” She squeezed her inner muscles, staring down at him as his eyes rolled back into his head.
“Fuck! Yeah, anything.”
“Good boy, Gio.”
His response was lost in the deep groan that rumbled from this throat. For a little while, Hayley allowed herself to pretend that it really was just a stupid story about a stupid girl. She knew it would become real soon enough.
SHE’S not coming out.
Matt sat outside Giovanni Rivella’s apartment, looking up at the softly lit window of his penthouse. It wasn’t the first time that he’d followed Hayley. The first time he’d tailed her home after they’d both pulled a late shift at the station, he told himself he did it out of curiosity. The second time, he’d been forced to admit that he was obsessed with the beautiful, untouchable woman who held so much power over him. Suspension was the least he’d get if anyone ever found out that he was stalking his superior officer. He’d ignored the risk, having convinced himself that he was in love with her, but now, he didn’t know what to think.
“What’s going on, Captain? What in the hell are you doing here?”
He waited for another hour, but there was still no sign of her. Matt finally started his car and pulled away from the curb, uncertainty a hard lump in his gut.
“HALLO?”
“Rosa? Ich bin’s. It’s me.”
“Brüder? I can barely hear you. This connection is awful.”
Alrick smothered a laugh. “Are you in the cellar?”
“Ja. How did you know?”
“Maybe if you go upstairs, the connection will clear up.” He heard the dull clop of feet on old wooden stairs. The faint static that had been on the line disappeared.
“Okay, how about now?”
“Much better. How are Heinz and little Gerry?” The line remained silent for a long moment. He sighed. “Rosa—”
“Another deposit arrived in our bank account, Alrick. It was very large.”
“I’m glad it reached you safely. Little Gerry begins school soon, ja? I’m sure he’ll need new clothes and supplies.”
“Verdammt, Alrick! Enough of this. To be able to send this much money, Brüder, what are you doing? And don’t tell me that you’re just working for that magazine. No writer makes so much!”
Alrick clenched his jaw. He’d been floating ever since leaving Brian’s apartment the other morning. His shy beauty had finally admitted that he loved him, and all he’d wanted was to share his good fortune with the other person he loved most in this world. But his sister was no fool. “Rosa, please. I’m just trying to help you so that you don’t have to work so hard. I don’t want you to worry about father’s debt. Just leave that to me, Schwesterlein.” He heard a muffled sniff as though she was trying to hide the fact that she was crying.
“You haven’t called me ‘little sister’ in years. Oh, Alrick, every time you send me money like this I’m afraid to death that it is covered in sin.”
Alrick’s blood ran cold. “What do you mean, Rosa?”
“A man came to see me. A Russian named Viktor Privalov.”
The phone creaked from the force of his grip as he leapt to his feet. “Are you alright, Rosa? He didn’t hurt you or Heinz?” That Scheisskerl had actually had the nerve to speak to Rosa in person? The mere thought of his sister being in the same room with that bastard made him want to break something, preferably Privalov’s head. “Or, mein Gott, is Gerry okay?”
“We’re fine, Alrick, but what that man said about you, about what people pay you to do—”
The bombshell stopped Alrick in the midst of his furious pacing. He sank back down onto the sofa with a heavy thud. Had Privalov really told her about the heinous crimes he had committed? Did she know what he’d done to free them from the cloud of their father’s debt? The lunch he’d recently eaten threatened to abandon him as bile rose into his throat. “Rosa, please listen to me.”
