MemoriesErasedTreachery (6 page)

"With reason."

"Yeah…well, I've left the man hanging long enough. I'm ready for answers. I want to understand why and how the accident happened. I need closure, Mick." Ewyn started the car. "So yeah, whatever Patterson's problem is, I'm up to the challenge. Let the games begin."

"I hear you."

Ewyn glanced at Mick. "By the way, were you paying attention to the mourners at the funeral?"

"Not really. My focus was on Gemma. Why?"

"With everything coming at me so hard and fast, I thought I must have imagined it, so I put it out of my mind until now," Ewyn replied. "I know it's going to sound crazy, but I thought I saw Greg in the crowd."

"No! Why wouldn't he have come forward--
shit
. What am I thinking?" Mick shook his head. "A hell of a situation, having to attend your children's funeral incognito."

"I don't understand."

"He has to make a clean break, Ewyn. If he had shown himself, it would have changed nothing." Mick stared out the window for a few minutes. "At least, he was there."

"I guess. But what about Gem? She could have used his support."

"Gemma is a Calderone who grew up in the business. She knows how it works," Mick remarked. "Besides, Greg has to be grieving, too, and maybe it was his way of getting through the trauma."

"Yeah, you could be right. Who am I to judge how he deals with his grief. Besides, I'm not positive it was Greg. No one else seemed to notice."

Ewyn turned off Waterman onto Third Street, slowed down in front of the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Office and pulled into the parking lot. He climbed out of his car and looked around. It had been years since he'd been on this side of town, and didn't it bring back memories.

Looking east on Third, Norton Air Force base used to be down that way. As a kid, he could remember riding by and gawking in fascination at all of those big transport planes. Turning, he looked across the street. He'd forgotten about the
Goodwill
complex located there. He had been with Gemma, a few times, when she had dropped off things at the donation trailer.

To the west, he could see where the street came to a dead end. If he remembered correctly, there used to be a hotel down there. After a morning of shopping with Gemma at the Central City Mall across the street from the hotel, his aunt used to take him there for lunch--the Maruko! That was the name, but the last time they went there for lunch, the hotel had changed hands. Damn if he could recall which hotel chain had taken over. Hell. Even the mall's name had changed from Central City Mall to Carousel Mall.

Being away at college, and then living in Rancho Cucamonga, Ewyn had spent his adult life hanging out on the Westside of San Bernardino County. Except for the Silver Fox, he didn't know this part of town any more.

"Brings back memories, huh," Mick said as he and Ewyn strolled across the parking lot.

"Oh yeah. Old stomping grounds. Spent a lot of time cruising the mall as a teen. Didn't have a clue as to what I was looking for back then."

Ewyn and Mick entered the Sheriff's building and checked in at the reception desk. The young woman said Detective Patterson would be with them shortly and directed them to the waiting area. Ewyn removed his sunglasses, slipped them into his inside breast pocket, and sat down. "We're on time, right?"

Mick grunted. "You've got it."

"So Patterson is still trying to play me."

"It would seem so. What do you want to do?"

"Wait until they call me, then leave."

"I hear you."

Ewyn watched Patterson saunter up to reception, stop to chat with a few of the officers milling about, before he turned in Ewyn's direction. Their gazes met. Ewyn stood and moved to the reception desk.

"Mister Kelley." Patterson extended his hand.

Ignoring Patterson, Ewyn looked at his watch, then reached into the inside breast pocket of his sport coat and retrieved his pen. Refusing to waste a business card on the man, he asked the receptionist for a piece of paper. He jotted down his name and office phone number, and returned the paper to the young woman.

"Please make sure Detective Patterson gets this," he told her. "Tell him I had business to take care of and couldn't wait." He smiled at the stunned look on the woman's face and said, "Thank you." Turning to Mick, he said, "Let's go."

"Now wait a minute," Patterson blustered.

Ewyn continued out the door and never looked back. He had reached his car before he spoke again. "As much as I need closure, I'm not feeding into his BS."

"You shouldn't have to. I'll talk to MacGregor. He can go over Patterson's head."

"Uh-uh, don't bother. Let's wait and see how long it takes the asshole to contact me. When he does, we'll meet on my terms, on my turf. If Devin isn't back by then, I'll handle Patterson."

"Are you sure? I can be there."

"No, Mick. I need to do this myself. The dumb shit needs to understand I won't be intimidated. As a member of the victims' family, I deserve as much respect as any other citizen who pays his salary. I intend being the idiot's wake up call." Ewyn grinned. "I'm the new look of the Calderone family and he'd better get used to it. If he continues to diss me, he's in for a rude awakening, and I doubt he's equipped to deal with it."

Mick laughed. "You've got that right. The dumb ass doesn't get it--the implications of why Mac is so involved with the Calderones. Maybe it will sink in when he has to deal with Devin," he said. "But you know I have your back if you need me."

"I know, and I appreciate everything you, Tag, and Mac have done, but I don't want to wear out my welcome on the minor stuff. I need to save some of your back up for all the help and favors I'll need when I get in over my head taking care of Kieki."

"Kieki?"

"Yeah. I've been calling her Kieki when I'm talking to her."

"I like it," Mick replied. "But I don't think you'll need help with Kieki. For someone so new to the parent game, you're doing great. Nonetheless, Tag and I are there for you and Gemma. Hell. If it were up to Tag, he'd be over at the house every day."

"I've noticed. He's become quite attached to Kieki."

"She reminds him of his baby sister right down to the big gray eyes," Mick said softly. "She's dead now. And coincidentally, her name was Teresa."

Ewyn glanced at Mick.

"Yeah. Kiera's baptismal name." Eyes dark with pain, Mick turned away. "We rarely talk about her death anymore. Tag and I met, working on her case. But hey, it's a story we can save for another time."

"Damn. I'm sorry. Tag is welcome to spend as much time as he can with Kieki. She needs all the loving we can give her." Ewyn pulled up outside the Silver Fox. "Thanks," he said as Mick climbed out of the Mustang.

"Not a problem."

"I'll call if the shit gets too deep with Patterson."

Ewyn put his car in gear and headed back to work. By the time he reached his office, Patterson had left a voicemail. Ewyn listened to an apology and a request to reschedule their meeting for tomorrow. He erased the message and dialed the detective's number.

"Patterson."

"Ewyn Kelley. I'm afraid I can't make it tomorrow. My weekends are full. However, if you can come to my place tonight--not the family estate--I'll be able to give you a few minutes," Ewyn told him. "You have the address, right?"

There was a moment of silence then Patterson cleared his throat and said, "Yes, I do. What time?"

"Does eight o'clock work for you?"

"I'll see you then." Patterson disconnected with a bang.

Ewyn chuckled and hung up the phone. He swiveled his chair around to face the window and sat there staring at his reflection, watching a slow smile alter the contours of his mouth.

The doorbell pealed just as Ewyn came out of the bedroom with Kiera in his arms. He took his time settling her in the playpen and turning on the mobile above her head before heading to the door. The bell rang again.

After talking to Patterson earlier, Ewyn vowed he wouldn't let the man provoke him. He wanted to know the details of the accident, and he needed to retrieve his nieces' personal effects. He took a deep breath and opened the door. Patterson stood there with a small storage box in his hands, looking as unkempt as the previous times Ewyn had seen him. Ewyn so wanted to offer the man a few grooming and fashion tips.

"Patterson." Ewyn left the detective standing on the threshold and returned to the living room. He heard the door close, then Patterson's footsteps crossing the tile floor. Ignoring the man, he went to the playpen to check on Kiera.

"Mister Kelley."

Ewyn turned and watched Patterson walk into the room. The man looked around, eyes widening as if he'd never been indoors before. "Have a seat. I have to get Kieki's bottle," he said as he headed toward the kitchen.

"Kieki?" Patterson placed the box on the coffee table and strolled over to the playpen. "Oh yeah, the older girl was pregnant."

From the kitchen, Ewyn watched Patterson bend over the playpen, then stiffen. His head jerked up and he looked across the room. Ewyn pinned him with a stare. "Another black mark, no pun intended, against the Calderones, huh?"

"No. The baby…I thought…" Patterson stuttered then shrugged. "Never mind, it was a surprise."

"A surprise?" Ewyn snorted. "Being a detective, I would have thought you should have known," he mocked. "Have a seat. Are you off duty? Would you like something to drink?"

"Yes, to both questions. I'll take a beer, if you have it." Patterson sat on the edge of the sofa looking uncomfortable as he continued to peer around the room.

"Heineken work for you?"

"Yes, thanks. Nice place," Patterson added. "I understand the owner of record is Devin Piers Nilsson. Occupation…sales rep for Expiation, Inc. Are you renting?"

"Been doing your homework, Detective?" Ewyn chuckled. "Then save us both some time. You know damn well who Devin is, you know we live here together, and you know my relationship to him."

"Right. Is he home? I have a few questions for him."

"Would you give it a rest? As a sales rep, Devin travels quite a bit, but you know that. And before you ask, let me verify," Ewyn remarked. "I'm the IS manager at the same company." He sighed. "I know you've already checked, so…shall we can the bullshit and move on to the real reason you're here?"

Ewyn came out of the kitchen carrying two beer bottles in one hand and a baby bottle in the other. "Don't worry, you'll meet Devin soon enough. I can assure you, after I tell him about you,
he
won't require an appointment." He grinned. "Do you need a glass?"

"No," Patterson snapped. "And you're right. I had both of you checked out, and it didn't do much good. I didn't learn any more than what you've just told me.

"Maybe it's because we're law-abiding citizens?"

"Yeah, right. With connections to the Calderones," Patterson scoffed. "Nobody at the Sheriff's department has ever heard of your company."

"Why would they? Unless they're looking for the type of services we provide." Ewyn handed one beer to Patterson then bent and opened a little chrome box on the table. He pulled out two coasters, set his beer on one, and handed the other to Patterson before going to the playpen.

"And just what are those services. Your company isn't listed in the phone book."

Ewyn stopped moving and looked at the detective with obvious feigned surprise. "Are you serious? I'm shocked. Must be word-of-mouth keeping us in business, huh."

"What exactly does Expiation, Inc. sell?"

"Uh…solutions?"

"I'm asking you," the detective growled. "Solutions to what?"

"Listen, Detective. Our company is U.S. G-O-V-T contracted, so you should take your questions to the current administration." Ewyn smiled. "Enough said?"

He picked up Kiera, tossed a burp cloth across his shoulder, and settled back on the sofa with her tucked in the crook of one arm. He touched the bottle's nipple to her lips and she latched on. Ewyn then turned to Patterson and caught him staring as if he'd never seen a baby drinking from a bottle. "Is there a problem?"

"No. It's…I thought…um…she's a pretty little thing."

Ewyn's gaze strafed Kiera's features. "She is."

"About the accident. There are a few facts I need clarified." Patterson cleared his throat. "If Gregorio is your brother, why the different last names? Are you stepbrothers? Kelley was your mother's maiden name."

"Yeah, so what. Is it relevant to this matter, Detective?"

"I don't know. I'm asking just to cover all the bases," Patterson replied. "There's no record of you being part of the Calderone group? Where do you fit into the family? How come no one knows about you?"

Ewyn gave Patterson a sidelong glance. "Who says no one knows? Are you keeping tabs on the Calderones? I thought racketeering came under the auspices of the FBI," he remarked. "Must be a lot of work for you local boys."

"That's not an answer."

"It's
my
answer," Ewyn countered. "As I said, my relationship to Gregorio Calderone isn't germane to the accident or anything else. All you need to know is we're related. I say I'm his brother, and I'm head of the Calderone family in his absence. Leave it alone, Detective. You do not want to go there."

"Is that supposed to be some kind of threat?"

Ewyn shrugged. "Take it any way you want."

"I'll eventually get the answers I'm looking for, one way or another."

"Good luck with that." Ewyn snorted. "Now, about the accident…"

"Fine. Do you know anyone who would want to hurt your nieces? Someone connected to your brother's business?"

"What are you saying, Detective? It wasn't an accident." Ewyn glanced down at Kiera and smiled. Her eyes were starting to close, but she reflexively continued to suck on the nipple.

"Oh, it was an accident, all right. However, your brother's disappearance without a trace, combined with evidence of someone else being in your niece's car, brings up a multitude of questions about the
cause
of the accident." Patterson looked directly at Ewyn. "We found a gun in the car. Carolyn died from a gunshot wound."