Dina Santorelli (38 page)

"That's
my sister-in-law."

"She
said Edward is here, in Albany, looking for you, and she hasn't spoken to him
in over twenty-four hours."

Bob
looked confused. "I thought he had a meeting with the governor."

"Why
would he meet with me?" Phillip asked.

All
eyes were on Bob, the consummate litigator and orator, who decided the only
appropriate thing to do was to shrug his shoulders and be quiet.

Jamie
broke the silence. "Why isn't he picking up his phone then?" She sat on the
hospital bed.

"Don't
worry, Ms. Carter, cell phone service has been very haphazard with the storms,"
Maddox said. "It's quite possible that he hasn't been receiving any messages."

"But
he must have seen the news," Jamie said.

"That
settles it," Katherine said. "Ms. Carter, you're staying with us. At the
mansion."

"That's
not a bad idea," Phillip said.

Det.
Grohl stepped forward. "I'm afraid I don't like that idea at all."

"Pardon
me," Katherine said, "Detective..."

"Grohl,
ma'am."

"Grohl
... Pardon me if the idea of the watchful eye of the Albany Police Department
doesn't give me a warm, fuzzy feeling inside. Personally, I don't think your
department is capable of keeping a hamster safe, let alone this young woman."

"Katherine..."
Phillip said.

"Especially
when Detective Nurberg was apparently working with the other side."

"Now,
wait just a minute." Grohl, a short man, raised himself off his heels so that
he was an inch or two taller than the First Lady. "That's impossible. And, Mrs.
Grand, no disrespect, but this Don Bailino somehow managed to get into the
mansion before. Who says he wouldn't be able to do it again?"

"Not
with my men there, Detective," Wilcox said.

"The
mansion has been checked and rechecked and has a gazillion agents patrolling
the rooms," Katherine said. "That's the safest place for Ms. Carter to be."

"Thank
you, Mrs. Grand," Jamie said. "That's a kind offer, but I really just want to
go home."

"I
can take you home," Bob said. At this point, he was more than happy to leave.

"Ma'am,
that's not a good idea," Wilcox said. "Do you think Don Bailino knows where you
live?"

Jamie
panicked, remembering her resume and her portfolio. Don Bailino knew more than
where she lived. Much, much more. "Oh, God, he knows everything. What about
Tricia? The kids?"

"I've
already sent someone to the house from our downstate bureau," Wilcox said.

"Come
home with us, dear," Phillip said. "You can try to get a few hours of rest
while the Albany police and Agent Wilcox's men look for your brother. It really
is the least we can do."

Jamie
looked at the little girl in the governor's arms who was leaning her head on
her father's shoulder, comforted by her father's hold, his smell, his voice.
She had to admit, she felt rather safe with him too. "All right," she said.
"Thank you."

"Good,"
Phillip said. "That's settled."

"I'll
have one of my men take you to the mansion, Ms. Carter," Wilcox said.

"She
can ride with me," Maddox said.

"Lenny,
you look exhausted," Katherine said. "You really should just go home."

"And
do what?" he said with a smile.

"That's
fine," Wilcox said. "I'll have one of my men ride with you."

"All
right," Maddox said.

"Perhaps
I should stay at the mansion as well," Bob offered.

"I
don't think that'll be necessary, Mr. Scott." Wilcox patted Bob on the back. "I
know how to reach you if we need you."

"Remember,
I have your card," Phillip said.

"Yes,
apparently, you were right, Mr. Scott," Katherine said. "I have to give you
credit. The abduction of Charlotte
did
have something to do with Gino
Cataldi."

A
feeling of pride swept over Bob, who forgot he was standing in a room with the
governor of New York while wearing a newly bought pair of pajamas that still
had the squares of fold marks on the legs and a bathrobe with the insignia of
his hotel. He had unraveled the mystery after all.
Sir Robert Scott
, he
thought and walked a little taller in his slippers
.

Maddox
buttoned his overcoat. "Do you want to give the press a photo op before we go,
Katherine?"

Orchestrating
a photo op would be vintage Katherine Grand, the happy family reunited, but for
the first time in her professional career, perhaps in her entire life, she just
didn't have it in her. She slipped her hand around Phillip's arm. "Not tonight,
Lenny. Can you take care of it?"

Maddox
nodded. "I'll be right back."

There
was applause when the Grands left the examination room. Phillip held up his
hand to quiet the crowd. "Thank you, everyone. Thank you for all of your help
during this time. We really do appreciate..."

"
Carlota!
"
Rosalia came running upon seeing the little girl in the governor's arms.

Charlotte instantly brightened. She put her hand to her
forehead and then pushed it outward as if she were saluting, and Jamie
recognized the American Sign Language gesture for
hello
. Rosalia
responded in kind.

"Oh!
Look at you! You're so beautiful." Rosalia fussed over the little girl, who
clapped her hands and then straightened her little body so that she could be
put down. The governor placed her on the floor and held out his hands of
support for her, but Charlotte pushed them away and took one, and then another,
wobbly step toward Rosalia on her own.

"
Dios
mío! Mira!
Reynaldo! She's walking!" Rosalia squeezed the little girl's
cheeks. "Oh, I've missed you."

Reynaldo
was sitting in a wheelchair that looked too small for him, his gawky body
spilling out of it, his left leg elevated and extended. His eyes twinkled as he
watched the little girl dance before his aunt, who had begged to stay after he
was discharged so that she might get a glimpse of Charlotte. Reynaldo was happy
to oblige, as he was hoping to get a glimpse of someone as well.

"Are
you all right?" Jamie said, walking over to his wheelchair.

"Broke
his leg," Pedro said, sitting on Reynaldo's lap. "Very painful." He stuck out
his hand. "Hi, I'm Pedro."

"And
I'm Ricardo." Ricardo barreled into Pedro, nearly tipping over the wheelchair.
"But you can call me 'Ricky.'"

"
Basta
.
Enough." Reynaldo gave his brothers a light shove until they both tumbled onto
the floor. "It's just a sprain, they said. And a muscle tear. It's not broken.
I'm going to be all right."

"Oh,
I'm so glad," Jamie said. "I just wanted to... thank you... for everything."
She took Reynaldo's hand and shook it. "I don't know what I would have done
without you."

"You're
welcome," he said, squeezing her hand.

"
Ay
,
does your face hurt?" Pedro asked.

"It's
not as bad as it looks," Jamie said.

"That's
good, because it doesn't look bad," Reynaldo said with a wink. His smile
tightened. "Did they find him?"

"No,"
Jamie said, as Phillip, with Charlotte again in his arms, came up from behind.

"Reynaldo
Rodriguez, you are a hero."

"Not
me. Jamie's the hero." Reynaldo shook the governor's hand. "Governor Grand, you
need to find that man. He's dangerous."

"I
know," Phillip said. "They're looking for him. And they'll find him."

Again,
Jamie thought she could see doubt within the governor's calm assurance.

Maddox
returned from outside.

"How
did it go?" Katherine asked.

"Did
the standard," he said. "Said Mom, Dad, and Baby Grand are all doing fine. Said
they will get police updates when they become available. Blah blah."

Wilcox
stepped forward. "Governor Grand, whenever you're ready. You and Mrs. Grand are
riding with me."

"Ms.
Carter?" Maddox said.

"Yes,
I'm ready," although Jamie realized that she was still holding Reynaldo's hand;
it was calloused, but felt big and warm.

"Are
you going home?" Reynaldo asked.

"No,
I'm staying here for a little while at the Executive Mansion."

"Good,"
Reynaldo said. "You will be safe there."

"Get
some rest," Jamie said with a smile.

"You
too," he said and reluctantly let go of her hand.

"Ba
Ba Ba Ba," Charlotte said, waving her hand.

Reynaldo
waved back. "Good-bye, sweetie."

"
Adios,
Carlota
." Rosalia blew kisses at the little girl as the governor carried
her away. "I see you soon."

"
Hermano,
hermano
..." Pedro said, sitting back down on Reynaldo's lap, as they
watched the Grands and their contingent leave. "Ooh, you like her, eh?" He
punched him on the shoulder. "She's cute, eh? At least I think she's cute under
those boo-boos."

"She
is a beautiful, strong young woman," Rosalia said and grabbed Reynaldo's
cheeks. "And you,
you
, are a hero and saved my little girl." She kissed
him on his forehead.

"What
about me?" Ricardo asked.

"What
about
you?" Pedro said. "Aunt Ro said
hero
not
zero
."

"Shut
up," Ricardo said and threw a light punch at Pedro, who ran behind Reynaldo's
wheelchair. They began circling it like dogs chasing their tails until Rosalia
took Ricardo's arm.

"
Ah,
sobrino
." Rosalia pinched Ricardo's cheek. "You are brave too," she said,
slipping her arm under Ricardo's and grabbing Terry's hand. "My family is here.
My family is together. Come, Rikki. Pedro, help your brother."

"I
am,
Tía
, I am." Pedro began pushing Reynaldo's wheelchair. He bent down
next to Reynaldo's ear. "Geez, Rey, you gotta lose a few pounds, no?"

Reynaldo
was still watching the hospital exit where Jamie had left.

"Rey,
what's the matter?"

"I
don't know," Reynaldo said. "I have a bad feeling."

The streets were slick, but
clear and well lit as the sedan made its way along the main roads toward the
Executive Mansion. Katherine and Phillip were seated in the backseat behind
Wilcox and another agent, who were talking animatedly among themselves, going
over the details regarding the search for Don Bailino. Charlotte had fallen
asleep on Phillip with Miss Beatrice in her arms. Maddox's car followed behind
with Jamie in the front seat and an agent in the rear. She waved. Phillip waved
back.

"We
got very lucky that it was Ms. Carter who had our daughter," Phillip said to
his wife. "She's a very brave woman. What she did was very courageous. There
are not many people who double-cross Don Bailino and get away with it."

Katherine
was staring out the window. She had heard all the stories of Don Bailino told
by Phillip over the years, of the war, of his family's relationship to the
Cataldis, of Phillip's hope that Bailino had freed himself from all the bad to
become a pioneer of industry. And when Bailino approached her in the Lystretta
Gallery that night, he was the epitome of the American Dream—there was no sign
of the down-on-his-luck kid from the streets, only an amiable, smart,
successful, and highly respected businessman. How foolish she felt to have been
swept away by his confidence and presence, the ever-suspicious Katherine Grand
bamboozled by a charming smile and a handsome face. She wondered if part of the
reason was that she too believed that people could change given aspiration,
hard work, and a moment of opportunity, that they could erase past mistakes and
rise above their station. As she had.

"Katherine?"

What
would have happened if she had met Bailino that second time when he had asked
her to attend the gallery opening, Katherine wondered—would
she
have
been the one with the cuts and bruises on her face and who knows where else? As
savvy and clever as she was, would she have been able to save herself, let
alone an infant? She would never know. But she knew that if she told Phillip
all of this, he would still look at her the way he looked at her now, like she
was the most amazing woman he'd ever met. And she planned to tell him. One day.

"I
have something to tell you," she whispered.

"Okay,"
Phillip whispered back.

Katherine
opened her pocketbook and took out the wrinkled paper bag. She reached inside
and pulled out the pregnancy test. "It's positive," she said, showing it to
him.

Phillip
stared incredulously at the small device.

"What
can I say?" Katherine shrugged her shoulders. "You married an overachiever."

"Katherine..."
Phillip leaned over, and the two embraced as Charlotte stretched her arms
between them. As Phillip kissed his wife's forehead, he caught Wilcox looking
in the rearview mirror. The agent pulled the car over onto the side of the
road.

"It's
all right," Phillip said, wiping a tear from his eye. "Everything is all
right."

"No,
it's not." Wilcox said. "Maddox's car is gone."

"What's the matter?" Jamie
asked.

"I
don't know, there's something wrong with the acceleration," Maddox said as the
car came to a slow stop. He reached under his seat and, in an instant, pulled
out a handgun and shot the agent in the backseat three times. The shots, muted
by a silencer, sounded like firecrackers popping under a tin coffee can, and
Jamie screamed as blood spattered throughout the car.

"Shut
up," Maddox said, holding the gun on her. He turned off his headlights and made
a quick left down a side road as the car carrying the governor and Mrs. Grand
disappeared from view.

Jamie
pulled on the door handle, but it was locked.

"Where
are we going?" she asked.