Overflow: The Carpino Series (24 page)

Setting my basket down on the island, I say, “Well, I didn’t
think I did, but thank you anyway.  She has no family to support her, her older
sister has been strung out for years and is now spreading that joy in Florida. 
Her mom hooked up with another looser last year, followed him to South Dakota
and has a million issues of her own.  I hate that she doesn’t have a family
that’s there for her, but honestly, she’s better off without them.  They cause
her more headaches than you can imagine.  I think she attached herself to
Preston in the beginning thinking that was her chance to pull herself out of
the mess she grew up in, but what he’s done to her is worse than she ever grew
up with.  And that’s saying something.”

“You need to talk to her Gabby.  She says she only wants
enough from that man to cover my fees, which I told her repeatedly there won’t
be any.  She said she wants nothing from him, not one thing.  What she needs to
do is drain him and take him to the bank, which from what I understand, is
pretty full.  She needs to be able to set herself up so she can start over
without the headache of wondering how she’s going to finance her new life. 
That man will be judged in a court of law, and someday by God, for what he did
to her and killing their innocent baby.  But that girl needs to open her eyes
and realize that she only has one chance to take what she needs to set up a new
life.”

Uncle Tony is on a warpath, which I knew he would be. 
Anyone with a heart would, but he always takes it to a new level, his family
being the most important thing to him just under his faith.  Not to mention he
has three daughters.  My uncle specializes in family law for a reason.  He’s
good so he can take on the cases he believes in and truly help people who are
experiencing hard times in life. 

“I’ll talk to her.  I don’t know what more I can do, she
told me this morning she wants no memory of him.  She even said she wants to
sell her car as soon as she can.”  Preston insisted on her driving a little BMW
two seater and she has always hated it, though I think she only hated it because
he didn’t give her a choice.  “I’m not letting her leave here for a while.  At
least until we figure out the legal charges with Preston.  I don’t want her by
herself and she’ll be safer here with Jude and me.”

“Speaking of,” is all my uncle says as he narrows his eyes
on me for the second time. 

“What?” I ask, as if I don’t know what he’s asking.

“What do you mean, what?  What’s going on with you two? 
Tony said you looked like hell when he picked you up Monday.  You sure don’t
look like hell now, so what I want to know is, do we need to kick his ass or
not?” he asks through narrowed eyes but hiding a grin simultaneously. 

“Well, I’d be pretty upset if you kicked his ass seeing as I
want him around, so I’ll just say that everything is good.  No, great! 
Everything is really, really great,” I answer on a sigh.

My Uncle Tony smiles at me, pulls me in for a big hug and
says, “My sweet girl.  I’m happy for you.  Can’t say I’m happy you’re living in
sin and don’t even want to think about what your parents would say if they were
here, but I think he’s a good man, he cares about you and he makes you happy. 
You’ve had it tough and from what I understand he has too, but that look on
your face almost makes you living in sin forgivable.  Not quite, but almost.” 

And with that he kisses my head and gives me another
squeeze.  I love my uncle so much, my whole family, and I now realize more than
ever how lucky I am to have them as I watch Leigh walk through her nightmare
with no one but me.  This makes me even more determined to do everything in my
power to get her back to who she used to be, a happy and spirited Leigh. 

“Thank you for coming, Uncle Tony,” I say as I walk him to
the door. 

“Anything, Gabby.  You know that.  Tell Jude hi.  We’ll all
get together soon.”

Locking the door, I go to set the alarm, because Jude is
once again on the Safety Crusade since Preston is out on bail and we are here
by ourselves during the day.  Uncle Tony told me earlier he’s filing for a
restraining order on Leigh’s behalf, so maybe that will set Jude at ease a
bit.  I return to the laundry that has tripled having added Jude and Leigh to
the mix.  Thinking about all I have to do, I decide I need to lighten my
project load with clients for a while until I can get Leigh sorted.  More time
for Leigh, more time for Jude and I can’t help but think maybe I can squeeze in
some time to work on a couple pieces of furniture for Jude’s mountain home. 
Maybe that’s something I can get Leigh to help me with to get her mind off
things, plus it will be fun to work on them together.  Folding the last piece
of laundry, I pick up Mia before she figures out its bath time and hides from
me and make my way to the laundry room sink for a dog bath. 

Pressing the eighth floor button in the elevator, I can’t
help but think the Carpino’s law firm must do really well to afford offices in
this building.  Always working for the government, I’m used to mid-scale
accommodations at best.  This building is the shit, so I’m expecting their offices
to be no less.

The elevator bings.  I exit wondering why I’ve been summoned
by Gabby’s Uncles and cousin.  Christmas is a little over a week away and the
last couple of months have been nothing short of perfect.  The lease was up on
my condo and I officially moved in with Gabby.  Leigh is still there as well,
but she’s so quiet and insists on keeping to herself that I don’t really see
her much.  Gabby’s worried about her, but Leigh started a new job this morning
at the hospital where she used to work and I know Gabby is hoping that will be
the first step in pulling her out of her state of depression.  She’s recovered
physically, but is still an emotional mess and refuses to see a counselor so
it’s all Gabby, Regan and Lilly pulling her through.  I think Tony is even
kicking in, they seem to be spending a lot of time together lately and he’s
even representing her legally, managing her divorce.  She seemed to have a
change of heart about not wanting anything from him, so Leigh’s divorce has
been drug out by her bastard husband’s legal issues, plus his lawyers are
dragging their feet working on a feeble defense.  Gabby will absolutely not let
Leigh move out for the time being which I agree with, she doesn’t need to be on
her own with her asshole husband out on bail and awaiting trial.

I got here as fast as I could after getting their call.  I
was in a meeting with the US Attorney, learning that Megan Harper has finally
struck a deal, giving up all she knows about her husband.  In return, she won’t
see any jail time and has already moved out of state, taking her kids with
her.  I can’t say that I’m not happy.  I don’t want her anywhere near Gabby. 
Trevor Harper’s trial will begin early next year, but the US Attorney assures
me he has no case and will go down for a long time. 

I open the door to see Paige at the receptionist desk and
find I was not wrong.  The reception area of the office is totally swank and
classy.  Yeah, their firm is doing well.

“Paige?” I call, “When did you start working here?”

“Well….” her face contorts with her answer.  “I’ve worked
here off and on for a year or two.  I can’t seem to decide on a career, so my
dad insists I work here.   I’m pretty sure it’s punishment for being indecisive
and lame,” she informs me while shrugging her shoulders.

Grinning at her, I ask on, “You get to work here and think
about career options, huh?  Come to any conclusions?”

“No, but I can cross off working for my dad, brother and
uncle.  This is not fun and sure is motivating me to make a quicker decision! 
I mean, who wants to work for their brother?  It’s embarrassing, plus he’s
driving me insane!  He’s even more obnoxious than he was when we were kids.”

“I bet,” I say laughing at her.  Getting to know the
Carpino’s over the last few months has been interesting to say the least.  I’ve
learned that Paige has her own sort of crazy and is downright funny.

Gino walks out of the hallway that must lead to their
offices and says, “Jude, thanks for coming.  We’re in the conference room.” 
Then looking to Paige, he says, “Hold the calls.  We’ll be a while.”

Paige, in a super obnoxious manner, gives him a salute and
says, “Yes sir, Mr. Carpino.  Are you sure I can’t fetch you a coffee first? 
Order your lunch?  Make some copies?  File anything?”

Gino slowly closes his eyes and shakes his head.  I’m thinking
everyone is probably hoping Paige comes to a decision sooner rather than later
about a career choice.  Grinning at Paige, I move to follow Gino through the
hallway and into an equally impressive conference room with a long rectangular
table with seating for twelve.  Tony, his dad, and Nic are all standing and
from their posture, I can tell something is wrong.  I immediately stop and hear
Gino close the door behind me. 

“What’s going on?” I ask impatiently, not liking their
stance or the vibe they’re giving off.  My thoughts immediately go to Gabby.  I
left her this morning in her basement workroom refinishing furniture and I just
talked to her an hour ago. 

The four of them give each other knowing looks, but it’s
Tony, Sr. that starts, “Jude, there’s something you should know, something
Gabby doesn’t know.  We tried to protect her from this, but some things have
happened and that’s about to change.”

He pauses and looks at his brothers and son, then back to
me.  Finally I say, “What the hell?  Are you going to make me guess?”

Finally Nic lays it out, “We have a significant reason to
believe Luka and Meredith’s car accident wasn’t an accident.  We thought this
back when it happened, but they couldn’t find any evidence.  There were no
signs of skidding on the road, no other vehicles on the highway that night to
cause the accident, but the police thought there could be foul play with the
steering in their SUV.  The investigations came up empty and they couldn’t
prove anything because the wreckage was so bad.”  He pauses to take in air and
all I can do is clench my fists and keep listening, “We didn’t know who it
could be back then and without proof we decided not to tell Gabby, so that’s on
us.  But now, we’re thinking there’s a reason to tell her.”

Not able to move a muscle because none of this can be good,
I ask, “And that reason is what?”

Gino goes on, “We got a call this morning from Nebraska
Corrections, there has been rumblings going around and they’ve heard the
Carpino name being whispered.  They started putting two and two together,
finally made four.  After interrogating inmates, they figured out that an
inmate in for Second Degree was just released last week after serving a
quarter.  That man’s name is Dwayne Pope, he’s known on the street as The Pope
if you can believe that shit because he thinks he managed an empire before he
was sent down.  If you call a gang of street thugs an empire, then I guess he
did.  Twenty five years ago he held up two high school kids on a date, it got
out of hand, the boy barely lived.  Pope raped and killed the girl.  They
couldn’t nail him on First Degree, but he went down for Second with Aggravated
Circumstance.  Luka prosecuted him when he was still an Assistant DA.  It was a
high profile case that shook the community.  They were good kids, honor roll,
just set to graduate from high school and both going to college on
scholarships.  Luka left the DA’s office shortly after when we formed the
practice,” Gino takes a breath after laying out the horror story.  The four of
them look at each other and then back to me.

“There’s more?” I ask.

Gino continues, “Yeah.  Some of Pope’s crew who were in for
unrelated charges were released a few years ago.  Specifically, four years and
five months ago.  The rumblings heard from the inside are saying they messed
with Luka’s car, affirming what we’ve thought for years, their death was no
accident.  But even more, the reason they’re hearing what they’re hearing now
is that Pope isn’t finished.  He wants his hand in retaliation and has been talking
big and arrogant about his plans.  We’re worried that this could be directed at
Gabby.”

Red. All I can see is red and I can hear my heart pounding
in my ears.  But wait.  Fucking hell!  I can barely get the word out to
whisper, “Hangups.”

“Come again?” Tony asks.

“Hangups.  Last week, Gabby mentioned she’s had some
hangups.  A couple at home and on her cell.  I even looked into it without her
knowing, couldn’t find anything.  Trever Harper is still in jail awaiting trial
and you all know Leigh’s asshole husband has checked himself into an inpatient
drug treatment program, probably trying to make a defense for himself that he
was strung-out when he beat her.  I asked her casually about it, she hasn’t had
anymore, so I didn’t want to scare her.”  Now realizing she is home by herself
for the first time in a long time because today Leigh is starting her new job,
I murmur, “Fuck.”  I turn on my heel and storm out of the conference room and
barely hear them following me. 

I’m at a jog when I make it through reception and hear Paige
call my name as I pull the door to the office, slamming it open and make the
decision to take the stairs, foregoing the elevator.  As I do this, I pull out
my phone to call Gabby.  It rings, rings, rings.  I hear her soft voice come at
me through the phone letting me know she’s busy and to leave a message. 
Disconnecting, I try her at home and get the same.  I exit the building at a
flat out run, listening to her uncles and cousin trailing me.  I turn to yell,
“She’s not answering either phone!”

I make it to my truck as Tony yells to his dad and uncles,
“I’m with Jude.”   He climbs in and we race to the house, God willing, to find
Gabby safe and sound.

*****

“They’re rounding them up, already have two in custody and
we aren’t wasting time taking them to the station.  Their asses are on the curb
in cuffs and we’re talkin' to them here.  I’ll let you know if we come up with
anything,” Mac informs me. 

I’m standing in the driveway next to Gabby’s Tahoe.  The
property is swarming with police, finger printing her vehicle and questioning
neighbors to see if they saw anything.  It’s been two hours since I’ve talked
to her.  I’m on the edge of losing it. 

When Tony and I pulled up, her Tahoe was backed half way out
of the garage, running with the driver’s door open and her cell lying in the
console.  Her purse was gone, the house alarm was set so he must have gotten to
her on her way out.  Omaha PD, along with the agents in my office, have been
rounding up Pope’s followers to question them on what they might know and where
he could possibly take her. 

“I want properties pulled that could be in his name or any
of his crew.  I also want every location listed in his criminal history,” I
order.

“We’re already on it.  I’ll call you as soon as we get that
list together,” Mac disconnects.

He’s been in jail for twenty five years, where in the fuck
would he take her?  I rake my hands through my hair, trying to keep my shit
together instead of counting the minutes as they tick by and what that could
mean for Gabby, especially knowing what he was capable of twenty five years
ago. 

Wait, twenty five years ago. 

“Gino!” I yell across the yard where he’s huddled with his
brothers as I make my way to them.  “Where did he kill the girl twenty five
years ago?  At the scene or did he take her to a second location?”

I see Gino’s face contort in a mix of realization and
horror, as he whispers, “He took her somewhere.  They found her body days later
in a field outside of town where he dumped her, but he raped and killed her in
an old building on that farm used for storage, just north of town.”

At that time, my cell rings and it’s Mac.  I answer saying,
“North of town, the location where he murdered the girl twenty five years ago.”

“That’s what we got from these dimwits.  It was his
grandparents’ farm,” he said as I move to my truck.  “I’m getting the address
as we speak, but head north on highway 680.  I’ll call you right back.  We’re
south of you, but we’re heading that way and I’ll get units radioed out right
away.”

“Right,” I answer and hang up already in my truck, realizing
Tony is coming with me again. “His grandparents used to own the farm where he
killed the girl.  It’s our only lead, we’ll head there and pray we’re not too
late,” I say to Tony.

Tony is pulling out his phone as he mutters, “This cannot be
happening, get to her fast, Jude.” 

I speed north, my chest so tight it feels like it could
burst in two thinking three hours ago I was finding myself lucky enough to find
love twice, but now praying it’s not ripped away for a second time in my life. 
Trying not to let myself think about it, but knowing in the back of my head
there’s no way I’ll be able to make it through that loss again.

*****

It’s so cold.  I was just running out to buy more sandpaper
and I’m not dressed to be in these conditions.  We’re inside, but this building
is old and dilapidated that I not only hear, but feel the wind whistling
through the walls.  I’ve got to keep my wits about me, but I’m covered in
blood, shaking from the fear and cold combined.  I feel both down to my bones. 
Hearing the door bang again, I look up and see him walk in, this time holding
an old rag to his shoulder where I shot him.  He’s looking pale, probably from
the loss of blood, but still giving me a murderous look from his evil eyes. 
Not knowing who he is or why he wants me, I try not to panic and stay calm,
looking for any opportunity for escape. 

I barely had my car backed out of the garage when my door
was ripped open, he threw my car in park and yanked me out.  I started to
scream but he clamped his hand over my mouth and drug me to an old rusted-out
four door sedan.  He’s only a couple inches taller than me, but much bigger,
having no trouble getting me to the car and throwing me in the trunk.  We drove
and drove and drove.  I have no idea where we are.  My only stroke of luck in
this whole nightmare is that I had my crossbody purse on when he grabbed me.  I
used it yesterday while shopping and hadn’t switched back to my larger purse. 
He was in such a hurry at my house, he threw me in the trunk with it still on
me and although my cell was left back in my car, I did have my gun.  Feeling
around in the dark, I was prepared and ready when he opened the trunk deciding
I needed to act fast before he realized I was armed.  I had it aimed at his
chest, but he caught sight and at the last second was able to move just enough
that I hit him square in the shoulder instead. 

Well, that proves it.   My uncles taught me you don’t shoot
to maim, if you have to shoot, you shoot to kill.  So, even though I had a gun,
I maimed him and I’m still in a shit load of trouble.